The 60-day evaluation copy of ESXi 6.7 is the same binary. The difference is the license key. Do not download a "vCenter Server appliance" by mistake; that is a separate 10GB download.
To download VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 6.7 in 2021 and beyond, you must navigate a changed landscape following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware. While this version is now End of General Support
(as of October 2022), it remains accessible for specific use cases through legitimate archival and manufacturer channels. andersenIT 🛠️ Current Download Options
Depending on your needs, you can find the 6.7 binaries through these sources: Broadcom Support Portal:
The primary official source. If you have an existing entitlement or license, you can sign in to the Broadcom Support Portal to download legacy ISOs and patches. Hardware Manufacturer Custom ISOs: Companies like
often host customized ESXi 6.7 images that include specific drivers for their servers. For example, Dell Support provides a 6.7 U3 image specifically for PowerEdge systems. VMUG Advantage: For home lab and testing purposes, a paid VMUG Advantage subscription
often provides access to older versions, including 6.7, even after they are removed from the general public trial pages. Broadcom Community 📅 Version Timeline & Support Status
Guide to Downloading and Installing VMware vSphere ESXi 6.7 in 2026
While VMware ESXi 6.7 was a flagship hypervisor during 2021, its availability and support status have changed significantly following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware. This guide outlines how to legally obtain version 6.7 for legacy hardware compatibility and the critical steps for installation. 1. Availability and Licensing Status
As of 2026, VMware ESXi 6.7 is officially End of Life (EOL). General Support Ended: October 15, 2022. Technical Guidance Ended: November 15, 2023.
Broadcom Portal: Direct public downloads for the "Free Version" of ESXi have largely been discontinued or moved behind entitlement walls on the Broadcom Support Portal. 2. How to Download ESXi 6.7 Today
If you require version 6.7 for older hardware (like the Dell PowerEdge R710) that does not support version 7.0 or 8.0, use these legitimate channels:
Broadcom Support Portal: If you have an existing license or support contract, you can find ESXi 6.7 under "My Downloads" by searching for "vSphere".
OEM Custom Images: Major vendors like Dell and HPE still host custom ESXi 6.7 ISOs tailored for their specific server hardware. These often include necessary drivers not found in the base image. Search the Dell Support Site for "ESXi 6.7 U3". Access the HPE Support Center for ProLiant-specific builds.
VMUG Advantage: A paid subscription to VMUG Advantage EVALExperience provides 365-day evaluation licenses for older versions, including 6.7, for lab and educational use. download vmware vsphere hypervisor esxi 67 2021
Finding the correct download for VMware vSphere Hypervisor ESXi 6.7 in 2021 required patience to navigate VMware’s shifting portal and knowledge of the specific build numbers. Now that you know to look for Build 17700523 under the "vSphere Hypervisor" product category (not the vCenter trial), you can successfully install a rock-solid, free, perpetual hypervisor.
Final checklist before you install:
Go build your virtual environment. ESXi 6.7 may be aging, but in 2021, it was still the most reliable free hypervisor for legacy hardware on the market.
Need help with a specific driver or PSOD error? Leave a comment on our forums (or search your exact error code + "ESXi 6.7 2021"). Happy virtualizing
Downloading VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 6.7 in 2021: A Complete Guide
In 2021, VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 6.7 remained a popular choice for both enterprise environments and home labs due to its stability and broad hardware compatibility. Although newer versions like vSphere 7.0 were available by then, many users continued to download and install ESXi 6.7 for legacy hardware support. Availability and Support Status (2021 Context)
As of 2021, ESXi 6.7 was still under General Support from VMware. This meant that users could still download the software directly from official portals and receive regular security patches and maintenance updates. VMware ESXi - endoflife.date
Here’s a step-by-step guide to download VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 6.7 as of 2021.
Note that ESXi 6.7 reached End of General Support on October 15, 2022, but older releases may still be accessible for legacy systems.
This paper outlines methods to obtain, verify, and deploy VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 6.7 build releases from 2021 for legitimate lab, research, and preservation purposes. It covers official download channels and archive access, integrity verification (checksums and GPG where available), license considerations, safe offline installation practices, known compatibility considerations with modern hardware and drivers, and legal/ethical guidelines for software archival and reproducible research.
Crucial Context: In late 2021, the industry knew that Broadcom was acquiring VMware (the deal closed in late 2023, but preparations began in 2021). During 2021, VMware still operated independently, but the download portal started showing signs of friction.
If you visit the old my.vmware.com page today (or in 2021 archives), you will notice that the direct "Download Free ESXi" button became harder to find. VMware began prioritizing vCenter Server and vSphere 7.0 trials.
Nevertheless, the ESXi 6.7 Hypervisor (the free edition) remained available. You specifically need the "VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi)" product, not the "VMware vSphere (with vCenter)" trial.
If you are downloading ESXi 6.7 in 2021 because your hardware is older, pay attention here.
The Need for Virtualization
It was a typical Monday morning for John, a system administrator at a medium-sized company. He was responsible for managing the company's IT infrastructure, which included a handful of physical servers running various applications. However, as the company grew, the demand for more resources and flexibility increased. John knew that virtualization was the key to solving this problem.
Exploring VMware ESXi
John had heard about VMware ESXi, a popular hypervisor that allowed him to create virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical server. After researching, he decided to give it a try. He navigated to the VMware website and searched for the latest version of ESXi. He found that ESXi 6.7 was the current version, released in 2019.
Downloading ESXi 6.7
To download ESXi 6.7, John needed to create a VMware account. He filled out the registration form and waited for the confirmation email. Once he had his account credentials, he logged in to the VMware website and navigated to the ESXi download page. He selected the correct version (6.7 U3a) and architecture (x86_64) for his server.
The download link led him to a page with a few different options:
John chose the ISO option and clicked the download link. The file was around 400 MB in size, and it took a few minutes to download.
Creating a Bootable USB Drive
Once the download was complete, John used a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB drive from the ESXi ISO file. He inserted a spare USB drive into his computer, selected the ISO file, and waited for the process to complete.
Installing ESXi 6.7
With the bootable USB drive ready, John rebooted his server and entered the BIOS settings to set the USB drive as the first boot device. He saved the changes and exited the BIOS settings. The server rebooted, and the ESXi installer booted from the USB drive.
The installation process was straightforward. John selected the correct language, keyboard layout, and network settings. He also created a root password and configured the network settings for his ESXi host.
Configuring ESXi
After installation, John accessed the ESXi direct console (DCUI) to configure the host. He set up the network settings, including the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. He also configured the DNS settings and tested the network connectivity. The 60-day evaluation copy of ESXi 6
The Final Result
With ESXi 6.7 up and running, John was able to create virtual machines and manage them using the VMware vSphere Client. He could now consolidate his physical servers, improve resource utilization, and increase flexibility.
John was happy with his decision to try VMware ESXi, and he looked forward to exploring more features and capabilities of the platform.
System Specifications
Download Links
VMware Documentation
Downloading VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 6.7 in 2024–2026 VMware vSphere 6.7 reached its End of General Support on October 15, 2022
, many legacy environments and specific hardware setups still require this version. Since the Broadcom acquisition of VMware, the process for downloading older ISOs has changed significantly. 1. Accessing via the Broadcom Support Portal Standard downloads are now hosted on the Broadcom Support Portal Login Required
: You must register for a free account; anonymous downloads are no longer permitted. Navigation "My Downloads" and select "VMware Cloud Foundation" followed by Entitlement Check
: Note that direct "standard" ISO downloads for older versions may show as "Not Entitled" unless you have an active support contract or existing perpetual license. 2. Downloading Vendor-Customized ISOs If you are using hardware from major manufacturers like Dell, HP, or Lenovo
, you can often still download ESXi 6.7 through their respective support portals or the "Custom ISOs" tab in Broadcom's portal. Dell Systems : You can search for your specific server model on the Dell Support Site
and filter by the ESXi 6.7 operating system to find customized images. HPE/Lenovo : These often remain accessible on the Broadcom Custom ISOs tab even when general versions are restricted. Download latest ISOs and patches for vSphere ESXi
To download VMware vSphere Hypervisor ESXi 6.7 or a more recent version such as 2021 releases (noting that ESXi 6.7 was a significant release but updates and newer versions like ESXi 8 have been released since then), follow these steps. Note that as of my last update, the latest major version available is ESXi 8, and it's essential to check for the most current version on the VMware website.