How to run .exe programs with arguments in powershell?

Question

I am trying to make a very simple script in powershell to create a Certificate using makecert.exe tool (I know powershell already has its own certificate creation method but I would like to use makecert).

I would like to reproduce this command:

makecert.exe -sk server -sky exchange -pe -n CN=<machineName> -ir LocalMachine -is Root -ic MyCA.cer -sr LocalMachine -ss My <certificate path>

How is it possible in powershell?

That command line string looks like it would work. Are you getting an error message? If so, could you add it to your question? — Aaron Jensen
– Aaron Jensen, Commented Sep 2, 2014 at 21:39

admdrew · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-02 17:45:04Z

4

For most executables, you want to pass the arguments as an array including the switches. Here is an example:

$arguments = "$env:windir\", 'c:\jpegs\','*.jpg', '/R:0', '/S', '/XD', '*winsxs*'  
Robocopy.exe $arguments

edited Sep 2, 2014 at 17:45

admdrew

3,9344 gold badges30 silver badges41 bronze badges

answered Sep 2, 2014 at 17:34

Noah Sparks

1,78213 silver badges15 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

5 Comments

MrTux Over a year ago

I'm sorry, I misunderstood the question. And now I cannot undo it (unless you edit the answer) :(

Noah Sparks Over a year ago

Thanks MrTux, appreciate the response.

Noah Sparks Over a year ago

I'm not sure ggui, it seems valid to me. I upvoted it.

Keith Hill Over a year ago

FWIW this is unnecessarily hard. The following works just fine in PowerShell: robocopy $env:windir c:\jpegs *.jpg /R:0 /S /XD *winsxs*

Noah Sparks Over a year ago

Yes it is not needed for robocopy, but as stated in the answer, this was an example. Robocopy is available on every server newer than 2003 so it is easily tested to confirm this method works. Many executables will not allow you to directly pass the arguments like that.

Keith Hill · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-02 20:00:03Z

If you're on V3 or higher, you should consider using the Stop Parsing operator --%. In this way you can specify parameters just like you would in cmd.exe:

makecert.exe --% -sk server -sky exchange -pe -n CN=acme.com -ir LocalMachine -is Root -ic MyCA.cer -sr LocalMachine -ss My C:\test.cer

Although, now that I look at this, it would probably work just fine like this:

makecert.exe -sk server -sky exchange -pe -n CN=acme.com -ir LocalMachine -is Root -ic MyCA.cer -sr LocalMachine -ss My C:\test.cer

I don't see any characters($,@,(,;) that would cause problems for PowerShell. Passing through of quotes can also be a problem but I don't see any quoting in this case.

Where is the --% operator documented? I didn't find it in in about_Operators.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to run .exe programs with arguments in powershell?

2 Answers 2

5 Comments

2 Comments

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

5 Comments

2 Comments

Related