Running Ubuntu in VMware Workstation is the quickest way to learn Linux on a Windows PC: the VM is disposable, snapshots undo every mistake, and you can run Linux and Windows side by side. This guide installs Ubuntu Desktop; Server differs only in having no GUI after install.
Step 1: Download the ISO
From Ubuntu’s site, grab the current Desktop ISO (or Server, for a no-GUI lab machine closer to production).
Step 2: Create the VM
In VMware Workstation: Create a New Virtual Machine → Typical:
- Install the operating system from the downloaded ISO (Workstation detects Ubuntu automatically)
- Set a name like
ubuntu-laband a location with plenty of free space - Disk: 25-40 GB (Workstation keeps it thin on disk anyway); memory: 2-4 GB; 2 processors
- Network: NAT is easiest for internet access; a host-only LAN segment is better for isolated multi-VM labs like the Security+ environment
Step 3: Run the Installer
Power on the VM. The Ubuntu graphical installer boots:
- Choose the language and Install Ubuntu
- Pick the keyboard layout; normal installation includes a browser and utilities
- Erase disk and install Ubuntu is correct — it only “erases” the VM’s virtual disk
- Create your user account, a hostname you will recognize, and a strong password
- Let it copy files and reboot; remove the ISO when prompted
Step 4: Post-Install Essentials
- Update everything: open a terminal,
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y - Install open-vm-tools for proper graphics, shared folders and time sync:
sudo apt install open-vm-tools open-vm-tools-desktop -y - Take a snapshot of the clean install before you customize anything
From there, build on it: the Ubuntu web server, database server, or user management guides all start from this machine. The same workflow also works in ESXi per the ESXi OS installation guide.