Downgrading the virtual machine hardware version in ESXi

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• A virtual machine does not boot after upgrading the virtual hardware version to 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or further versions
• Cannot migrate or power on a virtual machine created on a newer version of ESXi to an older version

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 6.5.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.7.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 7.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 8.x

Resolution

To resolve this issue, downgrade the virtual machine hardware, power off the virtual machine, and perform one of these options:

• Revert to a snapshot created before upgrading the virtual machine hardware
• Use VMware vCenter Converter and select the required virtual hardware version in the Specify Destination wizard
• Create a new virtual machine with the required hardware version and attach the existing disk from the virtual machine

Additional Information

Adding/Deleting/Editing a host entry on vCenter server or ESXi host using vi editor
Reloading a vmx file without removing the virtual machine from inventory
Using ESXi Shell in ESXi 5.x and 6.x
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