Would you like to learn how to create a Windows virtual machine on Vmware ESXi? In this tutorial, we are going to show you how to create a Windows virtual machine using Vmware ESXi server.

This tutorial was tested on Vmware ESXi 6.5

This tutorial was tested on Vmware ESXi 6.7

This tutorial does not use Vcenter.

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Tutorial – Create Windows Virtual Machine on Vmware ESXi

First, you need to access the Vmware web interface.

Open a browser software, enter the IP address of your Vmware ESXi server and access web interface.

vmware web interface

On the prompt screen, enter the administrative login information.

After a successful login, the Vmware dashboard will be displayed.

Vmware ESXi Dashboard

On the Vmware Dashboard, Access the Virtual Machines menu Menu.

Click on the Create / Register VM button.

Vmware ESXi New VM

On the Vmware creation assistant, select the following options:

• Compatibility – ESXI 6.7 Virtual Machine
• Guest OS Family – Windows
• Guest OS Version – Microsoft Windows Server 2012 (64 bits)

In our example, we are installing a new Windows server 2012 R2 virtual machine.

Vmwre ESXI Windows Virtual machine

Next, select the datastore where the virtual machine should be created.

Vmware Virtual machine Datastore

Now, you need to decide how are you going to install the new virtual machine operational system.

If you want to install the Windows operating system from a CD/DVD:

On the Setting customization screen, you need to change the following configuration:

• CD/DVD Drive – Host device
• Status – Connect at power on.

Vmware host device

Finish the Virtual machine creation assistant.

Insert the Windows installation CD/DVD on the Vmware ESXi driver.

Turn on the new Virtual Machine.

The system should start automatically a new operating system installation.

Windows Server Installation

Congratulations! You installed a new Windows virtual machine on Vmware ESXi using a CD/DVD.

If you want to install the Windows operating system from an ISO image:

On the Setting customization screen, you need to change the following configuration:

• CD/DVD Drive – Datastore ISO file.
• Status – Connect at power on.
• CD/DVD Media – Click on the Browser button, and locate the installation média on the Datastore.

Vmwre ESXI Windows Virtual-Machine ISO

Locate and select the Operational System installation image file.

In our example, we selected the Windows server installation file:

SW_DVD9_Windows_Svr_Std_and_DataCtr_2012_R2_64Bit_English_-4_MLF_X19-82891.ISO

To install an operating system from an ISO file, you need to install a Vmware ISO repository.

Vmware ESXi Windows Vm Datastore

Finish the Virtual machine creation assistant.

Turn on the new Virtual Machine.

The system should start automatically a new operational system installation.

Windows Server Installation

Congratulations! You installed a new Windows virtual machine on Vmware ESXi using an ISO image.