VMware Player - Install and Setup Zorin

How to Install and Setup Zorin in VMware Player​

   Information

This tutorial is aimed at Windows users who want to try out a Linux distro and learn about a virtual OS installation at the same time. If you are not interested in the virtual part, you can skip directly to Chapter 2 which explains the Zorin setup.

Zorin is a Linux distro with an Ubuntu base. Of all the Linux distros I know, it comes the closest to Windows as far as the user interface (UI) is concerned.

If you are not familiar with Linux and want to experiment with it, I recommend you try Zorin. It can be downloaded from the Zorin site (click on the 'Get it' button). I suggest you take the 64bit version which is the one used in this tutorial.

Coming from Windows, you will not be too alienated using Zorin. It has a Start menu that can be customized to look like Windows 7 or XP and it has a familiar task bar. But there are, of course, differences.

I will explain how to make the basic setup in VMware Player and how to setup Zorin so that it is convenient to use. At one point that involves the command line (Terminal). But don't be scared, I have prepared everything such that this step can be easily mastered.

The setup in VMware player will be explained with text and pictures and the setup inside Zorin will be explained with a video. But I have also documented the essential steps in text format.

Chapter 1 - install Zorin in VMware Player

Download VMware Player from this site and install it on your system. Then start VMware Player and you will see this window.

Here you just click on 'Create a new virtual machine' and you get to this window.

Here you select to install from the .iso image and navigate to the Zorin .iso file that you have downloaded. Then Next.



Mark Linux and choose the Ubuntu 64bit. Then Next.



Browse to the disk/partition and folder where you want to install the virtual partition files. Default is Documents. I recommend predefining a folder for the VMware installation so that all VMware files are in one place. When you are done with the installation, there will be over 25 files and subfolders. Having those mixed with other folders would be messy.



In this window you can take the defaults. Zorin will start out with less than 6GB of disk space usage so a maximum of 20GB for the dynamic virtual disk should suffice. Then Next.



The default allocation is 1GB of RAM and 1 processor. I always assign 2GB of RAM and 2 processors. But you may take what is suitable for your PC. The defaults will work. Then Finish.



Now VMware Player will install the bootstrap system of Zorin. Once this is done, you need to right click on the "Install Zorin 6" DVD as shown in the picture and Open that. This will start the full installation of Zorin.

The Zorin installation process is very similar to the Windows installation process. You set the language, keyboard layout, time zone, and give the system a name. You must define a password - I always use 1234 because Linux distros ask many times for authentication with the password. A complicated password will make the operation more cumbersome. There is one big difference to a Windows installation - you do not need a product key. Zorin is freeware.

Once your installation is completed, restart Zorin - click on the Zorin Start button (bottom left) and then on the power symbol (bottom right in the start menu). That will bring up the various options (restart, shutdown, etc.)

I will explain the rest of the Zorin setup in the following video. The steps are also summarized in the text below the video. Read the note below because you may have to make an audio setting.



Chapter 2 - setting up Zorin

Note: If the audio of this video is too low, do the following:
Right click on the speaker icon in the task tray (bottom right) > Playback devices > double click on your output device > Enhancement tab > check the 'Loudness Equalizer' box







The synopsis of the settings discussed in the video

Screen resolution:Start > System Settings > Display
Full screen: VMware dock > Full screen icon
Hide/Unhide VMware dock: Leftmost icon on the dock
VMware Tools: VMware dock > Player > Manage > Install VMware Tools
Terminal (Command Prompt): Start > Accessories > Terminal
Terminal commands to install VMware Tools:

sudo mount /dev/cdrom /media/cdrom
cp /media/cdrom/VMware*.tar.gz /tmp
sudo umount /media/cdrom
cd /tmp
tar xzvf VMware*.gz
cd vmware-tools-distrib/
sudo ./vmware-install.pl

Those commands are posted on Sevenforums under: "VMware and Zorin"

Office Applications:Start > Office > Libre Office
GParted (Disk Mgmt): Start > System Tools > Administration > GParted
Software Center: Start > System Tools > Administration > Software Center
Firefox Installation: Start > Internet > Zorin Web Browser Manager
Help file: Start > Accessories > Help
Text Editor (Wordpad): Start > Accessories > Text Editor

Related Tutorials

---

• VMware Player - Install Windows 8
• http://www.sevenforums.com/chillout-room/276418-having-fun-zorin.html#post2275421
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/276540-portable-os-carry-your-os-external-drive.html
• VMware Player - Share Partitions Between Host and Guest

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Well done Ethel to be honest I was rather sceptical that it could be done but now I know thanks to your efforts

 

[ethel]

zorin os 12

Hello ICIT2LOL, I was rather unsure myself, but all is good. I will mark this as solved.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep I reckon you passed the entrance test LOL!!

 

[BuckSkin]

I am a wee bit confused.
I have Windows 7 and Linux Mint Cinnamon, and also Zorin, dual-booted on some of our machines.
I previously had Windows 7 Pro and Linux Mint Cinnamon dual-boot on my main machine; but, when I switched to a SSD for the system drive, although I had successfully managed to do it before, I could not get the Linux partition to clone to the new drive --- so currently this machine is not dual-boot.
Then I stumbled upon this thread and wondered if VMware Player might be a better solution than the aggravation of having to boot back and forth.
I scanned through these pages and my answer may very well be there, but I did not catch it.

Question 1: With VMware Player, can I install programs and use them in Linux the same as I can in dual-boot configuration ?

Question 2: Lets say I am using Windows and have a few programs and need to do something in Linux; do I have to close out of my Windows programs before calling up Linux ?

Question 3: Does VMware Player/Linux simply behave as if it were another program in Windows, allowing one to simply click back and forth between the two ?

Sorry for so many questions.
Thanks for reading and all help is appreciated.

 

[kado897]

I am a wee bit confused.
I have Windows 7 and Linux Mint Cinnamon, and also Zorin, dual-booted on some of our machines.
I previously had Windows 7 Pro and Linux Mint Cinnamon dual-boot on my main machine; but, when I switched to a SSD for the system drive, although I had successfully managed to do it before, I could not get the Linux partition to clone to the new drive --- so currently this machine is not dual-boot.
Then I stumbled upon this thread and wondered if VMware Player might be a better solution than the aggravation of having to boot back and forth.
I scanned through these pages and my answer may very well be there, but I did not catch it.

Question 1: With VMware Player, can I install programs and use them in Linux the same as I can in dual-boot configuration ?

Question 2: Lets say I am using Windows and have a few programs and need to do something in Linux; do I have to close out of my Windows programs before calling up Linux ?

Question 3: Does VMware Player/Linux simply behave as if it were another program in Windows, allowing one to simply click back and forth between the two ?

Sorry for so many questions.
Thanks for reading and all help is appreciated.

1. Yes.
2. No.
3. Yes.

The only downsides to running a VM are reduced performance and you cannot easily access the virtual disks directly from Windows. You will need a reasonably powerful CPU and at least 8GB of RAM. You also need to have support in the BIOS for virtualisation.


You might also want to give VirtualBox a look. It is pretty much the same as VMware Player with a few more features.

 

[BuckSkin]

You might also want to give VirtualBox a look. It is pretty much the same as VMware Player with a few more features.

Thanks !
I will check it out.

 

[BuckSkin]

You might also want to give VirtualBox a look.

Thanks again.
I have downloaded VirtualBox v. 6.0.
However, I read that it works for Windows 8.1 and 10; no mention of Windows 7.
Is that simply due to Windows 7 being extinct; or, should I download an earlier version ?
6.0 was not the most recent; the information on the downloads page said something about the version after 6.0 not supporting software virtualization; I had no idea what that meant, but to be safe, I got the 6.0

 

[kado897]

Thanks again.
I have downloaded VirtualBox v. 6.0.
However, I read that it works for Windows 8.1 and 10; no mention of Windows 7.
Is that simply due to Windows 7 being extinct; or, should I download an earlier version ?
6.0 was not the most recent; the information on the downloads page said something about the version after 6.0 not supporting software virtualization; I had no idea what that meant, but to be safe, I got the 6.0

I've not run VB on W7 for several years now being on W10. I don't see any reason why it wouldn't though. I guess you are just going to have to try it unless someone else can chip in with info.

 

[townsbg]

7 isn't on the list of support host OS's. Chapter 1. First Steps


Maybe I'll be able to test tomorrow night. Did you download 6 or 6.1?

 

[BuckSkin]

Did you download 6 or 6.1?

I copy/pasted the file name:

VirtualBox-6.0.22-137980-Win

 

[townsbg]

I was able to install version 6 on Windows 7, configure a virtual machine, and start it without any errors. I have not done anything with the virtual machine but power it on.

 

[BuckSkin]

I was able to install version 6 on Windows 7, configure a virtual machine, and start it without any errors. I have not done anything with the virtual machine but power it on.

THANKS !
I got to staring at that dancing banana or whatever it is and hypnotized myself......

Thanks for checking it out.
I need to close a bunch of programs and try my hand at installing it.


>>> One Hour Later: I got the "Enable Intel Virtualization Technology" box checked to Enable in BIOS.
There were two more options that I left un-checked, "Intel VT for I/O" and "Intel Trusted Execution Technology" ; I had no idea about these two and left them disabled.

I got Virtual Box installed and have the "Oracle VM Virtual Box Manager" on the screen (picture of a penguin holding a hammer and looking in a toolbox)
I have no idea where to go from there.

>>> Two more hours later: I downloaded the most recent Linux Mint Cinnamon 9.3.
I created a "Machine" and finally figured out how to load the ISO into the make-believe DVD tray --- the instructions I was following were for a much older version and the "Help" in VirtualBox seemed to skip this important information.
I soldiered on and now I have a Linux screen that says "Install Linux Mint"
I think I will call it a night.

 

[townsbg]

It sounds like you created a new virtual machine and that you are at the installation screen. Just follow through the prompts to install it. If you have any further issues with Linux mint you might want to check out their forum. https://forums.linuxmint.com/

 

[BuckSkin]

It sounds like you created a new virtual machine and that you are at the installation screen. Just follow through the prompts to install it. If you have any further issues with Linux mint you might want to check out their forum. https://forums.linuxmint.com/

Thanks; I really appreciate your input and help.
It may be just wishful thinking; but, if this Virtual machine business allows me to do pretty much anything I would otherwise be able to do in a dual-boot environment, and me not have to be all the time booting back and forth, this just might prove to be WAY COOL ! ! !