Before diving into the download process, it is important to understand why the HPE custom image is often mandatory for HPE server installations. While the standard ESXi ISO from VMware includes broad driver support, HPE servers require specific drivers for boot controllers, network adapters, and storage arrays that are .
HPE maintains multiple versions of the custom image. As of 2025–2026, the most recent HPE custom images for ESXi 7.0 U3 include:
Search for the and enter your server model (e.g., DL380 Gen10). Under "Software," look for Operating System-Enhanced SW . Is it Free? Yes and No. The Software: The ISO file itself is free to download.
HPE no longer hosts the ISO files directly on its website; clicking download on HPE Support will redirect you to Broadcom. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Broadcom Support Portal : Navigate to the Broadcom Support Portal and log in. You must register a free account if you do not have one. Product Selection VMware Cloud Foundation from the product categories. My Downloads and search for "VMware vSphere". The "Custom ISOs" Tab Choose the major version (e.g., Click on the Custom ISOs vmware esxi 7 download iso hpe custom image free
Use a tool like Rufus to burn the ISO to a USB flash drive.
Integrates directly with HPE Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) for hardware alerts.
Here is how to find, download, and use the free HPE Custom Image for ESXi 7.0. ⚠️ Important Update: The Broadcom Transition Before diving into the download process, it is
To ensure your download is not corrupted and has not been tampered with, always verify the file hash against the values listed on the download site. powershell
While the free ESXi Hypervisor license is sufficient for many lab and home use cases, it has significant limitations for production environments:
Since the migration from VMware Customer Connect, all custom images are hosted on the Broadcom Support Portal : As of 2025–2026, the most recent HPE custom
Search for "VMware vSphere" under the software section. Select Version: Choose version 7.0.
What specific (e.g., Gen9, Gen10) are you installing this on?