How to Fix VMware Workstation EFI Network Timeout

A virtual machine enables you to run an operating system in an app window on your desktop that behaves like a full, separate computer. With VM, you can boot different operating systems and test software not supported in current OS in a safe environment. However, when you create a new Windows VM, you may meet an issue that VMware workstation EFI network timeout.

Usually, this issue is caused by mismatched firmware. BIOS (Basic Input Output System) and UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) are two firmware interfaces for computers to start the OS. Since UEFI is still not widespread and not all motherboards support the new firmware, choosing UEFI as your VM firmware type may cause EFI network timeout on VMware Workstation. To solve this issue, you can switch firmware type from UEFI to BIOS which is more compatible.

Steps on How to Fix VMware Workstation EFI Network Timeout

Step 1: Under Library, right-click on the virtual machine, and you will find Power option. Then extend Power option to click Shut Down Guest.

Step 2: Click on Edit virtual machine settings to reconfigure your virtual machine.

Step 3: Select Options on the upper left, and then choose Advanced in settings. Under firmware type, switch from UEFI to BIOS. Then click OK to confirm this adjustment.

Step 4: Click Power on this virtual machine and you can boot your virtual operating system without EFI network timeout on VMware Workstation this time.

Step 5: When setting up Windows, enter your language and other preference. Then click on Next to continue.

Step 6: To activate Windows, you are required to enter a license key. Here you can also choose I don't have a product key to install unactivated version of Windows, but some features on Windows may be limited.

Step 7: Select which operating system you want to install. Here I choose Windows 11 Pro and click on Next. Then accept the Microsoft Software Terms and go ahead.

Step 8: Click on Custom: Install Windows only(advanced) to perform a clean installation of Windows.

Step 9: Choose a disk to install Windows and click Next.

Step 10: Wait for a few minutes to get files ready for Windows installation.

Step 11: Finish initial settings of the Windows such as region, keyboard, account settings and etc.

Step 12: When initial settings are completed, you will find your virtual operating system works successfully.

That's all the steps on how to fix VMware workstation EIF network timeout. Hope this can be helpful. If the problem still exists but you are eager to find a way to boot Windows without affecting the current system, you can try to boot Windows from USB drive. Based on Wins To Go feature, a bootable USB drive will offer you a portable and clean Windows, which enables you boot the Windows anywhere on different PCs easily.