Windows 10: Clean install of W10 not possible in Virtual Machine.

@tfwul

You will need to change somethings in the virtual player/box settings for it to work.

Change the Virtual Machine Memory setting to 2048 ignore warning message if any

Change to the correct operating system before upgrading in Virtual player setting

Code: Change windows 7 64 bit to windows 10 64 bit (If you have 64 bit system)[/quote] Code: Change windows 8.1 64 bit to windows 10 64 bit (If you have 64 bit system)[/quote] Code: Change windows 7 32 bit to windows 10 32 bit (If you have 32 bit system)[/quote] Code: Change windows 8.1 32 bit to windows 10 32 bit (If you have 32 bit system)[/quote] This should allow you to upgrade to window 10 in a virtual machine.

 

Thank you!
Frankly, I wasn't aware of that.

VMware Workstation has assigned 2GB RAM by itself - this I did not change manually.

All the other items, assume you mean the below?

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BTW, I wonder what would be happening IF I were to change the working directory
(D:\Virtual Machines\Windows 8 x64) to a new one, say:
D:\Virtual Machines\Windows 10 x64

would then the entire contents be moved from 8 x64 to 10 x64.
I hesitate to just 'give it a try' fearing I would be messing up things.

Anyway, thanks for your tips!

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Guest Operating system should be set at windows 10 x64 for your system before upgrading to windows 10 64 bit.


I know when I switched the operating system info, the folder name was also change automatically but I was using the virtual box from a Linux host operating system. I assume vmware should change the folder name. If it doesn't in that same location, just change virtual machine name to windows 10 x64 and it should change the folder name.

On the memory issue, you are fine and you can increase more since you have more memory installed. More you increase the memory, the less the host has to use when you are using the Virtual Machine. I would set it on your system at 8 gb. If you have problems running a game in the virtual machine you can always increase the memory to 16 gb later.

 

Thanks. My experience with vmware is that the more memory you assign, the slower it gets. I have 32GB DDR4 RAM (2400) on X99 Asus and Intel i5820 and using two Samsung Pro 850 SSD's (512/1TB), so there is sufficient 'power' . I increased the 2GB to 8GB , assuming it would get faster, but instead it got rrreally terribly slow.

Running Windows 10 x64 Pro as a host and vm is also 10 x64.

 

The most likely reason for this is that VMWare is caching memory to disk. The fastest way is for the assigned memory to be only in RAM. To do this edit you .vmx file and add (or if already exist change) the following line.

mainmem.useNamedFile = "FALSE"

It will then not write the whole contents of your memory to the .vmem file in the VM directory. Unfortunately this only works in Workstation, not in Player which always creates the memory swap file.

VMware Continuum - Tuning guide - setup the host for expected usage ...
Performance Tweaks VMware Workstation 10 — Virtualization Howto

 

Hi there

in addition to Kari's post :

To get W10 activation as a VM you need to do the following

1) Install W7 / W8 / W8.1 AS A VIRTUAL MACHINE , install updates and activate it.

2) Now do an UPGRADE to W10 ON YOUR VIRTUAL MACHINE. This VM will be activated. DO NOT ENTER A PRODUCT KEY.

3) Now a CLEAN install (as a VM) will work just fine - and it will be activated.

I've performed this process using a Windows HOST as well as a LINUX HOST. Exactly the same considerations apply when using a VM as using a REAL machine.

Can't see what the problem is.

A VM needs a licence just the same as a REAL machine. I was using old TechNet serials for W7 / W8.1 to create the VM and then do the updates.

Cheers
jimbo

 

Step 3 didn't work for me when I did those exact steps. Each time a new vm is created it is consider a new machine even though it has all the same hardware. When I did a clean install of 10. Windows 10 did not activate for me. I did try to reinstall windows 7 in a VM. It said key was blocked, that was because either I used it one to many time or windows 10 upgrade ate it don't know which. However, Noel said a phone call would fix the activation with windows 7 when I am ready to try it again and just explain what you did to Microsoft.

 

Hi there

did you do THIS :

1) Use MEDIA CREATION TOOL (from Ms) to create windows installation media for installation on another machine
2) create an ISO when it asks for a USB or an ISO image

Now in the VM settings - set the ISO image as a CD device and ensure connect at power on is enabled
Power on to firmware to ensure the GUEST boots from the ISO file

(you must already have a formatted Virtual disk prepared to receive Windows - either your previous Windows installation or a newly created virtual HDD. Use GPARTED or similar to create an initial partition if starting with an empty HDD - same methodology boot the VM from an ISO image.

If your old key was blocked you'll have to re-install W7 again and get the key unblocked and then go through the upgrade again or use another valid key from W7 / W8 / W8.1 --Those "activated keys" on torrents will usually be blocked so don't go that route.

Cheers
jimbo

 

Now, I have:
1) a running, activated, updated Windows 10 x64 as VM, being an upgrade from a Windows 8.1
2) have a Windows 10 x64 DVD created by Media Creation Tool

Have set:
- VM Settings CD/DVD : Use ISO Image (.iso selected)
- Power->Power on to Firmware (right click on VM tab)
- After booting I ended up in the BIOS
- Set boot prio to CD-ROM
- rebooted
- press space bar to launch the DVD with Windows ISO




Installer starts..

Then what...?

If I format the partition, I will NEED to enter a prod.key
or
(after format) I can skip it once (in the very beginning), but during the setup there will be a 2nd screen (blue) where the key must be entered, or 'Do this later'.

The Windows 8 key will not work there.

Or.. maybe it simply isn't possible..?

Thanks
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Thanks.
Actually I have a fairly 'sufficient' amount of RAM

Host Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit
CPU Intel Core I7 5820k
RAM 32,0GB
Mobo Asustek Computer Inc. X99-Deluxe (Socket 2011)
Video 4095mb Nvidia Geforce GTX 970 (Asustek Computer Inc)
(Workstation v12)
To speed up things both vmware and virtual machines are on a Samsung Pro 850 SSD.

mainmem.useNamedFile = "FALSE"

Didn't try it yet though.
Is this Linux related?

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It certainly is possible. If you are installing on the same VM that was already activated (you haven't created a new one) then "skip" at the beginning and "Do this later" later on.

The exact questions vary by build but never enter your key. Once you get to the desktop and internet is connected it will activate.

No, not Linux related - any VM will be faster if the host doesn't have to write memory to disk. The improvement is greater on HDD but SSD is still far slower than memory. Actually I did it as I didn't have space on my host SSD for this file rather than for performance reasons.