How to Install ESXi on Laptop for Running a Home Lab

Many people may have questions about installing ESXi on a laptop. Install VMware ESXi on a laptop isn’t a typical setup, as ESXi is primarily designed for server hardware, but it can be done with some careful configuration.

Installing VMware ESXi on Laptop: Things You Should Know

When we truly need to install VMware ESXi on laptop, we may meet some problems. Following are things you need to know when install ESXi on PC.

1. Hardware Compatibility Check

Before install ESXi on PC, the most important thing we should check is the hardware compatibility. This is the key problem we need to solve when installation. Here are some standards you may follow.

• CPU Support: Your laptop must support Intel VT-x/ADM-V.
• RAM: ESXi requires a minimum of 8 GB of RAM.
• Storage: You need at least 32GB of storage space for the ESXi installation.
• Network Adapter: ESXi requires a supported network interface card (NIC).

2. Download Required Software and Tools

• Download Rufus or UNethootin to create a bootable USB from the ESXi ISO.
• ESXi-Customizer to inject drivers into ESXi ISO.

3. Prepare Drivers

If you encounter unsupported hardware, you may need to inject custom drivers into the ESXi ISO. You need to use ESXi-Customizer to create a custom ESXi ISO with the required drivers. After customizing the ISO, use Rufus or UNetbootin to create a bootable USB drive.

4. BIOS Configuration

How to Install ESXi on Laptop

In order to install ESXi on laptop, some difficulties we need to overcome, but in the end we will succeed in installing ESXi on laptop. Next are three methods to install ESXi on laptop by:

✦ Bootable USB Drive

✦ An External Hard Drive

✦ Custom ISOs

This article will mainly introduce the method about how to install VMware ESXi in laptop from a bootable USB drive step by step.

Using a Bootable USB Drive to Install VMware ESXi on Laptop

Creating a bootable USB drive is one of the most common methods for installing ESXi on a laptop. This method involves preparing a USB drive with the ESXi installer and booting the laptop from it.

Below are the detailed steps that you need to follow to install VMware ESXi on laptop.

Step 1. Download the ESXi ISO file from VMware's official website. Once you download the file, you will need to burn it to a flash drive using Rufus. This will make a bootable flash drive that you can use to install vSphere ESXi.

Step 2. After you have created the bootable flash drive, connect it to your PC and start your machine. During the boot process, you will need to specify the flash drive as the boot device to load the ESXi installer.

Step 3. Once the installer has loaded, you will see the welcome screen. Here, it would help if you waited for the installer to load all the necessary files and modules.

Step 4. Once the loading process is complete, you will be presented with the ESXi installation welcome screen. Press Enter to proceed.

Step 5. Next, you will need to accept the end-user license agreement. To do so, press F11.

Step 6. The installer will now scan for available devices. Wait for the scanning process to complete.

Step 7. Once the scanning process is complete, you will be prompted to select the disk on which you want to install ESXi. Choose the disk and press Enter.

Step 8. Selecting the proper keyboard layout is a breeze. Trust your instincts and follow the prompt to choose the appropriate design. Press Enter and rest easy, knowing that you have made the right choice for a seamless and effortless computing experience.

Step 9. Now, you need to create a solid and hard-to-guess Root password for your server. Enter the password and press Enter.

Step 10. You will see a CPU warning screen; press Enter to continue.

Step 11. Press F11 to begin the installation of ESXi.

Step 12. Once the installation process is complete, your server or computer will restart.

Step 13. After the server restarts, you need to type the IP address received from DHCP into Chrome or Edge and press Enter to manage your host.

Step 14. On the vSphere login screen, enter the username and passcode you created earlier, and click login to access your host.

Besides, if the above steps don't help you install ESXi on your PC, try the following:
✐Utilizing an External Hard Drive: Installing ESXi on an external hard drive is another viable method, especially if the laptop's internal hardware is incompatible or if you prefer not to alter the internal disk. The external drive can be used on different systems, but not all laptops may boot from an external hard drive.
✐Using Custom ISOs: For those facing compatibility issues, utilizing VMware’s Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) or custom ISOs designed for specific laptop models can provide a solution. Custom ISOs or HCL-approved hardware can resolve many compatibility issues, but it requires more research and effort to find the right compatibility lists or custom ISOs.

Handling Driver Compatibility Issues

Above all are the steps to install ESXi on laptop, but during the installation what we need to care about most is the compatibility problem. Here are two solutions to it.

1. Search for VMware VIB files for your specific NIC or storage controller. Look for the Realtek or Intel NIC drivers.

2. Run ESXi-Customizer and select the ESXi ISO file, and add the VOB drivers for your network/storage adapter. Then create a new, customized ESXi ISO.

3. Create a bootable USB with the customized ISO and repeat the installation process.

✨Option 2: Use a Supported USB Ethernet Adapter

Some USB-to-Ethernet adapters are compatible with ESXi, plugging one of these into your laptop and it should be recognized during installation.

Always Securing VMware ESXi in the Home Lab

After successfully installing ESXi on laptop, we can create and start using virtual machines. While using VMs, the most important thing is to secure the VM data. It is essential to ensure the development and continuity of your business.

Here is a recommendation to AOMEI Cyber Backup, it’s a free VMware backup software which can help you to backup VMs in ESXi host effortless. With AOMEI Cyber Backup, you can enjoy following benefits:

✍Agentless Backup: create full, standalone image-level backups for entire VMware virtual machines without installing agents on each VM.
✍Restore Entire VM: instantly restore VMs from any chosen restore point.
✍Perpetual Free: you can always use this free edition with no time limit.
✍Support Free ESXi: support both paid and free versions of VMware ESXi. Next, I will demonstrate how to backup ESXi VMs.

Now you can click the following button to download the freeware first.

Step 1: Bind Device

First navigate to Source Device > VMware, then click + Add VMware Device to add a host, and enter information to bind device.

Step 2: Create Backup Task

Navigate to Backup Task > + Create New Task, and select VMware ESXi Backup as the Backup Type. Then set Task Name, Device, Target, Archive and Schedule.

Step 3: Start Backup

Click Start Backup and select to Add the schedule and start backup now, or Add the schedule only.

Conclusion

Installing ESXi on a laptop is possible but comes with several challenges due to hardware incompatibility, particularly with network adapters and storage controllers, as ESXi is designed for server-grade equipment. While the installation process itself is straightforward, users often need to customize the ESXi image with additional drivers or use supported external hardware like USB Ethernet adapters. Laptops also face issues like poor thermal management, limited RAM, and battery inefficiency when running a hypervisor like ESXi. Despite these hurdles, with proper adjustments, ESXi can be successfully installed and used on a laptop.