How to Run VMware & VirtualBox

Run a virtual computer inside your computer to access multiple operating systems.

Virtualization software like VMware or VirtualBox is used to create a virtual machine on a computer, allowing it to run more than one operating system at a time. This creates one physical computer, which runs the original operating system, along with a "virtual" computer, which runs the secondary operating system. Users retain their preferred operating systems while also gaining access to software designed for other operating systems. VMware Player and VirtualBox Open Source Edition, two competing freeware versions of these products, are both fairly simple to run.

Things You'll Need

• VMware Player
• VirtualBox Open Source Edition

Instructions

Run VMware Player

1. Install VMware Player on a computer that is running Windows or Linux. Make sure that your computer meets the system requirements for the software.

2. Find VMware Player in the "Start" menu, under "Program Files." Select the program to start it.

3. Choose "Create a New Virtual Machine" from the options on the program's start page. This will open a list of operating system options.

4. Choose the operating system you wish to install and follow the dialog prompts to create the virtual machine.

5. Find the virtual machine you made by selecting "Open a VM" from the program's main screen. Select the file name, then click "Open." Use the virtual machine as desired.

Run VirtualBox Open Source Edition

1. Install VirtualBox on a computer that is running Windows, Linux or Mac OSX. Make sure that your computer meets the system requirements for the software.

2. Find VirtualBox in the "Program Files" menu if you are running Windows or in the "Applications" menu if you are running Mac OSX or Linux. Select the program to start it.

3. Select the "New" icon from the top of the window to create a new virtual machine. Follow the creation wizard prompts. When finished, the new virtual machine will appear in the list of virtual machines on the main screen of VirtualBox.

4. Double-click on your new virtual machine. Follow the "First Start Wizard" prompts, which will help you install the secondary operating system.

5. Begin using your virtual machine like you would any computer.

References

• VMware: Vmware Player User Manual
• VirtualBox: User Manual

Resources

• VirtualBox: Forums
• VMWare: Communities