Unlocking PowerShell: Conquering the “Access is Denied” Error with PsExec and Explorer.exe

Are you tired of encountering the frustrating “Access is Denied” error when trying to launch explorer.exe using credentials stored in a .ps1 script with PowerShell? You’re not alone! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the world of PowerShell, PsExec, and explorer.exe, providing clear and direct instructions to help you overcome this obstacle. So, buckle up and let’s dive in!

Understanding the Problem

Before we dive into the solution, it’s essential to understand the issue at hand. When you attempt to launch explorer.exe using stored credentials in a .ps1 script with PowerShell, you might encounter the “Access is Denied” error. This error occurs because explorer.exe is a Windows component that requires elevated privileges to run. PowerShell, by default, does not have the necessary permissions to launch explorer.exe with the stored credentials.

The Role of PsExec

PsExec is a lightweight powerful utility from SysInternals that allows you to execute processes on remote systems and provides an option to specify the user credentials for the process. In our scenario, we’ll use PsExec to launch explorer.exe with the stored credentials, effectively bypassing the “Access is Denied” error.

Step-by-Step Solution

To overcome the “Access is Denied” error, follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Create a new PowerShell script (.ps1 file) and add the following code:

   
   $username = "your_username"
   $password = "your_password" | ConvertTo-SecureString -AsPlainText -Force
   $cred = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential ($username, $password)
   
   $exe_path = "C:\Windows\explorer.exe"
   Start-Process $exe_path -Credential $cred
   

   Replace “your_username” and “your_password” with the actual credentials you want to use.

2. Save the script and try running it in PowerShell. You’ll likely encounter the “Access is Denied” error.

3. Download PsExec from the SysInternals website and save it to a location on your system, such as “C:\Tools\PsExec.exe”.

4. Modify the PowerShell script to use PsExec:

   
   $username = "your_username"
   $password = "your_password" | ConvertTo-SecureString -AsPlainText -Force
   $cred = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential ($username, $password)
   
   $exe_path = "C:\Windows\explorer.exe"
   $psexec_path = "C:\Tools\PsExec.exe"
   
   Start-Process $psexec_path -ArgumentList @("-u", $username, "-p", $cred.GetNetworkCredential().Password, $exe_path) -Wait
   

   Update the script to include the path to PsExec.exe and the credentials.

5. Run the modified script in PowerShell. This time, PsExec will launch explorer.exe with the specified credentials, bypassing the “Access is Denied” error.

Understanding the Code

Let’s break down the code and explain what’s happening:

• $username and $password: These variables store the credentials you want to use to launch explorer.exe.

• $cred: This object is created using the System.Management.Automation.PSCredential class, which stores the credentials securely.

• $exe_path: This variable stores the path to explorer.exe.

• $psexec_path: This variable stores the path to PsExec.exe.

• Start-Process: This cmdlet is used to launch PsExec.exe with the specified arguments.

• -u and -p: These arguments specify the username and password for PsExec to use when launching explorer.exe.

• $cred.GetNetworkCredential().Password: This retrieves the password from the $cred object and passes it as an argument to PsExec.

• -Wait: This parameter ensures that the script waits for PsExec to complete before continuing.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter issues or errors while using PsExec, try the following troubleshooting tips:

• Verify the paths to PsExec.exe and explorer.exe are correct.

• Ensure the credentials used are correct and have the necessary privileges to launch explorer.exe.

• Check the PowerShell script execution policy to ensure it allows running scripts.

• Run the script in elevated PowerShell mode (right-click the PowerShell icon and select “Run as Administrator”).

Security Considerations

When using stored credentials in a .ps1 script, it’s essential to consider the security implications:

• Store the script in a secure location, such as an encrypted folder or a network share with restricted access.

• Use strong, unique passwords for the stored credentials.

• Limit the privileges of the user account used to launch explorer.exe to minimize potential damage in case of a security breach.

Keyword	Explanation
PowerShell	A task automation and configuration management framework from Microsoft.
PsExec	A lightweight utility from SysInternals that allows executing processes on remote systems.
Explorer.exe	The Windows File Explorer executable.
.ps1 script	A PowerShell script file that contains a collection of commands and statements.
Credential	A set of username and password used for authentication.
“Access is Denied” error	An error that occurs when PowerShell lacks the necessary permissions to launch explorer.exe with stored credentials.

By following this comprehensive guide, you should now be able to successfully launch explorer.exe using credentials stored in a .ps1 script with PowerShell, without encountering the “Access is Denied” error. Remember to prioritize security and take necessary precautions when working with stored credentials.

Happy scripting!

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