Prerequisites:

• A computer running Windows 10 or later (64-bit recommended).
• Sufficient free disk space (at least 20-30 GB recommended for the VM, plus space for VMware).
• An internet connection to download the necessary files.

Part 1: Download and Install VMware Workstation Pro

VMware Workstation Player has been discontinued for purchase, and VMware Workstation Pro is now available for free for personal use.

1. Go to the VMware Workstation Pro Download Page: Open your web browser and navigate to the official VMware Workstation Pro download page on the Broadcom website. You can usually find this by searching for "Download VMware Workstation Pro".
2. Download the Installer: Find the download link for the Windows 64-bit version of VMware Workstation Pro. Click to download the executable file (.exe). You may need to create a Broadcom account to access the download.
3. Run the Installer: Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file (it will be something like VMware-workstation-full-x.x.x-xxxx.exe) and run it as an administrator (right-click the file and select "Run as administrator").
4. Follow the Installation Wizard:
   • Accept the license agreement.
   • Choose an installation type (Typical is usually sufficient).
   • Select the installation path (the default is usually fine).
   • Choose whether to check for product updates and join the VMware Customer Experience Improvement Program (your preference).
   • Select whether to create desktop and Start Menu shortcuts.
   • Click "Install" to begin the installation process.
5. Finish Installation and Restart: Once the installation is finished, click "Finish". You may be prompted to restart your computer. It's recommended to restart to ensure everything is configured correctly.
6. Launch VMware Workstation Pro: After restarting, launch VMware Workstation Pro from your desktop shortcut or the Start Menu.
7. License Information: Since you are using it for personal, non-commercial purposes, select the option to use VMware Workstation for personal use when prompted about the license.

Part 2: Download the Ubuntu Server ISO Image

You need the installation image for Ubuntu Server to install it in your virtual machine.

1. Go to the Ubuntu Server Download Page: Open your web browser and go to the official Ubuntu website's server download section. Search for "Download Ubuntu Server".
2. Choose the LTS Version: For a stable environment suitable for DevOps, it's highly recommended to download the latest Long Term Support (LTS) version. Look for the download link for the Server Install Image (ISO file) for the latest LTS release (e.g., Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or 24.04 LTS).
3. Download the ISO File: Click the download link. The ISO file is large, so the download may take some time depending on your internet speed. Save the ISO file to a location you can easily find on your computer (e.g., your Downloads folder).

Part 3: Create and Install the Ubuntu Server Virtual Machine in VMware Workstation Pro

Now you will create a new virtual machine in VMware Workstation Pro and install Ubuntu Server using the downloaded ISO image.