If you’re ready to make the move to Linux, but you don’t want to abandon Windows altogether, then VMWare Workstation Player (“VMWare”) for Linux could be just what you’re looking for. Install VMWare on your Linux computer, and you can then install Windows in VMWare. In this way, you will be able to take the plunge into the Linux world, and be able to jump to Windows at a moment’s notice should you need to. (Having that ability will help you to have the confidence you need to take the Linux plunge.)
You must be running a 64-bit version of Linux in order to install this software. VMWare no longer provides a 32-bit version of VMWare Workstation Player.
Here’s a real-world example of why you need to have Windows available: If you have a scanner, you may not be able to get it to work in Linux. I can’t get my scanner to work in Linux; however, I can scan with no problem from my VMWare Windows session.
You may have some must-have software which isn’t available in Linux, such as Microsoft Office. Installing VMWare with Windows on your Linux computer will allow you to install Microsoft Office.
Here’s how to install VMWare Workstation Player in Linux:
Create a temp folder under your /Downloads folder (e.g. /Downloads/VMWare).
Go to the following website:
https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-player.html
Click Downloads (on the left side of the screen).
Under Free Product Downloads, click Workstation Player.
Download the Linux software to the temp folder you just created (/Downloads/VMWare).
Open a Terminal session, and enter the following commands:
Change to the folder where you saved the software:
cd /Downloads/VMWare
Do the install (as the superuser — “sudo”):
sudo sh Vmware-Player-14.0.0-6661328.x86_64.bundle
(make sure the file name is correct)
It will take a while for the install to finish; be patient.
Once you have installed the software, you can create a Virtual Machine session and install your OS.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
* Make sure that you have installed antivirus software in your Virtual Machine Windows session; it is not sufficient to have it installed in Linux.
* Make sure that you keep up with Windows updates in your Virtual Machine Windows session.
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server
