Run PowerShell Script from Batch File

We have to follow a few steps given below to run the specified PowerShell script from a batch file.

1. Create a PowerShell Script.
2. Create a Batch File.
3. Run the Batch file to execute PowerShell Script from it (batch file).

Creating a PowerShell Script

Create a .ps1 script file containing the following command.

We saved the above script in a text file with the .ps1 extension and named it Script.ps1; in this case, you can name it whatever you want but with the .ps1 extension.

NOTE: The PowerShell scripts are simple text files with the .ps1 extension. It can be run through the PowerShell ISE program. A text file with the .BAT suffix is a batch file. To run the batch file specifically, use the Command Prompt. However, there may be instances where using the batch file instead of the PowerShell script to execute the script is necessary.

Creating a Batch File

Launch Notepad and enter the following lines of code to create a batch file. Don’t forget to save this file with the .bat extension; we saved it as Script.bat.

The echo off command was used in batch programs; it will stop repeating directories and commands. It is useful when typing in batch programs and making an exemplary user interface. Then we will write the below command with the PowerShell script file path in double quotes. Finally, the pause command will shut off the Command Prompt console after hitting a key on the keyboard.

Different Ways to Run PowerShell Script from Batch File

We created the PowerShell script and a batch file in the first and second steps. Now, it’s time to run the specified PowerShell script from a batch file. We can run it using the following ways:

• Using the -File Parameter
• Using RemoteSigned as -ExecutionPolicy
• Using the Bypass Switch
• Run as an administrator

For each method, we will save the provided code snippet in the .bat file we created in the previous section. After that, we can run this .bat file by double-clicking on it or running it as .\Script.bat on PowerShell.

Use the -File Parameter

Use the -File parameter to run a PowerShell script from a .bat file.

We ran a PowerShell script from a .bat file using the -File parameter. Note that the above code is saved in a .bat file. The @echo off command stops the batch file’s contents from being displayed or echoing. The pause command halts a batch file’s execution until you press any key aside from Shift and Ctrl; any command you give the Windows command interpreter is automatically echoed back.

As a result, when running a batch file, the output will contain each line included in the batch file. With the echo off command, you can stop this behaviour. Additionally, no echo will be returned if you use an at-sign (@) before the command echo off. We ran a PowerShell script by using the -File parameter and got the output Script generated as shown in the above output.

Use RemoteSigned as -ExecutionPolicy with -File Parameter

To execute a PowerShell script from a batch file, set RemoteSigned as -ExecutionPolicy. The -ExecutionPolicy option specifies the PowerShell execution policy.

PowerShell’s -ExecutionPolicy allows for restricting all scripts from running, only allowing signed scripts. The default execution policy is remote signed. Scripts may be executed under this policy for execution.

Running scripts and configuration files downloaded from the internet requires digital signatures. However, digital signatures are unnecessary to launch files created on a local system.

An unlock-File cmdlet is required to run files without a digital signature. It can be fatal to execute scripts without a digital signature. In this case, we ran a PowerShell script from a batch file by setting RemoteSigned as -Executionpolicy in our local machine. We successfully ran the batch file above by using it.

Use Bypass as -ExecutionPolicy with -File Parameter

Use the -Bypass Switch to run a PowerShell script.

When the above command pause was enabled, the message Press any key to continue... was displayed, and the command waited for the user to press any key. When modifying the execution policy temporarily during a single Powershell.exe run, Bypass is meant to be utili
sed. This way, we successfully executed a PowerShell Script using the Bypass switch above.

Further reading:

Run Batch File from PowerShell

Read more →

Call PowerShell Script from Another Script

Read more →

Run as an Administrator

To run a PowerShell script from a .bat file, use the following command to launch PowerShell as an administrator. The output will be seen in Windows PowerShell when you open a batch file and choose Yes.

That’s all about how to run powershell script from Batch file.