Jeff VanDellen 
Key takeaways
- To install ESXi, you need compatible hardware, the ESXi ISO, bootable media, and BIOS virtualization enabled before you start.
- The standard install flow is to boot from the installer, accept the EULA, choose the install disk, set a root password, reboot, and configure networking from the DCUI.
- After installation, you still need to configure networking and access the ESXi Host Client before the host is ready to use.
- For learning or testing, installing ESXi inside VMware Workstation can be a practical lab option.
People searching for “install ESXi” usually mean one of two things: installing ESXi on a physical server or installing ESXi inside VMware Workstation for a lab. Both paths are valid, but they serve different goals.
This guide covers the standard ESXi installation flow first, then explains how to install ESXi in VMware Workstation for testing, demos, and learning environments.
Note: VMware licensing, downloads, and free availability have changed under Broadcom. Before starting a new ESXi installation, confirm the current Broadcom Support Portal download path, licensing model, support options, and long-term platform fit for the version you plan to use.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for administrators, developers, and technical users who specifically need to install ESXi for an existing VMware environment, lab, demo, test environment, or migration planning.
If you’re starting a new production virtualization project, review current VMware licensing, support, and platform strategy before building around ESXi. Many organizations are also evaluating alternatives as part of their long-term infrastructure planning.
What is ESXi?
ESXi is a bare-metal hypervisor used to create and run virtual machines. It installs directly on supported server hardware and provides the virtualization layer used in VMware vSphere environments.
Unlike a standard application, ESXi doesn’t run on top of a full desktop operating system. It becomes the host operating environment, allowing administrators to allocate compute, storage, and networking resources to virtual machines.
For labs and testing, ESXi can also run as a nested virtual machine inside VMware Workstation. That setup is useful for learning and proof-of-concept work, but it isn’t the same as a production bare-metal deployment.
Before you install ESXi
Before installation, confirm that the host hardware is compatible, the ESXi ISO is available, the bootable media is prepared, and virtualization is enabled in BIOS or UEFI.
Check hardware compatibility
Before installation, confirm that the host hardware is supported. Check CPU support, NIC support, storage compatibility, and virtualization settings before you go further.
A solid baseline includes:
- A supported 64-bit CPU with at least 2 cores
- Intel VT-x or AMD RVI and NX/XD enabled in BIOS or UEFI
- A minimum of 4 GB of RAM
- At least one Ethernet controller with a 1 Gb connection speed
- A boot disk with enough free space for the ESXi version and install method
- Supported server or workstation hardware listed in the VMware compatibility guide
Hardware support can vary by ESXi version, so check compatibility for the specific version you plan to install.
Download the ESXi ISO
The current install flow starts with downloading the ESXi ISO from the Broadcom Support Portal. The source has shifted over time, so check the current Broadcom download path instead of relying on older VMware Customer Connect bookmarks.
Create bootable installation media
Bootable media preparation comes early in the process. In most cases, that means writing the ESXi ISO to an 8 GB or larger USB drive with a tool such as Rufus or Balena Etcher.
For production environments, confirm the current VMware guidance for USB, SD, HDD, and SSD boot devices before choosing the install target.
Prepare BIOS or UEFI settings
Before you boot the installer, make sure the machine can boot from the installer USB and that virtualization support is enabled. On many systems, you will also need to adjust the boot order or use a one-time boot menu key.
How to install ESXi step by step
1. Boot from the ESXi installer
Copy the previously downloaded installer to a USB drive and restart the machine to install ESXi. When the machine starts, press the key your system uses to enter BIOS or open the one-time boot menu.
In most cases, you can then set the system to boot from the USB drive that contains the ESXi installer.
2. Start the installer and accept the EULA
Once the installer loads, press Enter to continue. Then read the license agreement and press F11 to accept it.
3. Select the destination disk
Select the drive where you want to install ESXi and press Enter. The selected disk will be repartitioned, so make sure you are choosing the right target before you confirm the install.
ESXi can be installed to a USB drive in some setups, though many installations use a local disk. That can be useful in lab environments, but it is a choice you should make deliberately.
4. Select keyboard layout and set the root password
Choose the keyboard layout for the host. Then set and confirm the root password before the install begins.
Use a strong password with a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
5. Confirm installation and reboot
Press Enter to begin the installation process. When the installation is complete, remove the USB drive from the machine and press Enter to reboot it again.
6. Revert boot order and load ESXi
Revert the boot order while still in BIOS or UEFI so the machine starts from the drive that now has ESXi instead of the installer USB.
After that, the host should boot into ESXi.
Configure ESXi after installation
Installation is only the first half of the job. Once ESXi boots successfully, you still need to make the host reachable and usable on the network.
Configure the management network
After the server restarts, the Direct Console User Interface displays. From there, press F2, log in as root, and configure the management network.
If you don’t want to rely on DHCP, set:
- A static IP address
- Subnet mask
- Default gateway
- DNS server
Access the ESXi Host Client
After installing ESXi, you can log in to the ESXi web client. Make sure the client machine is on the same network, then open a browser and go to the ESXi host IP over HTTPS.
Install ESXi in VMware Workstation
Installing ESXi inside VMware Workstation can make sense for labs, testing, demos, and learning. In this setup, ESXi runs as a nested virtual machine instead of installing directly on physical server hardware.
This is useful for learning the installer, testing configurations, or building a small virtualization lab. It shouldn’t be treated as the same thing as a production bare-metal ESXi deployment.
Prerequisites to install ESXi in VMware Workstation
Before you start, confirm that you have VMware Workstation installed and the ESXi ISO downloaded from the official source.
You should also confirm that the physical machine running Workstation has enough CPU, memory, and storage to support the nested ESXi host and any virtual machines you plan to create inside it.
Create the ESXi virtual machine in VMware Workstation
Open VMware Workstation and create a new virtual machine using the custom installation option. Choose the ESXi version you plan to install, then select the ESXi ISO as the installer image.
Name the virtual machine, choose where to store it, and assign CPU and memory based on the size of the lab you want to build. For networking, NAT is a common starting point, but you can change the network mode later if your lab requires bridged or host-only networking.
When prompted for storage settings, choose the controller and disk type supported by the ESXi version you are installing, then create a new virtual disk with enough space for the host and lab use. Review the settings and power on the virtual machine.
Finish installing ESXi inside Workstation
Once the virtual machine boots from the ESXi ISO, follow the same installer flow covered in the bare-metal steps above: accept the EULA, select the install disk, choose the keyboard layout, set the root password, complete the installation, and reboot.
After reboot, ESXi should load inside the Workstation VM. From there, configure the management network and access the ESXi Host Client the same way you would with a physical ESXi host.
The difference is the environment underneath it. In Workstation, ESXi is running as a nested VM, which makes it useful for testing and learning but not equivalent to a production deployment.
Which ESXi install method should you use?
ESXi supports several install approaches depending on the environment and scale.
Interactive installation
Interactive installations are typically recommended for deployments smaller than five hosts. This is the best fit for single-host installs, labs, and most first-time deployments.
Scripted installation
ESXi allows users to utilize a configuration script to implement multiple ESXi hosts. The text file-based configuration file is called ks.cfg. If you need to deploy repeated installs with consistent settings, this route can save time.
Use this boot sequence for scripted installs:
- Once the installation window appears, press Shift+O on your keyboard
- Choose your boot option
- Press Enter to begin the installation process
Auto Deploy
Auto Deploy exists for larger and more advanced environments, but it is better suited to experienced administrators managing many hosts than to someone trying to install a single ESXi host for the first time.
Common ESXi installation problems
A few issues show up often during ESXi installs.
Installer doesn’t see the disk
This usually points back to storage controller support, target disk choice, or compatibility issues. Confirm the hardware and storage controller are supported for the ESXi version you are installing.
Unsupported NIC or other hardware
Consumer or lab hardware can work in some cases, but ESXi is less forgiving than a typical desktop OS when drivers or controllers are unsupported.
Virtualization support is disabled in firmware
If Intel VT-x or AMD-V is disabled in BIOS or UEFI, installation or later virtualization features may fail.
Boot media or boot order problems
If the installer never starts, check the bootable USB creation step, the selected boot target, and the one-time boot menu or BIOS order. This is one of the most common setup issues.
Version-specific quirks
Hardware support, download paths, and install behavior can change across ESXi versions. The current installation flow may differ from older ESXi 5.x or 6.x screenshots, so version awareness matters.
What to do after ESXi is installed
Once ESXi is live and reachable, confirm that the host is ready before creating production workloads.
Start by checking the licensing or evaluation status for the ESXi version you installed. Then confirm that the management network, DNS, gateway, storage, and host login all work as expected.
Next, create or verify the datastore you plan to use for virtual machines. After storage is available, you can create your first VM, upload an ISO, and begin testing the host.
For a lab, this may be enough to start learning. For a production environment, continue with host updates, access controls, monitoring, backup planning, and documentation before relying on the host for important workloads.
Install ESXi in VMware FAQs
Install ESXi in VMware next steps
Installing ESXi is mostly about getting the prerequisites right, choosing the correct install path, and finishing the initial network setup after the installer completes.
Start by checking the hardware compatibility guide and preparing your installer USB. That step will help you decide whether to move forward with a bare-metal installation or use VMware Workstation for a lab environment.
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