No depot file for free users, link in script expired

[FlyingT]

The my.microsoftpersonalcontent.com link in the script is expired: The access token has expired. It's valid from '4/13/2025 2:50:42 AM' and to '4/13/2025 3:50:42 AM'.

And the online depot, like reference here: https://williamlam.com/2022/02/how-to-create-a-customized-esxi-iso-without-vcenter-server.html#comment-72600, which points to here https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml just returns 403 Forbidden

[FlyingT]

Get them from one of these sites at your own risk:

https://mirror.rhb.digital/VMware/ https://vmware.digiboy.ir/8.X/ https://vmpatch.com/

Definetly validate the Checksums after downloading to make sure they have not been tempered with. You can get the SHA256 checksum in the release notes of whatever you downloaded, for example: https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/vsphere/vsphere/8-0/release-notes/esxi-update-and-patch-release-notes/vsphere-esxi-80u3e-release-notes.html

[itiligent]

Things are not immediately working for 2 reasons.

1. My included links are temporary for personal use and may periodically expire.
2. VMWare (Broadcom) also no longer allows free software depot downloads, instead a site specific token in the download link is now needed. Update the script if you have a paid Broadcom support link. See here for more: https://www.virtualizationhowto.com/community/vmware-vsphere-help/how-to-add-broadcom-download-token-for-new-vmware-update-url-depot-change/

Until the Broadcom dust settles and some new workaround pops up...

• You must manually obtain the ESXI software depot you want from whatever source you have available
• Just manually copy the source to the same directory you will run the script.
• You can also create your own URL links to this file and adjust the script if you like:
  • To update script, adjust $manualUpdateUrl1 and $manualUpdate as needed to reflect the depot file name and new link if downloading