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What you will read?
AlmaLinux is a stable, RHEL-compatible Linux distro, perfect for running on virtual machines. Installing it on VMware is straightforward if you follow the right steps.
Step 1: Download Alma Linux ISO
First, grab the official AlmaLinux 9 ISO image from the AlmaLinux site or using the command below:
wget https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/9/isos/x86_64/AlmaLinux-9-latest-x86_64-dvd.iso
Save it somewhere accessible when creating the virtual machine.
Step 2: Create new VM
Open VMware and create a new virtual machine. Choose “Typical” and point it to the downloaded ISO file.
mkdir ~/VMs/alma linux9
Use this directory when prompted for disk storage.
Step 3: Set VM resources
Assign enough system resources for AlmaLinux to run smoothly. Basic specs like 2 GB RAM and 2 CPUs work well.
# Recommended minimum
RAM: 2048 MB
Disk: 20 GB
Finish the VM setup and prepare to boot from the ISO.
Step 4: Start the installation
Boot up the virtual machine and launch the installer. Select “Install AlmaLinux 9” from the menu and hit Enter:
reboot
Follow the on-screen instructions: choose language, partition disk, set password, and begin installation.
Step 5: Log into AlmaLinux
Once installed and rebooted, log in to your AlmaLinux VM. You can verify the OS version with this command:
cat /etc/redhat-release
You should see “AlmaLinux release 9.x”.
