Start-Process

Start-Process [-FilePath*] <String> [[-ArgumentList] <String[]>] [-Credential <PSCredential>] [-LoadUserProfile][-NoNewWindow] [-PassThru] [-RedirectStandardError <String>] [-RedirectStandardInput <String>][-RedirectStandardOutput <String>] [-UseNewEnvironment] [-Wait] [-WindowStyle {Normal | Hidden | Minimized |Maximized}] [-WorkingDirectory <String>] [<CommonParameters>]

Start-Process [-FilePath*] <String> [[-ArgumentList] <String[]>] [-PassThru] [-Verb <String>] [-Wait] [-WindowStyle{Normal | Hidden | Minimized | Maximized}] [-WorkingDirectory <String>] [<CommonParameters>]

The Start-Process cmdlet starts one or more processes on the local computer. To specify the program that runs in the process, enter an executable file or script file, or a file that can be opened by using a program on the computer. If you specify a non-executable file, Start-Process starts the program that is associated with the file, similar to the Invoke-Item cmdlet.

You can use the parameters of Start-Process to specify options, such as loading a user profile, starting the process in a new window, or using alternate credentials.

Parameters

-ArgumentList <String[]>

Default value is None
Accepts pipeline input False

Specifies parameters or parameter values to use when this cmdlet starts the process.

-Credential <PSCredential>

Default value is None
Accepts pipeline input False

Specifies a user account that has permission to perform this action. Type a user name, such as User01 or Domain01\User01, or enter a PSCredential object, such as one from the Get-Credential cmdlet. By default, the cmdlet uses the credentials of the current user.

-FilePath <String>

This value is required
Default value is None
Accepts pipeline input False

Specifies the optional path and file name of the program that runs in the process. Enter the name of an executable file or of a document, such as a .txt or .doc file, that is associated with a program on the computer. This parameter is required.

If you specify only a file name, use the WorkingDirectory parameter to specify the path.

-LoadUserProfile [<SwitchParameter>]

Default value is False
Accepts pipeline input False

Indicates that this cmdlet loads the Windows user profile stored in the HKEY_USERS registry key for the current user.

This parameter does not affect the Windows PowerShell profiles.

-NoNewWindow [<SwitchParameter>]

Default value is False
Accepts pipeline input False

Start the new process in the current console window. By default Windows PowerShell opens a new window.

You cannot use the NoNewWindow and WindowStyle parameters in the same command.

-PassThru [<SwitchParameter>]

Default value is False
Accepts pipeline input False

Returns a process object for each process that the cmdlet started. By default, this cmdlet does not generate any output.

-RedirectStandardError <String>

Default value is None
Accepts pipeline input False

Specifies a file. This cmdlet sends any errors generated by the process to a file that you specify. Enter the path and file name. By default, the errors are displayed in the console.

-RedirectStandardInput <String>

Default value is None
Accepts pipeline input False

Specifies a file. This cmdlet reads input from the specified file. Enter the path and file name of the input file. By default, the process gets its input from the keyboard.

-RedirectStandardOutput <String>

Default value is None
Accepts pipeline input False

Specifies a file. This cmdlet sends the output generated by the process to a file that you specify. Enter the path and file name. By default, the output is displayed in the console.

-UseNewEnvironment [<SwitchParameter>]

Default value is False
Accepts pipeline input False

Indicates that this cmdlet uses new environment variables specified for the process. By default, the started process runs with the environment variables specified for the computer and user.

-Verb <String>

Default value is None
Accepts pipeline input False

Specifies a verb to use when this cmdlet starts the process. The verbs that are available are determined by the file name extension of the file that runs in the process.

The following table shows the verbs for some common process file types.

`File type Verbs` `--------- -------` `.cmd------Edit, Open, Print, Runas` `.exe------Open, RunAs` `.txt------Open, Print, PrintTo` `.wav------Open, Play`

To find the verbs that can be used with the file that runs in a process, use the New-Object cmdlet to create a System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo object for the file. The available verbs are in the Verbs property of the ProcessStartInfo object. For details, see the examples.

-Wait [<SwitchParameter>]

Default value is False
Accepts pipeline input False

Indicates that this cmdlet waits for the specified process to complete before accepting more input. This parameter suppresses the command prompt or retains the window until the process finishes.

-WindowStyle <ProcessWindowStyle>

Default value is None
Accepts pipeline input False

Specifies the state of the window that is used for the new process. The acceptable values for this parameter are: Normal, Hidden, Minimized, and Maximized. The default value is Normal.

You cannot use the WindowStyle and NoNewWindow parameters in the same command.

-WorkingDirectory <String>

Default value is None
Accepts pipeline input False

Specifies the location of the executable file or document that runs in the process. The default is the current folder.

<CommonParameters>

This cmdlet supports the common parameters: Verbose, Debug,ErrorAction, ErrorVariable, WarningAction, WarningVariable,OutBuffer, PipelineVariable, and OutVariable.

Inputs

None

You cannot pipe input to this cmdlet.

Outputs

None, System.Diagnostics.Process

This cmdlet generates a System.Diagnostics.Process object, if you specify the PassThru parameter. Otherwise, this cmdlet does not return any output.

Examples

Start a process that uses default values:
```
PS C:\> Start-Process -FilePath "sort.exe"
```
This command starts a process that uses the Sort.exe file in the current folder. The command uses all of the default values, including the default window style, working folder, and credentials.
Print a text file:
```
PS C:\> Start-Process -FilePath "myfile.txt" -WorkingDirectory "C:\PS-Test" -Verb Print
```
This command starts a process that prints the C:\PS-Test\MyFile.txt file.
Start a process to sort items to a new file:
```
PS C:\> Start-Process -FilePath "Sort.exe" -RedirectStandardInput "Testsort.txt" -RedirectStandardOutput "Sorted.txt" -RedirectStandardError "SortError.txt" -UseNewEnvironment
```
This command starts a process that sorts items in the Testsort.txt file and returns the sorted items in the Sorted.txt files. Any errors are written to the SortError.txt file.

The UseNewEnvironment parameter specifies that the process runs with its own environment variables.
Start a process in a maximized window:
```
PS C:\> Start-Process -FilePath "notepad" -Wait -WindowStyle Maximized
```
This command starts the Notepad process. It maximizes the window and retains the window until the process completes.
Start Windows Powershell as an administrator:
```
PS C:\> Start-Process -FilePath "powershell" -Verb runAs
```
This command starts Windows PowerShell by using the Run as administrator option.
Using different verbs to start a process:
```
PS C:\> $startExe = New-Object System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo -Args PowerShell.exe
PS C:\>  $startExe.verbs
open
runas

   # Starts a PowerShell process in a new console window.

PS C:\>  Start-Process -FilePath "powershell.exe" -Verb open

   # Starts a PowerShell process with "Run as Administrator" permissions.

PS C:\>  Start-Process -FilePath "powershell.exe" -Verb runas
```
These commands show how to find the verbs that can be used when starting a process, and the effect of using the verbs to start the process.

The available verbs are determined by the file name extension of the file that runs in the process. To find the verbs for a process, create a System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo object for the process file and look in the Verbs property of the object. This example uses the PowerShell.exe file that runs in the PowerShell process.

The first command uses New-Object to create a System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo object for PowerShell.exe, the file that runs in the PowerShell process. The command saves the ProcessStartInfo object in the $startExe variable.

The second command displays the values in the Verbs property of the ProcessStartInfo object in the $startExe variable. The results show that you can use the Open and Runas verbs with PowerShell.exe, or with any process that runs a .exe file.

The third command starts a PowerShell process with the Open verb. The Open verb starts the process in a new console window.

The fourth command starts a PowerShell process with the RunAs verb. The RunAs verb starts the process with permissions of a member of the Administrators group on the computer. This is the same as starting Windows PowerShell by using the Run as administrator option.

Additional Notes

 This cmdlet is implemented by using the Start method of the System.Diagnostics.Process * class. For more 
 information about this method, see Process.Start Methodhttp://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=143602 
 (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=143602) in the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) library.

 *

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International. It is attributed to Microsoft Corporation and can be found here.

PowerShell Commands