Because VMware no longer hosts these files on their official portals, you must look for archived or customized images. 1. Server Manufacturer OEM Customized Images (Recommended)
ESXi 5.5 cannot be managed using modern web browsers or the HTML5 vSphere Client. The vSphere Client (C# Desktop Client) Management requires the legacy Windows application:
Broadcom has replaced the former VMware Customer Connect with its own support portal. While legacy versions are sometimes available, they generally require a valid entitlement or subscription.
Get-FileHash -Algorithm SHA256 .\VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.5.0-1331820.x86_64.iso
Hardware vendors often host their own customized versions of ESXi 5.5 (containing specific drivers for their servers), which can sometimes be easier to find: Dell-customized ESXi 5.5 Update 3 is available for specific PowerEdge servers Custom images exist on the HPE Support Center
VMware ESXi 5.5 represents a significant milestone in virtualization history. As a Type 1 hypervisor, it established itself as a stable, enterprise-grade platform that directly installs onto physical servers, abstracting hardware resources to create multiple virtual machines. For many IT professionals, this was the version that introduced the removal of the 32GB physical RAM limit on the free hypervisor—a change that made it a particularly attractive option for small to medium-sized businesses when it first launched. vmware esxi 5.5 iso download
Install it on a Windows environment (Windows 10 or older compatible environments). CLI Management via SSH
To download the VMware ESXi 5.5 ISO file, follow these steps:
Locate version 5.5 and download the standard standard installer ISO ( VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.5.0-XXXXXX.x86_64.iso ). 2. OEM Custom ISO Downloads Because VMware no longer hosts these files on
: VMware's development team no longer provides any security updates for ESXi 5.5. This means any discovered vulnerabilities remain unpatched, exposing your environment to potential compromise.
Because the software is EOL, the download links are no longer prominently featured on the main VMware download page. You must have an active to access the legacy download section.
Select from the boot menu. Wait for the installer files to extract into memory. Press Enter on the Welcome screen to proceed. Press F11 to accept the End User License Agreement (EULA). Get-FileHash -Algorithm SHA256
Make sure the answer is clear, structured, and addresses both features of the product and the download process, while advising on the risks of using outdated software. Avoid technical jargon where possible and provide actionable steps if they still proceed with the download.