---
title: "xp_cmdshell Server Configuration Option | Microsoft Docs"
ms.custom: ""
ms.date: "03/02/2017"
ms.prod: "sql-server-2016"
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ms.suite: ""
ms.technology: 
  - "database-engine"
ms.tgt_pltfrm: ""
ms.topic: "article"
dev_langs: 
  - "TSQL"
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "xp_cmdshell"
ms.assetid: c147c9e1-b81d-49c8-b800-3019f4d86a13
caps.latest.revision: 16
author: "BYHAM"
ms.author: "rickbyh"
manager: "jhubbard"
---
# xp_cmdshell Server Configuration Option
[!INCLUDE[tsql-appliesto-ss2008-xxxx-xxxx-xxx_md](../../includes/tsql-appliesto-ss2008-xxxx-xxxx-xxx-md.md)]

  The **xp_cmdshell** option is a [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] 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)](../../database-engine/configure-windows/server-configuration-options-sql-server.md)   
 [Administer Servers by Using Policy-Based Management](../../relational-databases/policy-based-management/administer-servers-by-using-policy-based-management.md)