How do Install VMware Workstation as a Service
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Create a service from the command prompt
Create a service from the command prompt
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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.
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”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Creating a new identifier
Creating a new identifier
You might be prompted to create a new unique identifier. Choose Create a new identifier.
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.”
