How-To Install Microsoft Windows 7 on a MacBook Pro running OS X Leopard under VMWare Fusion 2.0
Microsoft just released their anticipated public Beta of the new Windows 7 operating system which is said to be faster and better than XP and certainly the dreaded Vista. My first impressions of Windows 7 are positive and I was particularly impressed with the easy and error-free setup process, especially on a VM. At first, Windows 7 feels a lot like Vista but it’s inherently faster, smoother and feels more solid. Applications load quickly (although just as quick on my XP SP2 Virtual Machine) and so far it hasn’t crashed!
Lets get started with the How-To.
Update: Atomic has posted a great article on our First Impressions of Windows 7 featuring screenshots, an in-depth review, and a fantastic How-To workaround for the dreaded blue screen of death in Fusion… Don’t miss it, click here!
Update: Microsoft said it has more Windows 7 beta feedback and testers than it can handle, and plans to stop offering downloads of the operating system on Feb. 10. As of February 10, 2009 Microsoft has stopped offering Windows 7 but it is still available if you know where to look.
There are two sets of steps you need to take. The first is setting up the Virtualization Software and the second is setting up Windows 7 itself.
Setting up the VMWare Fusion Environment
1) Download the new Windows 7 public-beta .iso from Microsoft.com
2) Don't forget to write down your registration key
3) I'm using VMWare Fusion so let's open that up.
4) Create a New Virtual Machine "Without Disk"
5) Select your downloaded .iso of Windows 7 as the disk image file
6) Until VMWare updates Fusion, select "Windows Vista" as the OS of choice
7) Un-check "Easy install"
8) Click Finish
9) Boot the Windows 7 virtual machine
Setting up the Windows 7 Ultimate Beta Environment
1) When Windows 7 boots, agree to the license terms, select "Custom" Installation.
2) Select the installation volume , click next and grab a coke.
3) After Windows 7 restarts it will run some checks and ask for your product key.
4) The setup will ask you some basic networking questions
5) Windows will finalize your settings and there you have it!
Windows 7 Beta working without a problem on VMWare Fusion.
That’s all, enjoy the new Windows 7 Beta.
Microsoft Windows 7 seems to be leaps and bounds better than Vista and since this is still a Beta it will improve over time.
System Details
Apple MacBook Pro 2.5Ghz, 4GB RAM, OS X Leopard 10.5.6
VMWare Fusion 2.0
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Beta Build 7000
very interesting and great how-to Atomic blog… see you soon for more articles, site looks great! rjay
I’m using Fusion 2.0.1 and so far I get BSOD on every Mac I try to get WIndows 7 to install - any ideas?
Hey Bernie, does it let you install? Do you get the BSOD after installation/configuration or after you’ve logged in an successfully booted Win7? Are you using the public beta (build 7000)? I haven’t seen the dreaded screen yet. VirtualBox is a great alternative, although I have not experimented with Windows 7 on it yet, I will soon.
Hey, thanks for the post. I used my existing Windows 7 bootcamp partition and imported that into VMWare Fusion 2. Everything works great except its not recognizing my wireless network adapter.
Wireless works fine when running Windows 7 in bootcamp. Any suggestions?
Same problem here. Find a solution yet?
@John. I would install a clean copy of Win 7 on Fusion. I’ve encountered many networking problems in Fusion (and virtualBox). I’ve even posted an article on Solaris and Fusion networking because it just doesn’t work like it’s supposed!
@Mike. I would make sure “NAT” is enabled under Fusion’s settings. [Fusion has had problems bridged mode before and virtualbox has major issues too].
Best way to do it guys is to just clean install Win 7 from the .ISO and you’ll be good to go.
7 Works pretty well within Fusion. I hated Vista and it is nice to see something that can compete with OS X
Hey Mr. Binky. Yes, 7 seems nice so far, while I don’t think it will ever have the stability like Unix-based OS X, it certainly looks like a step up from Vista.
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