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Hardware

How do Install VMware Workstation as a Service

By Steven S. Warren July 30, 2008, 2:28 AM PDT

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How do Install VMware Workstation as a Service

Create a service from the command prompt

Create a service from the command prompt

This gallery is also available in the PDF format in a TechRepublic Download and as an entry in the TechRepublic Severs and Storage blog.

Under default conditions, VMware Workstation does not support the ability to run virtual machines as a service. As soon as you log off your computer, the running virtual machines are shut down or powered off. However, there is a way to install VMware Workstation as a service using files from the Windows 2003 Resource Kit. Stephen Warren shows you how.

Create a service that will automatically run the SuSE 9.1 operating system.

How do Install VMware Workstation as a Service

Create a new Key

Create a new Key

Next, open the registry by clicking Start | Run |. Then type regedit and expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\”name of your VMware Service subkey”

How do Install VMware Workstation as a Service

Create a new string

Create a new string

Next, right-click on the Parameters subkey and choose New | String Value and call the key Application.

How do Install VMware Workstation as a Service

Enter your virtual machine's physical path

Enter your virtual machine's physical path

Now, double-click the Application key value and enter the path to the vmware.exe and the virtual machine’s .vmx file.

For example, The default path is C:/program files/vmware/VMware Workstation/VMware.exe followed by the path to the virtual machine’s .vmx file. Remember to put this path in double quotation marks.

How do Install VMware Workstation as a Service

Verify that the service exists

Verify that the service exists

Now that you have added the path, you need to set the start-up options for the newly created service. Click Start | Run | and type services.msc and browse to the service you just created for your VMware Workstation virtual machine.

How do Install VMware Workstation as a Service

Configuring the service

Configuring the service

Double-click on the service and select the Log On tab. On the General tab choose Automatic as the startup type and then select the Log On tab and select the Local System account to run the service.

Additionally, you also need to select Allow service to interact with the desktop. Next, test the service by starting it and watching your virtual machine start. You might be prompted to create a new unique identifier.

The final test is to reboot your machine to make sure the virtual machine starts as well. You can repeat these steps for as many virtual machines as your system can handle.

How do Install VMware Workstation as a Service

Creating a new identifier

Creating a new identifier

You might be prompted to create a new unique identifier. Choose Create a new identifier.

How do Install VMware Workstation as a Service

Modifying the .vmx file

Modifying the .vmx file

When running virtual machines as a service, make sure all floppy drives, CD-ROM, and other devices are disconnected. It is also recommended that you disable VMware Hints by adding the following line to your *.vmx file:
Hints.hideall=”DTRUE.”

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By Steven S. Warren
Steven S. Warren is a popular author residing in Winter Haven, Florida with his wife and 2 children. As a columnist on such well-known IT web sites as Techrepublic.com, CNET, and ZDNET, Steven has published numerous articles. Additionally, Steven
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