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Run PowerShell Script From CMD: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

8 min read 11-15- 2024
Run PowerShell Script From CMD: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

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Running PowerShell scripts from the Command Prompt (CMD) can streamline processes and automate tasks in Windows environments. This article provides an easy step-by-step guide to executing PowerShell scripts directly from CMD, ensuring even beginners can follow along without hassle. 🖥️✨

Understanding PowerShell and CMD

Before diving into the steps, let’s clarify what PowerShell and CMD are:

  • PowerShell: A powerful scripting language and command-line shell designed for system administration and automation. It allows users to run complex scripts and manage system configurations.

  • Command Prompt (CMD): A simple command-line interpreter used to execute commands and run programs on Windows. It has been a staple of Windows for decades.

Both tools can be used for automation, but PowerShell offers greater functionality and flexibility.

Prerequisites

Before running PowerShell scripts from CMD, ensure you have:

  1. Windows Operating System: Make sure you are using a version that supports PowerShell (Windows 7 and above).
  2. PowerShell Installed: PowerShell is usually pre-installed on Windows, but you can check the version by typing Get-Host in a PowerShell window.
  3. Script Availability: Ensure that the PowerShell script (.ps1) you want to run is saved on your machine.

Important Note: The execution policy in PowerShell can restrict the running of scripts. You might need to change the policy to allow script execution.

Changing the Execution Policy

To run PowerShell scripts, you may need to adjust the execution policy. Follow these steps:

  1. Open PowerShell as Administrator:

    • Search for PowerShell in the Start menu.
    • Right-click on it and select Run as Administrator.

  2. Check the Current Execution Policy:

    Get-ExecutionPolicy

  3. Change the Execution Policy (if necessary):

    Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
    • This policy allows scripts created locally to run while requiring downloaded scripts to be signed by a trusted publisher.

Steps to Run a PowerShell Script from CMD

Now let’s get to the main task: running a PowerShell script from CMD. Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

  • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
  • Type cmd and hit Enter.

Step 2: Navigate to the Script’s Directory

Use the cd command to change directories to where your PowerShell script is located. For example:

cd C:\Path\To\Your\Script

Step 3: Execute the PowerShell Script

To execute the script, use the following command:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "YourScript.ps1"
  • Explanation:
    • powershell invokes the PowerShell environment.
    • -ExecutionPolicy Bypass temporarily bypasses the execution policy to allow the script to run.
    • -File specifies that you are running a script file.

Example Command

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Scripts\TestScript.ps1"

Step 4: Check Output

After running the command, you should see the output of the script directly in the CMD window. If the script includes any Write-Host or Write-Output commands, their output will be displayed here.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

While running PowerShell scripts from CMD, you may encounter some common issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot them:

Issue 1: Execution Policy Errors

If you see an error related to execution policy, double-check the execution policy setting. Ensure it is set to either RemoteSigned or Unrestricted.

Issue 2: Path Errors

If the CMD returns an error about the script not being found, ensure that:

  • The file name and path are correct.
  • The script file has the .ps1 extension.

Issue 3: Permission Denied

If you encounter permission errors, make sure you are running CMD as an administrator, especially if your script requires elevated permissions.

Issue 4: Script Errors

If the script does not execute as expected, check the script's content for any coding errors. You can run the script directly in PowerShell for more detailed error messages.

Advanced Options

For more advanced users, there are options to customize the way scripts are run from CMD:

Using Parameters with Scripts

If your PowerShell script accepts parameters, you can pass them directly from CMD. For instance:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "YourScript.ps1" -Param1 Value1 -Param2 Value2

Running Multiple Scripts

To execute multiple scripts in one command, separate them using a semicolon within the PowerShell command:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command "& {Start-Process PowerShell -ArgumentList '-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File `\"Path\To\Script1.ps1`\"; -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File `\"Path\To\Script2.ps1`\"'}"

Creating a Batch File

If you often run the same scripts, consider creating a batch (.bat) file. Here’s how:

  1. Open Notepad.
  2. Write your PowerShell command.
  3. Save the file with a .bat extension, such as RunScripts.bat.
  4. Double-click to execute your batch file, and it will run your PowerShell scripts.

Conclusion

Running PowerShell scripts from CMD is a powerful method for automation and productivity in Windows environments. Whether you’re managing systems, automating tasks, or executing repetitive processes, integrating PowerShell with CMD simplifies these activities. With the steps outlined in this guide, you can efficiently harness the capabilities of both command-line tools. Happy scripting! 🚀✨

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