If you manage multiple ESXi hosts, manually fixing each license is tedious. vCenter Server allows you to assign licenses in bulk:

This ensures your VMware ESXi license key fixed solution is enterprise-ready.


Important: Always follow VMware-supported procedures; avoid editing low-level configuration files unless instructed by support.


⚠️ Note: As of Broadcom’s acquisition, new perpetual licenses are no longer sold for vSphere 8+ (except for existing support contracts). Use this guide for existing perpetual keys or evaluations.


VMware still offers a free ESXi hypervisor (up to version 8, though registration may require a Broadcom account post-acquisition).

Step-by-step to get your fixed free key:

Limitations of the fixed free license: