This guide is designed as instructional for those who want a virtual machine to use with Y2 testing. This becomes important when there are different Y2 versions within the same release (e.g. 13.00.0.2259 and 13.00.2552) as you would need to uninstall and reinstall for it to work.
Prerequisites
A key element to check is that your PC supports virtualisation and that it is enabled in the BIOS. On a Dell PC it is on by default, Lenovo they disable it by default.
Another check to make is to ensure that your PC has sufficient resources to run a virtual machine. I'd recommend a quad core greater than 1.6Ghz, with min 8GB of RAM and sufficient free storage space. The consequences are only that the VM will significantly hamper the performance of the PC, it all depends on the specs assigned to the VM.
A good way to check these settings is to open task manager and go the Performance Tab. Select CPU on the left
As per below image you can see:
- RAM - the Memory shown on left (8.7/15/8 means 8.7Gb used out of the 15.8 total available
- CPU - Logical Processors of 8 is ideal, 4 is ok.
- Virtualisation - needs to be enabled. If it isnt then BIOS needs to be changed
- Hard drive space can be checked in Computer
This guide is in 4 main sections
Section 1: Download Windows 10 ISO <-- Needed for sections 2
Section 2a: Setup VM in VMWare Workstation Player
Section 2b: Setup VM in Oracle Virtualbox
Section 3: Setup Windows 10 within VM <--same for both sections 2
Section 1: Download Windows 10.
Windows 10 will be needed for all installs, you will need an ISO file (or a CD if you have one) for this installation to work.
- Download and run the Upgrade tool
https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10 - Select Accept to Terms
- Select Create Installation Media
- Choose the desired windows version
- Select ISO File
- Select a folder to save it in (make sure it isn't a cloud connected folder like Dropbox).
- Wait for Download to Complete
- Keep file ready for install
Below are the instructions for both Oracle VirtualBox and for VMWare Player
Section 2a: VMWare Player
VMWare is one of the premier virtualization providers with full packages available for consumers through to enterprise users.
- Downlaod and Install VMWare Player
https://my.vmware.com/en/web/vmware/free#desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_workstation_player/14_0 - Download Windows 10
Follow steps listed above - Open VMWare Player
- Select Create a New Virtual Machine (or from Player menu)
- Select Installer disc image file (iso) and browse to Win10 File downloaded
- Ensure Windows 10 x64 is selected (if thats the copy of windows you downloaded)
- Select a name and location (ensure not in a shared folder like dropbox because your internet provider will not like you)
- You can chose the file structure. I prefer it as 1 single file. Leave the size at the recommended 60Gb
- You can choose to customise now, or just proceed. You can make changes to the hardware later.
- Start the machine for the first time by selecting the Play button
- Install Windows 10 - if unsure follow steps in last section below
- Once the VM Loads you'll want to install VMTools - this gives you a cleaner experience. It allows things like clipboard sharing, better mouse interface etc.
- Select Install tools from the bottom (or via Player > Manage > Install VMWare Tools
- This will create a virtual CD and ask to install
- Follow prompts for a typical install
Once done restart your virtual machine and then you can install Y2 and other applications as needed.
- Select Install tools from the bottom (or via Player > Manage > Install VMWare Tools
Section 2b: Oracle VirtualBox
VirtualBox is a free VM package, that has reasonable features. It looks dated but is functional
- Download and Install Virtualbox (VB)
https://www.virtualbox.org/ - Download Windows 10
Follow steps listed above - Open VB
- Create New VM
- Select New
GIve your VM a name, and select the type (make sure it matches the ISO file you downloaded)
Assign it RAM - easiest is to leave it default, but if you know your PC has enough free space (8GB+) then you may decide to increase if the VM is slow. You can change this later so fine to leave at recommended settings.
Select Create a new virtual hard disk
Select Hard Disk Type. Leave as default if you just intend to use on local PC.
Leave hard disk as dynamically allocated - this won't use as much Local Storage
Select Hard Drive Size and location. If unsure just leave the hard disk at 50Gb which is the default for Win10
- Select New
- Your Machine is then created and added to the list
- Start Machine and install Win10
- Select Machine and go to settings
- Go to Storage > Select Cd drive and go to choose virtual optical disk file
- Browse to and select the Windows10.iso
- Select Machine and press start
- It will run through a creation process
- Follow the process listed below in section 3
Section 3: Windows 10 Installation and Initial Config
- Boot your chosen VM
- The VM will boot like any computer would.
- Being a new install you will be taken to the Win10 install components
- Select settings as desired
- Then Select Install Now
- When it comes to validating I select 'I dont have a product key'
- You will want to select Windows 10 Pro
- Accept the License Terms
- Select Custom: Install Windows Only
- In the Drive window select next.
- Windows 10 will then install
- Once done windows 10 will boot up and you can setup user credentials as you would for a new computer
- Once install is complete it will reboot
- Set Region
- Set Keyboard to US
- Skip second keyboard
- Setup for personal use
- Can create an account, or proceed with an 'offline account'
- Enter password
- Follow the remaining prompts to load windows and preferences and open Windows
- Return and finalise install using specific VM guide - to install the management software for each VM Type.
