Do you want to try out Windows 11 on your PC without getting rid of the current system? Then, you can use the VMWare software to make that happen. It is reliable software for setting up multiple virtual machines on your device.
In simple terms, it can divide your PC’s processor power among different operating systems. So, you can use it to run multiple operating software on your computer.
However, you might sometimes fail to install Windows 11 on a VMWare workstation. The reasons for that might differ in each case, and you might have to try various fixes. In most cases, you can fix this problem with the methods given below.
3 Ways to Fix Windows 11 Installation Problems On VMWare Workstation
First, you must check whether your device fulfils the minimum requirements for Windows 11. Your system disk should have a capacity of 64GB or more to install this Windows version. Apart from that, it should have a 1GHz or faster processor and support Secure Boot.
Does your PC support the Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM 2.0)? If not, then you cannot install Windows 11 on it and must get a compatible device. In case your device supports TPM 2.0, this feature should be enabled to successfully download Windows 11.
Take the following steps if your device fails to install Windows 11 despite fulfilling the minimum requirements:
1. Enable TPM 2.0 On VMWare
As we have seen, TPM 2.0 should be running on your device for Windows 11 installation. It is an essential component that protects your PC’s authentication data. You did not need it for earlier Windows versions, but it is compulsory for Windows 11.
TPM 2.0 might be disabled on your VMWare workstation even if it is available. So, you need to enable it to resolve the system installation error. In this case, you must encrypt your virtual machine first before adding the TPM 2.0 feature to it.
Are you using a VMWare Workstation Pro? Then, launch it and open the Settings section for your virtual machine. Open the Access Controls in the new window and click on Encrypt to perform the encryption. You must then set a good password to protect your virtual machine.
Opt for adding a component on your encrypted virtual machine’s Hardware settings tab. Then, select the Trusted Platform Module among the available options and click on Finish.
Make sure TPM has been Added
You should find the TPM listed on the Summary column of your VMWare’s Settings section. Click on OK to save all the changes before attempting Windows 11 installation on VMWare.
2. Add VTPM By Modifying the VMX File
Since the VMX file directs your VMWare Workstation’s behaviour, and it can prevent a Windows 11 installation. You must edit this file; adding the TPM to VMWare does not work. In this case, you must modify it to verify a Virtual Trusted Platform Module addition.
Unlike the previous step, which applies only to the VMWare workstation Pro, this one applies to all versions. So, it can fix Windows 11 installation problems on Player and Fusion. Launch your VMWare Workstation and turn off any active virtual machines to try this solution.
Open the Settings menu of your virtual machine and go to its Options tab. Then, open the General section and copy the Working Directory path given there. You will find the VMX file on your device at the copied location. So, open the File Manager and paste this location there.
Find the file named “Windows 10 and later x64.vmx”, right-click on it and select Open With. Then, opt for opening this file using the Notepad and add the following line at the end:
autoAddVTPM = “software” managedVM.autoAddVTPM = “software”
Save the changes after adding this line and close the Notepad to return to VMWare Station. Restart your virtual machine before attempting a Windows 11 installation on it once again.
3. Use the Registry Editor to Bypass TPM Check
Do you fulfil all of the requirements for installing Windows 11 except the TPM? You can bypass the TPM check on your VMWare Workstation if you want to. This will let you continue with Windows 11 installation without any need for a TPM. However, if your device has a TPM, you must always add it to the workstation.
Attempt a Windows 11 installation on your workstation despite your device not supporting a TPM. You would get the “This PC can’t run Windows 11” message doing this. You must then press Shift and F10 to bring up the Command Prompt on your screen.
Enter the command “regedit” on the Command Prompt to activate the Registry Editor. Then, enter the location “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup” to bring it up in the File Manager.
Right-click the Setup file, click on the New option and select Key. Then, enter “ByPassTPMCheck” as the new key for this file and right-click this new key. Click on the D-Word (32-bit) Value option and enter “LabConfig”. Then, opt for editing the LabConfig value and enter “1” under ‘Value data’. Click on OK to save the changes before closing the Registry Editor.
Enter “Exit” in the Command Prompt to close it, and then proceed with Windows 11 installation. You should face no issues with the installation this time despite the absence of TPM.
What is the Right Way to Install Windows 11 on VMWare Workstation?
You need a Windows 10 or Linux system on the host PC to install Windows 11. Apart from that, you also need the VMWare Workstation Player 16 and the Windows 11 ISO file. Proceed with the following steps once you sort these requirements:
Create a New Virtual Machine
You must add a Windows 11 virtual machine to your VMWare Workstation if you have not already. Click on the “Create a New Virtual Machine” option on the homepage and opt for ISO. Find and select your Windows 11 ISO on your device and click on Next to continue.
Choose Microsoft Windows as the Guest operating system and select Windows 10 and later x64 under Version. Then, you must select a suitable location for the new system and set a maximum disk capacity.
Modify and Launch the Windows Virtual Machine
Select the newly created Windows virtual machine and opt for editing its settings. You must then make any changes you need to as per your preferences. Click on OK once you are done and opt for playing the virtual machine to launch it.
Complete the Installation
Windows 11 installation process is quite simple unless you face any further issues with it. Select a language for the installation and click on Install Now to start the process. You will then have to make some configurations as per your preferences. If required, you can also skip some of them and deal with them after the installation.
Try Out Windows 11 on VMWare Workstation
You can choose any of the methods mentioned here to install Windows 11 on VMWare in most cases. Pick the one that is most convenient for you and follow the correct steps for the installation. Once you are done, you can try out all the new features on Windows 11.
