How to Install Linux Mint 21 on VMware Workstation 17

You can set up a virtual machine with VMware Workstation 17 Pro on Windows 11 and 10. This setup lets you learn Linux Mint 21 with ease. In this article, we will guide you through VMware’s virtualization features.

We will also use Linux Mint’s stable, user-friendly features. It is a popular choice for both home users and professionals.

If you are new to virtualization, this guide will help you step by step. You can also explore advanced settings with ease. Your virtual machine setup for Mint will be smooth and fast.

How Do You Install Linux Mint on a Virtual Machine in Windows 10 Using VMware?

Linux Mint is fast and stable compared with other distributions. It appeals to both home users and professionals. The system builds on Ubuntu’s solid package base, giving users a safe and stable desktop.

Mint uses Cinnamon as its default desktop environment. It also offers lighter MATE and Xfce editions. You can set up your system with any of these three desktops.

You can easily run Mint with VMware Workstation virtualization software. In addition, you can use it as a virtual machine on Windows 10 without a dual-boot setup.

VMware Workstation offers advanced VM settings. It lets you customize guest machines in detail. You can also use VMware Workstation Player, its free non-commercial version.

Creating a New Virtual Machine for Mint

After you install VMware Pro on your PC, you can create new virtual machines. You can then install Linux- and Windows-based operating systems on them.

Step 1

Open Workstation 17 and click “Create a New Virtual Machine.” Select the “Custom (advanced)” option for advanced settings. Finally, click Next to continue.

Step 2

For Mint guest machine compatibility, select the latest version of the Workstation software in the Hardware Compatibility section.

Step 3

You can install the guest operating system in three ways. However, if you add the ISO file right away, VMware sets some options automatically.

Select the “I will install the operating system later” option for advanced settings.

Step 4

Select the Linux platform as the guest operating system, and select Ubuntu 64-bit in the version section.

Mint directly uses the popular Ubuntu base. The two systems share many core features. If you want a different experience, setting up an Ubuntu virtual machine in VMware is also a great choice.

Step 5

Type a name for your Mint guest machine, choose an install location, and click Next.

Step 6

Set the virtual processor count based on your host CPU. Then, choose the CPU core count.

Step 7

Select the recommended memory size for your guest machine. If your PC has enough RAM, you can allocate more. This step will boost overall system speed.

Step 8

Select the NAT network option for your Mint virtual OS.

Step 9

Proceed with the default LSI Logic option as the I/O controller type.

Step 10

Setting the virtual disk type to NVMe boosts VM speed. Select NVMe and click Next.

Virtual Disk and Hardware Settings for Linux Mint

Step 1

Select “Create a new virtual disk” for a clean installation. Then, click Next to continue.

If you already have a saved disk, choose “Use an existing virtual disk.” This option attaches your virtual disk right away.

Step 2

You can keep the default disk size or increase it as needed. Storing the virtual disk as a single file is also helpful. It lets you move your VM easily in the future.

Step 3

Continue without changing the name and location of the Linux virtual disk file.

Step 4

Click Customize Hardware to adjust the Mint guest machine settings.

Step 5

Click Processors in the hardware list. Then, enable all features under Virtualization Engine.

• Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI
• Virtualize CPU Performance Counters
• Virtualize IOMMU (IO Memory Management Unit)

Step 6

Visit the official website to download the Linux Mint ISO file. In the VM settings, select CD/DVD (SATA). Click Browse and select your downloaded ISO file.

Step 7

Open the USB Controller settings for your Mint VM. Then, set the USB Compatibility option to 3.1.

Step 8

Open the Display settings for your virtual PC. Enable “Accelerate 3D graphics” for smoother graphics. Finally, set the graphics memory based on your host GPU.

Step 9

Review your hardware changes in the summary window. Then, click Finish to close the wizard.

Step 10

You are now ready to install Linux Mint. Click “Power on this virtual machine” to boot the system.

Linux Mint Setup with VMware Workstation

Once the guest machine starts, it boots from the ISO file. You can now follow the setup steps just like on a physical PC.

Step 1

On this screen, you can check system integrity or run a hardware test. Select “Start Linux Mint” and press Enter to boot the live system.

Step 2

When the desktop loads, double-click “Install Linux Mint” to launch the installer.

Step 3

Select your language in the setup wizard, and then click Continue.

Step 4

Choose your keyboard layout, and then click Continue.

Step 5

Select “Install multimedia codecs” to play video files smoothly in Mint.

Step 6

Select “Erase disk and install Linux Mint” for a clean install. Click Install Now, and then click Continue to confirm the disk changes.

Step 7

Select your location and time zone, and then click Continue.

Step 8

Enter your username and computer name, and create a strong password.

Step 9

Wait while the installer copies files and installs the required software.

Step 10

Once the installation finishes, restart your virtual system.

Step 11

Press Enter to unmount the ISO installation media.

Step 12

To check the Linux version, run the lsb_release -a command in a terminal.

lsb_release -a

VMware Tools Setup on a Mint VM

VMware Workstation installs VMware Tools automatically during setup. However, if your host PC is offline, it cannot download this package.

Steps:

Step 1

Connect to the internet and press Ctrl + Alt + T to open a terminal. Run the sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktop command. Then, press Y to confirm disk space usage.

sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktop

Step 2

Restart your Linux machine. You can then run the vmware-toolbox-cmd --version command to check the VMware Tools version.

This package is essential for screen resizing and smooth mouse movement. For full driver details, see our guide on installing VMware Tools in a Mint environment.

Step 3

You can drag and drop files between your host and the VM. This confirms that file sharing works properly.

Step 4

You can also use your Mint guest machine in full-screen resolution.

Shared Folder Setup for a Mint OS

You can also transfer files between systems with a shared folder. Note that you must install VMware Tools to use this feature.

Step 1

Select VM > Settings to open the guest machine settings. Under the Options tab, click Shared Folders and choose “Always enabled.” Then, click Add to start the wizard.

Step 2

Create a folder named SharedFolder on your host PC. In the Host Path field, click Browse and select that folder.

Step 3

Make sure “Enable this share” is checked. Then, click Finish to close the wizard.

Step 4

On your Mint OS, open /mnt/hgfs. Check that your shared folder appears there.

To test it, create a new text file inside the folder. Then, check the host folder to confirm the file synced.

Step 5

To create a shared folder shortcut on your desktop, run sudo ln -s /mnt/hgfs/SharedFolder/ ~/Desktop/ in a terminal.

Step 6

If you restart the system, you might see a shared folder error. If so, remount the folder and enable auto-mount.

Step 7

To mount the shared folder again, run this command in a terminal:

sudo mount -t fuse.vmhgfs-fuse .host:/ /mnt/hgfs/ -o allow_other

Step 8

To auto-mount the shared folder on every reboot, edit /etc/fstab:

sudo nano /etc/fstab

Step 9

Add this line to the /etc/fstab file. Then, press Ctrl + X, Y, and Enter to save and exit:

.host:/SharedFolder /mnt/hgfs/SharedFolder fuse.vmhgfs-fuse allow_other

Step 10

When you restart your Mint VM, the shared folder will mount without errors.

Using a USB Flash Drive in a VMware Mint VM

You can connect USB flash drives to your Linux virtual PC. This allows you to transfer files quickly.

Step 1

Plug a USB 3.0/3.1 drive into your host PC, and create a folder named Backup on it.

Step 2

In the menu, click VM > Removable Devices > [Your USB] > Connect. This connects your flash drive to the VM.

If the Connect option is grayed out, shut down the Mint machine. Then, follow the next step to adjust your settings.

Step 3

Open the VM folder and open the .vmx file in Notepad. Change the usb.restrictions.defaultAllow value to "TRUE".

usb.restrictions.defaultAllow = "TRUE"

Step 4

Power on your Mint machine again. You can now connect your USB drive.

Step 5

Open the USB drive in the virtual Mint system. You will see the folder you created.

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Setup for Older Versions

FAQ About Using VMware on Linux Mint

Conclusion

Running Linux Mint 21 with VMware Workstation Pro is fast and reliable. A VM gives you high stability without changing your host system. It lets you enjoy Mint’s clean design and strong features. By following this step-by-step guide, you can set up a custom Linux environment with ease.

You now have a working Mint machine. Conversely, setting up VMware Workstation on Linux Mint requires the right kernel headers. Installing all required packages early ensures a smooth installation on the first try.

You can also fine-tune advanced settings on your VM. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, Mint and VMware work great together. They offer a safe, flexible way to test new operating systems.