When you download ESXi, it enters a 60-day evaluation mode which unlocks all enterprise features. However, for long-term use, you have two options:
In this post, we cover where to find the ISO, the critical status of the 5.5 release, and what you need to know before installing it. vmware esxi 5.5 iso download
It does not receive security patches or bug fixes. Using it in 2026 exposes your environment to unpatched vulnerabilities that modern hypervisors have already solved. Management Frustration: When you download ESXi, it enters a 60-day