• vSphere ESXi 7.0 Update 3    (build 18644231)
• vSphere ESXi 7.0 Update 3a  (build 18825058)
• vSphere ESXi 7.0 Update 3b  (build 18905247)
• vSphere vCenter 7.0 Update 3b (build 18901211)

Q.  What are the latest vSphere 7.0 releases available online for download as of now?
A.  Currently vSphere vCenter 7.0 U3 is available in the following versions:

• vSphere vCenter 7.0 Update 3 (build 18700403)
• vSphere vCenter 7.0 Update 3a (build 18778458)

Q.  Why are these releases being pulled?
A. VMware has identified critical issues with these builds. For further information, please refer to KBs 86287 & 86281.  For more details behind the decision, please review Important Information on ESXi 7 Update 3 .


Q.  My environment is already upgraded to one of the removed versions. Now that VMware has made the decision to remove the releases from the download portal, will my environment have an impact?
A. The identified impact for the already upgraded environments has been listed in the KBs 86287 & 86281 along with the workarounds for the issues, if you are experiencing an issue not resolved by the KBs, please reach out to the VMware Global Support Team via a support request.


Q.  Is my environment still supported even though it's already upgraded to a removed version, or will I need to roll back?
A. These versions are still fully supported by VMware. A rollback is not necessary unless desired.


Q.  My environment is already upgraded to one of the removed versions. What will be my next upgrade path?
A. The upgrade path for such environments will be the next patch release and will be published soon.


Q.  My environment is already upgraded to one of the removed versions. I have to reimage the ESXi Host and would require the ISO image download, how will I get access to this?
A. If you do not already have the image stored from the time of upgrade, please reach out to the VMware Global Support team via a service request.


Q.  My environment is currently running one of the earlier versions of ESXi 7.0 U2/U2a/U2c/U2d. What will be my next upgrade path?
A. The upgrade path for such environments will be the next patch release that will be published soon.


Q.  My environment is currently running ESXi 7.0 U3 and my ESXi Hosts are encountering the PSOD issue reported in KB 86100. Where should I get the fix from?
A. If your environment matches the details stated in the KB 86100, please reach out to the VMware Global Support team via a service request for further assistance. 


Q.  I am trying to upgrade my environment to one of the removed versions of ESXi and seeing the error "Cannot download VIB" while using vLCM. What is the fix for this issue?
A. Please refer to KB 86399. VMware recommends waiting until the next patch release is available, which will have fixes for the issues listed in KBs 86287 & 86281.


Q. I have a new project to deploy a vCenter and ESXi on version 7.0 U3.x, how should I proceed?
A. In order to deploy a new environment with matched versions, VMware recommends waiting until the next patch release is available. This will have fixes for the issues listed in KBs 86287 & 86281.


Q. I am in the middle of an upgrade rollout to vSphere 7.0 U3.x, what should I do given the release is no longer available?
A. VMware recommends putting the upgrade on hold until the next major release is available. This will have fixes for the issues listed in KBs 86287 & 86281.


Q. What are the tentative timelines for the next vSphere 7.x major release?
A. VMware does not currently have a date confirmed for the next vSphere 7.x release. We are working on this as a priority and will update once it becomes available. 

Q. The VMware Compatibility Guide recommendation engine generates recommendation based on VMware Compatibility Guide, it does not specify the exact patch version and only mentions the recommended release (for example 7.0 U3). Which release should I pick if the recommendation engine recommends 7.0 U3?
A. If VMware Compatibility Guide recommendation engine recommends vSphere 7.0u3 version, that would mean that the next recommended upgrade would be to the upcoming vSphere 7.0 Update3c version (rather than to the already pulled vSphere 7.0 U3GA, U3a or U3b), which will be soon released by VMware.