: As of late 2025, Broadcom reinstated a free entry-level version for ESXi 8.0 Update 3e . However, specialized reports indicate there is no official free license for ESXi 9.0 at this time.
Allowing unauthorized remote access to your hypervisor.
You can no longer register for a free, limited-core license key. vmware esxi 9 license key github link
To help narrow down the best path for your deployment, could you let me know if this environment is for a or a corporate business network ? I can provide specific steps on how to register for the VMUG program or outline the official Broadcom procurement channels for enterprise teams. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more Share public link
To help find the right legal deployment path for your environment, let me know: : As of late 2025, Broadcom reinstated a
That being said, for educational purposes or small-scale testing environments, some GitHub repositories might provide functional license keys. However, proceed with caution and consider the implications.
: While repositories like hegdepavankumar/VMware-ESXi-License-Keys or ayebrian/gist list keys for ESXi 7.x and 8.x, keys explicitly for version 9 are not widely hosted on GitHub due to the shift in Broadcom's licensing model. Guide: How to Apply a License Key You can no longer register for a free,
With VMware ESXi being a primary target for ransomware groups like , it is a highly attractive target for cybercriminals. Running unknown scripts from GitHub on your hypervisor is an unacceptable risk .
: Once the 60 days expire, you must apply a valid license key or VMs will no longer power on. Broadcom Community 3. VMUG Advantage (For Home Labs) For enthusiasts and professionals, the VMUG Advantage
: Official installers for ESXi 9.0 typically come with a 90-day trial period.