Windows Server installation ISO fails to boot in EFI mode

[omf]

Using the latest vCenter and ESXi 6.7 update, I've been trying to install a new Windows Server VM (tried both 2016 and 2019 - same behavior).  By default, a 6.7 VM (VM Hardware Version 14) is configured to boot with EFI. Connecting the virtual DVD drive to the installation ISO on a local datastore, the machine boots to the usual DVD loader message:

"Press any key to boot from CD or DVD..."

If you press a key or wait for the timeout, you next see EFI boot messages indicating this failed and followed by an attempt to boot from the network:

"unsuccessful.

-> EFI Network..."

Once this times-out, you get sent back to the EFI Boot Manager.

I tried setting up a VM with VM Hardware Version 13 (for ESX 6.5 and above).  This defaults to BIOS boot, but if I switch this to EFI, the results are the same as with the VM Hardware Version 14 machine.

Switching the machine configuration to boot from BIOS fixes the problem.

Any known work-around to this issue?

[ThorGoLucky]

I resolved the problem by editing the VM settings, VM Options, Boot Options, Secure Boot and uncheck Enabled.  After it successfully loaded the Windows Server 2019 Setup, I looked at the Boot Options and see that it re-enabled Secure Boot.  Ah well, as long as it worked!

[skamaljung_1]

I tried what you said above but didnt work. Please help me on this . I tried every thing even i tried to boot xp, window 10 It didnt work except Linux.

[ylbhz]

What a useful replay!  I opened the vm options "Boot Options" -> "Firmware"  and changed it from "EFI" to "BIOS". Well, It worked!

[GlenGTR]

Thanks for this! Can confirm this method worked for me :)

[Sysco_Kid]

I had this issue a few minutes ago....I found that the previous VM I created this morning still had the ISO set as its CD/DVD. I removed it from the exiting VM and was able to create my new VM without issue.