How to Run PowerShell Script From CMD

Executing PowerShell scripts from the Command Prompt (CMD) is a common task for developers and system administrators, essential for automation and integration.

1. How to Enter the PowerShell Mode in Command Prompt

• PowerShell offers advanced scripting capabilities, while CMD provides a convenient interface for triggering these scripts. Here's how you can do it.

Step 1: Access the Command Prompt

• Open the run dialogue box (Win + R) and type "Command Prompt" or "CMD" or you can click on the Start Menu icon (on bottom-left side) and search for "Command prompt" and click on "Run as Administrator"

Step 2: Type PowerShell in the Command Line

• Once you enter the command line, simply type "PowerShell" and hit the enter button.

Note: Once you run "PowerShell" in the command line, you'll notice that new line will now starts with "PS" which indicates that Windows PowerShell is active now.

👁 1--Enter-Poweshell

2. Run PowerShell Scripts from Command Line - 5 Syntax

• To perform PowerShell script execution on CMD, the following methods can be used. We will start with the simple Script File Path process.

1. Use Script Path to Run PowerShell Script

• Assume you have a script file, named (shell.ps1) located in C:\ so you can get the entire details using the following command:

powershell -File "C:\Scripts\example.ps1"

👁 2--Execute-1st-Commnad

2. Execute PowerShell Scripts from CMD using PowerShell Command

• If you are getting errors from the above process, the following command could be a relief. Execute the command like it is mentioned to get details without any error.

powershell.exe <Enter Full Path>

👁 3--Execute-2nd-Command

3. Passing Arguments to the Script

• You can also pass arguments to the PowerShell script using command line. Here's an example:

Input:

param (
 [string]$Name,
 [int]$Age
)
Write-Host "Hello, $Name! You are $Age years old."

Output:

4. Run Inline PowerShell Commands

• This method is suitable where instead of creating a script file, run inline commands from command line PowerShell. Here's an example for better understanding:

Input:

powershell -Command "Write-Host 'Hello, World!'"

Output:

5. Run PowerShell Script from Command Line as Administrator

• You will be required to have an administrator access to run certain scripts. Here's an example of a script that requires elevated privileges:

Input:

powershell -File "C:\Scripts\example.ps1"

Output:

• Running a PowerShell script from Command Line with parameters is a straightforward process that can enhance your ability to manage tasks and automate processes efficiently.

3. Tips & Tricks: Run PowerShell Scripts

1. Always use "Alias"

• Run PowerShell script to create a batch (.bat) file using command prompt:

@echo off
powershell -File "C:\Scripts\example.ps1"

2. Log Script Output

• Ensure to redirect output to a file for debugging:

powershell -File "C:\Scripts\example.ps1" > output.log

3. Use Windows Task Scheduler for Script Automation

• You can also use Windows Task Scheduler to automate the running PowerShell scripts with parameters. Navigate it via Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Task Scheduler.