Installing Windows on a Virtual Machine

Like a physical server, a virtual machine needs to have an operating system installed to function and run applications. This chapter describes how to load Windows into a virtual machine, understand configuration options, and optimize a new virtual machine. Most virtual machines are created through a template. Templates are virtual machines that already contain an operating system and often are already loaded with application software. These prebuilt virtual machines are stored in a nonexecutable state that allows an administrator to rapidly stamp out copies of the selected configuration. VMware Tools are a combination of device drivers and processes that enhance the user experience with the virtual machine, improve virtual machine performance, and help manage the virtual machine. There are automation options and other methods of improving their operational efficiency of virtual machines. Many services that run as part of the Windows operating system help optimize how the physical environment runs.