Using PowerCLI in Powershell

Use Broadcom VMware PowerCLI to connect to vCenter and export common virtual-machine inventory information.

ⓘ

Validation status

Reviewed against the current VMware PowerCLI command reference on 27 September 2026.

Install PowerCLI

>_Install PowerCLI

Install-Module VMware.PowerCLI -Scope CurrentUser

Connect securely

$Credential = Get-Credential
Connect-VIServer -Server vcenter.example.com -Credential $Credential

!

Do not make certificate validation Ignore the default

The legacy article configured InvalidCertificateAction Ignore. Prefer a trusted vCenter certificate or an explicitly approved certificate-handling policy rather than silently accepting invalid certificates.

Inventory examples

Get-VM |
    Select-Object Name,PowerState,MemoryGB,NumCpu,UsedSpaceGB

Get-VM |
    Select-Object Name,PowerState,MemoryGB,NumCpu,UsedSpaceGB |
    Export-Csv .\vm-inventory.csv -NoTypeInformation

Disconnect when finished:

>_Disconnect

Disconnect-VIServer -Server vcenter.example.com -Confirm:$false

Official references