PsTools 2.48

PsTools is a versatile and powerful utility designed for Windows users who need to execute processes on remote machines. This free and open-source software offers a comprehensive suite of remote desktop apps, making it an essential tool for IT monitoring and support services.

With a compact size of only 3.9 MB, PsTools surprises users with its extensive range of features. The package includes 14 separate apps, each serving a specific purpose. For example, PsExec allows you to run processes remotely, while PsService helps you monitor and manage administrative tasks. While the individual apps are easy to use, it can be a bit cumbersome to switch between them for different functions.

It's worth noting that PsTools is designed for Windows platforms and no longer supports legacy systems. It requires Windows 8.1 client, Windows Server 2012, or Nano Server 2016 (or later versions) on both the sender and receiver systems. However, installation and usage are straightforward, and the software includes an HTML help file to assist first-time users in understanding the capabilities of each program.

One common concern among users is the false security alarms triggered by PsTools. This is due to the software's history of being associated with certain malware instances, which compromised the files included in the separate apps. However, the developers have improved the integrity of the software, and new apps and functionalities are regularly added to enhance its performance.

While PsTools may not be suitable for casual users due to its technical nature, it is highly recommended for professionals working on Windows platforms. The separate apps allow for easy organization and efficient task management, and the software continues to evolve with new features. Despite the occasional antivirus alarm, PsTools remains a reliable and powerful tool for remote system management.

This collection of tools, collectively known as PsTools, provides users with the ability to manage both local and remote systems. The name "Ps" is derived from the standard UNIX process listing command-line tool, "ps," and has been adopted for all the tools in this suite to create a cohesive set of utilities.

The PsTools package includes the following tools:

• PsExec - execute processes remotely
• PsFile - display files opened remotely
• PsGetSid - show the SID of a computer or user
• PsInfo - list information about a system
• PsKill - terminate processes by name or process ID
• PsList - provide detailed information about processes
• PsLoggedOn - view local and resource sharing logon information (full source code included)
• PsLogList - dump event log records
• PsPasswd - change account passwords
• PsService - view and control services
• PsShutdown - shut down and optionally reboot a computer
• PsSuspend - suspend processes
• PsUptime - display the duration since the last system reboot