Setup and configure VMPlayer and its convenient features in Windows 8.1

Instruction for VMWorkstation (the commercial version) is also quite similar.

1.     Download VMPlayer – latest player

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/free#desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_player/5_0

2.     Download CentOS image

http://virtual-machine.org/centos-6-x86_64-64bit-vmware-image-download

Tip: Download the minimal install CentOS.

 

3.     Install VMPlayer: Follow the UI of Installer

4.     Troubleshooting:

a.      If vmplayer complains about hyperthread / virtualization then enable that feature in BIOS

Warning!!! If you are using bitlocker your system might not be able to log you in and you might need your IT support.

b.      BIOS change

 

5.     Unzip/Extract the vm zip file.

6.     Prepare VM

a.      Launch VMPlayer and choose Open a Virtual Machine

b.      Select from “C:\Users\<user>\Downloads\centos-6.2-x64-virtual-machine-org\centos-6.2-x64-virtual-machine-org” (or where ever you have extracted) the centos-6.2-x64-virtual-machine-org.vmx

c.      Select the VM and Play the VM

d.      Select Copied it

e.      Watch the progress bar….

f.       The VM should be ready to use

g.      Try login as “root”

Select “Other” and login as “root” with password “tomtom”

7.     Download and configure VMWare Tools for Linux

https://www.vmware.com/support/ws55/doc/ws_newguest_tools_linux.html

A convenience tool kit which enables: (I feel handicapped if I don’t have this kit J)

a.      Shared clipboard between VM and host

b.      Lay out windows of CentOS as separate windows of guest operation (yes “tab” would work really nice). Or else once you are in CentOS you tab is limited to windows of the guest only.

Extract to /tmp/

Install the package. The perl file is: vmware-config-tools.pl

Select the defaults:

PowerOff

Check Unity Mode

Launch couple of browsers in CentOS and test out the UnityMode

Now alt+tab to switch among windows of both Windows and CentOS. To exit out of UnitMode:

Test the Clipboard copy and paste:

Copy URL from CentOS (Ctrl+C) and paste (Ctrl+V) in a notepad in Windows

Enable shared folder between Windows (host) and CentOS (guest)

Test the shared folder “Downloads”

Maximize the VM Player Window:

VM Player and click maximize button.