Connect VMware Workstation Pro to remote VMware ESXi or vCenter Server instances to manage datacenter VMs directly from your desktop. This guide covers setting up remote connections, managing VMs, and transferring files between your local workstation and the datacenter.
Workstation Pro 26H1 supports connections to:
Ensure your ESXi host allows API access (enabled by default) and that your firewall permits port 443 (HTTPS) traffic from your workstation to the ESXi host.
In Workstation Pro, go to File → Connect to Server. Enter the hostname or IP address of your ESXi host or vCenter Server. Choose VMware vSphere as the server type, enter your credentials, and click Connect. The remote inventory appears in your library alongside local VMs.
Once connected, you can power on/off remote VMs, edit their settings, take snapshots, and open console windows — all from Workstation Pro. This is ideal for developers who need to test against datacenter infrastructure without logging into the vSphere Web Client.
Drag and drop VMs between your local library and the remote server inventory. Workstation Pro handles the file transfer over the network. You can also use File → Export to OVF to package a local VM for upload to ESXi.