Downloading VMware ESXi 8.0 ISO for 2021: A Step-by-Step Guide

, is a powerful bare-metal hypervisor that allows you to run multiple virtual machines on a single physical server. While the "2021" tag in your query may refer to older 7.0 versions,

9. If you encounter an ISO labeled “-2021-” plus “8.0”

There are two primary ways to obtain the ISO depending on your licensing needs: the Paid/Entitled Version (for active subscriptions) and the Free Version (for home labs and basic use).

Hardware Compatibility: ESXi 8.0 is designed for modern CPUs. Ensure your CPUs are listed in the VMware Compatibility Guide to avoid installation failure, as older CPUs (pre-Skylake) may not be supported.

Note: VMware vSphere 8.0 (ESXi 8.0) was officially released in October 2022, not 2021. This article clarifies that timeline while targeting the search intent, providing archival context and upgrade paths.

While the keyword "Download -2021- VMware ESXi 8.0 ISO" contains a common chronological error—VMware ESXi 8.0 was actually released in October 2022—it remains one of the most sought-after virtualization platforms. Since Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, the download process has shifted to a new centralized portal.