Firewall in Bridge mode works seemless only in trial

Hi all,

I will try to describe the problem I am experiencing setting up bridge mode.

Attempt #1 Unsuccessful on ESXi VM using Free Home licence. I just couldn't get it to work (I am aware of the promiscious mode and etc.) after everything was set I was not getting an IP assigned from the router. So I was blaming my network cards or virtual swithc setup or...

Attempt #2 Success but... I have assembled dedicated PC for the testing purpose installed Sophos but made mistake in activation code and used "I don't have a serial number (Start a Trial)" bridge mode worked immediately so I decided to keep this old PC as a separate appliance. There was no way to enter my serial number so I had to reinstall the system but with free home license bridge mode didn't work again (no DHCP from a router through the bridge). I then set up static IP on the laptop behind this bridge and was able to go through the bridge.

Attempt #3 Proof #1 connected existing ESXi VM back and used my laptop with manually assigned IP. Laptop has access to Internet and the bridge is passing traffic but DHCP

Attempt #4 Proof #2 reinstalled Sophos on ESXi virtual machine and intentionally entered wrong serial number (same way I did on physical PC) after unsuccessfull activation selected "I don't have a serial number (Start a Trial)" changed laptop settings back to DHCP client and Sophos bridge mode worked seemless again passing DHCP requests and traffic through.

So... I understand there is no way to change serial number in the system but... Why different activation ways are affecting functionality of the bridge feature? and How to make the bridge work in the home version?