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Installing Ubuntu 22.04 on VMware virtual machine

Platforms: Windows, macOS (Intel chips), macOS (Apple Silicon chips)

Note that for the purpose of our workshops, if you have Ubuntu 22.04 installed through other methods, such as WSL, Other Virtual Machine, Dual Boot, or Native Ubuntu 22.04, then it is not necessary to use this Virtual Machine

Objective

In this tutorial, you will:

  1. Install VMware virtual machine on your computer
  2. Create a virtual machine (VM) environment
  3. Install Ubuntu 22.04
  4. Verify a working Ubuntu desktop environment

Requirements

  • A computer running Windows, macOS (Intel), or macOS (Apple Silicon)
  • At least 8 GB RAM recommended
  • At least 50 GB free disk space
  • Internet connection

Step 1: Install VMware (Differs by Platform)

Windows

  • VMware product: VMware Workstation Pro (Free for personal use)
  • Download from: https://www.techpowerup.com/download/vmware-workstation-pro/
  • Click on the Download button for Windows (This tutorial is tested on the 25H2 version, but feel free to try a newer version if available)
  • Select a server to download it from, and the download should start automatically (the server closest to you is usually a good choice)

Install steps:

  1. Run the downloaded .exe
  2. Click Next
  3. Accept license agreement
  4. Use default options
  5. Click Install
  6. Restart if prompted

macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon)

  • VMware product: VMware Fusion Pro (Free for personal use)
  • Download from: https://www.techspot.com/downloads/2755-vmware-fusion-mac.html
  • From the download options, click on a version, and the download should start automatically (This tutorial is tested on the 25H2 version, but feel free to try a newer version if available)

Install steps:

  1. Open the downloaded .dmg
  2. Double click VMware Fusion or drag it to Applications (depends on installer)
  3. Launch VMware Fusion if not automatically launched
  4. Approve permissions in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
  5. Restart if requested

VMware Fusion automatically installs the correct version for Intel or Apple Silicon Macs.

Step 2: Download Ubuntu 22.04 (Critical Differences)

Windows & macOS Intel

Download Ubuntu 22.04 Desktop (amd64): https://releases.ubuntu.com/jammy/

On the Desktop image section, click on 64-bit PC (AMD64) desktop image, and the download should start automatically

File name example:

ubuntu-22.04.x-desktop-amd64.iso

This is the official Ubuntu Desktop ISO.

macOS Apple Silicon Chips

Important: Ubuntu does not provide an official Desktop ARM ISO.

Instead, download Ubuntu 22.04 Server (ARM): https://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/jammy/release/

On the Server install image section, click on 64-bit ARM (ARMv8/AArch64) server install image, and the download should start automatically

File name example:

ubuntu-22.04.x-live-server-arm64.iso

You will install the desktop later.

Step 3: Create the Virtual Machine

Windows (VMware Workstation Pro)

  1. Open VMware Workstation Pro
  2. Click Create a New Virtual Machine
  3. Select Installer disc image file (iso)
  4. Browse to the Ubuntu ISO file you downloaded earlier
  5. Click Next
  6. Follow the recommended setting options
  7. Name the VM (e.g., Ubuntu 22.04)

  8. Disk size:

  9. Recommended: 50 GB

  10. Click Finish

macOS (VMware Fusion – Intel & Apple Silicon)

  1. Open VMware Fusion Pro
  2. Click Create New if prompted
  3. Select Install from disc or image then press Continue
  4. Drag the Ubuntu ISO file recently downloaded or click on Use another disc or disc image... to choose the Ubuntu ISO file downloaded
  5. Click Continue
  6. Follow the recommended setting options (Disk size: 50 GB)
  7. Finish setup

Step 4: Install Ubuntu

Windows & macOS Intel (Desktop Installer)

  1. Press Ok on the annoucement pop up notifications
  2. VM boots into Ubuntu installer
  3. Select Try or Install Ubuntu if prompted
  4. Choose language
  5. Keyboard layout → Continue

  6. Updates & other software:

  7. Normal installation

  8. Download updates while installing Ubuntu
  9. Install third-party software ...

  10. Installation type:

  11. Erase disk and install Ubuntu (This affects only the space you had given the virtual machine, not your entire computer)

  12. Click on Install Now followed by Continue if promted to Write the changes to disks?
  13. Select time zone
  14. Create user account
  15. Click Install
  16. Restart when prompted

When asked to upgrade Ubuntu, such as going from the 22.04 installed to 24.04, it is imperative that you do not upgrade

macOS Apple Silicon (Server Installer)

  1. Select Try or Install Ubuntu if prompted (use the arrow keys to change options and press Enter to select options)
  2. VM boots into text-based Ubuntu Server installer

  3. Choose:

  4. Language

  5. Keyboard layout
  6. If prompted to update the installer, feel free to do so
  7. Choose the base for the installation:
    • Ubuntu Server
    • Search for third-party drivers

  8. Network:

  9. Accept default (automatic)

  10. Storage:

  11. Use entire disk (This affects only the space you had given the virtual machine, not your entire computer)

  12. Accept defaults
  13. Click on Continue if prompted about destructive action on the disk (This affects only the space you had given the virtual machine, not your entire computer)

  14. Profile setup:

  15. Username

  16. Password
  17. Skip Ubuntu Pro

  18. SSH:

  19. Optional (can skip)

  20. Can skip any additional options
  21. Finish installation (might take a while)
  22. Reboot
  23. Press Enter if prompted to remove installation media
  24. Log in at the terminal

At this point, no desktop is installed yet.

Step 5: Install Ubuntu Desktop (Apple Silicon Only)

After logging in, run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop -y

Press enter if asked Which services should be restarted

This may take several minutes.

When finished:

sudo reboot

After reboot, the Ubuntu 22.04 Desktop (GNOME) will load.

When asked to upgrade Ubuntu, such as going from the 22.04 installed to 24.04, it is imperative that you do not upgrade

Step 6: Install VMware Tools (All Platforms)

VMware Tools improves:

  • Display resolution
  • Mouse integration
  • Performance

Inside the Ubuntu VM

In Ubuntu, open a terminal (go on apps and look for Terminal and run:

sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktop -y
sudo reboot

Step 7: Verification

After reboot, confirm:

  • Ubuntu desktop loads successfully
  • Screen resizes automatically
  • Mouse moves smoothly in and out of the VM
  • Feel free to play around with the display settings to optimize it

Platform Summary (Verified)

Platform Ubuntu Method
Windows Ubuntu 22.04 Desktop (amd64 ISO)
macOS Intel Ubuntu 22.04 Desktop (amd64 ISO)
macOS Apple Silicon Ubuntu 22.04 Server (ARM) + ubuntu-desktop

Notes

  • Installing Ubuntu in a VM does not affect your real operating system
  • Apple Silicon Macs require ARM-based Linux
  • Using Ubuntu Server + desktop is fully supported and standard practice

Verify Ubuntu Version

Open a terminal in your Ubuntu 22 environment and run:

lsb_release -a

You should see information about which Ubuntu version you have installed