Instead of ESXi 5.5, consider:
Security & compliance considerations
Stop looking for an ESXi 5.5 key. Install . It is open-source (no keys needed), runs on older hardware, and does everything ESXi 5.5 did plus containers (LXC). It’s "better" in every way except for VMware-specific training. esxi 55 license key github better
For $200/year, VMware User Group (VMUG) offers a legit license for nearly all VMware software, including ESXi (all versions back to 6.0, but 5.5 keys are often available via legacy activation). This is the "better" route for serious homelabs. Instead of ESXi 5
VMware ESXi 5.5 requires a license key to activate the full features of the hypervisor. You can obtain a free trial license key or purchase a permanent one from VMware. Instead of ESXi 5.5