how to invoke a batch file inside a virtual machine using powershell?

Question

Hi,

I have a batch file residing in my azure virtual machine which i need to run using powershell.

I am already using Invoke-AzVMRunCommand, but it still prompts the error.

Below is the powershell script that i am using:

Invoke-AzVMRunCommand -ResourceGroupName $resourceGroupName -VMName $vmName -CommandId 'RunPowerShellScript' -ScriptPath C:\firstpath\secondpath\reset.bat

I am getting the below error:

Invoke-AzVMRunCommand: Cannot find drive. A drive with the name 'C' does not exist.

I followed the documentation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/windows/run-command

Any kind of help is appreciated!

Answer 1

Hi,

ScriptPath is referring to the local path where you are executing Invoke-AzVMRunCommand from, NOT the path within the VM. It is expecting to be able find the file locally and send it to the VM for execution.

Instead you can use -ScriptString using sample code below:

Invoke-AzVMRunCommand -ResourceGroupName $resourceGroupName -VMName $vmName -CommandId 'RunPowerShellScript' -ScriptString C:\firstpath\secondpath\reset.bat

Please click Accept Answer and upvote if the above was helpful.

Thanks.

-TP

Answer 2

Hello Azure-search

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A Platform, thanks for posting your query here.

It looks like the error is occurring because the RunPowerShellScript command is expecting a PowerShell script, but you are passing it a batch file.

To run a batch file using Invoke-AzVMRunCommand, you can try and use the RunCommandScript command instead.

This command will run the batch file located at C:\firstpath\secondpath\reset.bat on the virtual machine named $vmName in the resource group named $resourceGroupName.

Please make sure that the path to the batch file is correct and that the file exists on the virtual machine.

Hope this helps.