Windows Server 2025 Guest OS option is not Available During VMware vSphere ESXi Virtual Machine Creation

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0
• VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0

Issue/Introduction

When you are creating or editing a VMware vSphere virtual machine, there is no option to select Microsoft Windows Server 2025 guest operating system. This issue is observed on virtual machines with virtual hardware versions 19, 20 and 21.

Resolution

VMware vSphere ESXi virtual hardware version 20 on vSphere ESXi 8.0.3 introduces a new selection for Microsoft Windows Server 2025 (64-bit). See virtual machine hardware versions at Virtual machine hardware versions (broadcom.com) to determine the VMware product releases and supported virtual hardware versions.

On vSphere ESXi 8.0.3 with virtual hardware versions 20, 21, select Microsoft Windows Server 2025 (64-bit) as the guest operating system. 

Workaround

On the other VMware vSphere ESXi virtual machine hardware versions where Microsoft Windows Server 2025 (64-bit) is unavailable, select Microsoft Windows Server 2022 (64-bit) as the guest operating system for the virtual machine.