The latest stable version is , released on January 20, 2026. Key new features in this version include:
Pirated keys prevent you from registering your host with Broadcom’s official update channels. Running an unpatched hypervisor leaves your system exposed to critical security exploits.
Our license compliance system has detected the use of VMware vSphere ESXi license key [XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX] activated on a system with publicly routable IP [redacted] on October 14. This key was flagged as illegally distributed in November 2023." vmware esxi 9 license key github free
A "free" key found on GitHub is rarely a perpetual key. It is almost always a cracked evaluation key that will expire.
Marcus pulled the ethernet cables from all three servers like they were on fire. The latest stable version is , released on January 20, 2026
I can provide the exact steps or licensing options based on your goals. Share public link
The "free key" you find on GitHub at 2 AM isn't free. It's a data point. A timestamp. A mapping between a stolen license and your identity. Companies don't seed those repos — but they do monitor them. And the moment you connect something licensed to the internet, you've left a fingerprint. Our license compliance system has detected the use
You can still download and install ESXi 9.0 to use in a 90-day full-featured evaluation mode without a key.
To use VMware ESXi 9, users need a valid license key. The license key is used to activate the software and ensure that it is genuine. Without a valid license key, users may not be able to access all the features of ESXi 9, and their virtual machines may not be supported by VMware.
Whether you are open to like Proxmox
If you absolutely need a free version, Broadcom recently brought back the Free vSphere Hypervisor for version 8.0 Update 3