Do you frequently use questionable software or try obscure tweaks on your Windows installation? Then, you also probably know why backups can be a lifesaver. Still, instead of having to restore your OS from a backup whenever things go South, why not virtualize it? That way, you'll be able to experiment and tinker with it without worrying about breaking things.

If you are using VMware's products, its own vCenter Converter Standalone is one of the best solutions for virtualizing existing PCs. That's because it also allows extra customization of the produced virtual machines. Let's see how you can use it to turn your existing Windows installation into a virtual machine.

1. Get VMware’s Standalone Converter

VMWare's vCenter Converter Standalone, which we'll use here, is available for free. However, to download it, you will have to register at VMware's site. We won't cover the registration process since it's pretty straightforward.

Once you're registered, download VMWare's vCenter Converter Standalone from its official site. Then, run the downloaded executable and complete the relatively straightforward installation process.

VMWare vCenter Converter Standalone Installation

For the program to work correctly, you will probably have to restart your PC. When you're back on your desktop, locate VMware's vCenter Converter Standalone among the rest of your apps, and run it with elevated rights by using Right-click > Run As Administrator.

2. Conversion Source and Destination

Admittedly, VMware vCenter Converter Standalone can be relatively complicated since it's a tool for administrators. Don't worry, though, for the process of virtualizing your existing Windows installation can be as easy as following the steps below.

After installing and running the application on the PC you want to virtualize, click on the Convert machine button on the top left of its window.

Convert-Machine-With-VMWare-vCenter-Converter-Standalone

The Conversion window will appear, configured by default to work with remote Windows PCs. Leave Select source type as Powered on, and use the drop-down menu directly underneath to change the type of computer from Remote Windows machine to This local machine.

Configuring Source in VMWare vCenter Converter Standalone

VMWare vCenter Converter Standalone will detect your active system and move to the second page of settings, Destination System.

Virtualized Destination Options

Change the setting in the drop-down menu next to Select destination type from VMware Infrastructure virtual machine to VMware Workstation or other VMware virtual machine.

Choosing Destination Type

Some new settings will show up, among other things allowing you to specify the virtualization solution where you're going to use the produced virtual machine. It's worth choosing the correct solution from the drop-down menu next to Select VMware product for optimal compatibility and performance.

Choosing Virtual Machine Type

Next, click on the Browse button on the right, and choose where you want to store your virtual machine. Select a spot with enough free storage since the results will take up as much space as your actual Windows installation, and then some.

Selecting Destination Folder

3. Storage and Other Options

You can tweak many options of the virtualization process, but most users will have to make only a few adjustments to the default settings. So don't be alarmed if an error icon accompanies the first of those: as we'll see, that's normal.

While in Options, the first entry under Current settings will demand your attention with a red error icon. Click on the entry to address the problem.

Data to Copy Error

The source of the problem is that, by default, VMware's vCenter Converter Standalone will be trying to include all accessible storage devices into the virtual machine. So, go through the Source volumes list, and disable all storage devices and partitions, apart from a) the one with your active Windows installation and b) the small boot partition before that. Leave the rest of the options as they are.

Choosing Only Needed Volumes for Virtual Machine

Move to Devices, next in the Current settings list. There you will find that the produced virtual machine will be pre-configured to run on a setup similar to your actual hardware.

However, that's not realistic: if you dedicate all your PC's resources to the virtual machine, nothing is left for the host OS.

Thus, you should dial down the resources the virtualized clone of your OS will use. Start on the Memory tab, and reduce the number next to Memory allocated for this virtual machine: to something like half your actual PC's RAM.

Limiting Virtual Machine Memory Usage

Similarly, move to the Other tab, and reduce the number next to Total number of cores: to around half the actual number of cores of your CPU.

Downgrading Virtual Machine Expected CPUs and Cores

Skip the following sections, but for ease of use, pay a quick visit to Advanced. Move to the Post-conversion tab and enable Install VMware Tools on the destination virtual machine.

VMware Tools, just like VirtualBox's Guest Additions, will add more features to your VM (like clipboard sharing with the host OS) and vastly improve its responsiveness. Leave the rest of the options as they are here, too.

Enabling Installation of VMware Tools on Virtualized Clone

Will you use your VM in parallel with other demanding applications or heavily use your network connection while it's active? Then, make sure to also pay a visit to the Throttling section and change the produced virtual machine's CPU and network priority. Doing so will reduce its responsiveness but also help with multitasking.

Alternatively, if you'll primarily work in your new virtual machine, you'll want it to be as responsive as possible. For such scenarios, leave those options as they are - and maybe also check out some tips on how to further improve your VM's performance.

Throttling Virtual Machine for Improved Multitasking

Those were the vital options for converting your existing Windows installation into a virtual machine. Check out the VMware's vCenter Converter Standalone summary, and if everything looks OK, click on the Finish button on the bottom right of the window to start virtualizing your active Windows installation.

Checking Summary Before Virtual Machine Creation

When the process completes, your virtualized version of your active Windows installation will be ready to use. You can load it in one of VMware's virtualization products, like VMware Workstation or VMware Player. Then, enjoy their superior performance compared to VirtualBox or Microsoft's Hyper-V solutions.

VMware's solutions usually offer the best GPU acceleration, an important factor for modern apps. In addition, their performance tends to be good enough even for gaming, making them the preferred virtualization choice for retro gamers who want to play games that don't work on their modern OS.

Your Copy of Windows Just Got Virtualized!

You can use your virtualized version of your active Windows installation like any other virtual machine. Run your preferred VMware virtualization solution, and choose to open a virtual machine (File > Open or CTRL + O in VMWare Workstation). Select the virtualized version of your OS you just created, and when it shows up in the application, power it on.

So, as if your PC was part of a fractal, or maybe like Christopher Nolan's Inception, you will see your desktop within your desktop. Feel free to treat it as a playground without having to worry about the consequences of your actions on your actual Windows installation. Worst-case scenario, if anything breaks, you can always repeat the process.