License Key Vmware Esxi 5.5 Page
You must assign your license key before the 60-day evaluation trial ends to avoid operational downtime. Using the vSphere Desktop Client
VMware ESXi 5.5 is a legacy product that reached its years ago. Because of its age, Broadcom has discontinued the issuance of new "free" license keys for this version.
: Click Licensed Features under the "Software" section.
Although the official VMware website has moved to later versions, the free license was historically available by registering on the VMware website . B. Evaluation License Key license key vmware esxi 5.5
Version 5.5 does not receive security patches, leaving it exposed to modern ransomware and hypervisor-level exploits.
Input your 25-character key, give it an optional label, and finish the wizard.
There are three primary licensing states for an ESXi 5.5 host, each with different capabilities and purposes. You must assign your license key before the
There are several ways to look up the license key that is currently activated on an ESXi 5.5 host. The most straightforward methods are:
Select and click Enter Key .
Once you purchase a license, you'll receive a license key. This key needs to be applied to your VMware environment to unlock the features corresponding to that license. : Click Licensed Features under the "Software" section
Managing a license key for ESXi 5.5 is an administrative task, but understanding its structure and purpose is key to maintaining a stable virtual environment. Whether you are using a perpetual free license for a home lab or a legacy paid license in production, the key serves as the gateway to the software's capabilities and support.
If you already possess a license key, you can apply it to an ESXi 5.5 host using one of these methods: vSphere Client (Direct Connection): Log in to the host via vSphere Client Navigate to the Configuration Licensed Features in the top right corner.
Enhanced support for VMFS-5, allowing virtual disk descriptor files (VMDKs) to expand up to 62 TB (up from 2 TB in vSphere 5.1).
If you upgrade an ESXi 5.5 host to ESXi 6.0, the host enters a 60-day evaluation mode. You must upgrade your license key inside the VMware Customer Connect portal to generate a valid 6.x key. Downgrading follow-up keys requires a similar manual conversion inside your account portal. To help tailor further assistance, please let me know:
This method is useful for scripting or if the web interface is unavailable.