How to Install Debian 11 using VMware

This article shows you how to set up and configure Debian 11 Bullseye on a virtual machine using VMware Workstation 17 Pro.

The Debian distribution is a precompiled and packaged free software-based GNU operating system with a community of developers and users who aim to build and maintain it on multiple computer architectures and cores.

You can install and use this Linux distribution on your physical computer and virtual machines. You can experience this system by pre-installing it on a virtual computer instead of installing it on a physical PC.

Follow this video tutorial or the steps below to install the Debian 11 version using VMware virtual machine software.

Step 1: After installing the VMware program on your computer, open it and click Create a New Virtual Machine from the options listed on its homepage.

Step 2: Click Custom (Advanced) in the virtual machine wizard.

Step 3: Change the hardware compatibility to 17.x.

Step 4: Select I will install the guest operating system later.

Step 5: For Debian 11, select Debian 10.x 64-bit in the guest systems list.

Step 6: Type the virtual machine name and select the installation location.

Step 7: Configure the processor hardware settings as one processor and eight or higher virtual cores. In short, make this setting according to the hardware features of your host computer.

Step 8: Do not choose the virtual memory (RAM) size determined by the VMware program, and choose a size according to the memory capacity of your PC.

Step 9: Select NAT as the network adapter type.

Step 10: For the I/O controller, continue with the default LSI Logic.

Step 11: For the virtual disk type, choose NVMe instead of IDE, SCSI, and SATA.

Step 12: Create a new virtual disk as you will install a clean Debian.

Step 13: Select the virtual disk size higher than the default value and choose to store the virtual disk as a single file.

Step 14: Continue without changing the location of the Debian virtual disk file.

Step 15: At the last step, click on Customize Hardware.

Step 16: Select the processor hardware in the Debian virtual machine settings and tick all the options in the virtualization and memory properties on the right.

Step 17: Select the CD/DVD hardware and after activating Use ISO Image File, click the Browse button and select the Debian ISO file you downloaded to your computer.

Step 18: Configure the compatibility type as 3.1 in the USB hardware settings.

Step 19: Enable 3D graphics acceleration from the display hardware settings and configure the video memory to an appropriate value the VM will support.

Step 20: After preparing your Debian virtual computer, click Power on this virtual machine and run it.

Step 21: When the Debian GNU/Linux Installer Menu opens, press Enter in the Graphical Install option and start the system installation.

Step 22: Select your system display language in Select a Language.

Step 23: Country selection is usually made in Select your Location. You can choose the country you live in and continue.

Step 24: Select your computer’s keyboard layout in Configure the Keyboard. If you have a PC manufactured in a different country, find and select your keyboard layout here.

Step 25: Set an intense and complex password for your root access.

Step 26: In the next step, type the full name to create a non-root user account.

Step 27: In the next step, type the username of the non-root account in lowercase letters.

Step 28: Set a password for your non-root account.

Step 29: Continue by configuring your time zone in Configure the Clock.

Step 30: If you are a new Linux/Debian user in Partition Disks, continuing with the Guided – Use Entire Disk option will be helpful. If you are experienced with Linux, you can choose Guide – Use Entire Disk and Set Up Encrypted LVM.

Step 31: Select the virtual disk (NVMe) you created.

Step 32: Select the option (All files in one partition) recommended for new users. And then press Enter on Finish partitioning and write changes to disk.

Step 33: In the next step, tick Yes to confirm writing the changes to the disk and click the Continue button.

Step 34: Select No in Scan another CD or DVD.

Step 35: If you have a healthy Internet connection, set the Network Mirror setting to Yes.

Network Mirror Country: United States
Archive Mirror: deb.debian.org

Step 36: In Software Selection, you must select the Debian desktop environment you want to use. In this step, you can continue by choosing your preferred desktop environment.

GNOME
Xfce
KDE Plasma
Cinnamon
MATE
LXDE
LXQt

Step 37: Install the GRUB Boot Loader and complete the installation process.