Since the acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, the portal structure has changed. To access legacy binaries, you typically need an active support contract or a registered account.
If you are installing ESXi 5.5 on modern hardware, you will likely run into issues. ESXi 5.5 was released in 2013.
While the VMware ESXi 5.5 ISO is still accessible through the legacy portal for those with accounts, using this version poses significant security and operational risks. It should strictly be used for:
If you are running this in production, prioritize planning a migration path to VMware ESXi 7.0, 8.0, or an alternative hypervisor immediately.
I can’t help locate or provide downloads for proprietary software ISOs like VMware ESXi 5.5. I can, however, help with a lawful alternative:
VMware ESXi 5.5 ISO Download: A Comprehensive Guide
VMware ESXi 5.5 is a popular virtualization platform that allows users to create and manage virtual machines. If you're looking to download the ESXi 5.5 ISO file, you've come to the right place. In this blog post, we'll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to download the VMware ESXi 5.5 ISO file, along with some essential information about the software.
What is VMware ESXi 5.5?
VMware ESXi 5.5 is a bare-metal hypervisor that enables users to create and manage virtual machines. It's a popular choice among IT professionals and organizations due to its reliability, scalability, and flexibility. ESXi 5.5 supports a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Features of VMware ESXi 5.5
Before we dive into the download process, let's take a look at some of the key features of VMware ESXi 5.5:
How to Download VMware ESXi 5.5 ISO
To download the VMware ESXi 5.5 ISO file, follow these steps:
System Requirements for ESXi 5.5
Before installing ESXi 5.5, ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements:
Installation and Upgrade Considerations
When installing or upgrading to ESXi 5.5, keep the following in mind:
Conclusion
In this blog post, we've provided a comprehensive guide on how to download the VMware ESXi 5.5 ISO file. We've also covered the key features, system requirements, and installation considerations for ESXi 5.5. If you're looking to create a virtual infrastructure or upgrade your existing setup, ESXi 5.5 is a reliable and scalable choice. Happy downloading!
Downloading the VMware ESXi 5.5 ISO has become difficult because this version reached its End of General Support on September 19, 2018, and End of Technical Guidance on September 19, 2020 endoflife.date
. Broadcom, which now owns VMware, has significantly changed how legacy software is accessed Where to Download ESXi 5.5 ISO
Because it is a legacy, unsupported product, official direct links on the main VMware/Broadcom landing pages are often redirected or hidden. Broadcom Support Portal: This is the current official source. You must have a valid perpetual license
associated with your account to see and download legacy versions Broadcom Community Log in to the Broadcom Support Portal Navigate to My Downloads VMware Cloud Foundation VMware vSphere and look for the version dropdown to find 5.5 Broadcom support portal Manufacturer-Customized ISOs (Recommended): vmware esxi 5.5 iso download
Hardware vendors often host their own customized versions of ESXi 5.5 (containing specific drivers for their servers), which can sometimes be easier to find: Dell-customized ESXi 5.5 Update 3 is available for specific PowerEdge servers Custom images exist on the HPE Support Center
, though they often redirect to VMware/Broadcom for the actual file Hewlett Packard Enterprise IBM/Lenovo: IBM-customized ESXi 5.5 images are available for older System x servers Third-Party Archives:
If official sources fail, some users rely on community-maintained archives like Archive.org's VMware ISO collection
, though these are not official and should be verified with MD5/SHA checksums before use Critical Limitations & Risks Download legacy version ESXi | VMware vSphere
VMware ESXi 5.5 is an end-of-life (EOL) product that is no longer directly available for general download from the primary Broadcom Support Portal. However, you can still find official customized versions and archive links through hardware partners. 📥 Download Options for ESXi 5.5 1. Official Hardware Vendor ISOs
If you are using specific server hardware, vendors still host customized ESXi 5.5 images containing necessary drivers:
Dell Technologies: Offers various versions, including the ESXi 5.5 Update 3 ISO and Update 1.
Lenovo: Maintains a download landing page for ESXi 5.5 Update 3a.
HPE: Customized images were historically available via the HPE Support Center. 2. Archive & Community Sources
For general use in a lab environment, community-maintained archives often host these legacy files:
BetaArchive: Hosts various builds, such as ESXi 5.5 Update 1. Since the acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, the
VMware Tools: Older versions of VMware Tools for 5.5u3 remain accessible via VMware's package index. 🛠️ Installation & Configuration Summary Phase Key Actions Preparation
Use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB from the ISO. Booting Select "ESXi 5 standard installer" from the boot menu. Setup
Press F11 to initiate install; process takes 10–15 minutes. Post-Install Access system config with F2 to set static IP and DNS. Access
Use the legacy vSphere Client for Windows to manage the host. ⚠️ Important Considerations VMware ESXi 5.5 Update 3 | Driver Details | Dell US
Modern hardware incompatibility: ESXi 5.5 lacks drivers for NVMe SSDs, USB 3.0 controllers, and any Intel 10GbE X700 series or newer.
What does this mean? If you install ESXi 5.5 on a machine connected to the internet or any modern network, you are exposing yourself to known, unpatched vulnerabilities (e.g., CVE-2018-6981, CVE-2019-5541). Only use ESXi 5.5 in completely offline, isolated, or air-gapped environments.
In the past, VMware offered 60-day evaluation ISOs for any version. That program has shifted to vSphere 8/9 trials only. Do not trust third-party sites claiming to host official 60-day trials—they are likely tampered.
1. End of Life (EOL) Risks
2. Legal Usage
3. Alternatives
4. Legacy Use Cases
Many organizations that migrated from ESXi 5.5 to newer versions still keep a "cold storage" ISO. If you work in IT, check:
Always ask your IT security team before installing—they may have policies against EOL software.