CODEWITHSUNDEEP
powershellpowershell-2.0
Eden
Eden

Reputation: 4206

Executing an EXE file using a PowerShell script

I'm trying to execute an EXE file using a PowerShell script. If I use the command line it works without a problem (first I supply the name of the executable and series of parameters to invoke it):

"C:\Program Files\Automated QA\TestExecute 8\Bin\TestExecute.exe" C:\temp\TestProject1\TestProject1.pjs /run /exit /SilentMode

But doing the exact same thing inside of a script returns an error:

The term '"C:\Program Files\Automated QA\TestExecute 8\Bin\TestExecute.exe" C:\temp\TestProject1\TestProject1.pjs /run /exit /SilentMode' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.

(I invoked the command using the "&" operator.)

How can I fix this problem?

Upvotes: 186

Views: 464992

Answers (7)

Joshua Christudoss
Joshua Christudoss

Reputation: 27

use the following in the powershell cmd /c <exe_filename>

Upvotes: 1

67hz
67hz

Reputation: 431

Here is a variation on some of the previous responses. Either of the below options can be added to a Powershell profile to suit your needs.

Use an alias

If you just want to run something without mucking up $env:PATH.

Set-Alias -Name docker -Value 'C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\resources\bin\docker.exe'

Use a function

Or if you need more scripting.

function docker {
# below is a basic example - go crazy here
& 'C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\resources\bin\docker.exe' @Args
}

Upvotes: 4

RichardE
RichardE

Reputation: 31

Not being a developer I found a solution in running multiple ps commands in one line. E.g:

powershell "& 'c:\path with spaces\to\executable.exe' -arguments ; second command ; etc

By placing a " (double quote) before the & (ampersand) it executes the executable. In none of the examples I have found this was mentioned. Without the double quotes the ps prompt opens and waits for input.

Upvotes: 2

user9125860
user9125860

Reputation:

  1. clone $args
  2. push your args in new array
  3. & $path $args

Demo:

$exePath = $env:NGINX_HOME + '/nginx.exe'
$myArgs = $args.Clone()

$myArgs += '-p'
$myArgs += $env:NGINX_HOME

& $exepath $myArgs

Upvotes: 4

randomguy
randomguy

Reputation: 387

In the Powershell, cd to the .exe file location. For example:

cd C:\Users\Administrators\Downloads

PS C:\Users\Administrators\Downloads> & '.\aaa.exe'

The installer pops up and follow the instruction on the screen.

Upvotes: 6

Keith Hill
Keith Hill

Reputation: 201992

It looks like you're specifying both the EXE and its first argument in a single string e.g; '"C:\Program Files\Automated QA\TestExecute 8\Bin\TestExecute.exe" C:\temp\TestProject1\TestProject1.pjs /run /exit /SilentMode'. This won't work. In general you invoke a native command that has a space in its path like so:

& "c:\some path with spaces\foo.exe" <arguments go here>

That is & expects to be followed by a string that identifies a command: cmdlet, function, native exe relative or absolute path.

Once you get just this working:

& "c:\some path with spaces\foo.exe"

Start working on quoting of the arguments as necessary. Although it looks like your arguments should be just fine (no spaces, no other special characters interpreted by PowerShell).

Upvotes: 66

Tomas Panik
Tomas Panik

Reputation: 4619

& "C:\Program Files\Automated QA\TestExecute 8\Bin\TestExecute.exe" C:\temp\TestProject1\TestProject1.pjs /run /exit /SilentMode

or

[System.Diagnostics.Process]::Start("C:\Program Files\Automated QA\TestExecute 8\Bin\TestExecute.exe", "C:\temp\TestProject1\TestProject1.pjs /run /exit /SilentMode")

UPDATE: sorry I missed "(I invoked the command using the "&" operator)" sentence. I had this problem when I was evaluating the path dynamically. Try Invoke-Expression construction:

Invoke-Expression "& `"C:\Program Files\Automated QA\TestExecute 8\Bin\TestExecute.exe`" C:\temp\TestProject1\TestProject1.pjs /run /exit /SilentMode"

Upvotes: 192

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