GUI and PSRemoting in Powershell CLI

Question

Recently, I created a script that utilizes GUI's such as Out-GridView and Winforms and puts that module on a remote Windows 2012 server. This was to allow users to establish remote PSSessions and execute scripts from a centralized location.

For Example:

1. When attempting to call a winform I get the following error:

Exception calling "ShowDialog" with "0" argument(s): "Showing a modal dialog box or form when the application is not running in UserInteractive mode is not a valid operation. Specify the ServiceNotification or DefaultDesktopOnly style
to display a notification from a service application."
    + CategoryInfo          : NotSpecified: (:) [], MethodInvocationException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : InvalidOperationException
    + PSComputerName        : servera

2. When attempting to place results into an Out-GridView I get the following error:

Out-GridView does not work in a remote session.
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidOperation: (Microsoft.Power...GridViewCommand:OutGridViewCommand) [Out-GridView], NotSupportedException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : RemotingNotSupported,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.OutGridViewCommand
    + PSComputerName        : servera

Question:

Are there any workarounds that would allow me to utilize OGV and Winforms?

Side note: I am open to allowing the user to export the module to their physical workstation to let them use these options if need be - OGV and Winforms - only if there is an effective/secure means to do it.On the other hand, I am open to different suggestions.

Answer 1

You need to use the UI on your local machine, not the remote one. Retrieve data remotely, display locally.

For instance:

Invoke-Command -ComputerName RemoteServer -Scriptblock { Get-Process } | Out-Gridview

Using the gridview inside the scriptblock will attempt to launch the UI on RemoteServer and give you the error you mentioned.