xp-cmdshell-server-configuration-option.md

title	xp_cmdshell Server Configuration Option | Microsoft Docs
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ms.date	03/02/2017
ms.prod	sql-non-specified
ms.prod_service	database-engine
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ms.component	configure-windows
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ms.suite	sql
ms.technology	database-engine
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dev_langs	TSQL
helpviewer_keywords	xp_cmdshell
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author	BYHAM
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xp_cmdshell Server Configuration Option

[!INCLUDEappliesto-ss-xxxx-xxxx-xxx-md]

The xp_cmdshell option is a [!INCLUDEssNoVersion] server configuration option that enables system administrators to control whether the xp_cmdshell extended stored procedure can be executed on a system. By default, the xp_cmdshell option is disabled on new installations and can be enabled by using the Policy-Based Management or by running the sp_configure system stored procedure as shown in the following code example:

-- To allow advanced options to be changed.  
EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1;  
GO  
-- To update the currently configured value for advanced options.  
RECONFIGURE;  
GO  
-- To enable the feature.  
EXEC sp_configure 'xp_cmdshell', 1;  
GO  
-- To update the currently configured value for this feature.  
RECONFIGURE;  
GO  

See Also

Server Configuration Options (SQL Server)
Administer Servers by Using Policy-Based Management