For beginners who are just getting started with Linux, setting up a suitable learning environment is the key first step, and the VMware virtual machine is a practical tool for achieving “running multiple systems on one computer“. This tutorial will guide you from 0 to complete the download and installation of VMware virtual machine, VMtools tools, and system images, laying a solid foundation for future Linux learning.
Why Choose VMware?
As a classic virtualization software, VMware allows us to simulate an independent “virtual computer” on the existing computer system (such as Windows), enabling the installation of different operating systems like Linux. Its advantages include:
User-Friendly Operation: The graphical interface is clear, making it easy for even beginners to get started quickly;
Strong Compatibility: Supports various system images, making it easy to install CentOS, Ubuntu, and other Linux distributions without any issues;
Resource Control: Allows flexible allocation of virtual memory and hard disk space, avoiding excessive consumption of host resources.
Core Steps: Installing the Virtual Machine and Tools
This tutorial references practical operational videos, covering the entire process from software download to basic setup, allowing beginners to follow along:
1. Software Download: Two Options Available
The video provides two paths for “official website download” and “cloud drive download” to address issues some users may face with slow downloads or difficulty finding resources on the official website. If you encounter difficulties with the official website, you can use the convenient channels provided in the video to obtain the installation package, ensuring the software is the latest version and completely free to use.
2. Installation Note: Patience is Key
During the installation process, it is important to pay attention to the “resource allocation” step — the video mentions that Windows 10 has a high resource usage, and if you plan to run complex programs in the virtual machine later, it is advisable to allocate a bit more memory (to avoid the situation in the video where too little was allocated initially). Additionally, there will be several “loading waits” during the installation process; the video has cut out the waiting time, so remember to be patient during actual operation and do not exit midway!
3. Essential Tool: The Role of VMtools
VMtools is the “auxiliary tool” for the virtual machine, and after installation, it enables functions such as “dragging files between the host and virtual machine” and “seamless mouse switching” which greatly enhances the user experience. The video also explains the installation steps in detail, and it is highly recommended to complete this step.
Tip: Quickly Adjust the Virtual Machine Screen Resolution
After installing the virtual machine, you may encounter the “screen display mismatch” issue — at this point, there is no need for complex settings; just find the “stretch button” in the virtual machine interface and click it a couple of times, and the screen will automatically adapt to the client (i.e., your computer) resolution, making it simple and efficient.
Next Step: Preparing for Linux System Learning
After completing the installation of VMware and VMtools, we have established the “basic container” for building the Linux environment. In the upcoming tutorials, we will continue to explain the specific installation of the Linux system image, basic command operations in Linux, and gradually delve into the world of Linux.
If you encounter issues during the installation process, such as software download failures or the virtual machine not starting, feel free to leave a comment for discussion. To view detailed video demonstrations, click on 【Read the Original】 to follow along step by step for higher efficiency!
(Click the end of the article “Read the Original” to jump to the complete practical video)