Vcenter License Key Command Line Jun 2026

Set-VMHost -VMHost "HostName" -LicenseKey "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" Use code with caution. : powershell

SSH into your VCSA as root (or use shell.set --enabled true if needed) and switch to the shell to use the vcenter namespace.

To see all license keys currently added to the vCenter inventory: powershell

Managing VMware vSphere licenses through the vSphere Client GUI is straightforward, but it is not always the most efficient method. For system administrators handling automation, managing headless ESXi hosts, or recovering a vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) during an outage, the command line interface (CLI) is an essential tool. vcenter license key command line

esxcli software license add --license-key="XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX"

This comprehensive guide covers every key scenario you'll encounter, from adding and assigning license keys to diagnosing issues and performing large-scale deployments.

To add licenses through the vSphere Client: The Registration Command # Remove license from all

To register a new license key into the vCenter license datastore without immediately assigning it to an asset, use the create action block. The Registration Command

# Remove license from all entities Get-VMHost | Set-VMHost -License "None" # Remove the key from vCenter Remove-VMLicense -LicenseKey "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" -Confirm:$false

For Windows/Linux with VMware PowerCLI installed, combine commands: combine commands: : Typographical errors

: Typographical errors, trailing spaces, or attempting to apply an ESXi host license key directly to a vCenter Server asset.

Get-VMHost | Select Name, LicenseKey Pro Tip: Automate at Scale

Comprehensive Guide to Managing vCenter License Keys via the Command Line

/usr/lib/vmware-vdcs-cli/bin/license-cli --operation assign --key "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" --service vc