pcAnywhere Command Line Syntax

The following information is all derived from the official Symantec documentation for pcAnywhere 9 - 10.5. - aka


pcAnywhere has several applets that can run from a command line with a parameter and switches. Their syntax is as follows:



Command-line switches and examples

 

Argument
Used With
Function
/Cx
Awhost32.exe
Instructs the host to call a remote. On a Windows NT/2000/XP host, you must also use the /D switch. The value x represents the phone number of the remote.
Awrem32.exe
Instructs the remote to call a host using TCP/IP, overriding the current host address in the .CHF file. The value x represents the IP address or domain name of the host to call.
/D
Awhost32.exe
This disables the pcAnywhere Host Service. Used in conjunction with the /Cx or /V switch under Windows NT/2000/XP only.
/L
Awrem32.exe
Instructs the remote to wait for a call from a host.
/R
Winaw32.exe
Disables the splash screen that normally appears when launching the main module.
/V
Awhost32.exe
Awrem32.exe
Sets up a Voice First call. If used with Awhost32.exe on Windows NT/2000/XP, you must also use the /D switch.


Notes on using the /D switch

The /D switch only applies to running Awhost32.exe at a command line from a Windows NT/2000/XP host. Because it disables the pcAnywhere Host Service, the following functions of pcAnywhere will not function during a remote session:


Without these functions, you would not be able to unlock a locked host, log out of Windows and still wait for the connection, bring up the Task Manager, or use File Transfer.

STOPHOST.EXE

Run this command at the host to cancel a waiting host. This command has no arguments and no switches.

How to Run Command Lines

You can run command lines in any of four ways:


To create an icon on the Desktop:


To create an icon on the Start Menu:


To run a command line from the Run window:


To run a command line from the DOS Prompt:


Determining the Data folder location
The location of the pcAnywhere Data folder depends on the version of pcAnywhere installed and, in some cases, on the operating system. The following are the default locations for the pcAnywhere Data folder by version and platform:


NOTE: If you upgraded to pcAnywhere 9.2 or 9.2.1 from 9.0 by running LiveUpdate or by downloading and installing the 92up.exe or 921up.exe file, then the path to the pcAnywhere data folder will conform to the paths for pcAnywhere 9.0 - C:\Program Files\Symantec\pcAnywhere\Data.


Example Command Lines

NOTES:


Disable the pcAnywhere splash screen
"C:\Program Files\Symantec\pcAnywhere\winaw32.exe" /r

Call a Host using the modem
"C:\Program Files\Symantec\pcAnywhere\awrem32.exe" "C:\winnt\profiles\all users\Application Data\Symantec\pcAnywhere\Modem.chf"

Call a Host using the Network (assume TCP/IP for this example)
"C:\Program Files\Symantec\pcAnywhere\awrem32.exe" "C:\winnt\profiles\all users\Application Data\Symantec\pcAnywhere\Network,Cable,DSL.chf"

Call a Host using the Network overriding the current IP address and replacing it with the address stated on the command line
"C:\Program Files\Symantec\pcAnywhere\awrem32.exe" "C:\winnt\profiles\all users\Application Data\Symantec\pcAnywhere\Network,Cable,DSL.chf" /c10.10.10.100

Call a Host using the Network overriding the current IP address and replacing it with the domain stated on the command line
"C:\Program Files\Symantec\pcAnywhere\awrem32.exe" "C:\winnt\profiles\all users\Application Data\Symantec\pcAnywhere\Network,Cable,DSL.chf" /cSYMANTEC_BOB_JOHNSON

"C:\Program Files\Symantec\pcAnywhere\awrem32.exe" "C:\winnt\profiles\all users\Application Data\Symantec\pcAnywhere\Network,Cable,DSL.chf" /c"Symantec Bob Johnson"

Be a Remote but wait for the Host to call (using the network)
"C:\Program Files\Symantec\pcAnywhere\awrem32.exe" "C:\winnt\profiles\all users\Application Data\Symantec\pcAnywhere\Network,Cable,DSL.chf" /l

Be a Remote set for a Voice first call
"C:\Program Files\Symantec\pcAnywhere\awrem32.exe" "C:\winnt\profiles\all users\Application Data\Symantec\pcAnywhere\Modem.chf" /v

Be a Host and wait for a call using the modem
"C:\Program Files\Symantec\pcAnywhere\awhost32.exe" "C:\winnt\profiles\all users\Application Data\Symantec\pcAnywhere\Modem.bhf"

Be a Host on Windows 9x/Me and wait for a Voice first call
"C:\Program Files\Symantec\pcAnywhere\awhost32.exe" "C:\winnt\profiles\all users\Application Data\Symantec\pcAnywhere\Modem.bhf" /v

Be a Host on Windows NT/2000/XP and wait for a Voice first call
"C:\Program Files\Symantec\pcAnywhere\awhost32.exe" "C:\winnt\profiles\all users\Application Data\Symantec\pcAnywhere\Modem.bhf" /d /v

Be a Host and dial to a remote over modem
"C:\Program Files\Symantec\pcAnywhere\awhost32.exe" "C:\winnt\profiles\all users\Application Data\Symantec\pcAnywhere\Modem.bhf" /c5411231234