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Enter-PSSession

Use Enter-PSSession to start an interactive remoting session, redirecting your prompt to a remote computer.

Command 1 min read Windows PowerShell 5.1 and PowerShell 7

Documentation: Microsoft Learn — PowerShell module reference

Written and tested by Dhrub Bharali · Updated

Syntax

1PS> Enter-PSSession [[-ComputerName] <string>] [-Credential <PSCredential>] [-Port <Int32>] [-UseSSL] [-ConfigurationName <String>] [-Session <PSSession>] [<CommonParameters>]
See the command anatomy

Read the command and its supplied arguments. This example requires real PowerShell or its module; this diagram does not execute it.

Enter-PSSession [[-ComputerName] <string>] [-Credential <PSCredential>] [-Port <Int32>] [-UseSSL] [-ConfigurationName <String>] [-Session <PSSession>] [<CommonParameters>]
  1. Stage 1Enter-PSSession-ComputerName -Credential -Port -UseSSL -ConfigurationName -Session

    Try it

    Windows PowerShell

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    Execution scope: The full example below requires PowerShell outside this browser. You can edit this runner to use the supported practice commands; unsupported syntax returns an explanation.

    Interactive simulation · fictional data

    Examples

    Enter-PSSession -ComputerName SRV01

    1PS> Enter-PSSession -ComputerName SRV01 # prompt becomes [SRV01]: PS>
    Show reference output

    Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

    [SRV01]: PS C:\Users\demo>

    Enter-PSSession -ComputerName SRV01 (2)

    1PS> $s = New-PSSession -ComputerName SRV01
    2PS> Enter-PSSession -Session $s # keeps state from earlier commands
    Show reference output

    Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

    [SRV01]: PS C:\Users\demo>

    Run Exit-PSSession

    1PS> Exit-PSSession # back to the local prompt
    Show reference output

    Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

    PS C:\Ops>

    Parameters

    Parameter definitions:

    • -ComputerName
    • -Credential
    • -Port
    • -UseSSL
    • -ConfigurationName
    • -Session

    PowerShell module reference on Microsoft Learn

    Practical use and troubleshooting

    Practical scenario: Use Enter-PSSession when you need to start an interactive remoting session, redirecting your prompt to a remote computer. Start with one identified target and inspect the returned values before extending the operation to a list. Keep the identity in your report so you can trace each result back to the object or path that produced it.

    Common error and fix: A connection failure is not fixed by merely running locally as administrator. Confirm remoting is enabled on the target, its endpoint authorises your account, and the chosen authentication method is appropriate. In an unattended script, capture this failure with its original error record and record which target failed. An empty result and an unsuccessful query must remain distinguishable in the final report.

    See also: New-PSSession. New-PSSession creates a reusable remoting session for automation; Enter-PSSession opens an interactive session. Interactive entry does not replace a pipeline-friendly Invoke-Command workflow. Read the linked command before substituting it; similar names do not imply identical inputs or output.

    Enter-PSSession reference on Microsoft Learn

    Put this command to work

    Work in an interactive remote session

    Enter lab-server with Enter-PSSession, then return its complete service inventory. Leave the remote context active.

    Review the lesson

    Recap

    Enter-PSSession Use Enter-PSSession to start an interactive remoting session, redirecting your prompt to a remote computer.

    Next: Get-PSSession
    Genie guideEnter-PSSession

    Use Enter-PSSession to start an interactive remoting session, redirecting your prompt to a remote computer. The console below is pre-loaded — run it, then change a value and run it again.

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