ESXi 8 fully supports UEFI Secure Boot. Ensure your Dell BIOS is set to UEFI mode (rather than Legacy) to take advantage of enhanced security features.
: Set the category to Enterprise Solutions to find the ISO installer.
Verify your specific Dell PowerEdge server model supports ESXi 8.0 by checking the VMware Compatibility Guide (VCG) or Dell's Support Matrix. Generally, PowerEdge 14th Generation (14G), 15th Generation (15G), and 16th Generation (16G) servers officially support ESXi 8.
To access these downloads, you must have a registered account with an active software entitlement (Site ID). Download the Dell customized ESXi image files vmware esxi 8 dell customized iso download
(optional but recommended)
: Includes the latest asynchronous drivers for network and storage controllers. Dell Support Identification
Pre-installs the vSphere Installation Bundles (VIBs) required for Dell OpenManage Integration for VMware vCenter. ESXi 8 fully supports UEFI Secure Boot
Select the ESXi 8 Dell Custom ISO and flash it to the USB drive.
If you are managing a Dell PowerEdge server—whether it’s a brand new R760 or a trusty R740xd in the data center—you might be tempted to download the standard VMware ESXi 8 ISO from VMware’s website.
: Dell does not provide a free ESXi 8 ISO. You need a valid VMware license or trial from VMware, then apply to Dell’s ISO post-install. Verify your specific Dell PowerEdge server model supports
Following the acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, the download process for these images has changed, making it essential to know where to find the latest files in 2026. This guide covers how to download, why you should use it, and key information regarding Dell PowerEdge compatibility with ESXi 8.0. What is the Dell Customized ESXi Image?
Select the virtual CD/DVD drive as the boot device to start the ESXi 8 installation wizard.
Some users have encountered a situation where the Dell support site lists an ESXi 8 ISO, but downloading it produces a small 1 KB text file containing an MD5 checksum rather than the actual ISO.
Before downloading, ensure you have a valid Dell or VMware account.