The basic steps to install a typical operating system:
1. Start your VMware product and connect to the virtual machine.
2. Insert the installation CD‐ROM or disc of the guest operating system in to the CD‐ROM or disc drive
connected to the virtual machine.
ESX Server 2.x. You must insert the installation CD‐ROM or disc in the drive on the server where the virtual machine is running. You cannot use the drives on the management workstation.
GSX Server. If your guest operating system requires a disc, you must insert it in the drive on the
server where the virtual machine is running. You cannot use the disc drive on the management
workstation.
3. Turn on your virtual machine by clicking Power On.
4. Follow the instructions provided by the operating system vendor.
As with physical computers, operating systems require separate licenses for each virtual machine that you run.
5. Install VMware Tools.
1. Start your VMware product and connect to the virtual machine.
2. Insert the installation CD‐ROM or disc of the guest operating system in to the CD‐ROM or disc drive
connected to the virtual machine.
ESX Server 2.x. You must insert the installation CD‐ROM or disc in the drive on the server where the virtual machine is running. You cannot use the drives on the management workstation.
GSX Server. If your guest operating system requires a disc, you must insert it in the drive on the
server where the virtual machine is running. You cannot use the disc drive on the management
workstation.
3. Turn on your virtual machine by clicking Power On.
4. Follow the instructions provided by the operating system vendor.
As with physical computers, operating systems require separate licenses for each virtual machine that you run.
Some Microsoft Windows OEM discs included with new computers are customized for those computers and include device drivers and other utilities specific to the hardware system. Even if you can install that Windows operating system on your physical computer, you might not be able to install it in a virtual machine. You might need to purchase a new copy of Windows to install in a virtual machine.