Sometimes, when we want to experience Linux on a Windows system, the first reaction is often to install it via VMware Workstation.
However, the installation tutorials online often involve numerous steps:
*Select virtual machine hardware compatibility
*Set up “Install operating system later”
*Select guest operating system
*Name the virtual machine and choose storage path
*Configure processor and memory
*Select network mode
*Set disk parameters
*Mount the ISO file
The entire process seems professional and complex, which can be a high barrier for beginners who just want to quickly experience Linux.
A simpler method: directly use the officially packaged virtual machine files
In fact, many Linux distributions (especially those related to security testing) provide pre-packaged virtual machine image files (.vmx/.vmdk).
We do not need to create the virtual machine step by step; just download and extract, then open it directly in VMware.
1.Download the officially packaged virtual machine image
For example, Kali Linux provides a ready-to-use VMware virtual machine version: kali-virtual-machines)
2.Extract the files
After downloading, you will get a compressed package. After extraction, you will see files like `xxx.vmx` and `xxx.vmdk`.
3.Open the virtual machine with VMware.
*Open VMware Workstation
*Click “Open a Virtual Machine”
*Select the extracted .vmx file
*Start to enter the system
4.Enter the system & initial account password
After the first startup, the virtual machine will directly enter the login interface
The default account and password for Kali Linux are:
Username: kali
Password: kali
After entering, you can access the desktop environment
Follow the prompts to enter the old password and new password to avoid security risks from the default password.
5.Simple configuration (optional)
*Modify CPU and memory size as needed
*Keep the network mode as default NAT (for easy internet access)
*After saving, you can use it normally
Advantages of this solution
No complex installation process: one step, saving time
Officially packaged, stable and reliable: downloaded from the official website, avoiding third-party risks
Suitable for quick experience: does not affect the original Windows system, can be started anytime for testing
Strong scalability: can adjust hardware configuration in VMware when needed later
Conclusion
Compared to the traditional ISO installation process, this method of directly downloading the officially packaged virtual machine files and opening them is like buying a computer that already has the system installed, ready to use upon startup.
For beginners who just want to quickly get started with Linux, this is undoubtedly the simplest and most convenient choice.