Once connected, you can list the licenses known to your vCenter Server:
/usr/lib/vmware-vmdir/bin/dir-cli entry list --container "Licenses" --password "YourAdminPassword" Use code with caution. Scripting with vim-cmd on ESXi Hosts
To add a license key to the license manager pool and immediately assign it to the vCenter Server, execute the following script block: powershell
The of your vCenter Server (e.g., vSphere 7.0, 8.0, or newer).
Error: "The license key entered is not valid for this product" vcenter license key command line
To view all licenses currently available in your vCenter inventory via the command line: : powershell $licMgr = Get-View LicenseManager $licMgr.Licenses Use code with caution.
For granular details using PowerCLI, query the License Assignment Manager:
Secure Shell (SSH) must be enabled on your vCenter Server. You can enable this via the vCenter Server Management Interface (VAMI) at https://your-vcenter-ip:5480 .
This article provides a comprehensive guide to adding, assigning, and viewing vCenter license keys using the CLI, updated for 2026 VMware infrastructure standards. Why Use the Command Line for vCenter Licensing? Once connected, you can list the licenses known
$LicenseAssignmentManager = Get-View $LicenseManager.LicenseAssignmentManager $LicenseAssignmentManager.UpdateAssignedLicense($vCenter.InstanceUuid, $LicenseKey, $null) Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
If your specific build of the appliance has restricted local paths, you can always utilize local administrative web requests to accomplish your tasks.
Your account lacks superuser privileges or your vCenter shell access is locked down.
To manage vCenter license keys through the command line, you'll need: For granular details using PowerCLI, query the License
Still, Mira didn’t trust silence. She verified:
curl -k -X POST \ -H "vmware-api-session-id: $SESSION_ID" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '"license_key":"XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX"' \ https://vcenter.example.com/api/licensing/license
Use PowerCLI to generate weekly reports of license utilization. Troubleshooting