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Decision helper

Which VMware exit path should you take?

Broadcom sells VMware only as subscriptions now, so every renewal is a decision point. Answer the questions to see which path suits your estate, then score it properly in the playbook.

5 questionsTakes about a minuteBased on official guidance
Do you want to keep running your own hosts?

1. Do you want to keep running your own hosts?

Do you rely on VMware-only features, or vendor appliances supported only on VMware?

2. Do you rely on VMware-only features, or vendor appliances supported only on VMware?

Ask each appliance vendor in writing which hypervisors they support. Converting an appliance yourself can void its support.

Can you finish migrating before your current VMware support contract ends?

3. Can you finish migrating before your current VMware support contract ends?

Support on perpetual licences can no longer be renewed. vSphere 7 general support ended on 2 October 2025; vSphere 8 general support ends on 11 October 2027.

What are your team's main skills?

4. What are your team's main skills?

Are your hosts already licensed for Windows Server Datacenter?

5. Are your hosts already licensed for Windows Server Datacenter?

This helper applies the rules in our VMware alternatives after the Broadcom licensing changes and the vendor documentation below. Your situation may have factors it does not ask about, so read the playbook's "Choose your approach" section before you commit.

Sources

Broadcom: VMware by Broadcom business transformationBroadcom KB: End of General Support for vSphere 7.0Broadcom KB: End of General Support for vSphere 8.0Microsoft Learn: VM Conversion extension for Windows Admin CenterMicrosoft Learn: Migrate VMware VMs to Azure Local with Azure MigrateMicrosoft Learn: Azure VMware Solution private cloud and cluster conceptsProxmox VE wiki: Migrate to Proxmox VE