Windows 7: Vmware Virtual Machine Wizard watch out for this

Hi there
some people might be tempted to try out W8 on a Virtual Machine --why not --always a good idea to see if you like a new OS or it delivers what you want.

In VMware you can do this very simply with "Create Virtual Machine Wizard". You'll get asked for the Windows serial number and whether you want to "automatically be logged on" plus it will default most of the hardware for the chosen OS . --That's fine. It will also ask if you want to use an ISO image or a physical device -- also fine.

Now the problem comes in "regionalisation" since the wizard will take the default settings which depends on where you downloaded the ISO from and the base language.

Unlike the case of "Install OS later" (Manually) where the Ms install screen prompts you also for a few of these things like language / time zone etc. it will default -- so if you say want UK keyboard and English (UK) it will probably default to US. You have to actually do a Language pack download (approx. 100Mb) and install English (UK) as a separate language - so if you want anything other than the default don't use the Create VM wizard.

What I tend to do is start of with the Create VM Wizard to see what most of the vm configuration settings are like recommended size of virtual disks etc and then switch to manual mode using some of the settings I have noted from the wizard.

If you are using a non English type keyboard it can be quite awkward to fiddle around after the VM is installed where a load of Your keys are different from the std US one's. !!

Just a little warning - hope this saves you time and an unnecessary download and install.

Cheers
jimbo