windows 7 iso image free download for vmware

And the product keys are different for Windows 8 and 8.1, so if you have a Windows 8 product key, you can’t just use it to install Windows 8.1. One caveat you should be aware of up front is that you can no longer download an ISO for Windows 8–just 8.1. RELATED: Where to Download Windows 11 ISO Images Legally The process for using the tool is largely the same for both versions of Windows, so we’ll be using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool for our example. If you’ve got access to a Windows machine, the official method for downloading ISOs for Windows 8.1 and 10 is the Media Creation Tool. Download the Windows 10 or 8.1 ISO Using the Media Creation Tool The most important thing is that you have a valid license key. If it won’t activate, you can always install and then call Microsoft to get them to straighten it out and allow your copy to activate.

But installing the new beta in a VM is always a handy option when you don't have a dedicated PC and can use such free tools as VirtualBox or VMWare Player.Note: Depending on the OEM version of Windows that you are running, you might run into an issue using the OEM key with a retail version of Windows. You may need to tweak some of the settings to coax the best performance.Īnother alternative is to install Windows 8 in a dual-boot scenario where the new OS and your existing version of Windows each reside in a separate bootable partition. Windows 8 should run smoothly in a virtual machine as long as you devote enough disk space and memory to it. This will install the free VMWare Tools software, which can boost the performance of your virtual machine's guest. After the OS is installed, select the option at the bottom to Install Tools. The Windows 8 installation will begin, and you can set it up as you normally would.

Then select the option to Play virtual machine. Select the option to use ISO image and navigate to the ISO file for Windows 8. Under Hardware select CD/DVD as the device. Click Next and then Finish.Ĭlick the option to Edit virtual machine settings. Keep the maximum size at 60 GB but choose the option to store the virtual disk as a single file for the best performance. Instead, select the option 'I will install the operating system later' and click Next.Ĭhoose Microsoft Windows as the guest operating system and Windows 7 圆4 as the version (assuming you're using the 64-bit version of Windows 8). But don't choose the option to install from the ISO file at this point, otherwise you'll receive an error when VMWare tries to set up Windows 8. In the VMWare Player software, click the option to Create a New Virtual Machine. After installing the downloaded file, you'll need to reboot your PC.Īfter your computer is back up, open the VMWare folder from the Start Menu Programs area and select the shortcut for VMWare Player. Register at the VMWare Web site to get the software and choose the link for VMware Player for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows.

Windows 7 iso image free download for vmware