winrm

Run a command on a Windows host (via pywinrm Python library)

$ python -c "import winrm; s = winrm.Session('[host]', auth=('[user]', '[pass]')); print(s.run_cmd('ipconfig').std_out)"

$ python -c "import winrm; s = winrm.Session('[host]', auth=('[user]', '[pass]')); print(s.run_ps('Get-Process').std_out)"

$ python -c "import winrm; s = winrm.Session('[host]', auth=('[user]', '[pass]'), transport='ssl'); print(s.run_cmd('hostname').std_out)"

$ python -c "import winrm; s = winrm.Session('[host]', auth=('[domain\\user]', '[pass]'), transport='ntlm'); print(s.run_cmd('whoami').std_out)"

winrm (via pywinrm Python library)

$ import winrm
session = winrm.Session(_host_, auth=(_user_, _password_), transport=_method_)
result = session.run_cmd(_command_, [_args_])
result = session.run_ps(_powershell_script_)

pywinrm is a Python library for Windows Remote Management (WinRM), enabling command execution on Windows machines from Linux or other systems. WinRM is Microsoft's implementation of WS-Management protocol, providing remote management capabilities similar to SSH.
The library supports multiple authentication methods: Basic (requires HTTPS or unencrypted setup), NTLM (works with domain and local accounts), Kerberos (for domain environments), and CredSSP (allows credential delegation). Connection uses HTTP port 5985 or HTTPS port 5986.
pywinrm is extensively used by automation tools like Ansible for Windows management. It can execute both cmd.exe commands (runcmd) and PowerShell scripts (runps), returning output, errors, and exit codes.
Windows hosts must have WinRM enabled (Enable-PSRemoting -Force) and configured to accept the chosen authentication method.

host

Windows target hostname or IP address.

Tuple of (username, password) for authentication.

Authentication method: basic, ntlm, kerberos, ssl, or credssp.

Execute a Windows command (cmd.exe).

Execute a PowerShell script.

Standard output from command execution.

Standard error from command execution.

Exit code of the executed command.

WinRM communication is unencrypted over HTTP by default; use HTTPS or NTLM/Kerberos transport for security. Basic authentication requires explicit enabling on Windows hosts. Kerberos requires proper domain configuration and kinit initialization. Firewall rules must allow WinRM ports (5985/5986).

WinRM (Windows Remote Management) was introduced by Microsoft in Windows Vista and Server 2008 as part of the WS-Management standard. pywinrm was developed to enable WinRM access from Python on non-Windows systems. The library became essential for cross-platform Windows management, particularly gaining prominence through Ansible's Windows support starting around 2014.

ssh(1), ansible(1), powershell(1)