Since December 2023, all VMware products (including ESXi) are distributed exclusively by Broadcom.
Once you have downloaded the VMware-VMvisor-Installer-8.0.x.x-xxxxxx.x86_64.iso file, you need to write it to media.
Important Note: VMware ESXi 8.0 was officially released on October 11, 2022. There is no official "2021" version of ESXi 8.0. If you need an ISO from 2021, you are likely looking for ESXi 7.0 Update 2 or 7.0 Update 3 (released in 2021). However, if you need the 8.0 branch, follow the guide below. Download -2021- Vmware Esxi 8.0 Iso
Before we dive into the download process, a word of caution for production environments. If you manage to unearth a 2021-era ESXi 8.0 Beta ISO from a third-party torrent or archive site, do not install it.
Here is why:
Verdict: Always download the latest production release from VMware Customer Connect.
As of 2025, ESXi 8.0 is the active mainstream release (with 8.0 Update 3 being the latest). If you are just now downloading the 2022 base ISO, you are falling behind. Use VMware Lifecycle Manager (vLCM) or esxcli for
Pro Tip: After installing your ISO, immediately update to the latest patch level using the command line:
esxcli software profile update -p ESXi-8.0U3-standard -d https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml
