Knowledge Base

Downloading ESXi 4.x

1. Navigate to http://downloads.vmware.com/d/info/datacenter_downloads/vmware_vsphere_hypervisor_esxi/4.
2. Click Download next to VMware ESXi 4.x.
   
   Note: To access older versions, click View History.
   
   
3. Log in using your VMware login credentials and complete the VMware vSphere Hypervisor Registration form after which an activation email is delivered to your inbox.
4. Navigate to your email inbox to find the activation email. If you do not receive the activation email, see Not receiving activation email for evaluation and free products (1026455).
5. Click Activate your VMware ESXi License and access your download. This gives you the serial key for ESXi 4.x.

Licensing ESXi 4.x

To license a standalone vSphere Hypervisor host:

1. Log in to the ESX/ESXi host using vSphere Client.
2. Click the Configuration tab.
3. Click Licensed Features under Software.
4. Click Edit under Licensed Features.
5. Select Assign a new license key to this host.
6. Press Enter and enter the license key.
7. Click OK.
   
   Note: The free vSphere Hypervisor license key can be deployed on an unlimited number of physical hosts, but the number of deployments on physical servers cannot be more than 100. However, the number of physical servers can be increased upon request. For more information, see vSphere Hypervisor Terms and Conditions.