Complete guide to installing WinOLS 4.51 on a VMware virtual machine

This tutorial explains step-by-step how to install and use WinOLS 4.51 via a VMware virtual machine. It is designed to ensure a stable and functional installation without affecting your main system.

1. Essential prerequisites

1.1 Virtualization

First of all, make sure that hardware virtualization is enabled in your PC's BIOS/UEFI.

• Technologies involved: Intel VT-x / AMD-V

• If virtualization is disabled or not supported, VMware will display an error message when starting the virtual machine.

1.2 Required Software

Download and install the following software before continuing :

• VMware Workstation Player 17.6.2 (Windows 8/10/11)

  • Download link:
    https://hidrive.ionos.com/lnk/KOphmllhH

  • Choose Personal License (non-commercial use) to benefit from the free version

• WinRAR (required)

  • ⚠️ Do not use any other decompression software

2. Downloading and preparing the virtual machine

1. Download the archive:

   • WinOls - 4.51 VM.rar

2. Save the archive to a simple location, for example:

   • Documents

3. Right-click on the archive

4. Select Open with WinRAR

3. File extraction

1. In WinRAR, click on "Extract to"

2. Choose a standard folder (example: Documents or Bureau )

3. Start the extraction

⚠️ Important:

• Do not extract to a system folder

• Do not rename the extracted files or folders.

Once the extraction is complete, you should obtain a folder named, for example:

• WinOls - 4.51 VM

4. Importing the virtual machine into VMware

1. Launch VMware Workstation Player

2. Click on "Open a virtual machine "

3. Navigate to the extracted WinOls folder - 4.51 VM

4. Select the file:

   • Winols on Windows 7 x86.vmx

5. Click on Open

The virtual machine is now added to the VMware home screen.

5. First startup of the virtual machine

1. Click on "Launch the virtual machine" ( Play virtual machine )

2. During the first startup, VMware will ask you:

   • “I Moved It” or “I Copied It”

👉 You must select: I Moved It

⚠️ Never choose I Copied It , this will cause licensing and activation problems.

6. Accessing the desktop and launching WinOLS

Once on the virtual machine desktop:

• If a message prompts you to log out following a change:

  • Click on Cancel

• If a message prompts you to restart :

  • Click on Restart Later

These messages are normal and can be ignored.

7. Launch of WinOLS

1. On the virtual machine desktop, double-click the WinOLS icon

2. The software is now ready to be used

8. Troubleshooting

Virtual machine startup problem

• Verify that virtualization is enabled in the BIOS.

• Verify that VMware Player is up to date

WinOLS malfunction

• Remove the virtual machine from VMware

• Repeat the procedure from the archive extraction point.

👉 Deleting the virtual machine does not affect your PC.

9. Practical advice

• Do not update Windows inside the virtual machine

• Do not modify the VM's hardware configuration

• Keep the original archive as a backup

10. Conclusion

By strictly following this tutorial, WinOLS 4.51 will work correctly in an isolated and stable environment via VMware .

This installation method is recommended to avoid any incompatibility with your main system.