The GuestInfo variables set for the virtual machine do persist after the virtual machine is rebooted

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• The custom GuestInfo parameters added to your powered off virtual machine do persist when you power on the virtual machine
• The values set for the GuestInfo parameters of your virtual machine are lost when you reboot the virtual machine

Note: You can set the values for the GuestInfo parameters using one of these methods:

• Select the virtual machine, navigate to Edit Settings > Options > General > Configuration Parameters, and add a custom row for the virtual machine.
• Use the vmware-cmd <vm-cfg-path> setguestinfo <variable> <value> command.

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.3
VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0.1

Resolution

The guest info variables set via the API or UI will persist if set when the virtual machine is powered off. Guest variables newly set from the guest will be lost, but if they are modifying pre-existing persistent guest variables, the new value will persist.