Finding the "free" version can be tricky since Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware changed the portal structure. Historically, VMware offered a "vSphere Hypervisor" license which was a free, feature-limited version of ESXi. 1. The Official Broadcom Support Portal

: Included support for Secure Boot for both the ESXi hypervisor and the guest operating system to prevent unauthorized code execution. How to Download the ISO

Once you have the ISO file (usually named something like VMware-VMvisor-Installer-6.5.0-XXXXXX.x86_64.iso ), follow these steps:

: Downloads have moved from the old VMware.com site to the Broadcom Support Portal. You will need to create a free account to browse the "My Downloads" section.

Plug the bootable USB into the physical server (or mount it as a virtual ISO if you are using a tool like iLO, iDRAC, or VMware Workstation). Power on the machine and press the appropriate boot menu key (usually F11, F12, or F8 depending on your motherboard). Select your USB drive to start the ESXi installer. Step 3: Run the Installer

: If you are currently running ESXi 6.5 and want to retain VMware, you cannot directly upgrade the free version to a paid version in-place. You would need to cleanly install a new version or purchase a vSphere license and follow VMware's official upgrade paths.

the VMware-VMvisor-Installer-6.5.0-XXXXXX.x86_64.iso file.

The installer will list available disk drives on the system. Select the target disk where you want ESXi to be installed. Be very careful, as this process will overwrite all data on the selected disk. Press Enter to confirm.

If you have an account with "entitlements" (meaning you or your company previously purchased it), you can log in to the Broadcom Support Portal to find archived versions. Broadcom support portal Vendor-Specific Custom ISOs: Major hardware vendors like

Unlicensed installations of ESXi 6.5 operate on a 60-day full-feature trial . When the trial expires, your virtual machines (VMs) will continue to run, but you cannot power them on if they are shut down, and management features will be locked.

: You can no longer register for a free, permanent license key on the VMware portal.

Searching for a download today is a bit of a journey into legacy tech. Since this version reached its End of General Support on October 15, 2022 , finding an official "free" download has become significantly more difficult than it was during its prime. The Official Route (Broadcom Support Portal)

Following the transition to Broadcom, all official VMware downloads have been migrated. You can check the Broadcom Support Portal if you have an active account or entitlement to access legacy software archives.

: You need one or more Gigabit or faster Ethernet controllers. Intel or Broadcom chipsets are generally recommended for best driver support.

To download the software, you must have a free VMware Customer Connect account. You can sign up for one on the Broadcom website.

: Introduced a virtual NVMe controller that significantly reduces overhead for high-performance storage tasks.

While downloading the ISO, look for the or "My Licenses" tab.

: Added comprehensive APIs to improve automation and integration with modern DevOps tools. Enhanced Scalability

Use a tool like to burn the ESXi 6.5 ISO onto a USB flash drive. Open Rufus and select your USB drive. Select the ESXi 6.5 ISO file. Click Start using the default settings to write the image. Step 2: Boot the Installer Insert the USB drive into your target server or PC.

: Try the newest features free for 60 days.

Vmware Esxi 6.5 [patched] Download Iso Free Now

Finding the "free" version can be tricky since Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware changed the portal structure. Historically, VMware offered a "vSphere Hypervisor" license which was a free, feature-limited version of ESXi. 1. The Official Broadcom Support Portal

: Included support for Secure Boot for both the ESXi hypervisor and the guest operating system to prevent unauthorized code execution. How to Download the ISO

Once you have the ISO file (usually named something like VMware-VMvisor-Installer-6.5.0-XXXXXX.x86_64.iso ), follow these steps:

: Downloads have moved from the old VMware.com site to the Broadcom Support Portal. You will need to create a free account to browse the "My Downloads" section.

Plug the bootable USB into the physical server (or mount it as a virtual ISO if you are using a tool like iLO, iDRAC, or VMware Workstation). Power on the machine and press the appropriate boot menu key (usually F11, F12, or F8 depending on your motherboard). Select your USB drive to start the ESXi installer. Step 3: Run the Installer

: If you are currently running ESXi 6.5 and want to retain VMware, you cannot directly upgrade the free version to a paid version in-place. You would need to cleanly install a new version or purchase a vSphere license and follow VMware's official upgrade paths. vmware esxi 6.5 download iso free

the VMware-VMvisor-Installer-6.5.0-XXXXXX.x86_64.iso file.

The installer will list available disk drives on the system. Select the target disk where you want ESXi to be installed. Be very careful, as this process will overwrite all data on the selected disk. Press Enter to confirm.

If you have an account with "entitlements" (meaning you or your company previously purchased it), you can log in to the Broadcom Support Portal to find archived versions. Broadcom support portal Vendor-Specific Custom ISOs: Major hardware vendors like

Unlicensed installations of ESXi 6.5 operate on a 60-day full-feature trial . When the trial expires, your virtual machines (VMs) will continue to run, but you cannot power them on if they are shut down, and management features will be locked.

: You can no longer register for a free, permanent license key on the VMware portal. Finding the "free" version can be tricky since

Searching for a download today is a bit of a journey into legacy tech. Since this version reached its End of General Support on October 15, 2022 , finding an official "free" download has become significantly more difficult than it was during its prime. The Official Route (Broadcom Support Portal)

Following the transition to Broadcom, all official VMware downloads have been migrated. You can check the Broadcom Support Portal if you have an active account or entitlement to access legacy software archives.

: You need one or more Gigabit or faster Ethernet controllers. Intel or Broadcom chipsets are generally recommended for best driver support.

To download the software, you must have a free VMware Customer Connect account. You can sign up for one on the Broadcom website.

: Introduced a virtual NVMe controller that significantly reduces overhead for high-performance storage tasks. The Official Broadcom Support Portal : Included support

While downloading the ISO, look for the or "My Licenses" tab.

: Added comprehensive APIs to improve automation and integration with modern DevOps tools. Enhanced Scalability

Use a tool like to burn the ESXi 6.5 ISO onto a USB flash drive. Open Rufus and select your USB drive. Select the ESXi 6.5 ISO file. Click Start using the default settings to write the image. Step 2: Boot the Installer Insert the USB drive into your target server or PC.

: Try the newest features free for 60 days.