While VMware ESXi itself requires a license for commercial use, the vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) can be run under a free evaluation license, or paired with your existing perpetual/subscription keys. Step-by-Step: Download HPE Custom ESXi 7.0 ISO

After installing the HPE ISO, apply your free ESXi 7.x license:

This gives you full control over the exact driver versions and allows you to include security patches that may not be in the pre‑built HPE ISO.

The free license restricts management via vCenter Server and limits virtual machines to a maximum of 8 vCPUs per VM. However, it allows unlimited physical cores and RAM on the host. How to Download the HPE Custom Image for ESXi 7.0

Select VMware ESXi 7.0 from the Operating System dropdown menu.

Select your target installation drive (e.g., a local hardware RAID logical drive or an internal bootable SD card/USB drive). Select your keyboard layout and set a secure .

(e.g., ProLiant DL380 Gen10) – or search for “VMware ESXi 7.0 HPE Custom Image”. Alternatively, use this direct search string: VMware ESXi 7.0 U3 HPE Custom Image

This article provides a step-by-step guide to legally downloading this specialized ISO for free, explains why you need it over the standard version, and clarifies the licensing model for free vs. paid use.

Deploying VMware vSphere on Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant servers requires a specialized touch. While the standard VMware installer works, using the ensures your hardware runs reliably, stays cool, and remains fully visible to monitoring tools.

To obtain the HPE-specific ISO for ESXi 7.x now, you must have an active license or entitlement through the . Official Download Procedure