ESXi: Adding an ISO for all running VMs.
Sometimes we may need to update our ISO file in our ESXi datastore.
Using this script, we can add the newly uploaded ISO file to all our running VMs without having to shut them down.
Log in to ESXi through Putty.
Get the location of your Datastore folder and replace it below.
I have a folder with all my ISO files.
Copy the following code, paste it into your favorite text editor, and change the Database name.
An easy way to find out the datastore numbers' names
cd /vmfs/volumes/
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then
ls
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This will show you all the folders.
Find your Datastore that holds your ISO files.
cd MyDrive-213
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This will display your numbered name.
Select your numbered name.
And paste it in place of the PlaceHolder below.
[ESXi add ISO to CD/DVD Rom for all running VMs.]
CFFCS | CarrzSynEdit: | CMD (Windows Command Prompt) | L (Linux) 
#!/bin/sh
# Change this to your actual datastore path
="/vmfs/volumes/PlaceHolder/ISO/2026ToolsComplete.iso"

=$(vim-cmd vmsvc/getallvms | awk '{print $1}' | grep -E '^[0-9]+')

for VM ID in ; do
    # Get the key for the first CD-ROM drive (usually 3000 series)
    =$(vim-cmd vmsvc/device.getdevices  | grep -B 1 "VirtualCdrom" | grep "key =" | head -n 1 | awk '{print $3}' | sed 's/,//')
    
    if [ -n "$CD KEY" ]; then
        echo "Updating VM $VM ID to use $NEW ISO PATH"
        # Step 1: Update the backing file path
        # Note: Direct CLI path updates can be complex; PowerCLI is preferred for this step.
        # This command connects the existing drive:
        vim-cmd vmsvc/device.connection   1
    fi
done

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