If your goal is to run a hypervisor for learning or small‑scale production without paying, consider these options:
| Purpose | Example | Legal? |
|---------|---------|--------|
| Script to apply an existing license key via PowerCLI | Set-VMHostLicense script | ✅ Yes |
| Backup/restore of license keys from one host to another | esxcli software license get | ✅ Yes |
| Automating trial license activation with your own account | Script that logs into MyVMware (requires credentials) | ✅ Yes (for your own account) |
| Public list of free ESXi license keys | Any repo with hardcoded keys | ❌ No – those keys are either expired, fake, or stolen. | vmware esxi 9 license key github
If you found a license key on GitHub:
If you need ESXi 9 for production or learning: If your goal is to run a hypervisor
Important: VMware ESXi 9 introduced new license signature checks. Keys from ESXi 7/8 are rejected by ESXi 9. If you need ESXi 9 for production or learning:
