If you want to use or test Linux together with Windows without the need to resize a partition and install a dual boot system, this may be the way to go. I found that having a "virtual machine" or an "appliance" running in VMware in a window of the host operating system is not only good for having a look at a Linux distribution, no it is more, it makes sense to use this tandem for daily work.

Please use the zip.torrent file and download with BitTorrent if you can!

Debian Lenny 5.0.0 VMware image (617 MB)
debian-lenny-50-vmware.zip
debian-lenny-50-vmware.zip.torrent

md5 of the zip-file: 3b8073e58ea3064515e09e993f6f11ff

Alternative VMware image with Debian roots:

• Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex (705 MB) is an even more popular distribution that is based on Gnome 2.24. It features the latest available Linux software, but needs more RAM and has a bigger download size.
  

You only need one of the zip files above, the free Player from VMware, at least Windows NT or any other newer x86 OS (Windows, Mac or Linux) in which the Player can be installed, enough RAM and about 2 GB free space on your hard disk. Debian Linux in its virtual PC (the VMware Player) resides in a few ordinary files that come with the zip file and can be handled with every file manager.

The Debian Lenny VMware Appliance is a Gnome desktop installation of the current stable Debian Linux distribution Lenny. Considered by many as the desktop version of the different Linux flavors to use at home or work it offers about 23000 free packages for point and click installation along with security updates.

So what exactly are these appliances? Debian Lenny Stable 5.0.0 full desktop system with applications installed into VMware Workstation 6.0 newest VMwareTools installed 10 GB disc capacity split into files < 2 GB 256MB RAM Passwords are: username: root password: root username: user password: user Easily changeable details: language: English keyboard: German screen resolution: 1024*768

Features: For VMware Player >= 2.x or VMware Workstation >= 6.x VMwaretools are fully installed Access shared folders of the host by the built-in facility of Workstation Access shared folders of the host with Player, Workstation and Server by virtual networking via SMBFS or CIFS All files are smaller than 2 GB to be able to make a snapshot by packing them with zip If the host is online the system is ready for installation of new packages (about 23000). The main repository addresses for Debian Lenny have been added to the sources.list. Just start System->Administration->Synaptic and press reload For more information start the Epiphany or the Iceweasel (Firefox) web browser. Both have their homepages pointed to this page so that it is most convenient to get e.g. networking set up (you will have to copy and paste commands)

Thanks to my who makes these many VM downloads uncomplainingly possible.