Clean install of Windows 11 Build 22533.1001 on VMware Player 16.2.2

Hi fg,

Thanks for this thread. As soon as I can start thinking clearer will add to this. I do use Workstation, but should be no difference. This is from one of Sibro's threads that I posted earlier. Sibro told me you started a thread on this.

I will put together what I have done later this week. Not thinking very clearly due to some meds doc has me on. Appears with all the stress been through, now facing prostate and bladder probs. They are in the process of testing me, very slowly. This pandemic has really messed up the medical system here.

Basically this is on new system, UEFI. Setup a legacy vm, that boots like normal, but disk optimize not available. This is a W10 Release. Tried this twice with current build custom ISO and also with MS official ISO, same result:

![Image](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/f8f5b277-8acd-4aba-8902-95509e3ac068?platform=QnA

When I try to boot from a UEFI vm, I keep getting a loop to the boot screen. I always setup vm's to install OS later. I tried using firmware, with vmware pointed to an ISO image, keep getting same loop. Not sure what I am missing. I will get back to you later this week. Need to lay down, not feeling that great. Yesterday was my spouses birthday, making things harder right now.

Regards,

Johnny

Hi Johnny,

I don't remember if I checked the Optimization on the VM installation, I already restored the box where I tested the install.

Perhaps Optimization it is not available on the VM virtual disks?

As for booting from the ISO it seems a little confusing.

It comes up with a message to press any key for CD/DVD booting, then it sits on a timeout screen for a few seconds and eventually pops up a booting menu with the selection for the VMware virtual SATA CDROM which I assume is after it mounts the ISO that I selected when I created the Virtual Machine.

Not quite clear what the logic is. Seems like it tries on a real CD 1st and then goes to Mount the ISO after it times out, then it pops up the menu for the boot selection?

Gave 100GB when I created the Virtual Machine:

Hi Johnny,

I reinstalled from ISO 22533.1001, and checked the Optimize, see what it shows below.

Looks like the Optimize is available for the C: Volume, but clearly not available for the virtual CD, which should not even show up on that screen.

Look like it does not show the reserved partition, because this is a EFI virtual machine.

All partitions show up on Diskpart for the Virtual Machine Disk 0.

Let me know if you want me to check something else.

This version of player 16.2.1 seems to default to EFI, not sure if it is still possible to set up a legacy Bios VM to try out your case.

Edit:

Found out how to switch to legacy BIOS, I deleted the line on the .vmx file

firmware = "efi"

Here I ran Optimize on the VM C: Volume.

Trying Legacy Bios now:

This is from one of Sibro's threads that I posted earlier. Sibro told me you started a thread on this.

Basically this is on new system, UEFI. Setup a legacy vm, that boots like normal, but disk optimize not available. This is a W10 Release. Tried this twice with current build custom ISO and also with MS official ISO, same result:

Hi Johnny,

On the .NET 6.0 thread, you didn't mention Windows 10 so I guess my testing was for nothing.

and based on your post here with specifics and screenshot, FG understood the issue better and was able to test accordingly.

This is from one of Sibro's threads that I posted earlier. Sibro told me you started a thread on this.

Basically this is on new system, UEFI. Setup a legacy vm, that boots like normal, but disk optimize not available. This is a W10 Release. Tried this twice with current build custom ISO and also with MS official ISO, same result:

Hi Johnny,

On the .NET 6.0 thread, you didn't mention Windows 10 so I guess my testing was for nothing.

and based on your post here with specifics and screenshot, FG understood the issue better and was able to test accordingly.

Hi Sibro,

I just figured out how to switch a VM to legacy Bios with VM player 16.2.1 by deleting a line on the .vmx file.

Doing a Legacy Bios Win 10 Install on VM right now, we'll see how that comes up.

The initial booting from the ISO was immediate without any delay or timeout.

Edit:

Windows 10 19044.xxxx on VM Legacy Bios.

Optimization initially just said "Never run", but when I tried running optimization got the same results as Johnny "Optimization not available".

Hi fg,

Johnny and I are using VMware Workstation Pro, no need to mess with the .vmx file.

I don't normally use VMs nor have Johnny's issues, you should reply to him with any new findings.