Execute CMD command from code

Question

In C# WPF: I want to execute a CMD command, how exactly can I execute a cmd command programmatically?

Answer 1

Here's a simple example :

Process.Start("cmd","/C copy c:\\file.txt lpt1");

Answer 2

As mentioned by the other answers you can use:

  Process.Start("notepad somefile.txt");

However, there is another way.

You can instance a Process object and call the Start instance method:

  Process process = new Process();
  process.StartInfo.FileName = "notepad.exe";
  process.StartInfo.WorkingDirectory = "c:\temp";
  process.StartInfo.Arguments = "somefile.txt";
  process.Start();

Doing it this way allows you to configure more options before starting the process. The Process object also allows you to retrieve information about the process whilst it is executing and it will give you a notification (via the Exited event) when the process has finished.

Addition: Don't forget to set 'process.EnableRaisingEvents' to 'true' if you want to hook the 'Exited' event.

Answer 3

if you want to start application with cmd use this code:

string YourApplicationPath = "C:\\Program Files\\App\\MyApp.exe"   
ProcessStartInfo processInfo = new ProcessStartInfo();
processInfo.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Hidden;
processInfo.FileName = "cmd.exe";
processInfo.WorkingDirectory = Path.GetDirectoryName(YourApplicationPath);
processInfo.Arguments = "/c START " + Path.GetFileName(YourApplicationPath);
Process.Start(processInfo);

Answer 4

Using Process.Start:

using System.Diagnostics;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        Process.Start("example.txt");
    }
}

Answer 5

How about you creat a batch file with the command you want, and call it with Process.Start

dir.bat content:

dir

then call:

Process.Start("dir.bat");

Will call the bat file and execute the dir

Answer 6

You can use this to work cmd in C#:

ProcessStartInfo proStart = new ProcessStartInfo();
Process pro = new Process();
proStart.FileName = "cmd.exe";
proStart.WorkingDirectory = @"D:\...";
string arg = "/c your_argument";
proStart.Arguments = arg;
proStart.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Hidden;
pro.StartInfo = pro;
pro.Start();

Don't forget to write /c before your argument !!

Answer 7

Argh :D not the fastest

Process.Start("notepad C:\test.txt");

Answer 8

Are you asking how to bring up a command windows? If so, you can use the Process object ...

Process.Start("cmd");

Answer 9

You can do like below:

var command = "Put your command here";
System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo procStartInfo = new System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo("cmd", "/c " + command);
procStartInfo.RedirectStandardOutput = true;
procStartInfo.UseShellExecute = false;
procStartInfo.WorkingDirectory = @"C:\Program Files\IIS\Microsoft Web Deploy V3";
procStartInfo.CreateNoWindow = true; //whether you want to display the command window
System.Diagnostics.Process proc = new System.Diagnostics.Process();
proc.StartInfo = procStartInfo;
proc.Start();
string result = proc.StandardOutput.ReadToEnd();
label1.Text = result.ToString();

Answer 10

In addition to the answers above, you could use a small extension method:

public static class Extensions
{
   public static void Run(this string fileName, 
                          string workingDir=null, params string[] arguments)
    {
        using (var p = new Process())
        {
            var args = p.StartInfo;
            args.FileName = fileName;
            if (workingDir!=null) args.WorkingDirectory = workingDir;
            if (arguments != null && arguments.Any())
                args.Arguments = string.Join(" ", arguments).Trim();
            else if (fileName.ToLowerInvariant() == "explorer")
                args.Arguments = args.WorkingDirectory;
            p.Start();
        }
    }
}

and use it like so:

// open explorer window with given path
"Explorer".Run(path);   

// open a shell (remanins open)
"cmd".Run(path, "/K");