If you have an active support contract, you can still find the binaries in the official archive.
: Point your web browser to the IP address or hostname of your ESXi 5.5 host (e.g., https://[ESXi-IP-Address]/ ). The landing page typically includes a link labeled "Download vSphere Client" .
Avoid third-party download sites; they may contain malware. Use only VMware’s official website. download vsphere client 5.5
: The vSphere Client installer is also included on the vCenter Server 5.5 installation media. Installation & Compatibility Where is vSphere web client in ESXi 5.5? Confused!
The vSphere Client 5.5 is a Windows-based application used to manage ESXi hosts and vCenter servers. If you have an active support contract, you
the vSphere Client is free. So, you can use it on more than one system, if that is what you are asking. Broadcom Community What is VMware vSphere Client? A definition from WhatIs.com
Click the link on the main landing page to save the installer locally. Broadcom Support Portal : Avoid third-party download sites; they may contain malware
Using legacy infrastructure software comes with specific risks that must be acknowledged:
: Following VMware's acquisition, legacy files are housed in the Broadcom Support Portal . Log in, navigate to My Downloads , search for VMware vSphere , and select version 5.5 to find the client installer (often named VMware-viclient-all-5.5.0-[build-number].exe ).
To download the vSphere Client 5.5, you must navigate the legacy archives of VMware’s portal or utilize trusted mirror sites. While the industry has moved to the HTML5-based vSphere Client (v6.5+), the C# thick client remains the most functional interface for managing legacy vSphere 5.5 infrastructures, particularly now that the Flash-based Web Client is technically obsolete. Always exercise caution when installing legacy software on modern operating systems.
Before attempting to download, it is vital to understand that vSphere 5.5 utilizes two different management interfaces: