Windows 11 keeps redoing intallation steps on VMware

I have a Macbook pro 2019 with Intel core i7. I have successfully installed Linux using VMware. The location of that VM is on a LaCie hard drive. I'm now trying to install Windows 11. I have done it with the ISO on their website, and it does all the installation steps alright then I get a message that says "The PC will now restart before pursuing" and when restarting, it's like I have to do all the installation steps again. Linux runs fine and all my files are still okay everytime I boot it, but it's like Windows was never installed when it boots back up. Also I have too boot it on the hard drive because my Mac is almost at full capacity. Need all this for school. Any tips? Thanks