Previously, we looked into the requirements for our homelab machine, right? Now that you know the capabilities of your machine, let’s start with installing VMware Workstation. This is specifically for the high-end machines or the high-end users because VMware is quite heavy when it comes to virtualization. But it has its own benefit because you can do a lot more with VMware. So what are we waiting for? Let’s get started 😂.
Downloading VMware
To download VMware, simply go to this URL. You will have to create an account on the Broadcom website. After you create the account, you can go to your “My Downloads” page and download VMware from there, or simply see the video detailing how I installed it.
Download VMware Workstation Pro (Free)
You know what you can do: click the link above, and it will take you to the Broadcom website where you can create an account. After creating the account, you must log in to the Broadcom website, then come back to this article and again click on this link, which will take you directly to the download page for VMware Workstation Pro.
You can go ahead an intall the VMware after downloading it
Downloading Windows Server 2025
Again, it’s the same process. Just click the link below, and it will take you to the download page of Windows Server 2025. All you have to do is click on the link below, and it will take you to the download page, and just choose the version that you want.
Downloading Windows 11
I think you’ve got the moves! Go ahead, click on the link below again and download the Windows 11 ISO. After clicking the link, you will be redirected to the Windows 11 download page. Just scroll down and select the version and the language of Windows 11 that you want.
Downloading Kali Linux
Till now, we have downloaded Windows Server and Windows 11. Now comes the real deal. There are two ways you can download Kali Linux.
- Download the Kali Linux iso
- Download the Kali Linux Virtual Machine
You see, Kali Linux can be downloaded in both ways, but the most convenient and easiest way to create a virtual machine is just downloading the virtual machine itself from the website. This is because when I was trying to install Kali Linux with the ISO provided by the website, I ran into trouble several times, which I had to deal with. After trying two or three times, I was successfully able to install Kali Linux, but it was a headache.
If you are a beginner, I would recommend you download the complete virtual machine itself; it is way easier than installing the ISO. Installing Kali Linux through the ISO is still going to take some time.
After you click the above link, you will see two options for installing car Linux. I have already explained to you the pros and cons of installing through both methods in the above passage. So it’s now really up to you; download Kali Linux in whatever way you want. Yaaah That’s It !! 😎
Conclusion
For now, we have downloaded all of the things that we needed. We have also installed the virtualisation software that we needed for setting up our home lab. In the next part, we are going to see how you can use VMware for installing different operating systems on your machine. Till then, take care and bye-bye!! 😊
