Would you like to learn how to create a Windows virtual machine template on Vmware ESXi? In this tutorial, we are going to show you how to create a Windows virtual machine template 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 the Original Windows Virtual Machine

First, you need to create the original Windows virtual machine.

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

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

Perform a regular Windows installation.

At the end of this process,  you will have a clean installation of a new Windows virtual machine.

Tutorial – Customize the Windows Virtual Machine

Now, you need to customize the Windows virtual machine to fit your needs:

• Perform the installation of Windows updates – We recommend the installation of all Windows updates.

• Perform the installation of desired software – install at least 7-ZIP, Chrome, PDF reader, and antivirus.

• Perform the modification of Windows settings – We recommend that you enable the remote access.

• Clean the Trash and delete the temporary files.

After finishing the customization, restart the Windows virtual machine.

Tutorial – Create the Windows Template using Sysprep

After finishing all the customizations desired, you need to Run the Sysprep Application.

Sysprep is a tool created by Microsoft to prepare a Windows installation to become a template.

We are going to use the Sysprep tool to prepare this computer to become a Windows template.

Caution! The Sysprep tool has the potential to cause loss of data.

Open the Windows Explorer and access the following folder:

C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep

Vmware Windows Template Sysprep

On the Sysprep application screen, perform the following configuration:

• System Cleanup Action – Enter System Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)
• Generalize – Yes
• Shutdown Options – Shutdown

Click on the Ok button to start the process.

After finishing the process, your computer will shutdown automatically.

Caution! Do not turn on this computer anymore.

Tutorial – Create the Vmware ESXi Windows Template Repository

Now, you need to create a Vmware Datastore repository to the template.

On the Vmware Dashboard, Access the Storage Menu.

Access the Datastores tab and select the Datastore browser option.

Vmware ESXi Template Datastore

On the Vmware datastore browser screen, click on the Create directory option.

Vmware ESXi Datastore folder

Enter the desired name to the template repository folder.

In our example, we created a directory named TEMPLATES.

Vmware ESXI Templates folder

Now, you need to access the datastore folder of your Windows virtual machine.

Copy the VMX file from the original Windows virtual machine to the template folder.

Vmware Windows Template VMX

Copy the VMDK file from the original Windows virtual machine to the template folder.

Vmware Windows Template VMDK

Don’t forget to select the TEMPLATES folder as the copy destination.

Vmware Windows Template copy

Congratulations! You created a Windows virtual machine template on Vmware ESXi.

Tutorial – Create a Windows Virtual Machine from a Template

Now, we are going to show you how to create a new Windows virtual machine from our template.

On the Vmware Dashboard, Access the Storage Menu.

Access the Datastore tab and select the Datastore browser option.

Vmware ESXi Template Datastore

On the Vmware datastore browser screen, click on the Create directory option.

Vmware ESXi Datastore folder

Enter the desired name to the new virtual machine folder.

In our example, we created a directory named NEW-VM.

Vmware new VM folder

Now, you need to access the datastore folder where your virtual machine template is located.

In our example, the virtual machine template files are located inside the TEMPLATES folder.

Copy the VMX and VMDk files from the template folder to the new virtual machine folder.

Vmware ESXi Windows Template Virtual Machine

On the new virtual machine folder, right click on the VMX file and select the Register VM option.

Vmware Template Register VM

Access the Vmware Dashboard and power on the new virtual machine.

The system will display the following warning.:

Virtual machine template question

Select the option Named: I Copied it and click on the Answer button.

You are now able to turn on your new virtual machine.

Vmware Windows Template Boot

Congratulations! You created a new virtual machine from a template.