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VMware Workstation 4 User's Manual
Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 Guest
Operating System Performance Tips
This section offers advice for configuring a Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows
Server 2003 guest operating system for better performance inside a VMware
Workstation virtual machine.
Note: This document pertains to the guest operating system that is running inside a
VMware Workstation virtual machine. It does not describe actions that should be
taken on Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 running on the host
computer.
Guest Operating System Selection
Make certain you have selected the correct guest operating system in the Virtual
Machine Control Panel — Edit > Virtual Machine Settings > Options.
VMware Tools
Make certain VMware Tools is installed. VMware Tools provides an optimized SVGA
driver and sets up the VMware Tools service to run automatically when the system
starts. Among other things, the VMware Tools service allows you to synchronize the
virtual machine's clock with the host computer's clock, which can improve
performance for some functions. You can install VMware Tools by choosing File >
Install VMware Tools.
Disconnect CD-ROM and /dev/rtc
Using the Edit > Removable Devices menu, disconnect your CD-ROM drive if you do
not need to use it. If you are using a Linux host, also disconnect /dev/rtc.
Disconnecting these devices reduces CPU usage.
Note: The time synchronization feature in VMware Tools does not rely on
/dev/rtc.
Visual Effects
The fade effects that Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 use
when displaying menus can be somewhat slow and make the virtual machine seem
less responsive.
To disable the fade effects, right-click the guest operating system desktop, then
choose Properties > Appearance > Effects (on Windows XP or Windows Server 2003)
or Properties > Effects (on Windows 2000) and uncheck Use transition effects for
menus and tool tips.
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