New installations of ESXi 9.x typically come with a 90-day evaluation period, after which features become unmanageable unless a valid subscription is applied.

: Users on community platforms like GitHub and Reddit report that public keys for version 9.0 are virtually non-existent because the software now requires a valid Broadcom login to validate registrations and entitlements. Legitimate Ways to Access ESXi 9.0

: For lab and educational use, the VMUG Advantage program provides legal, low-cost licenses for almost all VMware products.

Never run an .exe or .bin file from an untrusted source to license your server.