Each vCenter system itself (not just hosts) requires a license.
You are trying to apply an ESXi host license to a vCenter Server, or using a vCenter Standard key on a vCenter Foundation installation.
How to Manage Your vCenter License Key via Command Line Managing VMware vSphere licenses through the Graphical User Interface (vSphere Client) is standard, but administrators often need automation. Using the command line interface (CLI) to manage vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) license keys is essential for scripting, headless deployments, and disaster recovery.
esxcli software license list
Note: You can find your vCenter Instance UUID by running (Get-View ServiceInstance).Content.About.InstanceUuid . Method 3: Legacy License Management via vim-cmd (ESXi Only)
$LicenseManager = Get-View -Id 'LicenseManager-licenseManager' $LicenseManager.AddLicense("XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX", $null) Use code with caution. Step 4: Assign the License Key to vCenter
# View license on an ESXi host vim-cmd vimsvc/license --show # Set a new license key on an ESXi host vim-cmd vimsvc/license --set="XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" Use code with caution. ⚠️ Troubleshooting and Best Practices vcenter license key command line
For individual hosts, the Set-VMHost cmdlet is the most straightforward method:
You can re-license a restored instance without waiting for a UI to load.
This review evaluates the methods, syntax, usability, and practical applications of managing vCenter licenses via CLI. Each vCenter system itself (not just hosts) requires
vcenter.license.unassign --asset Host --asset-id <Host_UUID>
vim-cmd vimsvc/license --set="AAAAA-BBBBB-CCCCC-DDDDD-EEEEE" Use code with caution. 3. Using Python vSphere API Scripts
Each vCenter system itself (not just hosts) requires a license.
You are trying to apply an ESXi host license to a vCenter Server, or using a vCenter Standard key on a vCenter Foundation installation.
How to Manage Your vCenter License Key via Command Line Managing VMware vSphere licenses through the Graphical User Interface (vSphere Client) is standard, but administrators often need automation. Using the command line interface (CLI) to manage vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) license keys is essential for scripting, headless deployments, and disaster recovery.
esxcli software license list
Note: You can find your vCenter Instance UUID by running (Get-View ServiceInstance).Content.About.InstanceUuid . Method 3: Legacy License Management via vim-cmd (ESXi Only)
$LicenseManager = Get-View -Id 'LicenseManager-licenseManager' $LicenseManager.AddLicense("XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX", $null) Use code with caution. Step 4: Assign the License Key to vCenter
# View license on an ESXi host vim-cmd vimsvc/license --show # Set a new license key on an ESXi host vim-cmd vimsvc/license --set="XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" Use code with caution. ⚠️ Troubleshooting and Best Practices
For individual hosts, the Set-VMHost cmdlet is the most straightforward method:
You can re-license a restored instance without waiting for a UI to load.
This review evaluates the methods, syntax, usability, and practical applications of managing vCenter licenses via CLI.
vcenter.license.unassign --asset Host --asset-id <Host_UUID>
vim-cmd vimsvc/license --set="AAAAA-BBBBB-CCCCC-DDDDD-EEEEE" Use code with caution. 3. Using Python vSphere API Scripts