How to Install Windows 7 on VMware ESXi

In this article, we will examine how to install Microsoft Windows 7 on a new virtual machine on the VMware vSphere Hypervisor server.

How to Setup Windows 7 on VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0

Before installing an operating system on VMware ESXi, you need to create a new virtual pc. You will also need to add the operating system’s ISO file to the virtual machine you are creating.

If you want to create a test environment with VMware ESXi, we recommend purchasing a physical server. Because the most important thing for VMware ESXi training is a physical server. However, if you can not purchase a server due to your budget, you can use the VMware Workstation virtualization program.

VMware Workstation for VMware ESXi training/learning may be wrong, but you can use it for the test environment. VMware Workstation is in the Hypervisor Type 2 class while ESXi is in the Hypervisor Type 1 class.

As a result, using Hypervisor Type 1 on Hypervisor Type 2 will be illogical. However, you can use it in test environments.

You can access our previous VMware ESXi articles from the following links;

• What is ESXi
• How to Install ESXi on VMware Workstation
• How to Create Virtual Machine in ESXi
• How to Add ISO Files to Datastore in ESXi

How to Run Windows 7 in vSphere 6.7U2

Follow the steps below for installing Microsoft Win7 64-bit operating system on VMware vSphere.

   Step 1

Connect to the web interface of VMware ESXi server and click Virtual Machines to create a new VM, and then click Create / Register VM.

   Step 2

In the New Virtual Machine window, select Create a new VM and then click Next.

   Step 3

Type in the VM name and click Next when you have set the operating system version and family.

   Step 4

Select the datastore on which the VM will be installed. Since there is only one datastore on VMware ESXi, datastore1 will be selected by default. Continue the installation by clicking the Next button.

   Step 5

To add the ISO file to the Win 7 virtual machine, select Datastore ISO File from CD/DVD Drive 1.

   Step 6

Once the Datastore Browser is open, select the Win 7 64-bit ISO file and click the Select button.

   Step 7

Activate the Hardware Virtualization and Performance Counters features for the VM and click the Next button.

   Step 8

After configuring the VM, click on the Next button.

   Step 9

The summary information of the VM is as follows. Click on the Finish button to close the window.

   Step 10

To start the Windows 7 installation, click Power on.

   Step 11

Click on Windows Logo to open the Win 7 VM console screen. After the Microsoft Win 7 installation begins, configure your language, keyboard, and time settings, and then click Next.

   Step 12

To accept the license agreement, select I accept the license terms and click Next.

   Step 13

Make a disk configuration and select Disk 0 Partition 2 and click Next.

   Step 14

Wait while expanding Windows files.

   Step 15

Type your username and computer name, and then click Next to continue.

   Step 16

If you want to configure the license key later, click Next.

   Step 17

Configure your time zone and click Next.

   Step 18

Wait while completing Windows your settings…

   Step 19

The steps to install Microsoft Win7 on vSphere ESXi 6.7U2 has completed successfully! Now, we will install VM Tools on ESXi.

How to Install VMware Tools

After you set up the virtual machine on ESXi, the first thing you need to do is to install VMware Tools. After installing VM Tools, you can use the virtual machine more efficiently. You can also use the VM in full-screen mode.

   Step 1

Select Windows 7 on the virtual machine screen. Then the Windows 7 virtual machine’s setting window will open. To start VM Tools setup, click Actions and click Guest OS from the options listed. From the options in the Guest OS, click on Install VMware Tools.

   Step 2

The installation of VMware Tools on the Windows 7 virtual machine will start as shown below. Click Next to start the VM Tools setup.

   Step 3

In the Choose Setup Type window, select the Complete option and click the Next button.

   Step 4

Click the Install button to start the VM Tools installation.

   Step 5

After successfully completing the VM Tools installation of Windows 7 virtual machine, click Finish.

   Step 6

Restart the virtual computer for the changes to take effect.

   Step 7

The steps to install Windows 7 has completed successfully! You can check the operating system information in My Computer / Features.

   Video

You can watch the following video to install Windows 7 step by step, and also subscribe to our YouTube channel to support us…

   Final Word

In this article, we have installed the Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit operating system using the server virtualization software. We also have reviewed the steps to install VMware Tools on vSphere ESXi. Thanks for following us!

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