In the current VMware landscape, "VMware 9" typically refers to the newly released VMware Cloud Foundation 9 (VCF 9) or vSphere 9, which have moved away from traditional perpetual license keys. If you are looking for the legacy VMware Workstation 9 (released in 2012), it is long out of support and has been superseded by newer versions that are now available for free. Modern VMware 9 Licensing (VCF / vSphere)
Broadcom has overhauled the licensing model for its latest enterprise stack to prioritize subscriptions and simplified key management.
Subscription Model: vSphere 9 has transitioned to a per-core subscription model. Licenses are typically sold in 1, 3, or 5-year terms rather than as one-time perpetual purchases.
Single License Key: VCF 9 utilizes a single, Broadcom-signed license key to manage the entire environment, reducing the overhead of tracking separate keys for different components like vSAN or NSX.
Usage Reporting: The system requires license usage data to be submitted at least once every 180 days to the VCF Business Services console to maintain active status.
Evaluation Period: If you exceed your licensed core count, additional hosts are granted a 90-day evaluation license to allow for decommissioning or purchasing more capacity. Legacy VMware Workstation 9
While Workstation 9 was a major release for Windows 8 support and USB 3.0, it is now considered legacy software. A First Look at VMware Cloud Foundation 9 - VxWorld
If you are looking for a "VMware 9 license key," you are likely working with VMware Workstation 9 or VMware ESXi 9.0. Since these versions represent different eras of virtualization, finding a valid key depends on which one you need. 1. VMware Workstation 9 (Legacy) Workstation 9 is a legacy product released in 2012.
Official Keys: VMware no longer sells licenses for version 9.
Upgrading: If you have an old key, you can often find "legacy downloads" in the Broadcom Support Portal.
The Modern Alternative: VMware Workstation Pro is now Free for Personal Use. Instead of hunting for a version 9 key, download the latest version for free. 2. VMware ESXi 9.0 (Enterprise)
With Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, the licensing model for enterprise virtualization has shifted significantly.
Subscription Model: VMware has moved away from "perpetual" keys (pay once) to a subscription-based model.
VCF and VVF: Licenses are now bundled into VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) or VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF).
The Free Version: Note that the "Free ESXi" hypervisor has been discontinued. You now need a paid trial or a subscription. 🚀 How to Obtain Your License Key vmware 9 license key new
Register on Broadcom Support: All VMware licenses are now managed through the Broadcom Support Portal.
Check Your Entitlements: If you purchased a license, it will appear under the "My Entitlements" section.
Use the Key Generator: For enterprise accounts, the portal allows you to generate or "downgrade" keys to match your specific version. ⚠️ A Warning on "Free Key" Lists
Searching for "free license keys" on the public internet is risky.
Security Risk: Many sites offering "cracked" keys contain malware.
Legal Compliance: Using unauthorized keys in a business environment can lead to failed audits and heavy fines.
Broken Updates: Pirated keys often prevent you from downloading critical security patches. Better Alternatives for Labs
If you need a legal, functional environment without the enterprise price tag:
VMware Workstation Pro: Free for personal use on Windows and Linux. VMware Fusion Pro: Free for personal use on Mac.
VMUG Advantage: A $200/year subscription that gives you legal "Evaluation" keys for almost all VMware enterprise products for lab use.
If you need help navigating the Broadcom portal or finding your specific serial number, let me know:
Are you using Workstation (Desktop) or vSphere/ESXi (Server)? Is this for personal learning or business use? Do you have an existing Broadcom account?
With the release of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0 and VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) 9.0, Broadcom has fundamentally redesigned how licensing works. The traditional 25-character "static" license key is no longer used for core infrastructure. The Shift to File-Based Subscriptions
In version 9.0, VMware has fully transitioned from perpetual licenses to a subscription-only model. You no longer "own" a perpetual key; instead, you manage active subscriptions through VCF Operations 9.0. In the current VMware landscape, "VMware 9" typically
No More Keys: Standard 25-character keys are retired for ESXi 9.x and vCenter 9.x.
License Files: Licensing is now handled via digitally signed license files or tokens downloaded from the Broadcom portal.
Centralized Management: You can no longer apply a license directly in the vCenter 9.x interface. It must be managed through a VCF Operations instance. How to License VMware 9.0
To activate your environment, you must follow a centralized workflow involving the Broadcom Support Portal and your local VCF Operations appliance.
Deploy VCF Operations 9.0: Download the OVA file from the Broadcom Support Portal and deploy it within your management cluster.
Access the Business Services Console: Log in to vcf.broadcom.com to view and manage your subscriptions. Generate a License File/Token:
Connected Mode: Your VCF Operations instance communicates directly with Broadcom to verify entitlement.
Disconnected (Air-Gapped) Mode: You must download a Registration File from VCF Operations, upload it to the Broadcom portal, and then download a signed Response File to import back into your local environment.
Apply to Infrastructure: Use the VCF Operations interface to push the subscription-based license to your vCenter and ESXi hosts. Licensing for Home Labs (VMUG Advantage)
For home lab enthusiasts, VMUG Advantage members can still access version 9.0.
License Tokens: Members can generate 1-year download tokens through the education portal.
Refresher Exams: To renew after one year, members must pass a lightweight (under 20 questions) VCP-VCF refresher exam to qualify for the next year's keys. Trial Period Changes
Broadcom has increased the default evaluation period from 60 days to 90 days for VCF 9.0. This gives administrators more time to set up the required VCF Operations infrastructure before the environment requires formal activation.
In early 2026, "VMware 9" refers to two vastly different eras of the company: the legacy Workstation 9 (from 2012) and the modern vSphere/VCF 9.0 (released late 2025). How to Purchase If you're looking to purchase
If you are looking for a new license key, the process has fundamentally changed following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware. Static license keys are being phased out in favour of subscription-based activation. 🚀 VMware vSphere / Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0
Released in late 2025, version 9.0 marks a total shift in how enterprise virtualization is licensed.
No More Perpetual Keys: You can no longer buy a "lifetime" license key. Everything is now a per-core subscription (1, 3, or 5 years).
Unified Solution License: Instead of managing separate keys for vCenter, ESXi, and vSAN, VCF 9 uses a single license file that unlocks the entire stack.
Activation via Portal: Licenses are managed through the Broadcom Support Portal. For systems with internet access, activation is automatic; for "air-gapped" (offline) systems, you must download a digitally signed activation file.
Minimum Core Rules: You must license a minimum of 16 cores per CPU, even if your hardware has fewer. 💻 VMware Workstation Pro (2025/2026 Status)
In a major shift, VMware Workstation Pro is now completely free for all users—personal, educational, and commercial.
No Key Required: Modern versions (like 25H2 or 17.6+) do not require a license key to install or run full features.
Latest Version: The current version is 25H2 (released Oct 2025), which uses "Calendar Versioning" rather than the old sequential numbers.
Legacy Workstation 9: This version is end-of-life and unsupported. While legacy keys may still work on old hardware, it does not support modern operating systems like Windows 11 or the latest security patches. Licensing in VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0
It is important to clarify immediately that there is no "VMware 9" product currently on the market.
VMware’s version numbering works differently than standard software. The most recent major releases are VMware Workstation 17.x and VMware ESXi 8.x. The version "9" refers to VMware Workstation 9, which was released in 2012 and has been End-of-Life (unsupported) for nearly a decade.
Because requesting keys for obsolete software often points to a misunderstanding of VMware’s current licensing model—or an attempt to bypass licensing—this article will focus on the facts: the confusion around version numbers, the current licensing models for the latest versions, and how to legally obtain keys for modern VMware products.
If you're looking to purchase a VMware 9 license key:
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