TFS Build: Run a Powershell script as administrator

6
votes

I created a build definition for our nightly build server. After building the project (a windows service), I need to execute a Powershell script to install and start the service. So I added a build step to run the specific Powershell script. Then I installed a TFS Build Agent & Visual Studio at the (soon to be) nightly build server. After running the build script I got an 'exit code 5' which seems to be related to missing administratior permissions. If I start the script as admin on the server manually, it works fine. The user, which is used by the agent, already got admin permissions.

Is there a way to execute the powershell script on the build server with a build agent / build definition with admin permissions?

1
powershelltfspermissionstfsbuilduac
You can't bypass the UAC prompt, if that's what you are asking. – Bill_Stewart
Our admins configured the server to disable UAC, so this should not be the problem – TheWho
This is unfortunate. Disabling UAC is definitely not recommended. – Bill_Stewart
Is there another way to get along with UAC when executing PowerShell scripts (that require admin permissions) in TFS build definitions? – TheWho

1 Answers

8
votes

You just need to make sure your build service account (which can be a local account, a domain account, or Local Service in a workgroup) also got admin permission.