Meanwhile, the GitHub repository "vmware-esxi-9-license-key-github-portable" had been updated by its maintainer. The new README file warned users about the risks of using unofficial license keys and encouraged them to opt for official VMware licenses.
You can securely download official, untampered ISOs and manage legitimate entitlements directly through the Broadcom Support Portal VMUG Advantage: vmware esxi 9 license key github portable
: GitHub frequently removes license keys and activation files to comply with Terms of Service . : Broadcom continues to offer a free hypervisor
: Broadcom continues to offer a free hypervisor version of ESXi (currently available as version 8.0 Update 3e ) for non-production use, though it lacks central vCenter management and is limited to 8 vCPUs per VM. 2. Is there a "Portable" ESXi? Since the end of the ESXi Free Edition,
Since the end of the ESXi Free Edition, thousands of users have migrated to Proxmox VE . It is open-source, truly free, and offers many features (like built-in backup and clustering) that VMware charges for.
: While Broadcom reintroduced a free version for ESXi 8.0 Update 3e in early 2025 for home lab users, this did not extend to version 9.
Under Broadcom, VMware has moved to a . Even if you find a "permanent" license key on GitHub, the software is designed to look for an active subscription. For home lab enthusiasts, this has made "gray market" keys much less reliable than they were in the ESXi 6.7 era. 4. Legal and Safe Alternatives