Using VMware’s virtual machine technology allows you to run multiple operating systems on the same physical computer. Each virtual machine acts as an independent computer with its own BIOS, hard drive, and other resources. Here are some practical tips to help you better manage and optimize your virtual machine environment:
1. Increase Physical Memory for Virtual Machines
By default, VMware allocates a certain amount of physical memory to each virtual machine. To improve performance, you can adjust the memory allocation when the virtual machine is powered off:
- Go to “Settings” > “Configuration Editor” > “Memory.”
- Increase the “Guest size” to your desired value.
- Click “OK” to apply the changes.
2. Add Additional Hardware Devices
In addition to the default devices (hard disk, floppy drive, CD/DVD drive, and network card), you can manually add other devices such as sound cards, serial ports, and parallel ports:
- Go to “Settings” > “Configuration Editor” > “Device.”
- Click “Add” and select the device type you want to add.
- Follow the prompts to complete the addition.
3. Switch Control Between Host and Guest
If your mouse and keyboard are not working in a particular operating system, you can switch control:
- Press
Ctrl + Altor click the left mouse button at the bottom of the VMware window. - Customize hotkeys in “Settings” > “Preferences” > “Hot Keys” for easier switching.
4. Properly Shut Down Virtual Machines
Directly using the “Power Off” button in the VMware toolbar can lead to data loss or file corruption. The correct method is to shut down the operating system within the virtual machine:
- Use the “Shut Down” option from the “Start” menu.
5. End Tasks Correctly
Using the Ctrl + Alt + Del combination in a virtual machine might trigger a response on the host system. To avoid this:
- Use
Ctrl + Alt + Insor go to “Power” > Send “Ctrl-Alt-Del” to end tasks.
6. Resolve Character Encoding Issues
If you encounter character encoding issues or screen artifacts in the virtual machine, try running it in full-screen mode:
- This usually resolves the problem.
7. Network Configuration Tips
- Network Connection Type: During installation, choose the appropriate network mode:
- “Use bridged networking” to connect directly to the host’s local network.
- “Use network address translation (NAT)” to access the host through IP addresses.
- “Use host-only networking” for communication between the host and the virtual machine only.
- “Do not use a network connection” to disable network access.
- Set Network Card IP: In the guest system, go to “Control Panel” > “Network” > “TCP/IP” to configure the IP address of the virtual network card.
- Run Home Network Setup Wizard: To enable the virtual machine to access the internet through the host, run the home network setup wizard and follow the prompts.
8. Virtual Machine BIOS Settings
Virtual machines use Phoenix BIOS. To access the BIOS settings:
- Press
F2during startup. - Note that the virtual machine BIOS cannot be updated.
9. Install Graphics Card Drivers
To support higher resolutions, you need to install the graphics card drivers included in VMware Tools:
- Go to “Settings” > “VMware Tools Install” and follow the prompts.
10. Use Virtual ISO Files
To use ISO files as virtual CDs without physical burning:
- Go to “Settings” > “DVD/CD-ROM” and select “Use ISO image.”
- You can change the ISO file or switch back to the physical drive without rebooting the virtual machine.
11. Delete Virtual Machines
To remove a virtual machine from the list:
- Right-click on the virtual machine and select “Remove from List.”
- To completely delete it, manually delete the corresponding folder in “My Documents.”
These tips can help you use VMware virtual machines more efficiently, whether for daily office work or development testing, making your experience smoother and more productive.
Conclusion
These 11 tips for using VMware virtual machines cover essential aspects from memory management and hardware addition to network configuration and proper shutdown, ensuring optimal performance and ease of use in your virtualized environment.