Enable the
ESXi Shell
in the Direct Console
Last Updated December 16, 2024

If you have access to the Direct Console User Interface, you can enable the

ESXi Shell

from there.

At the direct console of the

ESXi

host, press F2 and provide credentials when prompted.

Scroll to

Troubleshooting Options

and press Enter.

Select

Enable ESXi Shell

and press Enter.

On the left,

Enable ESXi Shell

changes to

Disable ESXi Shell

. On the right,

ESXi Shell is Disabled

changes to

ESXi Shell is Enabled

Press Esc until you return to the main direct console screen.

After you enable the

ESXi Shell

, you can use it from that monitor or through a serial port.

VMware vSphere SDKs and Tools 8.0