Configure VMware Workstation 8 for Optimum Performance

Default VMware Workstation 8 Configuration

When administrators install VMware Workstation 8 it has some default configurations which are considered appropriate for new users and students. However for advanced users these default configurations might not be appropriate as they may reduce system speed and decrease performance. Some default VMware Workstation 8 configurations that highly affect computer performance include:

Default VM Save Location: By default all virtual machines created in VMware Workstation 8 are stored in system drive. For students and for normal uses this default configuration might not create any problem however for advanced users it might be necessary to change default location from system drive to somewhere else. Reason behind this is that it is likely that advanced users might create several virtual machines in VMware Workstation 8 and if all VMs are stored in system drive they might occupy decent amount of disk space which might reduce system speed and performance.

Time Delay While Powering on Multiple VMs: Default VMware Workstation 8 configuration is that if multiple virtual machines are powered on simultaneously, time delay between powering on virtual machines is 10 seconds. Time delay becomes necessary while powering on multiple virtual machines because virtual machines consume additional processing while booting up and if multiple virtual machines power on simultaneously they may make processor too busy to perform other tasks. This might hang entire PC and sometimes might corrupt the operating system as well. Delay of 10 seconds helps as the entire processor does not get engaged while VM startup and therefore users can experience optimum performance. This configuration can be considered appropriate if virtual machines have lightweight operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows 2000, running as guest operating systems. If the guest operating systems installed on virtual machines are Microsoft Windows Vista or above, delay of 10 seconds might not be appropriate.

Custom Configuration for Better Performance

Advanced users must change default VMware Workstation 8 configurations to get optimum and efficient performance from both host and guest operating systems. Default configurations, mentioned above, can be modified as per the recommendations given below in order to exploit VMware Workstation 8 at its full:

Save Location for VMs: Administrators must change default save location for virtual machines so that they can automatically be saved in any drive other than C:. When this configuration is done, even if non-system partition gets fully occupied with virtual machines performance of the system is not decreased.

Time Delay While Powering on Multiple VMs: As mentioned above, default time delay while powering on multiple virtual machines is 10 seconds. If guest operating systems installed on virtual machines are Microsoft Windows Vista or above administrators must increase the time delay from 10 seconds to 30 or 60 seconds so that each virtual machine can get sufficient time to boot properly.

Modifying Default Configurations to Get Optimum Performance

Administrators must follow the steps below to modify default VMware Workstation 8 configurations in order to get optimum performance:

1. Log on to the computer with administrator account on which VMware Workstation 8 has been installed.
2. Double-click on VMware Workstation 8 icon to start the application.
3. On the opened console go to Edit menu and from the available list click Preferences.
4. On User Account Control confirmation box click Yes to continue.
5. On Preferences box from the left pane click to select Workspace and from the right pane under Default location for virtual machines section click Browse button to specify different default save location for VMs.
6. Once done, change the seconds from 10 to 60 in the available field in front of Seconds between powering on multiple VMslabel.
   

   Change Default Settings

7. Finally click Ok button to save the changes.

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