Below is the current state of ESXi 6.5 availability and how you can still obtain it in 2026. Is ESXi 6.5 Free Version Still Available?
Technically, VMware officially ended general support for ESXi 6.5 on . Since then, Broadcom has also discontinued the "Free Edition" of ESXi across all versions (including version 8.0) in favour of subscription-based models. vmware vsphere hypervisor (esxi) 6.5 free download
VMware vSphere Hypervisor 6.5, commonly known as , remains a sought-after piece of software for legacy server hardware and homelab environments. However, following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, the landscape for "free" downloads has changed significantly. Below is the current state of ESXi 6
VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 6.5 Free Download: A Complete Guide Since then, Broadcom has also discontinued the "Free
Often, the best way to get ESXi 6.5 for specific hardware is through the manufacturer’s support site. These "Custom ISOs" include optimized drivers for that specific hardware. End of General Support for vSphere 6.5/6.7/7.0
Look under the or Solutions tab for version 6.5 ISOs and patches. 2. Hardware Vendor Custom ISOs (Dell, HPE, etc.)
: Broadcom's support portal now primarily hosts downloads for customers with active entitlements.