Install Centos 7 On VMware Workstation 12

Mastering Virtualization: How to Install CentOS 7 on VMware Workstation (Step-by-Step Tutorial)

Welcome back to Darren’s Tech Tutorials!

Are you ready to set up a powerful, stable Linux environment for learning, testing, or development? CentOS is one of the most reliable distributions out there, and running it inside a virtual machine (VM) is the safest way to start.

In this comprehensive guide, we are going to walk through the entire process of installing CentOS 7 using VMware Workstation 12. This setup is perfect for beginners and seasoned professionals alike who need a dedicated environment without partitioning their physical machine.

We’ll cover everything from grabbing the ISO to logging into your brand-new Linux machine. Let’s get started!

Quick Tip: Don’t forget to grab your essential reference tool! You can download a free Linux cheat sheet right here: http://eepurl.com/dkRNM9

Phase 1: Preparation – Getting the CentOS 7 ISO

Before we can create our virtual machine, we need the installation file—the CentOS 7 ISO image. Fortunately, this is freely available directly from the CentOS project website.

Step 1: Download the CentOS 7 ISO Navigate to the official CentOS download page using the link below:

https://www.centos.org/download/

Locate the CentOS 7 download links. We recommend downloading the standard installation ISO. Make sure you know where the file is saved on your computer, as you will need to point VMware to this location later.

Phase 2: Creating the Virtual Machine in VMware Workstation

With the ISO in hand, it’s time to launch VMware Workstation and build the environment where CentOS 7 will live.

Step 2: Start the New Virtual Machine Wizard Open VMware Workstation (we are using version 12 in this guide) and select the option to Create a New Virtual Machine.

Step 3: Choose Setup Type The wizard will ask whether you want a Typical or Custom setup. For most installations, the Typical setting is sufficient and simplifies the resource allocation process.

Step 4: Point to the Installer Disc Image When prompted for the installer source, select the third option: Installer disc image file (iso). Click the Browse button and navigate to the CentOS 7 ISO file you downloaded in Step 1.

Step 5: Define the Virtual Machine

Operating System: VMware should automatically detect that this is a Linux system, likely RHEL/CentOS.
Virtual Machine Name: Give your VM a descriptive name, such as “CentOS 7 Test Server.”
Location: Choose the directory where you want the VM files to be stored.

Step 6: Allocate Disk Space Specify the size of the virtual hard disk. For basic testing, 20 GB is a good starting point. Ensure the option Store virtual disk as a single file is selected for better performance and easier portability.

Step 7: Customize Hardware (Optional but Recommended) Before finishing, click the Customize Hardware button. This allows you to fine-tune essential resources:

Memory: Increase the RAM allocated to the VM (e.g., 2 GB or 4 GB, depending on your host machine’s resources).
Processors: Increase the number of CPU cores if you plan on running resource-intensive tasks.

Once configuration is complete, click Finish. Your new CentOS 7 virtual machine is now built and ready for installation.

Phase 3: The Guided CentOS 7 Installation Process

The heavy lifting is done! Now we’ll boot the VM, which will launch the official CentOS installer and guide us through the final steps.

Step 8: Start the VM and Begin Installation With the VM highlighted in your VMware library, click Power on this virtual machine. The VM will boot directly from the ISO file.

When the boot menu appears, select Install CentOS 7 and hit Enter.

Step 9: Initial Configuration The graphical installer will start. Follow these initial setup steps:

Language Selection: Choose your preferred language.
Installation Summary Screen: This is your primary hub for configuration. You must address the sections marked with an exclamation point.

Step 10: Configure Installation Destination (Disk Setup) Click on Installation Destination. Since this is a fresh virtual disk, you can simply ensure the correct virtual hard drive is selected and choose the option for Automatically configure partitioning. Click Done.

Step 11: Configure Networking and Hostname (Optional) Click on Network & Hostname. Switch the network adaptor ON so your VM can connect to the internet (or your local network). Set a hostname (e.g., centos7-vm).

Step 12: Set Root Password and Create User While the installation files are copying, you will need to set up security:

Click Root Password and choose a strong password for the superuser.
Click User Creation and create a standard user account. It is best practice to always log in using a standard user and only switch to root when necessary.

Step 13: Complete and Reboot Once the setup options are complete, the installer will finish copying files and installing packages. When prompted, click the Reboot button. VMware will eject the virtual ISO, and your VM will boot directly into the newly installed CentOS 7 operating system.

Log In and Start Exploring!

Congratulations! You have successfully installed CentOS 7 on VMware Workstation.

At the login screen, enter the credentials for the standard user you created. You now have a fully functional, stable Linux environment ready for configuration, scripting, and experimentation. Dive in and start exploring the power of CentOS 7!

We hope this tutorial helped you get up and running quickly. If you prefer to follow the detailed, written steps from the original post, you can find them here: https://darrenoneill.eu/?p=406

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