Install Ubuntu in VMware Player on Windows

Yes, you can install Ubuntu in VMware Player on Windows, and the process is straightforward: download the Ubuntu ISO, create a new virtual machine in VMware Player, and walk through the standard Ubuntu installer. This guide walks you through the entire process, from choosing the right Ubuntu version to configuring the VM for good performance, and it covers common pitfalls so you can get a working Ubuntu system quickly.

Why Run Ubuntu in a Virtual Machine?

Running Ubuntu inside VMware Player on Windows lets you use both operating systems at the same time without rebooting. You get a full Ubuntu desktop in a window, while Windows continues to run your other applications in the background. This is ideal for testing software, learning Linux, developing cross-platform applications, or simply trying Ubuntu before committing to a dual-boot setup. Unlike dual-booting, a VM is isolated: if Ubuntu breaks, your Windows installation is unaffected, and you can delete the VM and start over in minutes.

What You Need Before You Start

VMware Player (now called VMware Workstation Player) – free for personal use, available from VMware’s website. It runs on Windows 10 and 11 (and older versions, though support varies).
An Ubuntu ISO file – the disk image of the Ubuntu installer. Download the LTS (Long Term Support) version for stability, or the latest release if you want newer features.
Enough disk space – Ubuntu needs at least 10 GB, but 25 GB or more is recommended for a comfortable system with room for updates and software.
RAM – 2 GB is the minimum for a desktop install, but 4 GB or more is better. Your host machine needs enough RAM to run Windows plus the VM.
Virtualization enabled – most modern CPUs support it, but you may need to enable VT-x/AMD-V in your BIOS/UEFI if it’s off. VMware will warn you if it’s disabled.

Step-by-Step: Installing Ubuntu in VMware Player

Download Ubuntu ISO – Go to ubuntu.com and download the desktop ISO (64-bit). Choose the LTS version (e.g., 22.04 or 24.04) for a stable, supported system.
Create a New Virtual Machine – Open VMware Player, click “Create a New Virtual Machine” on the home screen.
Select the ISO – Choose “Installer disc image file (iso)” and browse to the downloaded Ubuntu ISO. VMware will detect it as Ubuntu and suggest the correct guest operating system.
Set the VM Name and Location – Give it a name like “Ubuntu” and choose where to store the VM files. The default location is fine.
Specify Disk Size – VMware asks for the maximum disk size. Set it to at least 20 GB. Choose “Store virtual disk as a single file” for slightly better performance, or “Split” if you need to move the VM between drives.
Customize Hardware (optional) – Before finishing, click “Customize Hardware” to adjust RAM and CPU. Set RAM to at least 2048 MB (2 GB) and give the VM 2 processor cores if you have them. Also enable “Accelerate 3D graphics” if you want a smoother desktop.
Finish and Power On – Click “Finish” and the VM will boot from the ISO. You’ll see the Ubuntu installer menu.
Install Ubuntu – Choose “Install Ubuntu” (or “Try or Install Ubuntu”). Follow the on-screen prompts: select your language, keyboard layout, and installation type. For a simple setup, choose “Erase disk and install Ubuntu” – this only affects the virtual disk, not your real hard drive.
Set Your User Account – Create a username and password. This is your login for the Ubuntu system.
Wait for Installation to Finish – The installer copies files and sets up the system. When done, it will prompt you to restart. VMware will eject the ISO automatically; press Enter to reboot.
Log In and Update – After reboot, log in with your credentials. Open the terminal and run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade to install the latest security patches.

Choosing the Right Ubuntu Version

Ubuntu offers several flavors, and the right one depends on your hardware and needs.

Ubuntu Desktop (GNOME) – The default, most popular version. It’s polished but can feel heavy on older machines. Requires at least 4 GB RAM for a smooth experience.
Xubuntu – Uses the lightweight Xfce desktop. Great for low-RAM VMs (2 GB is fine).
Lubuntu – Even lighter, uses LXQt. Runs well on very modest hardware.
Kubuntu – Uses the KDE Plasma desktop, which is customizable and visually rich. Similar requirements to GNOME.
Ubuntu Server – No graphical interface, just a command line. Useful if you want a headless VM for development or web serving.

For most users, the standard Ubuntu LTS is the best choice. It’s supported for five years, has the largest community, and receives security updates regularly. If your VM feels sluggish, switch to Xubuntu or Lubuntu instead.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

“This host supports Intel VT-x, but Intel VT-x is disabled” – This means virtualization is off in your BIOS/UEFI. Restart your computer, enter the BIOS (usually by pressing F2, Del, or F10 during boot), find the virtualization setting (often under “Advanced” or “CPU Configuration”), enable it, and save & exit.
Ubuntu runs very slowly – Increase the VM’s RAM and CPU count in the VM settings. Also make sure you have enough free RAM on the host. Disabling 3D acceleration can help if graphics are the bottleneck.
Screen resolution is stuck at 800×600 – Install VMware Tools (or open-vm-tools) inside Ubuntu. In recent Ubuntu versions, open-vm-tools is installed by default, but if not, run sudo apt install open-vm-tools. Then restart the VM.
No network connection in the VM – By default, VMware uses NAT, which should work out of the box. If not, check the VM’s network adapter settings – set it to “NAT” or “Bridged” depending on your needs.
Can’t copy/paste between Windows and Ubuntu – This feature requires VMware Tools or open-vm-tools. Install it and restart the VM.
Ubuntu installer doesn’t see the virtual disk – This is rare, but if it happens, ensure the VM’s SCSI controller is set to LSI Logic (default) and the disk is SCSI. You can change this in the VM settings.

VMware Player vs. Other Virtualization Tools

VMware Player is not the only option for running Ubuntu on Windows. Here’s how it compares:

VirtualBox – Free and open-source. It’s slightly less polished than VMware but works well and has similar features. Some users find VirtualBox’s 3D support weaker.
Hyper-V – Built into Windows Pro and Enterprise. It’s powerful but requires enabling Windows features and can conflict with other hypervisors. Not available on Windows Home.
WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) – Not a full VM, but a lightweight compatibility layer that runs a real Linux kernel. It’s great for command-line tools and development, but you don’t get a full desktop environment.

VMware Player is a solid middle ground: free, easy to use, and reliable. It also supports snapshots (in the paid Pro version) which let you save the VM state and revert if something goes wrong.

Performance and Resource Considerations

Running a VM consumes host resources. While Ubuntu is running, it uses its allocated RAM and CPU, which are taken from your Windows system. If you have 8 GB of RAM total, giving 4 GB to the VM leaves only 4 GB for Windows, which can cause slowdowns. A good rule of thumb is to allocate no more than half of your host’s RAM to the VM. Similarly, allocate at most half of your CPU cores. Also, store the VM on an SSD for much faster disk I/O.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is VMware Player really free?

Yes, VMware Workstation Player is free for personal, non-commercial use. You can download it from VMware’s website without paying. For commercial use, you need a paid license, but for home use it’s completely free.

Can I run Ubuntu in VMware Player on Windows 11?

Yes, VMware Player supports Windows 11 as a host. Just make sure you have the latest version of VMware Player, and that your CPU supports virtualization (which is required for Windows 11 anyway).

How much disk space does Ubuntu need in a VM?

At minimum, Ubuntu needs about 10 GB, but for a comfortable system with room for updates and software, allocate 25 GB or more. The virtual disk will only use as much space as Ubuntu actually occupies, up to the maximum you set.

Can I move the Ubuntu VM to another computer?

Yes, you can copy the VM folder to another Windows computer with VMware Player installed. Open the .vmx file, and it should work. If the new computer has different hardware, you may need to reinstall VMware Tools.

Why is my Ubuntu VM screen small or blurry?

Install open-vm-tools (or VMware Tools) and restart the VM. This installs the proper display drivers, allowing the VM to resize the screen and use higher resolutions.

Can I use a USB device in the VM?

Yes, VMware Player allows USB passthrough. With the VM running, go to Player > Removable Devices and select your USB device. It will be disconnected from Windows and connected to Ubuntu.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →