Upgrading a virtual machine to the latest hardware version (4215896)

To upgrade the hardware version on the virtual machines to the latest version of ESXi.

For virtual machines that are running on ESXi 5.x & 6.x VMware recommends to upgrade the virtual hardware to the latest available version.

PLEASE NOTE: Virtualization Infrastructure Requirements, for VMware ESX®/ESXi™ 6.7 or later the Virtual hardware 15 version is needed.

To upgrade the virtual hardware of a single virtual machine: Use the vSphere Web Client to edit the settings of this virtual machine.

1. Start the vSphere Client or vSphere Web Client and log in to the vCenter Server.
2. Power off the virtual machine.
3. Right-click the virtual machine and select the menu option to upgrade virtual hardware:
   • In the vSphere Client, the option is Upgrade Virtual Hardware.
   • In the vSphere Web Client, the option is Compatibility | Upgrade VM Compatibility.
     
     The virtual hardware is upgraded to the latest supported version.
     
     Note: The Upgrade Virtual Hardware or Upgrade VM Compatibility options only appear if the virtual hardware on the virtual machine is not the latest supported version.
4. Click Yes to continue with the virtual hardware upgrade.
5. Power on the virtual machine.