Introduction to Scripting COM Objects with PowerShell
ComObject, or plain COM, increases the range of PowerShell activities. One way of looking at COM objects is as a mechanism for PowerShell to launch programs, for example, mimicking the RUN command. Another way of looking at ComObjects is performing the role previously undertaken by VBScript. For both those tasks, scripting with COM objects gives you a rich selection of options. The bonus of using PowerShell rather than VBScript is that you need fewer commands.
Topics for PowerShell COM Objects
- New-Object -Com (MapNetworkDrive)
- Selection of -Com Applications
- COM and Shell.Application
- VBScript – MSScriptControl.ScriptControl
- Com and Active Directory
- Summary of Com Objects
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PowerShell New-Object -Com
The secret of manipulating COM objects is starting with the command: New-Object -COM. What comes next depends on which type of object you need. Here are examples of creating, then manipulating ComObject with $variables:-
Instructions and Assumptions
- If necessary get your copy of PowerShell and .Net Framework
- Launch Windows PowerShell
- Type these commands at the PS> Prompt (or copy and paste my examples)
1) MapNetworkDrive
# PowerShell ComObject and MapNetworkDrive
$net = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Network
$net.mapnetworkdrive("Y:","\\server\share")
Note 1: Naturally, you need to amend \\ server\share to the name of a real UNC share on your network.
Note 2: To see if your PowerShell script performs as planned, launch Windows Explorer.
Note 3: See here for a modern method using New-PSDrive.
2) Internet Explorer
#ComObject to launch the Internet Explorer application.
Clear-Host
$ie = New-Object -ComObject InternetExplorer.Application; $ie.visible=$true
Note 4: Incidentally, -Com and -ComObject appear to be interchangeable.
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New-Object -Com | Get-Member
Let us investigate the properties of the -Com object. At first, Get-Member appears not work, even help seems unsupportive. Fortunately, all that is missing is the name of the -Com object that you wish to research. For example:
#PowerShell New-Object -Com properties
New-Object -Com wscript.network | Get-Member.
Result:
Name MemberType (Method, Property)
—- ———- ———-
AddPrinterConnection Method
AddWindowsPrinterConnection Method
EnumNetworkDrives Method
MapNetworkDrive Method
RemoveNetworkDrive Method
SetDefaultPrinter Method
ComputerName Property
Organization Property
Site Property string
UserDomain Property
UserName Property
UserProfile Property
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Selection of -Com Applications
Create objects with New-Object -Com xyz.Application
1) Shell.Application
For example:
$shell = New-Object -ComObject Shell.Application See more on Shell.Application
2) Alternative technique Invoke-Expression
Before you go any further with -ComObject and cmd.exe you may wish to try invoke-Expression.
3) WScript.Shell
For example:
$WSH = New-Object -Com WScript.Shell
$WSH.Run("Explorer.exe")
Instead of "Explorer", substitute "Excel", "Word", "Calc" or any other registered application.
4) MSScriptControl.ScriptControl
VBscript example:
$VBScript = New-Object -Com MSScriptControl.ScriptControl
$VBScript.language = "vbscript"
$VBScript | Get-Member
5) InputBox() Example
$VBScript = New-Object -Com MSScriptControl.ScriptControl
$VBScript.language = "vbscript"
$VBScript.addcode("function getInput() getInput = inputbox(`"Guy Says Hello`",`"Guy’s box`") End Function" )
$Input = $VBScript.eval("getInput")
Note: This is a complex example because it creates a function, which then does useful work in creating an inputbox().
6) Active Directory – DirectoryServices.DirectoryEntry
Summary of -COM objects
The ComObject family of commands add important capabilities to PowerShell. For example, creating network objects means that you don’t have to revert to VBScript when you need to map network drives. Another way of looking at the -ComObject command is as a PowerShell method of accessing the Run dialog box programmatically.
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See more Microsoft PowerShell tasks:
• PowerShell Home • Shell Application • New-Object • PowerShell Add Printer • PowerShell -com
• PowerShell Logon Script • Map Network Drive • PowerShell Create Shortcut • Free CSV Import Tool
• Invoke-Expression • Invoke-Command • Invoke-Item • PowerShell Expression v Command Mode
Please email me if you have a better example script. Also please report any factual mistakes, grammatical errors or broken links, I will be happy to correct the fault.
