iSumsoft » Windows Tips»How to Install Windows 11 on VMware Workstation 16 Pro

How to Install Windows 11 on VMware Workstation 16 Pro

Ralph Adolphs
Ralph Adolphs

Updated:

As the latest version of Windows created by Microsoft, Windows 11 has attracted many people for its updating features such as Snap Layout and Group, Widgets, Android App Support, etc. However, some users can not install Windows 11 on their Computer due to the hardware issue or hesitate to install it because of the unknown bugs. To get rid of these problems, you can test Windows 11 on VMware without making any changes on your original system and data. Now follow the steps to learn how to install VMware Workstation 16 Pro.

how to install Windows 11 on VMware workstation 16 pro

Step 1: Create a New Windows 11 Virtual Machine

Before you install Windows 11 on virtual machine, you need to:

Install VMware Workstation 16 Pro for Windows on Computer

Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) to Computer

1. Launch VMware Workstation 16 Pro, click Create a New Virtual Machine or press Ctrl + N.

Create a New Virtual Machine

2. In the new virtual machine wizard, choose Typical configuration and click on Next to create a virtual machine in easy steps.

Choose Typical configuration

3. Choose Installer disc image files and click on Browse to select the Windows 11 ISO file stored on PC.

select the Windows 11 ISO file

4. Select Microsoft Windows and Windows 10 and later x64 version by default. Then click on Next.

Select Microsoft Windows

5. Name your virtual machine such as Windows 11 VM according to your preference.

 Name your virtual machine

6. Set maximum disk size. For Windows 11, 100 GB or 120GB is suggested. Then click on Next.

 Set maximum disk size

7. Finally click Finish and you can successfully create a new virtual machine.

click Finish

Step 2: Adjust Virtual Machine Settings

Follow the step 1 you will create a new virtual machine with Windows 10 and later x64. If you want to install Windows 11 on VMware Workstation 16 Pro, you need to adjust the virtual settings to meet the minimum system requirements to install Windows 11.

1. Click on Edit virtual machine settings to change the device configuration.

Click on Edit virtual machine settings

2. Choose Memory and drag the slider to choose 4 GB or greater for Windows 11.

Adjust VM Memory for Windows 11

3. Choose Processors and configure your CPU. Ensure your virtual machine has 2 or more virtual processors for Windows 11. Then click OK if you finish the adjustments.

Adjust VM CPU for Windows 11

Step 3: Install Windows 11 on VMware Workstation 16 Pro

After the adjustment of virtual settings to meet the install requirements for Windows 11, you can start to install Windows 11 on VMware Workstation 16 Pro as follows.

1. Click on Power on this virtual machine and press any key to boot from CD or DVD. If you meet error "EFI network timeout" on VMware Workstation, click here to fix it.

Click on Power on this virtual machine

2. Set your language, time and currency format and keyboard. Then click on Next.

Set up Windows

3. Click on Install now to start Windows Setup.

 Click on Install now to start Windows Setup

4. Enter the product key if you have one or just choose I don't have a product key. Then click Next.

choose I don't have a product key

5. Choose Windows 11 version you prefer to install and click on Next.

Choose Windows 11 version

6. Check the box to accept the Microsoft Software Terms and click on Next. If you meet an error "This PC can't run Windows 11", you need to fix it first.

 accept the Microsoft Software Terms

7. Select Custom: Install Windows only(advanced)

Select Custom type

8. Choose virtual hard disk and click on Next. It may cost few minutes to install Windows 11 on VMware Workstation 16 Pro.

 Choose virtual hard disk to install windows 11

Step 4: Initial Setup for Windows 11

When you install Windows 11 on VMware Workstation 16 Pro, you need to finish the initial setup including region, keyboard layout and account information to get in the Windows.

1. Choose your country or region and click Yes. Then set your keyboard layout or skip. Next, you can name your device.

Initial Setup for Windows 11

2. Choose Set up for personal use and click on Next.

Choose Set up for personal use

3. Click Sign-in options and select Offline account to sign in. Then click Skip for now to continue. Next, you are able to set your user name and enter a password. Finally click on Accept to save your privacy settings for device.

set account information

4. Wait for a few minutes and you will successfully install Windows 11 on VMware Workstation 16 Pro.

wait for windows 11 setup

That's all the steps on how to install Windows 11 on VMware Workstation 16 Pro. Hopefully, this can help you enjoy the features of Windows 11 without upgrading. Thank you.