Gee K@y Fun!

Microsoft had recently release Windows7 RC1 (release candidate) for users testing before they go live. Windows7 looks to be pretty stable against its previous version, the major improvement in this version is its interaction with GPU which looks to be pretty good.

I have recently downloaded Windows7 RC1 and wanted to try it. However I did not wanted to upgrade my original Vista with the 1year valid Win7RC1 or neither I wanted a dual boot. One simple solution is to install and try this on Virtual Machine.

This guide I will demonstrate how you can install Win7RC1 on your virtual machine for giving it a try before you make up you mind to upgrade to it.

First get a copy of VMPlayer from here and install it in you machine, and download Win7RC1 iso file from here

Since VMPlayer is a free version it doesn’t come with the wizards like creating your virtual hardware which finally gives a .vmx (virtual machine) and .vmdk (virtual disk) file which you can download it from here.

Open the .vmx file and open it with notepad and change the "7100.0.090421-1700_x86fre_client_en-us_retail_ultimate-grc1culfrer_en_dvd.iso" to the iso file name which you have just downloaded from Microsoft website. That’s all you are almost set now for starting your virtual machine. Now double click your .vmx file which will now launch your VMplayer

This next screen gives option for upgrading an existing windows or to install a fresh copy since we are installing on VMPlayer choose the second option

Now the setup will start the installation which took me about 20 mins to complete during which it would restart your virtual machine once

After which enter user name and the computer name for this installation

,On next screens select the password and click next. Now the installation will ask for Product key, if you have forgot the password don’t worry go the Microsoft website again where you have downloaded your .iso file it will give you a product key before the download begins copy that product key and enter it here. (No need to download the .iso again!). Select the time zone and date and time for your installation click next and you are done! Now you can see Windows7 desktop on you VMPlayer where you can try all of its feature before you make up your mind to upgrade your existing OS.