If you install ESXi 5.5 on a machine connected to the internet or any modern network, you are exposing yourself to known, unpatched vulnerabilities (e.g., CVE-2018-6981, CVE-2019-5541). Only use ESXi 5.5 in completely offline, isolated, or air-gapped environments.
Broadcom no longer issues security patches, bug fixes, or vulnerability updates for this version.
ESXi 5.5 introduced virtual hardware version 10 (vmx-10), which allowed for 120 disk devices per VM and new CPU architectures. www.truenas.com Legacy Limitations & Critical Risks Using ESXi 5.5 today comes with significant downsides: Security Hazards: vmware esxi 5.5 iso download
Finding a in 2026 can be challenging because VMware officially ended general support for vSphere 5.5 in September 2018. However, many IT professionals, lab enthusiasts, and companies maintaining legacy hardware still need this specific version to build or repair virtualized infrastructure.
Do you need assistance finding the to verify your download? If you install ESXi 5
For those who cannot access the official portals and are not using supported hardware, the Internet Archive (archive.org) provides an alternative repository. Since ESXi 5.5 is classified as legacy, unsupported software, VMware (now Broadcom) no longer offers public downloads. The Internet Archive has become a go-to source for preserving these older versions.
Downloading VMware ESXi 5.5 is a task for specific legacy scenarios. While it was a groundbreaking product in 2013, the lack of support since 2018 makes it unsuitable for new production workloads. ESXi 5
The short answer:
VMware ESXi 5.5 is an end-of-life (EOL) product that is no longer directly available for general download from the primary Broadcom Support Portal . However, you can still find official customized versions and archive links through hardware partners. 📥 Download Options for ESXi 5.5 1. Official Hardware Vendor ISOs
: Dell maintains driver pages for specific server models (e.g., PowerEdge) that include downloads for ESXi 5.5 Update 3 and Update 2 .
When downloading, ensure you select the correct build number for your project needs. Below are key historical milestones for version 5.5: Release Name Build Number Original base release file ESXi 5.5 Update 1 Added vSAN support and fixed major bugs ESXi 5.5 Update 2 Expanded hardware and CPU support ESXi 5.5 Update 3 Final major update rollup package Hardware and System Requirements