Re-install VMware ESXi free version

[Jbcom42]

Hi Everyone

This is probably is really stupid question, we have a spare Dell sever and it has free version of ESXi installed on it... can I re-install the free version and gain another 60days trail with it?

Any information would be greatly appreciated....

[JagadeeshDev]

Hi,

You can reinstall the host and you can enjoy the features in trial version of hypervisor.

[Jbcom42]

Hi JD

Think I screw-up, re-install the ESXi but the old VMs are still there and 60 trail has expired, do i need to re-format the drive or something?

thanks for your help...

[JagadeeshDev]

Hi,

You would need to take a backup of a VM's or migrate the VM's to storage , disconnect the storage and format the local disk.

You would need to clean install the host to get the trail version again.

[AnthonyM]

There are two things here.

1) The "Free Version" vSphere Hypervisor is not time limited.

2) The "Free Trial" is giving you access to the features of the full product for a limited time *on top of the free version*.

If you want those features back, you should pay. Or you can get the 60 day trial back by completely wiping the machine and doing a re-install from there.

The fact the VMs are still there implies you didn't do a full wipe.

[Jbcom42]

Hi AnthonyM

How do you do a full wipe out the existing ESXi on the hdds, is there an option with the ESXi install to format the drives? 

Thanks for helping...

[Jbcom42]

Hi Everyone

Is there a tool you can use within the ESXi installer to format the hdds, so i can re-install ESXi and start another 60 day free trail.....

[mathan2012]

Hi,

When you are installation time it will ask for installation drive details that time you will format and re-create the disk and install the ESXi OS.

[JagadeeshDev]

Alternatively you can also format the disks in the RAID BIOS.

[a_p_]

You said that this is spare server, so the question is whether you use any of the advanced features which require a paid license!?

If none of the features are used (and I think this is most likely the case), register for the free Hypervisor edition at  Download VMware vSphere Hypervisor for Free, and enter the license key you get there in the current ESXi host (for the steps to do this read the "Licensing a standalone ESXi host" section at VMware KB: Licensing ESXi 5.x and vCenter Server 5.x). No need to reinstall ESXi nor downtime required.

André

[Jbcom42 · Accepted solution]

HI everyone

finally manage to re-install the ESXi, down loaded GParted live disc and deleted the ESXi volumes and reinstalled ESXi again..... there must be an easer way to do this, can't believe the ESXi installer does not have an option to format HDDs drives and reinstall from scratch again..  surely I am missing something here I.e. Once someone has installed ESXi, there's no easy way for someone else to come along and Reinstall the software to get access to the full features for 60 days....   Seems crazy