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The Ultimate Guide to Installing Linux Mint 18 on VMWare Workstation 12 (Step-by-Step)

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If you’ve been wanting to dive into the world of Linux but aren’t ready to commit to installing it on your main machine, a Virtual Machine (VM) is the perfect solution. VMWare Workstation 12 offers a fantastic sandbox environment to explore new operating systems safely.

Today, we’re going to walk through the entire process of setting up and installing Linux Mint 18—a stable, powerful, and user-friendly distribution—inside your VMWare environment. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be logged in and ready to explore Linux Mint!

Let’s get started.

Prerequisites: What You Will Need

Before we begin the installation, make sure you have the following software ready to go:

VMWare Workstation 12 (installed and running on your host machine).
A stable internet connection for downloading the necessary files.
Sufficient free disk space (we recommend at least 20 GB for the virtual machine).

Step 1: Grabbing the Linux Mint ISO

The first piece of the puzzle is the Linux Mint installation file, known as the ISO. This is the virtual disk we will “boot” the machine from.

Navigate to the official download page: Open your web browser and go to: https://linuxmint.com/download.php
Select your edition: Linux Mint offers several desktop environments (like Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce). Choose the edition you prefer (Cinnamon is highly recommended for newcomers due to its modern layout).
Download the ISO file: Select a mirror close to your location and download the large ISO file. Remember where you save this file, as we will need it in the next step!

Step 2: Setting Up Your VMWare Virtual Machine

With the ISO file ready, it’s time to prepare the virtual hardware inside VMWare Workstation 12.

Create a New Virtual Machine: Open VMWare Workstation and select Create a New Virtual Machine.
Choose the Setup Type: Select the Typical (recommended) configuration unless you are an advanced user.
Installer Disc Image: On the next screen, choose the option Installer disc image file (iso) and browse to the location where you saved the Linux Mint ISO file in Step 1.
Select Guest Operating System: VMWare may detect the OS automatically. If not, choose Linux and select the appropriate version (usually Ubuntu 64-bit or similar, as Mint is Ubuntu-based).
Name and Location: Give your VM a descriptive name (e.g., “Linux Mint 18 Test”) and choose the location on your hard drive where the VM files will be stored.
Specify Disk Capacity: For general testing, 20 GB is a good minimum size. Choose Store virtual disk as a single file for slightly easier management.
Customize Hardware (Optional but Recommended): Before hitting Finish, click Customize Hardware. Increase the memory (RAM) allocated to the VM to at least 2 GB (2048 MB) for a smoother experience. Review your processor core allocation as well.
Finish: Click Close, then Finish to create the virtual machine.

Step 3: Booting the ISO and Starting the Installation

Now that the virtual hardware is set up, we will boot the machine and run the installer.

Power On the VM: Select your newly created VM from the VMWare library and click Power on this virtual machine.
The Live Environment: Linux Mint will boot into a “Live Environment.” This allows you to test the operating system before committing to the installation.
Launch the Installer: Once you reach the Linux Mint desktop, look for the “Install Linux Mint” icon (usually on the desktop) and double-click it.
Language Selection: Choose your preferred language and click Continue.
Preparation Checks: Ensure you have enough disk space (the virtual disk we created) and that you are connected to the internet (optional, but recommended for updates). Click Continue.
Installation Type (Crucial Step): Since you are installing on a virtual disk that contains no other data, you can safely select Erase disk and install Linux Mint. VMWare ensures this action only affects the virtual disk, not your primary computer’s hard drive.
Location and Keyboard Layout: Select your timezone and confirm your preferred keyboard layout.
User Creation: Create your primary user account, including a strong password. This is the username and password you will use every time you log into Linux Mint.
Wait for Installation: The installation process will now begin. This typically takes 15–30 minutes, depending on your computer’s speed.

Step 4: Logging In to Linux Mint for the First Time

Congratulations! Once the installation completes, you will receive a prompt:

Restart: Click Restart Now. VMWare will briefly power down the machine.
Remove Installation Media: When prompted, ensure VMWare has virtually removed the ISO file, allowing the VM to boot from its newly installed virtual hard drive.
The Login Screen: The standard Linux Mint login screen will appear. Enter the username and password you created in Step 3.

You are now successfully logged into your own Linux Mint 18 environment running safely inside VMWare Workstation 12! Take a moment to explore the desktop, familiarize yourself with the menu, and enjoy the speed and stability of Mint.

Ready to Explore the World of Linux!

That’s all there is to it! You’ve successfully navigated the download, setup, and installation of Linux Mint 18 in a VMWare environment. You now have a powerful, flexible testing ground to explore everything that open-source operating systems have to offer.

If you found this guide helpful, make sure to check out the full video tutorial on Darren’s Tech Tutorials for a visual walkthrough of every click and configuration!

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