As you all may know, the vSphere Client (HTML5) is the preferred client these days for managing your vSphere environment. With the deprecation of the vSphere Client for Windows (aka the C# client) and the vSphere Web Client (aka the Flash client) there is really only one way forward: the vSphere Client. This (not so) new client is written in HTML5 and works in most current browsers. I have seen a lot of vSphere admins still using the Flash client. I think you should get yourself acquainted with the vSphere Client, instead of trying to hold on the past.

Getting started with the vSphere Client is pretty simple. You don’t have to install new software for it. But, like any update, it has some new features and things are placed somewhere else. You even have the chance that you can’t find certain things, because they now work a bit different.

Frequently Asked Questions

I collected some of those FAQs to help you to get the most out of the vSphere Client. With these answers I hope you have enough information to get the most out of the HTML5 client.

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vSphere Client

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I read that the vSphere Client (HTML5) doesn’t have the same features as the Flash client or the C# client. Is that true?

The vSphere Client has the same features as the Flash client, since version x. Some things have been implemented differently, but they are there.

Check out the list with functionality updates for the vSphere Client at https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/6.5/rn/vsphere-client-65-html5-functionality-support.html

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I can’t add columns to my lists in the new vSphere Client

Each column has a small kind of down arrow in it. When you click that it shows a ‘show/hide column’ menu item. Select it and you get a list of columns you can insert at that location.

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Is it true that I can’t use plugins in vSphere Client any more?

vSphere Client supports plugins with the plugin SDK.. If you are missing plugins that you used in the past, check if the plugin is still needed and/or check with the provider of that plugin if there is a HTML5 compatible plugin available.

On the VMware Code pages you will find the vSphere Client SDK. https://code.vmware.com/web/sdk/6.7/client

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How do I find out which version of the vSphere Client I have?

Check the “About VMware vSphere” dialog under the Question mark in the menu, top right.

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Can I try out new features of the vSphere Client, before they become available publicly?

You can use the Fling of vSphere Client to test new features in the client. Download it from https://labs.vmware.com/flings/vsphere-html5-web-client, deploy it like an OVA and start using those new features. Remember however that you should not install this on production systems. The Flings by nature are ‘experimental and should not be run on production systems’.

If you need support for the Fling, you can get it in the forum at the same link.

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How can I sort columns in list views in the vSphere Client?

This one is easy. Just click on the column name. The first time you click it will sort from A-Z. Click again and it will sort from Z-A.

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I have issues with the vSphere Client Fling, where can I get help?

Since Flings by nature are experimental, you can’t go through the normal support process. If you want support, you can go the the Flings page at https://labs.vmware.com/flings/vsphere-html5-web-client.

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How can I go directly to the vSphere Client

When you enter the name of your vCenter server you normally get a page where you can choose the vCenter Client (HTML5) or the vCenter Web Client (Flash).

If you want to go directly to the vSphere Client you can enter the link as https://your-vcenter/ui
That way you bypass the client selection screen.

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Is there a dark theme?

Yes, there is, log in to the client, click your name and ‘switch theme’. Mind the note that is shown on switching:
“vSphere Client plugins (including VMware and Partner plugins) are still being upgraded to the new dark theme. Expect some plugins to exhibit visual inconsistencies.“

vsphere UI switch theme light

vSphere UI light
vSphere UI dark
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The vSphere Client is behaving erratically. What can I do?

Sometimes all you have to do is to clear your browser cache.
You might want to keep the cookies while cleaning the cache.

If you switched to the dark theme, try and switching it to light.

If everything is messed up and you get messages that the vSphere Client can’t be loaded, you can restart the services by following the steps in KB 2109887.

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I don’t see all the running tasks

At the bottom of your screen you have a recent tasks window. Sometimes it doesn’t show all your tasks, especially when you have a lot of recent tasks.

To see all the tasks you click at the ‘More Tasks’ at the bottom right. When clicking you jump to the Task Console. There you’ll find all the tasks.

Also make sure that you didn’t filter the list.

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Can I filter the lists?

You can filter some, but not all list views. There are two different ways you can filter the lists.

The filter icon will show up in the column bar. Click on the filter icon will show a popup where you can type the text you want to filter on. The example below shows a Cluster->Monitor list.

If there are more options for a column, like adding columns, it will show as a downwards indicator. You can see this one in the Running tasks window.

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Can the vSphere Client remember my choice for default console

Yes, the vSphere Client can remember your choice for the default console. Go to ‘My Preferences’ and select the Default Console tab.

vsphere UI switch theme light

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I only want to see hosts and clusters in ‘Hosts and Clusters’. Is that possible?

My preferences contains an option, that filters out the VMs from the Hosts and Clusters view.

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Does the vSphere Client have code generation options?

If you want to generate code with the vSphere Client, you should use the Fling. The vSphere Client Fling has the option to generate code from your actions. It can generate PowerCLI, Python and vRO JavaScript code.

Go to the new Developer Center option and enable Code Capture.