How to install ESXi on VirtualBox

VirtualBox is a powerful virtualisation product for enterprise as well as home use. VirtualBox isn’t only rich in functionalities, but also the only professional solution that is freely available as Open Source Software under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 3. In this artilce, we will show you how to install ESXi on a VirtualBox. Please see how to install Oracle VirtualBox on a Mac device, Demystifying Zero Trust with Veeam: Design your Architecture, how to Set Microsoft Defender Antivirus to Passive Mode or Active Mode.

VMware ESXi formerly known as ESX is a bare metal hypervisor that installs easily on to your server. VirtualBox runs on Windows, Linux, Macintosh, and Solaris hosts and supports a large number of guest operating systems, and can be used to run ESXi.

Note: VirtualBox is not a supported environment! Because, I ordered some hardwares, I wanted to test to see the behaviour on Virtualbox. I proceeded with these steps. If you do not want to experience pains, please download ESXi 6.5.

This article is only useful for Lab purposes or PoC. ESXi 8 raised the requirements when it comes to CPU compatibility. You will have a lot of errors in this regard. You will have to manually set the allowLegacyCPU=True in the boot.cfg. I hope this helps.

Please see the Differences between vSphere and ESXi and vCenter, how to remove Recent vSphere Client Connections, and how to fix Failed to open session in VirtualBox to install Windows 11 Image.

Prerequisites to installing ESXi

To run VirtualBox with Hyper-V technologies enabled, you must add the Virtual Machine Platform optional component.

Search for Turn Windows features On and On. Search and select “Machine Platform optional component”.

Required files will be searched for, and applied

A restart is required

How to download the ISO Image

Log in to VMware Customer Connect as shown below.

Select downloads > All Products.

Select a version of VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) and click View Download Components.

Download an ESXi ISO image by clicking on Downloads.

Since you have not registered to download this product. This image will be prompted. Click on Register.

Complete the registration form. When complete, click free trial.

After completing the registration form, look for an activation email in your inbox. If you do not see the activation email. Check your folders for spam and deleted items. As you have seen, I have confirmed the email.

Now, download the VMware ESXi ISO. Take note of your license.

Install Virtualbox on Mac

Create a VM on Virtualbox for ESXi in VirtualBox. Here are some similar articles: How to install Windows Server 2019 on Virtualbox, how to install and configure Ubuntu Linux on VirtualBox, and How to install Windows Server 2022 on VirtualBox.

Below are the various ways to create a new VM in VirtualBox

On the Create Virtual Machine wizard. Enter the virtual machine, and choose the storage location for the VM files. Also, select the ISO file for installation. I have copied this remotely in my networ. Here are the Various ways to copy files from host to VMware Workstation VM.

Click Next as shown below

Enter the amount of RAM and Processor for this VM.

On the Virtual Hard Disk window, please allow the required disk space as shown below. This is just for PoC, so I do not care so much about this VM.

On the summary window, go through it and if something is not correct. Please use the back arrow to navigate and fix it.

Other Requirements after VM setup

For the Network configuration, select the Host-only Adapter. For Promiscuous Mode, select Allow All.

Ensure the following settings are in place as well.

Lastly, also ensure Nexted virtualization is check. Most times, this is graged out. Please see how to fix “Virtualbox enable nested vtx/amd-v greyed out“.

Enable HyperV

Install ESXi

Select the VM as shown below. Click on Start

Boot into the ESXi installer.

The installer is being loaded

Note: VirtualBox is not a supported environment! Because, I ordered some hardwares, I wanted to test to see the behaviour on Virtualbox. 
This article is only useful for Lab purposes or PoC. ESXi 7. and 8 raised the requirements when it comes to CPU compatibility. You will have a lot of errors in this regard. You will have to manually set the allowLegacyCPU=True in the boot.cfg. I hope this helps.

You can continue your installation from here!

I hope you found this article useful on how to install ESXi on VirtualBox. Please feel free to leave a comment below.