: Many users report seeing a "Not Entitled" message if they do not have an active support contract or subscription.
Once logged into VMware Customer Connect, the user is faced with a labyrinth of product versions, patches, and drivers. A common mistake is downloading the initial “General Availability” (GA) release of ESXi 7.0. This version, while stable, is now several years old and lacks critical security patches and hardware drivers for modern servers. Instead, the savvy administrator should search for the latest “Express Patch” or “Update” (e.g., ESXi 7.0 Update 3). VMware uses a specific build number (e.g., 20344453) to identify each release. Therefore, the successful download depends not on grabbing the first result, but on cross-referencing your server’s CPU and storage controller with VMware’s official Compatibility Guide to ensure the build you choose contains the necessary drivers. download esxi 7.0