Installing Windows 7 on a virtual machine uses the new computer scenario and clean install method. However, it is necessary to create a virtual machine first within the virtualization software. This is different depending on the software, but generally involves the following:
Selecting the virtual machine hardware compatibility – This depends on the product and its maturity as it may have earlier versions of virtual machines. Remember that a virtual machine is a file, and the virtualization application must be able to understand it to run it.
Selecting the installer disk – This could be a physical disk in the physical computer that will be emulated in the virtual machine or an installer disc image file.
Selecting the operating system – This is generally done to automatically configure the virtual hardware.
Processors – Depending on the processors and cores on the physical system, this may be asked.
Memory – This is the amount of memory the virtual machine will have. This should be the minimum requirements for the edition of Windows 7 that you will be running. A virtual machine may even run well with less than the required amount of hardware.
Network connection – This is the configuration of the virtual network card.
Bridged – This choice will use the same network as the physical Ethernet card. The virtual machine will appear as another computer on the network.
NAT – Network address translation gives the effect of the virtual machine behind a router, where the router would be the host operating system. Generally, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol will be configured and assigned automatically.
Host-only – This will connect the virtual machine to a private virtual network where it will be isolated.
Virtual disk – You may choose to create a new virtual disk or use an existing one, for this example creates a new one.
Virtual disk type – This chooses between Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) or SCSI emulation.
Virtual disk size – This is the size of the virtual hard drive. Choose wisely as it is difficult to change this later.
Disk file – You may choose where and how to save the virtual machine hard drive file.
Once the virtual machine is created, the virtualization software will generally boot the system.
If you are using VMware, you must install VMware tools after the Windows 7 Setup is finished. This allows for better hardware support within your virtual machine, as well as other nice features provided by VMware. All post install options are recommended after the install as this install type is similar to a clean install on a new system deployment scenario.
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