You do not need a GitHub key for this. VMware still hosts the official free license keys for legacy products on their broadcom.com site (formerly MyVMware). If you create a free Broadcom account, you can legally generate your own free key for ESXi 5.5.
A powerful, open-source virtualization platform that is free and actively updated.
Don't trust the GitHub treasure hunters. Protect your infrastructure, respect licensing laws, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a clean, legal hypervisor. esxi 5.5 license key github
The Risks and Realities of Searching for ESXi 5.5 License Keys on GitHub
If your organization absolute requires running a legacy ESXi 5.5 host for compatibility with a specific physical machine or software stack, ensure you protect the environment: You do not need a GitHub key for this
So why the demand?
Finding license keys for VMware ESXi 5.5 on is a common pursuit for users maintaining legacy lab environments, though Broadcom's acquisition of VMware has shifted how these products are supported and licensed. ESXi 5.5 License Keys on GitHub GitHub repositories A powerful, open-source virtualization platform that is free
While it has some limitations, such as the inability to be managed by a vCenter Server for advanced features, for a standalone server or a home lab, these are rarely a concern. For those evaluating more advanced capabilities, a 60-day trial of a full vSphere edition is also still available, granting access to enterprise features.