While downloading, look for a tab labeled or "Release Notes" near the download button. You are looking for a license key that starts with 4F40H ... (that is the standard free key format).
Do not panic. Install the ISO anyway. It comes with a 60-day evaluation license by default. During those 60 days, you can apply the free key, or simply keep hitting "Evaluate" (it doesn't lock you out, it just nags you). vmware esxi 8 download iso free
Once upon a time, downloading the free hypervisor was a two-click affair. Then, Broadcom acquired VMware, shook the table, and hid the free ISO in a labyrinth of enterprise paywalls and confusing licensing portals. While downloading, look for a tab labeled or
Just be patient with the download portal. Bring a coffee. You will find the ISO eventually. Have you migrated away from ESXi because of the Broadcom changes? Or are you sticking it out for the free version? Drop a comment below (or yell into the void of Reddit’s r/homelab). Do not panic
(Note: VMware changes these keys rarely. If that key fails, search the VMware Communities forum for the updated free key.) You have the ISO on a USB stick. You installed it on your Dell PowerEdge or Intel NUC. Now what?