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Set Up VMware Workstation 17

Virtual MachinesSetup guide 1 of 345–75 minutes

Check the host first

Section titled “Check the host first”

This guide is for a 64-bit Windows host with an Intel or AMD processor. Open Task Manager, select Performance, and then select CPU. Near the lower-right corner, look for:

Virtualization: Enabled

If it says Disabled, hardware virtualization must be enabled in the computer’s UEFI or BIOS. The setting may be called Intel Virtualization Technology, VT-x, SVM Mode, or AMD-V. Its location depends on the manufacturer. Do not change unrelated firmware settings while looking for it.

You will need roughly 6 GB for the Ubuntu installer and up to 60 GB for the completed VM. The virtual disk grows as Ubuntu uses it, so it will not consume the entire 60 GB immediately.

Download VMware and Ubuntu

Section titled “Download VMware and Ubuntu”

Follow Broadcom’s VMware desktop hypervisor download instructions and download VMware Workstation 17.5.2 or later. Broadcom requires an account and completed profile before exposing the download. Workstation Pro 17.5.2 and later is free for commercial, educational, and personal use and does not require a license key.

Download the Intel or AMD 64-bit Ubuntu Desktop LTS ISO from the Ubuntu Desktop download page. An ISO image contains installation media in a file. Leave it intact; VMware will attach it to the VM as a virtual DVD.

Install VMware Workstation

Section titled “Install VMware Workstation”
  1. Run the Workstation installer.
  2. Accept the license agreement.
  3. Keep the default installation location unless you have a reason to change it.
  4. Leave Enhanced Keyboard Driver unchecked unless VMware reports that you need it. It is not needed for this course.
  5. The update and customer-experience options are your choice; neither changes the labs.
  6. Select Install, approve the Windows administrator prompt, and let it finish.
  7. Start VMware Workstation. If asked for a license key, choose the free-use option.

Create the course VM

Section titled “Create the course VM”

From the Workstation home screen:

  1. Select Create a New Virtual Machine.
  2. Choose Typical (recommended).
  3. Choose Installer disc image file (iso), select Browse, and open the Ubuntu ISO.
  4. If VMware offers Easy Install, you may use it. Record the username and password you enter. If VMware cannot identify the ISO, select Linux, then Ubuntu 64-bit.
  5. Name the VM UnderDunn Vulnerability Research.
  6. Choose a storage location with enough free space.
  7. Set the maximum disk size to 60 GB and choose Split virtual disk into multiple files.
  8. Before selecting Finish, select Customize Hardware.

Use these settings:

Setting Course value
Memory 8 GB, or 4 GB if the host has only 8 GB total
Processors 1 processor with 4 cores
Network Adapter NAT
CD/DVD The Ubuntu ISO
Disk 60 GB

Do not assign every processor core or most of the host’s memory to the VM. The host still has to run Windows and VMware while Ubuntu is awake.

Close the hardware window, select Finish, and power on the VM.

Install Ubuntu

Section titled “Install Ubuntu”

VMware Easy Install may perform most of this process. If the normal Ubuntu installer appears:

  1. Select your language, accessibility settings, and keyboard layout.
  2. Select Install Ubuntu.
  3. Choose the interactive installation and default application selection.
  4. Allow Ubuntu to download updates if offered.
  5. Choose Erase disk and install Ubuntu.
  6. Create your account. A simple username such as student is fine.
  7. Let installation finish and restart the guest.

“Erase disk” sounds alarming because installers normally discuss physical drives. Here it means the empty 60 GB virtual disk. It does not mean the Windows drive in your host.

Confirm the result

Section titled “Confirm the result”

Log in, open Terminal, and run:

uname -m

The result should be:

x86_64

Now update Ubuntu:

sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade

The first command refreshes the list of packages. The second installs available updates. The terminal will not show dots while you type your password. That is normal.

Ubuntu usually includes VMware’s integration tools. If window resizing or clipboard integration does not work, run:

sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktop sudo reboot

Take a clean snapshot

Section titled “Take a clean snapshot”

Shut down Ubuntu. In VMware Workstation, open VM → Snapshot → Take Snapshot and name it:

Clean Ubuntu installation

This is the updated state we want when something later catches fire.

Knowledge check

Question 1 of 3

Why does “Erase disk and install Ubuntu” not erase the Windows host?