PowerShell Cannot Run a File Without an Extension

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1.87K viewsApril 23, 2023Windows Userspowershell windows

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HAL 5.94K July 28, 2022 0 Comments

I have been searching for a solution for a month now. The issue I am facing is that when using Windows PowerShell on Windows 10 (version 1909), I cannot type “docker” alone, I need to type “docker.exe”. However, in Windows PowerShell (x86), “docker.exe” works perfectly fine.

The command “Get-ExecutionPolicy” shows that it is set to “Unrestricted” for both instances.

$ENV:ExtPath is .COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH;.MSC;.CPL for both.

$ENV:Path is the same for both:

C:\Python27\;C:\Python27\Scripts;C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;C:\WINDOWS\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;C:\WINDOWS\System32\OpenSSH\;C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Management Engine Components\DAL;C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel(R) Management Engine Components\DAL;C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\130\Tools\Binn\;C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Client SDK\ODBC\170\Tools\Binn\;C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NVIDIA NvDLISR;C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\PhysX\Common;C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\150\DTS\Binn\;C:\ProgramData\chocolatey\bin;C:\Program Files\dotnet\;C:\Program Files (x86)\dotnet\;C:\Program Files\OpenSSL\bin;;C:\Program Files\nodejs\;C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\resources\bin;C:\ProgramData\DockerDesktop\version-bin;C:\Users\me\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps;C:\Users\me\AppData\Local\Programs\Fiddler;C:\Users\me\.dotnet\tools;C:\Users\me\AppData\Roaming\npm

$PSVersionTable is the same for both:

Name                           Value
----                           -----
PSVersion                      5.1.18362.628
PSEdition                      Desktop
PSCompatibleVersions           {1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0...}
BuildVersion                   10.0.18362.628
CLRVersion                     4.0.30319.42000
WSManStackVersion              3.0
PSRemotingProtocolVersion      2.3
SerializationVersion           1.1.0.1

However, it seems to only affect docker.

Askify Moderator Edited question April 23, 2023

3 Answers

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score 0 · Answer 1 · 2023-04-23T19:59:12+00:00

Introduction

Windows PowerShell is a command-line shell and scripting language that is used for task automation and configuration management. It is a powerful tool that allows users to execute commands and scripts on their Windows operating system. However, there are instances when users encounter issues when running files without extensions in PowerShell. This blog post will discuss the problem of PowerShell not being able to run files without an extension and provide solutions to resolve this issue.

The Issue with PowerShell and Running Files Without an Extension

The issue with PowerShell and running files without an extension is that PowerShell requires the user to include the file extension when running a file. For example, if a user wants to run a file named “docker” in PowerShell, they would need to type “docker.exe” instead. This can be frustrating, especially if a user is used to running files without extensions in other command-line shells.

The reason for this issue is that PowerShell uses the file extension to determine how to handle the file. If a file does not have an extension, PowerShell does not know how to handle it and will not execute the file. This can be problematic for users who have files without extensions that they need to run in PowerShell.

Solutions for Running Files Without an Extension in PowerShell

There are several solutions to resolve the issue of PowerShell not being able to run files without an extension. These solutions include:

1. Adding the File Extension

One solution to the problem of PowerShell not being able to run files without an extension is to add the file extension to the file name. For example, if a user has a file named “docker,” they can rename the file to “docker.exe” to allow PowerShell to execute the file. This solution is simple but may not be feasible if a user has many files without extensions.

2. Modifying the Environment Variables

Another solution to the problem of PowerShell not being able to run files without an extension is to modify the environment variables. The environment variables that control how PowerShell handles files are “ExtPath” and “Path.” Users can modify these environment variables to include the file extensions they need to execute files without an extension.

To modify the “ExtPath” environment variable, users can enter the following command in PowerShell:

$ENV:ExtPath += ";.="

This command adds the current directory to the list of locations where PowerShell looks for executable files. This allows PowerShell to execute files without an extension in the current directory.

To modify the “Path” environment variable, users can enter the following command in PowerShell:

$ENV:Path += ";.;C:pathtodirectorywithfiles"

This command adds the directory containing the files without an extension to the list of locations where PowerShell looks for executable files. This allows PowerShell to execute files without an extension in the specified directory.

3. Using the Invoke-Item Command

Another solution to the problem of PowerShell not being able to run files without an extension is to use the Invoke-Item command. The Invoke-Item command is used to invoke a file or application and can be used to execute files without an extension.

To use the Invoke-Item command, users can enter the following command in PowerShell:

Invoke-Item -Path "C:pathtofilewithoutextension"

This command executes the file without an extension using the default application associated with the file type. This solution is useful for users who need to execute files without an extension but do not want to modify the environment variables.

4. Using the Start-Process Command

Another solution to the problem of PowerShell not being able to run files without an extension is to use the Start-Process command. The Start-Process command is used to start a new process and can be used to execute files without an extension.

To use the Start-Process command, users can enter the following command in PowerShell:

Start-Process -FilePath "C:pathtofilewithoutextension"

This command executes the file without an extension using the default application associated with the file type. This solution is useful for users who need to execute files without an extension but do not want to modify the environment variables.

5. Using a Batch File

Another solution to the problem of PowerShell not being able to run files without an extension is to use a batch file. Users can create a batch file that executes the file without an extension and then execute the batch file in PowerShell.

To create a batch file, users can open Notepad and enter the following command:

start "" "C:pathtofilewithoutextension"

Users can then save the file with a .bat extension, such as “docker.bat.” To execute the batch file in PowerShell, users can enter the following command:

.docker.bat

This command executes the batch file, which then executes the file without an extension using the default application associated with the file type.

6. Using a PowerShell Function

Another solution to the problem of PowerShell not being able to run files without an extension is to use a PowerShell function. Users can create a PowerShell function that executes the file without an extension and then call the function in PowerShell.

To create a PowerShell function, users can enter the following command in PowerShell:

function Run-FileWithoutExtension { Start-Process -FilePath $args[0] }

Users can then call the function in PowerShell by entering the following command:

Run-FileWithoutExtension "C:pathtofilewithoutextension"

This command executes the PowerShell function, which then executes the file without an extension using the default application associated with the file type.

Conclusion

In conclusion, PowerShell requires users to include the file extension when running a file, which can be problematic for users who have files without extensions that they need to run in PowerShell. However, there are several solutions to resolve this issue, including adding the file extension, modifying the environment variables, using the Invoke-Item command, using the Start-Process command, using a batch file, and using a PowerShell function. By using these solutions, users can execute files without an extension in PowerShell and continue to benefit from the power and flexibility of this command-line shell and scripting language.

score 0 · Answer 2 · 2022-12-28T21:13:52+00:00

It sounds like you are trying to run the docker command in Windows PowerShell, but it is not working as expected. There are a few potential issues that could be causing this behavior:

The docker executable file might not be in a directory that is included in the PATH environment variable. The PATH environment variable is a list of directories that Windows searches for executables when you type a command in the command prompt or PowerShell. To check if the Docker directory is included in the PATH environment variable, you can run the following command in PowerShell:

$env:Path

If the Docker directory is not included in the PATH environment variable, you will need to add it. To do this, you can use the Set-Item cmdlet to update the PATH environment variable:

Set-Item Env:Path "$env:Path;C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\resources\bin"

Another potential issue could be that the docker executable file is not associated with PowerShell. By default, PowerShell can run executables that have a file extension that is included in the $env:ExtPath environment variable. You can check the list of file extensions that are included in the $env:ExtPath environment variable by running the following command:

$env:ExtPath

If the .exe file extension is not included in the $env:ExtPath environment variable, you can add it by using the Set-Item cmdlet:

Set-Item Env:ExtPath "$env:ExtPath;.exe"

It’s also possible that the docker executable file has been corrupted or is otherwise not functioning properly. In this case, you may need to reinstall Docker to resolve the issue.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

score 0 · Answer 3 · 2022-07-28T13:19:54+00:00

It took me some time to examine the situation. The problem was occurring after searching in the directory C:\windows\system32, but a program like OpenSSL was not affected by it. Eventually, I discovered that there was a blank file in C:\windows\system32 with the name “docker”. Once I removed that file, the issue was resolved and the program started functioning correctly.