Windows 11 - First Look Series - Part 1

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the Windows 11 – First Look Series on how to get started with the Windows 11 Insider Build

Today, we are going to look at how easy it is to install a Windows 10 VM on VMware Workstation, enrol the machine into the Windows Insider Program and install Windows 11.

If you haven’t already, please see the below link to join the Windows Insider Program.

Windows Insider Program: https://insider.windows.com/

If you don’t have a valid copy of Windows 10 you can use you can download a trial from Microsoft.

Windows 10 Trial: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-10-enterprise

Section 1: Pre-Requisites

Processor	1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
RAM	4 gigabyte (GB)
Storage	64 GB or larger storage device
System Firmware	UEFI, Secure Boot capable
TPM	Trusted Platform Module (TPM ) version 2.0
Graphics Card	Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
Display	High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per colour channel
Internet connection and Microsoft accounts	Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use. Switching a device out of Windows 11 Home in S mode also requires internet connectivity. Learn more about S mode here. For all Windows 11 editions, internet access is required to perform updates and to download and take advantage of some features. A Microsoft account is required for some features.

For more information please see original article: https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/windows-11-specifications

Section 2: Create VM

Step 1: Open VMware Workstation on your chosen device and click File

Step 2: Click New Virtual Machine..

Step 3: On the Welcome to the New Virtual Machine Wizard select Typical (recommended) and click Next

Step 4: Select I will install the operating system later and click Next

Step 5: On the Guest operating system select Microsoft Windows under the Version menu select Windows 10 x64 and click Next

Step 6: Name the VM something meaningful and accept the default location and click Next

Step 7: On the Disk Capacity screen accept the default values and click Next

Step 8: On the Ready to Create Virtual Machine and click Customize Hardware

Step 9: On the Hardware, screen click Memory and change from the default 2 GB to 4 GB as per Microsoft’s minimum specifications

Step 10: Click on Network Adapter and select the appropriate network settings that allow for internet access

Step 11: Click on New CD/DVD (SATA) and select Use ISO image file and navigate to your Windows 10 ISO

Step 12: On the Hardware, screen click Close

Step 13: On the Ready to Create Virtual Machine click Finish

Step 14: CONGRATULATIONS you have now built a Windows 10 VM and you can now proceed to Section 3

Section 3: Windows 10 Build

Step 1: Power On your Windows 10 VM and boot into the ISO. Once the ISO loads select your relevant Language, Time and Currency and Keyboard format and click Next

Step 2: Click Install now

Step 3: Select your relevant Windows 10 edition and click Next. For the purpose of this series, we will be using Windows 10 Pro. Click Next

Step 4: Accept the EULA and click Next

Step 5: Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)

Step 6: Select Drive 0 and click Next

Step 7: Sit back and enjoy watching Windows 10 install

Step 8: Again sit back and enjoy

Step 9: On the Basics screen select the appropriate language and click Yes

Step 10: Select your applicable keyboard layout and click Yes

Step 11: Select Skip on the additional keyboard layout

Step 12: Sit back and enjoy

Step 13: Now you will be asked for the Account type you would like to set up. For the purpose of this series, we will be using one of my Microsoft 365 Enterprise test tenants. Select Setup for an organization and select Next

Step 14: Enter your Account credentials and click Next

Step 15: If you have MFA enabled on your account you will receive this message. If you do please accept the MFA prompt on your specific device and click Next

Step 16: On the privacy settings screen keep all the defaults selected and click Accept

Step 17: Sit back and relax again

Step 18: If you have MFA enabled with security on your account you will be asked to set up a new PIN. Select a new PIN and click OK

Step 19: Once you have finalised setting up your PIN click OK

Step 20: CONGRATULATIONS you have now built a vanilla build of Windows 10. You will now be promoted with a Networks window. If you received this select Yes

Step 21: Now we will install VMware Tools to fix the Display Settings. Click on VM at top of VMware and click Install VMware Tools…

Step 22: Navigate to This PC and double-click the VMware Tools software that has been mounted to D:\

Step 23: When prompted with the UAC screen select Yes

Step 24: On the VMware Tools Setup wizard click Next

Step 25: On the Choose Setup Type select Complete and click Next

Step 26: on the Rady to install VMware Tools click Install

Step 27: Sit back and relax

Step 28: Once completed, ensure you close down all your windows and click Yes to reboot.

Step 29: Once your VM reboots log in with your credentials and click start then click the settings icon.

Step 30: On the Windows Setting screen click Update & Security

Step 31: On the Settings screen at the bottom and click Windows Insider Program

Step 32: On the Windows Insider Program click Get started

Step 33: On the Pick an account to get started screen click Link an account

Step 34: Select the appropriate user account and select Continue

Step 35: Once signed in you will be asked to pick your Insider settings. Currently, the only channel that includes Windows 11 is the Dev Channel. Select the Dev Channel and click Confirm