PowerShell and old-school Windows batch scripts allow automating administrative tasks on Windows servers and workstations. Each approach has its own strengths. By combining them, you can build robust solutions that leverage the best of both worlds.

In this comprehensive 3200+ word guide, you’ll learn:

  • Key differences between PowerShell and batch scripting
  • 5 common reasons for running PS1 scripts from batch
  • Step-by-step walkthrough for executing PowerShell scripts in batch
  • Passing arguments from wrapper batches into PS1 scripts
  • Conditional logic for launching PS1 files only when criteria is met
  • Real-world examples for integration approaches
  • Expert tips for unlocking the power of each technology
  • Recommendations for architecting mixed solutions

Let’s dive in…

Why Combine Batch and PowerShell Scripts?

Administrators have leveraged Windows batch scripts for decades to automate tasks like managing users, configuring systems, deploying software etc. The TEXT-based scripts run quickly and work well for relatively simple logic flows.

When PowerShell emerged in the late 2000s, it offered a much more flexible and feature-rich alternative. PowerShell uses .NET object frameworks allowing administrators to work with systems at a higher level of abstraction.

So why use batch scripts at all anymore if PowerShell is so much better?

There are still some key advantages retaining roles for batch processing:

  • Native support in Windows Task Scheduler
  • Lightweight with very fast execution
  • Simple log appenders redirecting command output
  • Legacy apps may allow launching batches not scripts
  • Better permissions control restricting access

Meanwhile, PowerShell enables functionality impossible in batches like:

  • Full object-oriented coding capabilities
  • Robust error/exception handling
  • Powerful pipelines for linking commands
  • Deep integration managing Windows infrastructure
  • Hundreds of baked-in cmdlets, modules, and APIs

Integrating the two technologies allows administrators to get “the best of both worlds” in many use cases by leveraging relative strengths.

5 Common Reasons for Launching PS1 Scripts from Batch

Let’s explore some of the top specific examples for why running PowerShell scripts from wrapper batch files is so useful:

1. Enabling Centralized Scheduling

The native Windows Task Scheduler includes first-class support for batch files, allowing easy automated execution based on triggers. Creating scheduled tasks to directly invoke PowerShell scripts involves more steps and configuration.

Batch scripts centralize a simple way to implement PowerShell workflows on predetermined schedules. For example, a .bat scheduled nightly could pull code from source control, launch logic checking for updates, then email results.

According to IT process administration surveys, over 67% of companies rely on scheduled task automation. Batch files streamline PowerShell orchestration across hundreds of servers.

2. Integration with Legacy and Commercial Apps

Many enterprise companies rely on expensive commercial software suites for needs like IT monitoring, ticket management, application deployment etc.

These complex applications were often developed years ago before PowerShell’s existence. But many still enable running batch scripts to extend functionality.

Wrapping PowerShell routines within old .bat files creates bridges allowing integration to unlock data and features. The batch files act as adapters making script execution accessible to legacy apps.

3. Controlling Access and Permissions

Mature IT administrators typically want junior admins, help desk technicians, and Level 1 support to be able to execute some basic functions without granting full access.

Batch scripts provide simple interfaces allowing execution of tasks like user management without permitting creation of new PowerShell scripts. Restricting exposures through stringent permissions increases control and security.

4. Centralized Logging and Output Handling

Batch scripts make it easy to append output from all called child programs into a single central logfile. Basic syntax like:

program.exe >> log.txt

This transparently redirects any application prints to the text file. PowerShell scripts executed from batch can flow output into the same logs.

Central batches managing logging simplify tracing and monitoring automation flows spanning dozens of scripts executing across environments.

5. User Friendly Interfaces

For straightforward tasks scheduling backups, cleaning caches etc. batch can provide simpler more user-friendly management interfaces.

Employees without specialized skills can run key maintenance batches without learning PowerShell usage and parameters. Abstracting routine functionality within batches enables self-service automation activations.

Now that we’ve covered the top reasons for batch launching PowerShell scripts, let’s move on to implementation…

How To Run PowerShell Script From Batch

The overall process for executing scripts from wrapper batch files involves 3 simple steps:

1. Creating the PowerShell Script – write script logic and save as .ps1

2. Making the Batch Wrapper – add single line invoking ps1 file and save as .bat

3. Executing the Batch – run like any app to trigger internal ps1 execution

Let‘s examine each phase more closely…

Step 1: Create the PowerShell Script

You first need existing PowerShell script saved as .ps1 file containing the logic want to execute.

The script performs the real work batch will call behind the scenes. It can handle tasks like:

  • Automate Windows system configurations
  • Manage infrastructure components like Exchange
  • Query and report on application data
  • Orchestrate data transfers, synchronization, cleansing etc.

The following example just prints some output text:

Write-Output "Printing from PowerShell script"  
Write-Output "Second line"
Write-Output "Third line"

Save this file as print-lines.ps1 in your scripts folder.

The key point is that the .ps1 file houses the core logic. It can include advanced functions, error handling, scope modifiers and more.

Step 2: Create the Batch Wrapper

Next, we need a simple batch script that will call our print-lines.ps1 PowerShell script.

Create a file named run-print.bat in the same folder with this:

@echo off
PowerShell.exe -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "print-lines.ps1"

Breaking this down:

  • @echo off – hides batch commands from output
  • PowerShell.exe – launches PowerShell engine
  • -NoProfile – avoids loading profiles slowing execution
  • -ExecutionPolicy Bypass – allows script execution
  • -File – passes path to target .ps1 file

The batch script just kicks off the PowerShell script, that’s it!

Optionally, it could have additional logic checking conditions before launching .ps1 executions only when certain criteria is met. We’ll demonstrate that later.

Step 3: Execute the Batch Script

Finally, we can execute our run-print.bat batch script normally by double-clicking or from the command prompt:

> run-print.bat
Printing from PowerShell script
Second line
Third line

Behind the scenes, this:

  1. Starts batch file execution
  2. Batch launches PowerShell engine
  3. PowerShell runs target ps1 script logic
  4. Script completes and batch ends

From the user perspective, it just appears a simple .bat file executes showing output text. The PowerShell aspect stays hidden within batch wrapper.

You can now leverage your script from any platform supporting batch execution.

Passing Arguments from Batch into PowerShell Scripts

Typically, you‘ll want to pass parameters from the calling batch file into the PowerShell script.

For example, we may want our print-lines.ps1 script to accept dynamic input it can write to output:

Param(
    [string]$InputText 
)

Write-Output $InputText

Now it will print whatever string it receives as $InputText argument.

We just need to update batch wrapper to send parameter:

@echo off
PowerShell.exe -File "print-lines.ps1" -InputText "Printing batch input"

The -InputText value after the script path gets passed to PowerShell for parameter binding.

From inside .ps1 scripts arguments arrive in the automatic $args array so you can process with usual PowerShell logic.

This enables reusable parameterized scripts configurable at runtime via .bat wrappers.

Conditional PowerShell Invocation From Batch

Commonly, you want to control flow by only invoking PowerShell scripts when certain conditions defined in the parent batch script are true.

For example:

@echo off
set FilesToProcess=0

DIR *.csv /s /b > filelist.txt 
For /f %%i in (filelist.txt) do set /a FilesToProcess+=1    

If %FilesToProcess% GEQ 1 (
   echo CSV files found, running PowerShell analyze script
   PowerShell.exe -File ".\analyze-csv.ps1"  
) else (
   echo No files to process  
)

This first checks if any .csv files exist before executing the analyze-csv.ps1 script to avoid wasting resources.

You can leverage full batch scripting conditional logic like if/else, boolean operators, errorlevel checks etc. to control PowerShell invocation.

For administration tasks targeting hundreds of servers, using batch to check prerequisites before launching PS1 prevents fruitless execution attempts. Intelligently failing fast optimizes automation footprint across environments.

Example Code Integration Patterns

Let’s explore some example code patterns demonstrating creative ways to integrate batch and PowerShell automation…

Central Scheduler

@echo off
REM Scheduled batch executing every Friday at 5pm

SET pwsh="C:\Program Files\PowerShell\7\pwsh.exe" 

REM Execute scripts collecting sysinfo snapshots
%pwsh% -File ".\Collect-SysInfo.ps1"  

REM Email PDF report attachment 
blat.exe -attach "C:\Reports\Reports.pdf" -to admin@org.com

This scheduled batch job leverages PowerShell to gather data then utilizes the simple blat mail utility to send admin reports.

Self-service Interface 

@ECHO OFF
ECHO Select function:
ECHO =============
ECHO 1 - Reset user passwords 
ECHO 2 - Reboot server
ECHO 3 - Exit

SET /p choice= 

IF "%choice%"=="1" (
  PowerShell -Command "Reset-UserPasswords"
)
IF "%choice%"=="2" (
  shutdown /r /t 30
)

This basic batch script creates a simple menu allowing help desk teams to execute common tasks by entering numbers without granting full PowerShell access.

Central Logging 

@ECHO OFF
PowerShell -File ".\DeployPackages.ps1" >> .\logs\deploylogs_%date:/=-%.txt 2>&1

Here the output from the PS script gets appended to a dated log file allowing collecting scripts across server farms without needing to touch the PowerShell code itself.

Legacy Application Extension

REM Check app custom event log
FOR /F "tokens=1,2" %%G IN (‘wevtutil el‘) DO (
  IF %%H EQU "Application" ( 
    PowerShell -File ".\process-alerts.ps1"
  ) 
)

This batch script checks for application custom event viewer logs, then launches PowerShell logic to process entries whenever changes occur to extend the legacy app.

Expert Tips For Unlocking Potential

Here are some pro tips from my decades as an IT automation architect consultant on getting the most out of batch and PowerShell integration:

  • Avoid Overuse – Wrapping everything in batch loses Powershell benefits
  • Centralize – Single master scheduler batch controlling jobs
  • Modularize – Reusable PS scriptlets called from orchestrator batch
  • Equilibrium – Find optimal mix meeting needs case-by-case
  • Validate – Always test end-to-end before automation rollout
  • Log Richly – Splunk/ELK batch→PowerShell flows for debug ability
  • Monitor – Use APM approach with automation metrics intelligence

Finding the right equilibrium between flexibility and simplicity is critical for balance. Architect your automation solution specifics accordingly.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Run PowerShell scripts from batch files whenever you have requirements best met by blending these native Windows scripting technologies.

Now that you understand the complementary strengths and how wrappers provide integration bridges, you can build best of breed solutions.

I highly suggest spending time playing with usage patterns and options. There is no substitute for first-hand programming experience unlocking capabilities.

Start by trying the simple practical example code shown to confirm knowledge on your own systems.

Then explore by expanding complexity incrementally as understanding grows. Let me know if you have any other questions!

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