vSphere 6.0 released and we are started evaluating the features of our brand new hypervisor with our evaluation license. The evaluation period is 60 days but do you think 60 days is not enough to keep your hands dirty with ESXi 6.0. It will be time-consuming to re-install ESXi 6 every 60 days after your evaluation license is expired. Don’t worry, VMware provides us with the Free ESXi 6.0 Hypervisor with non-expired license keys. VMware ESXi Free version is the same download as the full ESXi with exact same ISO but stays unlocked only for 60 days. If you don’t enter the serial number for the free version, the product works as full version during 60 days. When the trial period ends and the product locks out the advanced features and becomes VMware ESXi free.

VMware ESXi Free vs PAID

What is VMware ESXi Free Limitations?

• 2 (physical) CPU limit
• No limit on Physical Memory
• Number of cores per physical CPU: No limit
• Maximum vCPU per virtual machine: 8
• You can’t Manage Free ESXi from vCenter Server
• No Support from VMware Support (GSS)

How to Download ESXi Free License?

Download Procedure for both Paid and ESXi Free is same and Moreover, both are the same ISO image.  Download the VMware ESXi 6.0 Free Hypervisor installer image along with free license keys.

Register or Login with your VMware account credentials

Once you have logged in, you will be provided with the option to download the  ESXi 6.0 Installation ISO and VMware vSphere client along with the VMware ESXi Free License Keys.

How to apply ESXi Free license to ESXi host?

Once the installers are download. Complete the ESXi 6.0 installation or upgrade. Connect to your ESXi host using vSphere Client.

Click on Configuration tab and select Licensed Features. Click on Edit. Below are the product features which are available as part of vSphere Evaluation License.

Enter the license key and Click on Ok.

ESXi is turned to Free ESXi now with No Expiration.

We are done with the free ESXi license key assignment with no expiration.

How to Perform Backup of VM’s running in Free ESXi?

Free ESXi does not support vStoage API and hence no native backup support for Free ESXi versions. If you are using Windows VM, use its native backup or agent-based backup for VM’s running on Free ESXi.

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