Start-Process

Starts one or more processes on the local computer.

Syntax

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

Description

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, much like 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[]>

Specifies parameters or parameter values to use when starting the process. The parameter name ("Arguments") is optional.

Required?	false
Position?	2
Default Value	None
Accept Pipeline Input?	false
Accept Wildcard Characters?	false

-Credential <pscredential>

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.

Required?	false
Position?	named
Default Value	Current user.
Accept Pipeline Input?	false
Accept Wildcard Characters?	false

-FilePath <string>

Specifies the path (optional) 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.

Required?	true
Position?	1
Default Value	none
Accept Pipeline Input?	false
Accept Wildcard Characters?	false

-LoadUserProfile <Boolean>

Loads the Windows user profile stored in the HKEY_USERS registry key for the current user. The default value is FALSE.

This parameter does not affect the Windows PowerShell profiles. (See about_Profiles.)

Required?	false
Position?	named
Default Value	False
Accept Pipeline Input?	false
Accept Wildcard Characters?	false

-NoNewWindow

Prevents the process from running in a new window. By default, the process runs in a new window.

Required?	false
Position?	named
Default Value	False
Accept Pipeline Input?	false
Accept Wildcard Characters?	false

-PassThru

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

Required?	false
Position?	named
Default Value	False
Accept Pipeline Input?	false
Accept Wildcard Characters?	false

-RedirectStandardError <string>

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.

Required?	false
Position?	named
Default Value	Errors are displayed in the console
Accept Pipeline Input?	false
Accept Wildcard Characters?	false

-RedirectStandardInput <string>

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.

Required?	false
Position?	named
Default Value	Keyboard
Accept Pipeline Input?	false
Accept Wildcard Characters?	false

-RedirectStandardOutput <string>

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.

Required?	false
Position?	named
Default Value	FALSE
Accept Pipeline Input?	false
Accept Wildcard Characters?	false

-UseNewEnvironment

Use new environment variables specified for the process. By default, the started process runs with the environment variables specified for the computer and user.

Required?	false
Position?	named
Default Value	False
Accept Pipeline Input?	false
Accept Wildcard Characters?	false

-Verb <string>

Specifies a verb to be used when starting the process, such as Edit, Open, or Print.

Each file type has a set of verbs that you can use. To find the verbs that can be used with the process, use the Verbs property of the object.

Required?	false
Position?	named
Default Value	none
Accept Pipeline Input?	false
Accept Wildcard Characters?	false

-Wait

Waits for the specified process to complete before accepting more input. This parameter suppresses the command prompt or retains the window until the process completes.

Required?	false
Position?	named
Default Value	False
Accept Pipeline Input?	false
Accept Wildcard Characters?	false

-WindowStyle <ProcessWindowStyle>

Specifies the state of the windows used for the process. Valid values are Normal, Hidden, Minimized, and Maximized. The default value is Normal.

Required?	false
Position?	named
Default Value	Normal
Accept Pipeline Input?	false
Accept Wildcard Characters?	false

-WorkingDirectory <string>

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

Required?	false
Position?	named
Default Value	Current directory
Accept Pipeline Input?	false
Accept Wildcard Characters?	false

<CommonParameters>

This cmdlet supports the common parameters: -Verbose, -Debug, -ErrorAction, -ErrorVariable, -OutBuffer, and -OutVariable. For more information, see about_CommonParameters.

Inputs and Outputs

The input type is the type of the objects that you can pipe to the cmdlet. The return type is the type of the objects that the cmdlet returns.

Inputs

None

You cannot pipe input to Start-Process.

Outputs

None or System.Diagnostics.Process

When you use the PassThru parameter, Start-Process generates a System.Diagnostics.Process. Otherwise, this cmdlet does not return any output.

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 Method" in the MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) library at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=143602.

Example 1

C:\PS>start-process sort.exe

This command starts a process that uses the Sort.exe file in the current directory. The command uses all of the default values, including the default window style, working directory, and credentials.

Example 2

C:\PS>start-process myfile.txt -workingdirectory "C:\PS-Test" -verb Print

This command starts a process that prints the C:\PS-Test\MyFile.txt file.

Example 3

C:\PS>start-process 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.

Example 4

C:\PS>start-process notepad -wait -windowstyle Maximized

This command starts the Notepad process. It maximizes the window and retains the window until the process completes.