Windows Server 2016 with more than 638 vCPU is not supported in a VM

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Windows Server 2016 configured in a VM with more than 638 vCPU may hang or not utilize all vCPUs.

Environment

VMware vSphere 7.0.x

Resolution

To work around this issue;

1. Limit number of vCPUs to 638 for VMs with Windows Sever 2016.
2. For workloads that require more than 638 vCPUs in a VM, use Windows Server 2019 or later releases.