Read-only access to APIs, which limits some third-party backup tools.

Input your 25-character key, give it an optional label, and finish the wizard.

Running ESXi 5.5 in 2026 is not sustainable. The secure, supported, and recommended path is to . Here is a practical recommended approach:

The free license cannot be managed by vCenter Server.

This free license key allowed users to run ESXi indefinitely on a single host without paying fees. It was highly popular for home labs, testing environments, and small businesses.