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by Joe Kissell

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After introducing you to a few basic concepts, the ebook offers advice for mixing Fusion and Boot Camp, and notes the hardware and software you'll need. Then you'll find steps for installing Windows for use in Fusion in these scenarios:

• When installing a new copy of Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
• From an already-installed copy of Windows under Boot Camp, VMware Fusion 1.x or 2.x, Parallels Desktop, Virtual PC, or an actual PC
• From a slipstream disc that contains Windows plus service packs, updates, drivers, and settings
• On the MacBook Air, which lacks an internal optical drive
• With Mac OS X Server (version 10.5 or higher) as a guest operating system
• For running a virtual appliance that encapsulates both an operating system and a ready-to-run application

Next, you'll learn how to work with Windows in a Fusion virtual machine, with key details like how to remap mouse buttons, simulate missing keys, set keyboard shortcuts, switch display modes, and work with external devices. Other topics covered include:

• Pros and cons of different ways of using Boot Camp and Fusion
• Configuring Fusion's Settings window to get the most out of the software
• Real-world advice for smart ways to make Windows and Mac environments simultaneously available on the same computer
• Options for sharing files between your Windows and Mac environments
• Keeping your copy of Windows secure, backed up, and updated
• The basics of working with Fusion from the command line for advanced users

Thanks to the technical reviewers at VMware who gave readily of their time, helping us to create a richly detailed and useful ebook.

Special questions you'll find answers to include these:

• How do I keep my Windows installation in its own screen in Spaces?
• Where do I find drivers for proprietary Apple hardware like the iSight, Apple Remote, and Bluetooth transceiver?
• What are my options for right-clicking in Windows?
• What should I do if Windows refuses to shut down or restart?
• Help! My mouse pointer keeps disappearing when I'm running Windows in Fusion. What should I do?
• How do I press the all-important Control-Alt-Delete key combo in Fusion?
• How do I make the Windows Desktop disappear so my Windows apps appear to run like Mac apps?
• How do I tell Windows which Web browser to open Web URLs in?
• What's a virtual appliance and how would I use one in Fusion?
• What are common parameters for vmrun, the command-line utility that controls Fusion?

Introduction

As an enthusiastic Mac user for many years, I’d developed a common habit. Every time I heard of some fantastic program that’s available only for Windows, I scowled and grumbled, miffed at the fact that we Mac users had been marginalized yet again. Mac OS X may be the superior operating system, but my Windows-using friends could still do cool things that I couldn’t do with my Mac—and I didn’t like that one bit.

My, how times have changed. Today, I can run virtually any Windows program on my Mac as easily as I run native Mac software. For that matter, most Linux/Unix programs run beautifully too. In fact, my biggest problem is breaking that old habit. I still have an impulse to cringe when I see “Windows XP or later” as a system requirement, but then I remember: I have an Intel-based Mac. I have the power.

Maybe it’s a Web site using ActiveX controls that work only in Internet Explorer for Windows. Maybe it’s a Microsoft business application that was never ported to Mac OS X. Or maybe it’s a one-of-a-kind shareware program. Whatever the case, I don’t sweat it. It’ll work. Everything works. This magic resulted from Apple’s choice to switch to Intel processors, which turned out to be a brilliantly shrewd move.

Apple provides its own way to install Windows on your Mac—Boot Camp, included as part of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and later. It works well, but it’s awkward in that you must restart your computer to switch operating systems. You can’t run a Mac application at the same time as a Windows application, and sharing information between the two platforms is cumbersome at best.

This is where virtualization software like VMware Fusion comes in. It lets Windows run at near-native speeds right alongside Mac OS X on your Intel-based Mac. Not only do you avoid the inconvenience of rebooting and gain easy file sharing, you can also even make Windows itself effectively disappear so the only traces of Windows you see are your Windows applications themselves. In fact, that’s just the start of the ways in which you can integrate Windows and Mac OS X, for a truly seamless environment that can run just about anything.

VMware Fusion isn’t the only way to do this. Parallels Desktop was the first competitor in this category, and a somewhat less powerful but free program, VirtualBox (now owned by Sun), also lets you run Windows under Mac OS X. (I cover both of these alternatives, as well as Boot Camp, in my book Take Control of Running Windows on a Mac.)

Regardless of the virtues of other approaches to running Windows on a Mac, the book you’re now reading focuses entirely on VMware Fusion. (By the way, the program’s official, trademarked name is “VMware Fusion,” but for simplicity I refer to it throughout this book simply as “Fusion” or, in some cases, “Fusion 3.”) The first edition of this book was about Fusion version 2; this edition covers only version 3, which includes powerful new features, interface improvements, and enhanced performance. Whether you’re upgrading from an earlier version of Fusion or beginning with version 3, this book will help you get the most from the program.

My goal here is not to provide a comprehensive reference guide, but rather to help you make the most of Fusion by focusing on the most common, important, and interesting tasks you’re likely to perform. By the time you’ve finished with this book, you should know how to create that magical combination of Windows and Mac OS X that lets you run nearly any software on either platform with equal ease.

As you may know, Fusion supports lots of operating systems—not just Windows. Although I mention some of these (particularly Linux and Mac OS X Server) from time to time, I assume that Windows is what most readers are interested in and direct my attention accordingly.

I should also mention that Fusion includes some fantastically powerful command-line tools for power users. Great as they are, I say little about them (except for Appendix B: Fusion for Propellerheads) because I assume most people with the geeky disposition to use those tools can also figure out how to use them on their own.

If you need help beyond what’s in this book, you have several options:

• While running Fusion, choose Help > VMware Fusion Help.
• Visit the Fusion User Forums.
• Search the VMware Knowledge Base.

Fusion Quick Start

For the most part, this book progresses from basic material through more advanced topics. So to get the most out of this book, and of Fusion, I recommend working through each section in order. At the very least, read Understand Fusion Basics and Use Windows in a Virtual Machine before delving into later sections.

Get started:

• Learn how virtualization works and some of the common terms Fusion uses; see Understand Fusion Basics.
• Get Fusion—and Windows (or another operating system of your choice)—up and running on your Intel-based Mac; see Install Fusion and Windows. You can also Use a Boot Camp Partition in Fusion. And for Linux details, see Installing Linux.
• Find out how to use Windows from within Mac OS X; see Use Windows in a Virtual Machine.

Customize and maintain your virtual machines:

• Select the best options for file sharing, RAM usage, and tons of other settings; see Configure Virtual Machine Settings.
• Keep Windows safe from malware, user error, and data loss; see Protect Your Virtual Machine.

Go beyond the basics:

• Import a Windows installation from Boot Camp, another virtualization program, or a PC; see Move to Fusion from Another Environment.
• Simplify repetitive installations of Windows; see Appendix A: Create a Slipstream Installer Disc.
• Use Mac OS X Server in a virtual machine and discover the new Fusion command-line tools; see Appendix B: Fusion for Propellerheads.

What's New in this Edition

This book is a major update to Take Control of VMware Fusion 2. With only a few exceptions, the changes from the previous edition reflect the changes in version 3 of VMware Fusion. (Although Fusion 3 contains tons of new features, bug fixes, and interface improvements, I don’t address all of them in this book; for a complete list of what’s new, see http://www.vmware.com/go/fusion3features.)

The major Fusion changes discussed in this book are the following:

• Expanded guest support: You can now run either the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 7 from a Boot Camp partition (see Use a Boot Camp Partition in Fusion). In addition, you can run Windows 7 or Snow Leopard Server (either the 32-bit or 64-bit version) in a virtual machine (see Windows 7 and Install Mac OS X Server as a Guest Operating System).
• Enhanced Virtual Machine Library window: The Virtual Machine Library now shows virtual machines that were created in other programs, for easy importing. It also includes a Home view with shortcuts to common tasks such as setting up Fusion to use a Boot Camp partition; installing Windows; and migrating from a physical PC, which is now far easier than before.
• Preview window: A new Preview window (see the sidebar The Preview Window) gives you a live, resizable view of your entire Windows Desktop, even when Windows is running in Unity view.
• Full screen title bar: When in Full Screen view (see Use Full Screen View), you can now use a new floating menu bar that gives you more convenient access to frequently used Fusion commands.
• Improved Unity view: Windows applications now work better with Exposé, and you can also access system tray items while in Unity view, even if the taskbar isn’t showing. See Unity View for further details.
• Redesigned Applications menu: This system-wide menu can now give you access to any Windows application—even if you have multiple copies of Windows installed, and even when Fusion isn’t running—and is no longer restricted to Unity mode. For details, read Use the Applications Menu.
• Copy and paste or drag and drop images: You can now move images between host and guest via copy and paste or drag and drop (see Move Data between Host and Guest).
• Revamped settings: The Settings window has been reorganized, with various panes added, removed, or otherwise rejiggered. I cover all these changes throughout the section Configure Virtual Machine Settings.
• Better support for symmetric multiprocessing (SMP): Fusion now offers 4-way SMP, and automatically lets virtual machines with the necessary capabilities use multi-core CPUs. I discuss this further in Processors.
• Improved graphics acceleration: For Windows XP virtual machines, Fusion now supports DirectX 9.0c with Shader Model 3 and OpenGL 2.1. For Windows Vista and Windows 7, Fusion supports DirectX 9.0EX and OpenGL 1.4. These changes open the door to more Windows games and other graphics-intensive applications, as well as the Aero interface in Vista and later. To learn about enabling graphics acceleration, read Display Settings.
• Software update: When Fusion is updated, the software can now download and install the new version automatically. See General Preferences.

In the year or so since this book came out, there were several updates to Fusion 3. Is this book up-to-date?

The bulk of the material in the book remains accurate and current for the various versions of Fusion 3. Additional information that covers the relatively small changes in Fusion 3.1.x are covered here: "What’s Changed in VMware Fusion Since the Latest Edition of the Book."

Do you have any ebooks that cover how to run Windows just in Boot Camp or with Parallels Desktop?

Yes, we do. See Take Control of Running Windows on a Mac. This ebook covers several common solutions for successfully running Windows on an Intel-based Mac.

Do you have a book about Fusion 2?

We do still sell Take Control of VMware Fusion 2. It focuses on Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, because it was published in 2008. We don't plan to update it again.

Can I read this ebook on an iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, or Kindle?

There are lots of great ways to read our ebooks on these devices. For more details, please read our latest Device Advice.

Ask a Question

Feel free to ask us if you have a question about this title!

George Smith writes:

Thanks, Joe, for another beautiful book in the Take Control series! I had purchased the VMware Fusion 2 book and just got the free upgrade to the VMware Fusion 3 book - a great deal for the customer and a very smart move by VMware. I love reading the books - they are visually enjoyable and the content is terrific. I have a 24" monitor and using Preview to read the Take Control books is the best setup I have for reading of any type. So thanks again for your time, energy, and talent in producing this book!

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Update Plans

January 2012 -- At this time, it looks like we won't create a new edition of this ebook for VMware Fusion 4. We still like Fusion as a product, and it's possible that we'll publish a new edition for some future version, but we are taking a break for now. Also, to learn about Fusion 3.1.x, read "What’s Changed in VMware Fusion Since the Latest Edition of the Book."

—Tonya Engst 

Parallels, Fusion, and VirtualBox Inch Closer to Perfection

September 19, 2011 -- 

Parallels has recently released a major new version of Parallels Desktop (version 7), and VMware has countered with its own major upgrade of Fusion (version 4). Meanwhile, the free VirtualBox has also made a great deal of progress recently. I give an overview of how the latest versions of these virtualization programs stack up against each other in Mac Virtualization Update: VMware, Parallels, and VirtualBox (TidBITS, 19 September 2011). Short version: They've all gotten so good that your choice matters less now than it ever has; except for a few edge cases, almost anyone should be content with either Parallels or Fusion, and anyone on a budget owes it to themselves to check out VirtualBox.

—Joe Kissell 

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What’s Changed in VMware Fusion Since the Latest Edition of the Book

January 13, 2011 -- 

The current edition of Take Control of VMware Fusion 3 covers version 3.0, but Fusion has been updated several times since the book's release and is at version 3.1.2 as of mid-January 2011. The differences between version 3.1.x and 3.0 as described in the book are relatively minor; almost everything I said about 3.0 is still accurate. However, a few changes warrant a mention.

—Joe Kissell 

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How Does VMware Fusion 3 Compare to Parallels 6?

September 22, 2010 -- 

Fusion's main competition for Windows emmulation on a Mac, Parallels Desktop, was recently updated to version 6. Here's what Joe has to say about the update, and about how Fusion now compares to Parallels Desktop.

—Tonya Engst 

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Joe Talks about Running Windows on a Mac

January 22, 2010 -- 

In MacVoices #1005, author Joe Kissell rounds up his latest recommendations for how to best run Windows on a Mac. In recent months, Microsoft shipped Windows 7, VMware shipped Fusion 3, and Parallels shipped Parallels Desktop 5, so there's a lot to talk about. The podcast episode corresponds with the release of the fourth edition of Take Control of Running Windows on a Mac.

—Tonya Engst 

Joe Discusses VMware Fusion 3

November 5, 2009 -- 

In MacVoices # 8134, you can listen and learn about Fusion 3 as author Joe Kissell chats with podcast host Chuck Joiner about using Fusion to run Windows on your Mac. This podcast coincides with the release of Take Control of VMware Fusion 3, which is available for download at no charge, thanks to a sponsorship from VMware.

—Tonya Engst 

Joe Talks about VMware Fusion 3

November 5, 2009 -- 

In MacVoices # 8134, you can listen and learn about Fusion 3 as author Joe Kissell chats with podcast host Chuck Joiner about various aspects of using Fusion to run Windows on your Mac. This podcast coincides with the release of Take Control of VMware Fusion 3, which is available for download at no charge, thanks to a sponsorship from VMware.

—Tonya Engst 

Free “Take Control of VMware Fusion 3” Simplifies Running Windows on a Mac

October 28, 2009 -- 

Thanks to sponsorship from VMware, we are pleased to provide Joe Kissell's new Take Control of VMware Fusion 3 for free. In Fusion 3, VMware added 64-bit optimization for Snow Leopard users, Windows 7 support, a simplified process for porting a physical Windows installation to a virtual Mac installation, and better support for graphically intense applications. Joe covers all this, plus walks readers step-by-step through many possibilities for installing Windows on a Mac, the best ways to configure Fusion, techniques for working effectively in Windows with Mac hardware, and much more.

To help readers further explore the Take Control series, Take Control of VMware Fusion 3 also comes with a coupon code worth 50% off one ebook order.

Print copies of Take Control of VMware Fusion 3 are also available for $12.99.

If you'd like an idea of what's involved in running Windows on your Mac with Fusion (or generally), here's a slightly edited excerpt that explains the topic.

—Adam Engst 

Read more...

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