VMware Workstation 25H2 - esxi as guest - vm failed to start

[okoehler_nm]

I'm currently trying to set up an ESXi guest for a test environment in VMware Workstation 25H2. When selecting 'VMware ESX' as the guest operating system under Options and choosing any version, starting the VM with VT-x enabled fails with the error message 'Failed to start the virtual machine.' However, if the guest operating system is changed to Microsoft Windows, the VM starts successfully. The host system is Windows 11 25H2.

-------------------------------------------

[okoehler_nm]

Ok, the culprit was the enabled Credential Guard of Windows 11 25H2. After disabling the CG and a reboot the ESXi hosts are running with the correct Guest operating system option. This CG is a pain in the ass

-------------------------------------------

[Maxim Kov]

Thank you very much!
I confirm that the decision to disable Credential Guard
Steps:
Disable Credential Guard with group policy
Win+R -> gpedit.msc
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Device Guard
Turn On Virtualization Based Security -> Disable
Reboot

-------------------------------------------

[Marc Antheunis]

even with that policy disabled, VBS still runs on w11 25H2

-------------------------------------------

[Maxim Kov]

The command "bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off" together with the actions described in previous posts does the trick.

-------------------------------------------

[Marc Antheunis]

well in my case it does not...

i would expect that broadcom has the means to collaborate with MS on this matter and provide a solid solutions without having to mess around...

-------------------------------------------

[Tim Seery]

Are you using the latest Nested ESXi Virtual Appliance?

William Lam published the latest 8.0 Update 3 and 9.0 versions.

• Updated Nested ESXi 8.x & 9.0 Virtual Appliance

/Tim

-------------------------------------------