In this article, I will introduce how to create bootable VMware ESXi installer USB drive. Creating a bootable USB drive is very useful for computers without a CD/DVD drive or remote access, where you can virtually mount an ISO image.
Many users know how to burn an installation ISO to a CD/DVD drive to install VMware ESXi. However, what if there is a system that does not have a CD/DVD drive and only has USB ports? Can you install ESXi from a bootable USB?
So the answer is yes. The steps to install VMware ESXi from a USB drive are similar to the steps to install from a CD/DVD. The difference is that you have to create a bootable VMware ESXi installer USB.
Table of Contents
The process is very simple, with just one small tool needed: Rufus. If you don’t already have the Rufus tool, go ahead and download it. Rufus now.
Creating a Bootable ESXi Flash Disk
Download VMware vSphere ESXi
Please visit the VMware website to download VMware vSphere ESXi.
The process is very simple, with just one small tool needed: Rufus. If you don’t already have the Rufus tool, go ahead and download it.
Click on Select.
Select the ESXi ISO image you have downloaded, and then click Open.
Click Start
Select OK to continue.
There may be another pop-up informing you that the installation of USB flash media will be formatted and all data will be destroyed. Select OK to continue.
That’s it. Rufus will write the ESXi ISO image to the USB flash drive, and now you will be able to boot your server from the flash drive and install ESXi.
create bootable VMware ESXi installer USB using Universal USB Installer
Download Universal USB Installer
After downloading the installer, double-click to run the Universal USB Installer.
Accept the license agreement.
Choose to try the unlisted Linux ISO option, and then click on the browse button to select the ESXi ISO.
Click on VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0.iso and then click Open.
Select your USB drive, and then click Create.
Click yes.
Its star extracts the file before copying it to the USB drive.
Select the close button after the Universal USB installer is copied successfully.
Now you need to change the boot order in the BIOS of your system to the USB boot option.
Create ESXi Bootable with BalenaEtcher
Now download BalenaEtcher
Open BalenaEtcher
Click on the Agree button to install BalenaEtcher for Windows.
The Final Step in Making the USB Bootable
Click on the Flash from File button.
Select the ESXi ISO image file, and then click Open.
Click on Select Image to select the flash drive you have plugged into the computer.
Select the target drive, and then click Select.
Click on Flash
Your USB drive is bootable
Related: How to Backup ESXi Configuration
Refer to this article to learn more about creating a bootable ESXi installer.
