How to run a program on a remote PC via command line?

Question

How can I run a program on a remote Windows PC in our network without the need of killing an existing remote-desktop-connection? I only need a command line for running the program and getting its results.

Solution 1

I think you're looking for PsExec

This is what you'd do to execute a CLI program on a remote computer using PsExec:

psexec \\REMOTECOMPUTER "path_to_program_executable"

You can learn more about PsExec and its various options along with some examples here

Solution 2

On more option is the built in winrs

winrs.exe -r:<RemoteComputerName> <TheCommandToRun>
winrs.exe -r:MyRemoteServer ipconfig

winrs vs. psexec

advantages winrs

• Built in, no download needed
• Faster and more reliable than psexec

advantages psexec

• Works with IP (winrs needs the computername (NetBIOS name) of the machine)
• Can run processes in system-context

Comments

[Royi]

How can I run something on Google VM (Windows)? But I mean that it will launch a GUI. Namely if I log on (RDP) I will see the program running on the desktop.

[Vinayak]

@Royi try psexec -i -d -s \\remotecomputer command. Please read the docs as well if you run into issues.

[Royi]

Can \\remotecomputer be an IP?

[Vinayak]

@Royi Yes, \\ipaddress