If you are trying to install Windows 8.1 into a virtual machine using VMware Fusion v6.0.2 and you get the following error, it might be that your CD/DVD ROM settings are incorrect.

Missing Driver File

Some websites will tell you that you have a corrupted .iso file. This might well be the case, but if you have checked the checksum of the downloaded file, that’s obviously not your problem. What the message is telling you is that it needs a driver to be able to control the CD/DVD drive correctly. This could simply be a config error in your VM.

Instead, check to see what your CD/DVD ROM settings are for your virtual machine. Cancel out of the Windows Setup screens and shutdown your VM. You can still keep the Windows install image connected to your CD/DVD drive.

Click the “Edit Hardware Settings” button for the VM:

Edit VM Settings Button

This will open a new Settings dialog window. next click on the “CD/DVD” icon under the “Removable Devices” section:

VM Settings

Notice how mine says (SCSI)? This is a hint that your settings might be wrong. Expand the “Advanced Options” on the next screen to see what Bus Type your VM is set to use:

SCSI Bus Type

If it’s SCSI change it to SATA:

SATA Bus Type

Next click the “Show All” button – this will take you back to the main Settings window. Click on the “Startup Disk” item:

Settings – Startup Disk

Select the CD/DVD icon and then click the “Restart” button:

Startup Disk – Restart

This will reboot your VM and your Windows 8.1 installation should continue successfully.