VMware’s Fusion lets you run an almost unlimited number of operating systems concurrently with OS X. Before you can install and run a guest (non-native) OS, you must first create a virtual machine, which is a container that holds the guest OS and allows it to run.

What You Will Need

• VMware’s Fusion v1.1 or later.
  
  
• Available hard drive space. The amount of free hard drive space you'll need depends on the OS you plan to install. Some Linux installations will work fine with just 8 GB of available space, while Windows Vista works better with at least 20 GB of space.
  
  

• An Intel-based Mac. Any Intel-based Mac, which includes most models from January 2006 on.
  
  
• About an hour of free time. The amount of time the installation will take depends on the OS you plan to install, and the type of Mac you're installing it on.
  
  

Have everything you need? Let's get started.

After you launch Fusion, go to the Virtual Machine Library. This is where you create new virtual machines, as well as adjust settings for existing virtual machines.

Create a New VM

1. Launch Fusion by double-clicking its icon in the Dock, or by double-clicking the Fusion application, usually located at /Applications/VMware Fusion.
   
   
2. Access the Virtual Machine Library window. By default, this window should be front and center when you launch Fusion. If it isn't, you can access it by selecting 'Virtual Machine Library' from the Windows menu.
   
   

1. Click the ‘New’ button in the Virtual Machine Library window.
   
   
2. The Virtual Machine Assistant will launch, displaying a short introduction to creating a virtual machine.
   
   
3. Click the ‘Continue' button in the Virtual Machine Assistant window.
   
   

Select the operating system you want to run on your new virtual machine. You have a wide range of operating systems to choose from, including Windows, Linux, NetWare, and Sun Solaris, as well as a wide range of operating system versions. This guide assumes that you plan to install Windows Vista, but the instructions will work for any OS.

Select an Operating System

1. Use the dropdown menu to select an operating system. The choices are:
   
   
   • Microsoft Windows
     
     
   • Linux
     
     
   • Novell NetWare
     
     
   • Sun Solaris
     
     
   • Other
     
     

1. Select 'Microsoft Windows' from the dropdown menu.
   
   
2. Select Vista as the version of Windows to install on your new virtual machine.
   
   
3. Click the ‘Continue’ button.
   
   

It's time to select a storage location for your new virtual machine. By default, Fusion uses your Home directory (~/vmware) as the preferred location for virtual machines, but you can store them anywhere you like, such as on a specific partition or on a hard drive dedicated to virtual machines.

Name That Virtual Machine

1. Enter a name for your new virtual machine in the ‘Save as:’ field.
   
   
2. Select a storage location by using the dropdown menu.
   
   
   • The current default location. This will either be the last location you selected to store a virtual machine (if you have previously created one), or the default location of ~/vmware.
     
     
   • Other. Use this option to select a new location using a standard Mac Finder window.
     
     

1. Make your selection. For this guide, we'll accept the default location, which is the vmware folder in your Home directory.
   
   
2. Click the ‘Continue’ button.
   
   

Specify your preferences for the virtual hard disk that Fusion will create for your virtual machine.

Virtual Hard Disk Options

1. Specify the disk size. Fusion will display a suggested size that's based on the OS you chose earlier. For Windows Vista, 20 GB is a good choice.
   
   
2. Click the ‘Advanced Disk Options’ disclosure triangle.
   
   
3. Place a check mark next to any of the advanced disk options you would like to use.
   
   
   • Allocate all disk space now. Fusion uses a dynamically expanding virtual drive. This option starts with a small drive that can expand, as needed, up to the disk size you specified above. If you prefer, you can choose to create the full virtual disk now, for slightly better performance. The tradeoff is that you're giving up space that could be used elsewhere until the virtual machine needs it.
     
     
   • Split disk into 2 GB files. This option is primarily used for FAT or UDF drive formats, which don't support large files. Fusion will split your hard drive into multiple sections that FAT and UDF drives can use; each section will be no larger than 2 GB. This option is only necessary for MS-DOS, Windows 3.11, or other older operating systems.
     
     
   • Use an existing virtual disk. This option lets you use a virtual disk that you created earlier. If you select this option, you will need to supply the path name for the existing virtual disk.
     
     

1. After making your selections, click the ‘Continue’ button.
   
   

Fusion has a Windows Easy Install option that uses the information you supply when you create a virtual machine, along with a few pieces of additional data, to automate a Windows XP or Vista installation.

Because this guide assumes that you're installing Vista, we'll use the Windows Easy Install option. If you don't want to use this option, or you're installing an OS that doesn't support it, you can uncheck it.

Configure Windows Easy Install

1. Place a check mark next to ‘Use Easy Install.’
   
   
2. Enter a user name. This will be the default administrator account for XP or Vista.
   
   
3. Enter a password. Although this field is listed as optional, I highly recommend creating passwords for all accounts.
   
   
4. Confirm the password by entering it a second time.
   
   
5. Enter your Windows product key. The dashes in the product key will be entered automatically, so you only need to type the alphanumeric characters.
   
   
6. Your Mac Home directory can be accessible within Windows XP or Vista. Put a check mark next to this option if you want to be able to access your Home directory from within Windows.
   
   
7. Choose the access rights that you want Windows to have for your Home directory.
   
   
   • Read only. Your Home directory and its files can only be read, not edited or deleted. This is a good middle-of-the-road choice. It provides access to files, but protects them by not allowing changes to be made from within Windows.
     
     
   • Read and Write. This option allows files and folders in your Home directory to be edited or deleted from within Windows; it also allows you to create new files and folders in the Home directory from within Windows. This is a good choice for individuals who want complete access to their files, and who aren't worried about unauthorized access.
     
     

1. Use the dropdown menu to make your selection.
   
   
2. Click the ‘Continue’ button.
   
   

You've finished configuring your new virtual machine with Fusion. You can now install an operating system. If you're ready to install Vista, then follow the instructions below.

Save the Virtual Machine and Install Vista

1. Place a check mark next to the ‘Start virtual machine and install operating system now' option.
   
   
2. Select the ‘Use operating system installation disk’ option.
   
   
3. Insert your Vista install CD into your Mac's optical drive.
   
   

1. Wait for the CD to be mounted on your Mac's desktop.
   
   
2. Click the ‘Finish’ button.
   
   

Save the Virtual Machine Without Installing an OS

1. Remove the check mark next to the ‘Start virtual machine and install operating system now' option.
   
   
2. Click the ‘Finish’ button.
   
   

When You're Ready to Install Vista

• Easy install. Step-by-step guide for performing an easy install of Vista on your Fusion Virtual Machine.
  
  
• Standard install. Step-by-step guide for performing a standard install of Vista on your Fusion Virtual Machine.