Guest OS - Win11 not visible in the available versions

[VPXA]

Hi All,

Looking for your help on installation of  Windows 11 on vSphere 7.0.U3 in the Guest OS Version it's not listed, verified multiple specs.

Hardware Version we are running with 19, Esxi Host's running with 7.0.U3.

[Jason Kearney]

Had the same issue.  Was in the process of upgrading to VMware ESXi, 8.0.3, 24414501.  Once done it now is listed.  Have not attempted again but I am assuming will work since listed in Guest OS list.

------------------------------
Jason Kearney
IT Specialist
Miners Inc.
------------------------------

[BarrieS3004]

We have the same issue, I recently upgraded from 7.03 to version 8.0.3 and no sign of Windows 11 as an OS choice. Seems to have fallen off the wagon somewhere... 

[Adam Ru]

*Microsoft Windows 11 (64-bit)* is not available for virtual hardware
version 19 and earlier. Please select *Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit)* as
the guest operating system when creating the virtual machine.

Reference: Broadcom KB 313853 – Windows 11 Guest Operating System Option
https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/313853/windows-11-guest-operating-system-option.html

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[Randy Diez EDCOE]

We had the same issue with 7.0U3. We had to enable TPM on the ESXi host. Then when creating VMs, select Add new device, and add the Trusted Platform Module.

[VPXA]

We can't able to see the vTPM option on the ESXi 7 hosts.

On Wed, 12 Mar 2025, 9:04 pm Randy Diez EDCOE via Broadcom, <
[e-mail]> wrote:

> We had the same issue with 7.0U3. We had to enable TPM on the ESXi host.
> Then when creating VMs, select Add new device, and add the Trusted...
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> We had the same issue with 7.0U3. We had to enable TPM on the ESXi host.
> Then when creating VMs, select Add new device, and add the Trusted Platform
> Module.
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> -------------------------------------------
> Original Message:
> Sent: Mar 10, 2025 09:08 PM
> From: VPXA
> Subject: Guest OS - Win11 not visible in the available versions
>
> Hi All,
>
> Looking for your help on installation of Windows 11 on vSphere 7.0.U3 in
> the Guest OS Version it's not listed, verified multiple specs.
>
> Hardware Version we are running with 19, Esxi Host's running with 7.0.U3.
>
>
>
>
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[Andrea Consalvi]

Hi,

This is pretty common because Windows 11 enforces TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, which ESXi doesn't always enable by default.

Even if Windows 11 isn't listed as a Guest OS in vSphere 7.0U3, you can still install it by selecting Windows 10 (64-bit) as the guest OS. However, that alone won't be enough-Windows 11 checks for TPM 2.0, and without it, the installation fails.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in the VM settings

   • Edit the virtual machine settings
   • Go to "VM Options" → "Boot Options"
   • Enable "Secure Boot"
   • Under "Add New Device," add a "Trusted Platform Module" (TPM)

2. Make sure the VM hardware version is 19 or higher
   Since you're already on hardware version 19, this part should be fine. Lower versions might cause compatibility issues.

3. Bypass Windows 11 system requirements (if needed)
   If Windows 11 still refuses to install, you might need to bypass the TPM, Secure Boot, and CPU checks.

   • Boot from the Windows 11 ISO
   • When you see the error message, press Shift + F10 to open the command prompt
   • Type regedit and press Enter
   • Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\LabConfig (create it if it doesn't exist)
   • Add these new DWORD (32-bit) Values and set them to 1:
     • BypassTPMCheck
     • BypassSecureBootCheck
     • BypassCPUCheck
   • Close Registry Editor and continue the installation

This should let you install Windows 11 without issues. Let me know if you run into any trouble!

[VPXA]

Secure boot enabled, under Add New Device TPM is not visible.

Under Guest OS Version Microsoft Windows 11 not displaying, selected Windows 10

Esxi Version :

[ggathagan]

@VPXA:
Does your host hardware have a TPM?

[CSpreha]

Another Gotcha with Win11 is to add a TPM to the VM, you'll need to encrypt the home object, which it will do when you try to add a TPM.  However, to encrypt that, you'll need to enable a Native Key Provider (or use a corp one if your company has it already), Go to the vCenter object, Configure, Security, Key Providers.  Add one, back it up to a secure location, then watch for it to go Active.  After that then vC/ESXi will be able to encrypt the home object for the VM, then you can add TPM/SecureBoot, bump to vmx19 or 21, and Win11 dropdown should be there, and all should be well.