Can I use SE Sparse files in the free ESXi 5.1?

Can I use SE Sparse files in the free ESXi 5.1?  I want to use them to avoid the current process required to clean up thin vmdks.  I read the Hogan article vSphere 5.1 Storage Enhancements – Part 2: SE Sparse Disks and it seems to indicate that it's only for View desktops.  From here How to Create an SE Sparse (Space-Efficient) Disk in vSphere 5.1 it appears it is possible, but talks about the Web Client, which I don't think works with ESXi without pay for add-ons, but I don't know what the minimum bar is to get it.  What about cloning/backing up sparse files?

Thanks!