How to run physically installed Windows inside VMware from a Linux host

First note you'll need to either be an administrator on your machine (root in case of Linux).

Open VMWare as an administrator, for example: $ sudo vmware

Now create a new VM (file -> New virtual machine) and follow the instructions below:

Setup wizard:

• Virtual machine configuration ? Custom (advanced)

• Hardware compatibility ? Next (keep defaults)

• Install operating system ? I will install the OS later

• Guest operating system ? Windows 10 x64 (or whatever is the Windows version you had installed)

• Virtual machine name and directory ? Whatever you want (Just keep the defaults)

• Firmware type ? Choose the config you had when installing Windows (If you don't know, just keep the defaults)

• Processors ? Choose whatever config you have, but take into account the kind of workload you'll put on the VM

• Memory ? Same advice as for the processor, but remember Windows needs at least 4Gigs to function properly

• Network ? If you don't have any special requirement or use, I recommend keeping the defaults here too

• I/O Controller types ? Keep the defaults unless you really know what you're doing (There may be times you'll need to change this, but generally don't do it)

• Virtual disk type ? Keep the defaults

• Disk ? Use a physical disk (here is the real difference)

• Device ? Keep whatever is automatically selected (this should be OK as long as you only have one disk inside your computer)

• Disk file ? Do whatever suits you

• Hit finish and start the machine

• After the VM has fully started, press VM -> Install VMWare tools

• Then go inside the VM

  • open the file explorer

  • go to "This PC"

  • Double-click on the CD drive where the VM tools has mounted

  • For this installation, it is Windows, just keep pressing Next, Next until it's done !

Here is it ! You have it going.

Screenshot coming soon ;)

Run a virtual machine with the PhysicalDrive with VirtualBox:

1. Create a .vmdk file pointing to the physical drive (https://i12bretro.github.io/tutorials/0365.html)

    # list physical disks
    Get-PhysicalDisk
   
    # cd to the virtualbox installation directory
    cd "$ENV:ProgramFiles\Oracle\VirtualBox"
    # create a vmdk disk pointing to the target physical disk
    # usage
    # .\VBoxManage.exe internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename "<%fullpathto.vmdk%>" -rawdisk \\.\PhysicalDrive<%disknumber%>
    .\VBoxManage.exe internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename "D:\VMs\SSD.vmdk" -rawdisk \\.\PhysicalDrive2
    # launch virtualbox manager
    .\VirtualBox.exe
   

2. Ensure the .vmdk file is added as a disk inside VirtualBox

3. Mount the disk to the virtual machine and voilà