Have you ever noticed that you normally can not enable Aero in a Windows 7 or Vista virtual machine?
Note: VMware Player is available for Windows and Linux.
Keep in mind that this is Beta Software and will occasionally be temperamental.
Installing VMware Player
The install process is not complicated, but relevant install windows are shown here.
Note: During the install process you will not see the EULA for VMware Player.
Once the install process has finished you will be asked to cycle your system.
You will need to accept so that use the software.
This is the Main Window.
But it functioned without any problems whatsoever for us.
These are the menus for VMware Player…easy access to everything that you should probably get started.
Notice the link for the Guest Operating System Installation Guide in the Help Menu.
These are the Preferences.
can be preserved when you are finished with it for the day (or night).
)Go to the File Menu and select Create a New Virtual Machine… or2.
)hit Create a New Virtual in the Main Window Sidebar.
This is the process that you will need to go through to set up your new system.
In the first window you will need to choose the install source (i.e.
DVD or ISO file).
We chose to install directly from an ISO file.
Click Next when you’ve got entered the necessary information.
Choose the name for your new virtual O.S.
and the location for the new hard disk.
Click Next to proceed.
Determine the disk size and what form you would like to have your new O.S.
There are eight areas to sort through in the controls Window but none of it is complicated.
We chose 1500 MB for our O.S.
Make any desired changes for the number of processor cores or the preferred mode for the virtualization engine.
Make changes for the CD/DVD access if needed.
You should not need to do anything regarding the Floppy parameters…
Modify the web connection tweaks (if desired) to best suit your needs.
Enable or disable USB capability.
Change the access to the host Sound Card and/or choose a specific one if you should probably do so.
creation wizard screen
At this point you are ready to click Finish and get things started.
You will also see the following window asking to download and install VMware Tools.
This same window will display as the VMware Tools are downloading and installing/updating…
While the VMware Tools are downloading/installing, you will notice that your new O.S.
will also be installing at the same time.
Here you might see our Windows 7 system getting settled in.
Let all of the VMware Drivers install…there were four for our particular installation.
Windows 7 in VMware Player
Here is our new Windows 7 installation set at full screen with Aero enabled.
There are also hotkey combinations available…
A close-up look at the Start Menu & Taskbar Area…
Shut Down Process & Extra tweaks
Here is our virtual O.S.
popped out of full-screen mode.
To save the current state of your O.S.
when you shut down go to the VM Menu, then Power, and select Suspend.
Note: A Snapshot Function is not available at this time.
We enabled the closing messages in the Preferences, so the following message window appeared when we selected Suspend.
Click Yes to start the shut down process… you will find access to a whole new set of Options for the system in the controls Window.
There is not really a lot to change or modify in the first area outside of the virtual O.S.
name and home directory.
you’re free to enable a virtual keyboard if desired…
Decide if you want to automatically enter full-screen mode or not when you power up your virtual systems.
Set up Folder Sharing if desired… snag the update style for VMware Tools that best suits your needs.
Enable or disable window decorations and/or the Applications Menu.
