xp_cmdshell

Executes a given command string as an operating-system command shell and returns any output as rows of text. Grants nonadministrative users permissions to execute xp_cmdshell.

Executing this xp_cmdshell statement returns a directory listing of the current directory.


xp_cmdshell 'dir *.exe'

xp_cmdshell operates synchronously. Control is not returned until the command shell command completes.

When you grant execute permissions to users, the users can execute any operating-system command at the Microsoft Windows NT command shell that the account running Microsoft SQL Server™ has the needed privileges to execute.

By default, only members of the sysadmin fixed server role can execute this extended stored procedure. You may, however, grant other users permission to execute this stored procedure.