What Happens When VMware License Expires?

When a VMware vSphere license expires, the consequences can be significant for an organization's operations. Typically, the hosts do not shut down immediately, and running virtual machines continue to function. However, you lose the ability to manage the environment effectively. The vCenter Server capabilities, such as performing updates, adding new hosts, or leveraging advanced features like vMotion and High Availability (HA), will stop working or become severely restricted.

MrPlanB.com discusses this scenario in the context of recent licensing changes, noting that expired support contracts also mean you lose access to security patches and technical support. This "lockout" from management features forces IT teams to either renew expensive contracts or migrate to alternatives like Proxmox VE. The expiration acts as a hard stop for operational flexibility, turning a dynamic infrastructure into a static, unmanageable risk.