In this guide, we explain step by step how to install Alpine Linux 3.19 on VMware Workstation or VMware Player with UEFI support and integrate the XFCE desktop environment, basic applications, and VMware Tools.

1. Download the ISO File

Download the Alpine Linux 3.19 x86_64 Extended ISO from the following address:

https://alpinelinux.org/downloads/

Required Version: alpine-extended-3.19.0-x86_64.iso

2. Creating the VMware Machine

Run VMware Workstation/Player.
Select "Create a New Virtual Machine" > "Typical".
Show the ISO file.
Select "Other Linux 5.x or later kernel 64-bit" as the Guest OS.
Add the following line to the VMX file for UEFI support:

firmware = "efi"

Set up 20 GB of disk space and at least 2 GB of RAM.

3. Alpine Installation

When the VM starts, log in with the "root" user.

To start the installation:

setup-alpine

Installation Steps:

Keyboard layout: en
Hostname: alpine
Network: Accept DHCP or configure manually
Mirror: Automatic selection (faster)
Root password: set
Timezone: Europe/London
SSH: yes
Disk: sda, sys mode

Restart after the installation is complete:

reboot

4. XFCE Desktop Environment Installation

setup-xorg-base
apk add xfce4 xfce4-terminal lightdm lightdm-gtk-greeter
rc-update add lightdm

For networked applications:

apk add firefox thunar-volman gvfs gvfs-smb

5. VMware Tools Installation (Open VM Tools)

apk add open-vm-tools
rc-update add open-vm-tools default
service open-vm-tools start

6. Sound and Other Applications

apk add alsa-utils pulseaudio
rc-update add pulseaudio

Additional applications:

apk add gimp vlc libreoffice

7. Automatic Desktop Startup

echo "exec startxfce4" > ~/.xinitrc
startx

Or for automatic startup on system boot:

rc-update add lightdm default

8. Final Checks

Check if VMware Tools is working correctly:
```
vmtoolsd --version
```
Test if XFCE is running.
Check disk usage and RAM:
```
df -h && free -m
```

With these steps, you have set up an Alpine Linux 3.19 environment running in UEFI mode on VMware Workstation/Player, with the XFCE desktop and VMware Tools integrated. This fast, lightweight, and customizable system is ideal for pentesting, software visual testing, or secure development environments.