Cannot run powershell script from cmd.exe?

Question

I wrote a powershell script that can be run from powershell like so:

PS C:> S:\MyScript.ps1 -a "select thing from table where name like 'name'"

I've stored it on a shared drive (S:), and I cannot run my powershell script in this form from either powershell or cmd.exe:

PS C:> powershell S:\MyScript.ps1 -a "select thing from table where name like 'name'"
C:\> powershell S:\MyScript.ps1 -a "select thing from table where name like 'name'"

I've also tried to run it bypassing the executionpolicy:

C:\> powershell -executionpolicy bypass -command S:\MyScript.ps1 -a "select thing from table where name like 'name'"

I've also tried to run it with the full UNC path (in all the forms above):

C:\> powershell \\MyServer\path\to\MyScript.ps1 -a "select thing from table where name like 'name'"

The only form that shows output is if I use a parameter that doesn't require a string to be passed:

C:\> powershell S:\MyScript.ps1 -z

thing
-----
thing1
thing2
thing3

Does anyone know why this is? Is there some way I can pass a string to the script from cmd.exe?

wullxz · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-18 22:17:30Z

4

Also note, that powershell.exe has a parameter -File which might be better for a file than -command. I'm not sure about the script parameters as they should be grouped in a string like Nick said. Just try Nicks solution and if that doesn't work, try the -File parameter instead of -command.

edited Jan 18, 2013 at 22:17

answered Jan 18, 2013 at 22:09

wullxz

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Ansgar Wiechers · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-18 21:46:44Z

2

Try running it like this:

powershell -executionpolicy bypass -command {S:\MyScript.ps1 -a "select thing from table where name like 'name'"}

All cmd knows is that you sent it the command S:\MyScript.ps1 it doesn't know what to do with -a "select thing from table where name like 'name'" by enclosing in { } it should take the whole thing as the command to run. If it still causes a problem then try this:

powershell -executionpolicy bypass -command " &{S:\MyScript.ps1 -a "select thing from table where name like 'name'"}"

edited Jan 18, 2013 at 21:46

Ansgar Wiechers

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answered Jan 18, 2013 at 21:39

Nick

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2 Comments

wullxz Over a year ago

Also note, that powershell.exe has a parameter -File which might be better for a file than -command. I'm not sure about the script parameters as they should be grouped in a string like Nick said. Just try Nicks solution and if that doesn't work, try the -File parameter instead of -command.

wullxz Over a year ago

I've copied my comment as answer. Did a simple replace of -command through -File work or did you have to escape your parameters in some way?

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