Can't create template with Esxi free license

[talal-nabulsi]

I'm unable to create a template on the free license Esxi because it does not allow it.
Is there a better way to create a template? I'm trying to create a Windows 7 template from a VM I already have on the server

If so, can I just upload that template to the template directory on the server and then run the knife esx command to create a vm? Will that work even with the free version of the license and as long as I use the --free-version option?

[fzbishopclark]

There's a suite of tools that may help. Google for 'ghetto clone' and see if you can integrate it into your workflow.