VM Wrkstn Pro 14.x: Boot from USB Need

[JML54]

I have a pristine/licensed install from licensed Windows 10 Pro x64 installed to client.

Obviously, my note keeping isn't quite as good as I thought it was and I need to get to a command prompt so I can boot to the CMD prompt w/in the client.

The reason behind this, I need to reactivate the Administrator built in account. I've got the commands to do that. I've got the USB stick with the OS image.

What I don't have is the needed setup to trigger the boot of the client to the USB stick, select command prompt, and proceed with the commands to reactivate the deactivated built in Administrator account.

I don't want to have to reinstall the entire client, build the software, etc. - thought that is an option. A lot of hours would be lost and down the tubes.

What is the detail steps to make this happen please?

HOST:          Windows 10 Pro x64 v1703

VMWARE:     VMWare Workstation Pro v14.1.1 Build-7528167

Thank you for any assistance or guidance in this matter!

Your time is appreciated!

Jim

[bluefirestorm]

If the VM is using EFI as the virtual firmware, boot from USB should be fairly simple.

With version 12.5.x, all I had to do was "Power on to Firmware", connect the USB boot device to the VM, "Enter setup" from the boot menu, "Configure boot options", and I don't have to do anything and just go back to the main EFI screen and the USB disk appears as a boot option.

If the VM is using BIOS, it might be more complicated. I haven't personally used plop but that might be needed to get it to boot from USB.

[JML54]

Sadly, it is BIOS.

This then pushes towards the PLOP approach, though I've only barely skimmed the surface of this option and know nothing about it.

Anyone with advise/guidance that may be able to assist, I'm all ears.

(Your statement though has made me take a different approach to the build out of VM Clients - use EFI approach not BIOS. Thank you!)

Jim

[continuum · Accepted solution]

Just an idea .....
why dont you create a dummy VM with EFI and attach the existing vmdk and then boot from your USB-stick ?

[JML54]

This was an excellent idea!

Straight forward (took some research to figure it out though).

Your time and guidance was really appreciated!

Jim