Powershell – Automatically run PowerShell script at first boot

powershellscvmmwindows-server-2012

We use Hyper-V + SCVMM to host Windows Server 2012 (R2) virtual machines. Currently our deployment procedure includes a lot of PowerShell commands that we have to copy/paste after the VMM template is deployed. For example, some change the NIC names, add a DNS suffix etc.

Is there a way to aggregate these commands into a PowerShell script and let the script run automatically unattended when the VM is booted for the first time? We cannot already set these properties in the template, because for example not all VMs have the same number of NICs.

Best Answer

Have you looked at creating an OnStart scheduled task?

SCHTASKS.EXE /CREATE /F /SC ONSTART /RU Administrator /RP password!!! /TN "First Boot" /RL HIGHEST /TR "Powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File C:\FirstBoot\FirstBoot.ps1 "

You do need to have a command at the end of the script to remove this task

SCHTASKS.EXE /DELETE /F /TN "First Boot"

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The following command will output each line of script to Write-Debug-

Set-PSDebug -Trace 1

From man Set-PSDebug

When the Trace parameter is set to 1, each line of script is traced as it is executed. When the parameter is set to 2, variable assignments, function calls, and script calls are also traced. If the Step parameter is specified, you are prompted before each line of the script is executed.

Powershell – Automatically run a powershell script elevated

Startup scripts run with elevated privileges. Can you add your script to the Startup scripts in Computer Configuration/Windows Settings/Scripts (startup/Shutdown)?

I'm sure there are other ways to pass credentials but this has worked for me in the past

Best Answer

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