PowerShell launch script in new instance

Question

I have a Master script that has several options. When you select 1 in the menu, action 1 will be executed and afterwards you\'ll get back to the menu. This

Answer 1

Although start powershell command looks cleaner, it doesn't allow you to do everything that you can do with invoke-expression. For example, the following opens a new window, changes its title and background color, and leaves the window open:

invoke-expression 'cmd /c start powershell -NoExit -Command {                           `
    cd -path $env:homedrive$env:homepath/Documents/MySillyFolder;                  `
    $host.UI.RawUI.WindowTitle = "A Silly Little Title";                                `
    color -background "red";                                                            `
}';

It also runs fine from within another powershell script.

If you try to do this using the start powershell {...} syntax it will give an error on the title-changing line, and won't keep the window open. (I suppose It's possible that there's some obscure syntax hack that will make start powershell work, but I haven't been able to find one.)

Answer 2

Using cmd to start powershell?

start-process powershell -ArgumentList '-noexit -command 'Commands for the new PowerShell''

Answer 3

To launch in an external PS window, you can use the following:

invoke-expression 'cmd /c start powershell -Command { [script block here] }'

E.g.:

invoke-expression 'cmd /c start powershell -Command { write-host "Hi, new window!"; set-location "C:\"; get-childitem ; sleep 3}'

Answer 4

Instead of starting a cmd to start a new powershell instance you can:

start powershell {echo hello}

To prevent immediate exit of new started powershell:

start powershell {echo hello; Read-Host}