Since the 2021 version doesn't exist in a stable form, follow these steps to get the official, secure 8.0 ISO. These steps are current as of 2025, but VMware updates the minor version (e.g., 8.0 Update 3).
If your server has a remote management controller:
Because ESXi 8.0 postdates 2021, any download file that mixes those labels is likely incorrect or unofficial — rely on VMware Customer Connect or your hardware vendor for verified ISOs.
Related search suggestions provided.
To download the VMware ESXi 8.0 ISO, you must now navigate the Broadcom Support Portal, following their acquisition of VMware. While "2021" was originally the launch year for ESXi 7.0 Update 2, ESXi 8.0 actually premiered on October 11, 2022.
The latest stable releases, such as Update 3i (released February 24, 2026), offer significant improvements in scalability and hardware support compared to older versions. Official Steps to Download VMware ESXi 8.0 ISO
Since the migration of VMware assets, all downloads are hosted by Broadcom.
Access the Portal: Visit the Broadcom Support Portal and log in. If you have an old VMware account, you may need to migrate it to the Broadcom infrastructure. Navigate to Downloads:
Click on "Software" and then select "VMware Cloud Foundation".
Alternatively, look for the "My Downloads" section and search specifically for "VMware vSphere".
Choose Your Version: Select version 8.0. You will typically see options for "Primary Downloads" or "Custom ISOs" (which include vendor-specific images for hardware like Dell PowerEdge ).
Free Version Availability: As of April 2025, Broadcom reintroduced a free version of the hypervisor. Look for VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 8.0 Update 3e or later in the "Free Software Downloads" section to obtain a standalone installer. Key Features & Hardware Requirements
ESXi 8.0 is a bare-metal hypervisor designed for high-performance virtualization. How to Download VMware ESXi 8 Free Version Download -2021- Vmware Esxi 8.0 Iso
Following Broadcom's acquisition, the VMware ESXi 8.0 ISO must be downloaded via the Broadcom Support Portal, which requires account registration, profile completion, and navigation to the "My Downloads" section. The portal provides access to standard ISOs, including the free version, as well as OEM-customized images for vendors like Dell. For download instructions, visit Broadcom Support Portal Broadcom support portal
Downloading and installing VMware ESXi 8.0 has evolved significantly following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware. While the original ESXi 8.0 was released in late 2022, recent updates in 2025 and 2026 have restored "free" access options for specific versions, primarily via the Broadcom Support Portal. 1. Where to Download the ISO
The standard method to obtain the VMware-VMvisor-Installer-8.0 ISO is through official Broadcom channels.
Broadcom Support Portal: All official downloads, including the latest Update 3 (U3) builds, are hosted here [11, 13]. You must log in to the Broadcom Support Portal to access these files [11].
The "Free" Version (vSphere Hypervisor): As of early 2025, VMware introduced specific versions like ESXi 8.0 Update 3e that include an embedded license, effectively making a free version available again for lab and personal use [4, 15].
Vendor-Specific ISOs: For physical servers, it is highly recommended to use customized ISOs from manufacturers like Dell Technologies or Cisco to ensure driver compatibility with RAID controllers and network cards [6, 30]. 2. Preparing the Installation Media
Because standard ISO files cannot be directly mounted on physical server hardware, you must create bootable media.
USB Creation with Rufus: A popular method involves using Rufus to write the ISO to a USB drive [2]. Select the USB drive in Rufus.
Set the boot selection to ISO image and select your ESXi 8.0 ISO.
Click "Start" to format the drive and transfer the bootable files [2].
Alternative Tools: You can also use balenaEtcher for a multi-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux) experience to write the image to a flash drive [12]. 3. Installation and Setup Highlights
Interactive Installation: Boot the server from your USB/CD. The installer will prompt you to select a disk (minimum 32 GB recommended), set a root password, and confirm the installation [29, 31]. Since the 2021 version doesn't exist in a
Unsupported Hardware: If installing on older CPUs, you may need a boot-time command workaround to bypass official hardware checks [3].
Remote Management: Many modern servers allow you to mount the ISO virtually using remote management tools like Dell’s iDRAC or HP’s iLO, bypassing the need for a physical USB stick [5, 28]. 4. Post-Installation Configuration
Once installed, the server is managed via the VMware Host Client, a web-based GUI accessed by entering the server's IP address into a browser [4]. Key initial tasks include: Setting a Static IP: Essential for consistent management.
Uploading ISOs to Datastores: To build virtual machines, you must upload your guest OS ISOs (like Windows or Linux) to the ESXi storage via the "Storage" tab in the GUI [9, 16].
Licensing: If you are not using the version with an embedded "free" license, you will start in Evaluation Mode, which provides 60 days of full features before requiring a license key [24].
, users often search for it with year-based modifiers like "2021" due to legacy habits or planning cycles. Broadcom TechDocs How to Download and Get Started with VMware ESXi 8.0 ISO
VMware vSphere 8.0 represents a massive leap in virtualization technology, designed for modern, cloud-connected workloads. Whether you are building a professional data center or a home lab, getting the correct ISO image is the first step. Key Features of ESXi 8.0 DPU-Based Acceleration:
Offload network and security tasks to Data Processing Units for better performance. Native Kubernetes Support: Seamlessly run containers alongside traditional VMs. Enhanced Security:
Includes updated encryption protocols and better access control. Increased Scalability: Manage more VMs per host than ever before. Hardware Requirements
Before downloading, ensure your hardware meets these updated minimums: Broadcom TechDocs
At least two cores, 64-bit x86 processor (Intel 6th gen+ or AMD Zen 2+). 8 GB minimum (12 GB recommended for production).
32 GB persistent storage for the boot disk; 128 GB recommended for optimal performance. One or more Gigabit or faster Ethernet controllers. Broadcom TechDocs Where to Download the Official ISO If the ISO comes from a vendor (OEM-customized
Following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, all official downloads are now hosted on the Broadcom Support Portal Broadcom support portal Build numbers and versions of VMware ESXi/ESX
Here is the content you can use for a download guide or article page. Since VMware (now Broadcom) restricts direct public HTTP links, this content focuses on where and how to legally obtain the file.
ESXi 8.0 dropped support for many older CPUs. You need:
Before booting the ISO, enter your server BIOS and set:
If you cannot access Broadcom, you can use the VMware Customer Connect "Guest" download for patches only, but for full ISOs, you must use the Broadcom portal.
Warning: Do not download ESXi ISOs from third-party torrent sites or random file hosts. They often contain modified code or malware. Always hash-check against official Broadcom SHA256 sums.
Step 1: Navigate to VMware Customer Connect
Go to customerconnect.vmware.com and log in with your VMware account. If you don't have one, click "Register" – it takes 2 minutes and is free.
Step 2: Access the Download Portal Once logged in, hover over "Products" in the top navigation bar and select "All Products."
Step 3: Locate vSphere Scroll down to the "Infrastructure & Management" section. Click on "VMware vSphere." Do not confuse this with vCenter Server.
Step 4: Select Version 8.0 You will see a dropdown menu asking which version you want. Select "8.0" (e.g., 8.0.3 or 8.0.2). Note that VMware releases "Updates" (U1, U2, U3). Always choose the highest Update number for the most security fixes.
Step 5: Choose the ISO
Under "Product Downloads," look for:
VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 8.0.x - Binaries
Click "GO TO DOWNLOADS" . You will see two main options:
Step 6: Accept the License Agreement Check the box "I Accept the Terms & Conditions" and click Download.
Download Size: Approximately 550 MB to 750 MB depending on the update version.