PowerShell Download File From URL: A Comprehensive Guide

Downloading files from the internet is a common task, and PowerShell offers a powerful way to automate this process directly from the command line. Whether you’re a system administrator managing scripts or a developer grabbing the latest software update, understanding how to download files using PowerShell can significantly boost your productivity. This guide delves into the various methods and techniques for downloading files using PowerShell, empowering you to tackle a wide range of file transfer scenarios.

Downloading Files with Invoke-WebRequest

The Invoke-WebRequest cmdlet is a versatile tool in PowerShell, capable of handling various web-related tasks, including downloading files. Let’s explore how to use it to download a file:

Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://example.com/file.zip" -OutFile "C:Downloadsfile.zip"

In this example, we provide the URL of the file we want to download using the -Uri parameter and specify the desired save location and filename using the -OutFile parameter.

Using Start-BitsTransfer for Reliable Downloads

While Invoke-WebRequest is straightforward for simple downloads, larger files might benefit from the robustness of the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS). PowerShell provides the Start-BitsTransfer cmdlet to leverage BITS:

Start-BitsTransfer -Source "https://example.com/large-file.iso" -Destination "C:Downloadslarge-file.iso"

Start-BitsTransfer offers features like download resuming, bandwidth throttling, and the ability to manage downloads even after a system restart, making it ideal for larger or critical file downloads.

Handling Authentication

When downloading files from password-protected locations, you need to provide authentication credentials. Here’s how to achieve this with Invoke-WebRequest:

$Credentials = Get-Credential
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://secured-site.com/private-file.txt" -OutFile "C:Downloadsprivate-file.txt" -Credential $Credentials

This script first prompts the user for their username and password, securely storing them in the $Credentials variable. These credentials are then passed to the -Credential parameter of Invoke-WebRequest, enabling authenticated access to the protected file.

Downloading Files in PowerShell: A Summary

Mastering the art of downloading files in PowerShell provides you with a powerful toolset for automating tasks, managing system resources, and streamlining your workflows. Whether you’re dealing with simple downloads, large files requiring resilience, or secured locations demanding authentication, PowerShell has got you covered.

For more detailed guides on downloading multiple files and other advanced PowerShell techniques, check out our articles on powershell download files and download files powershell. These resources provide comprehensive insights and practical examples to help you become a PowerShell file downloading expert.