From Fusion, go to the menu bar and click "New…"
When you see the "Select the installation method dialog", go back to the Finder, locate the Debian ISO file, and drag it into the "Select the installation method" dialog. Then complete the virtual machine creation wizard ad instructed in the Fusion documentation.
The Fusion documentation is available in Fusion by going to the menu bar and clicking Help > VMware Fusion Help or on the web at https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/desktop-hypervisors/fusion-pro/26H1/using-vmware-fusion.html
the first time you power on the VM you will boot from the ISO file and start the Debian installation program Follow the instructions from the Debian project to install the operating system in the VM as you would for a physical machine
You might want to check out the Unofficial Fusion for Apple Silicon Companion guide posted here:
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Paul Rockwell (technogeezer)
vExpert 2026 (3x)
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