Install VMware ESXi 8 0 on Unsupported CPU

Introduction:
================
Learn how to install ESXi 8.0 on old unsupported CPU. You'll learn how to get past the CPU_SUPPORT ERROR during installation and access the new Host Client.

(UPDATE: Due to Broadcom acquisition and policy decisions, Free VMware ESXi has been discontinued so the title has been updated to remove mention of that)

This video will step through the following:
00:00 - Introduction
00:50 - Get FREE VMware ESXi 8 License - No Longer Applies!
02:25 - Demo Unsupported CPU Error
04:30 - Boot Installer with Kernel Option
06:11 - ESXi 8.0 Install
06:48 - Configure ESXi
08:17 - Log in to ESXi 8 Host Client

Boot Option:
At boot up, press SHIFT+O to add the following kernel option:
allowLegacyCPU=true

Encountered Errors and Warnings:
CPU_SUPPORT ERROR: The CPU in this host ins not supported by ESXi 8.0.0. Please refer to the VMware Compatibility Guide (VCG) for the list of supported CPUs)

============= REFERENCES/RESOURCES ===============

Disclaimers:
===========================================
Please note any non-English Subtitles are auto-translated.

This video was NOT sponsored by any vendor. Any paid products/services shown were paid for out of my own pocket.

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[McIntec]

Ventoy! That is awesome! And VERY Useful! Thanks for the video!

[brendanfay]

Thanks for that which worked a treat - Like the bit of Jazz in the background !🙂

[victor_ssy]

Yeah, this comand is the most important part: runweasel cdromBoot allowLegacyCPU=true

[talibe]

Many Thanks, it's very help me, I use it for vSphere 7.0.3, you are the best !

[karanghadge]

Thanks a lot for this video It helped me to move ahead for my practicse

[Apollo]

Thank you! This was perfect for getting this installed on my old gaming pc.

[Finitoify]

Thank you so much!
vSphere 7.3 was so buggy, I hope 8.0 is more stable :)

[franciscoiturrietaionet]

excelente, muchisimas gracias, pude instalar esxi 8 para test en mi host esxi 6.7 (error de cpu antigua)

[kbrnzte]

thanks for your tips, i ll try with my home lab environment FUJITSU RX2520 M1
Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2450L 0 @ 1.80GHz

Best regards from France🙂

[bayyonetta]

can esxi 8 run on intel gen 13 with realtek network adapter? i keep getting network adapter not detected

[wilsonsony]

Thanks for yout video, i have Dell R610 but it's only work with either external/internal USB drive, it' doesnt detect SAS or SSD drive, any work around? thanks again.

[DimensionQuest]

Hopefully you know this already, but Broadcom made the decision to STOP offering ESXi for free. As such, I've updated the title of this video to remove the reference to FREE ESXi 8 License.

[yannickdjomo]

@DimensionQuest what if I have the Intel i9, and wants to install exsi 8.0, and not totally compatible? What is the workaround?

[dortipu]

what if my raid card is not supported by esxi8, and while to install esxi8, cannot discover my hard disk, what should I do then?

[McIntec]

When I registered for a license I got an error but it allowed me to download the ISO's.

[didierdel]

Bonjour, on ne peut pas l'installer sur un pc domestique, à cause de la carte réseau. Proxmox s'installe sur des pc standard.

[Tobias.Snyder]

Thanks for the great video and the detailed explanation. Is it possible to run this command during the upgrade via remote terminal (ESXCLI) as well? Do you have any suggestion on here? Something like "esxcli software sources baseimage list -d with some parameters?

[omfa]

Doesn't seem to work for the xeon x5365 cpu, any other options??

[thyagorodriguesalvarez]

hi! i have it nested with proxmox, and uhmmm to all vms when try to power on it says failed to connect (the processor is not supported t620 dell) do you have any idea how to troubleshoot it ?

[MrMulcahyjohn]

h could i ask is this something esxi have blocked as ive tryed it a few times doesnt seem to work