Command-line interface for Windows

The AnyDesk Command-Line Interface (CLI) allows administrators and advanced users to automate installation, configuration, client and Session Management, and network settings. This article explains how to use AnyDesk commands in the Windows Command Prompt or within scripts such as batch files to streamline deployments and administration.

🚨 IMPORTANT

All commands must be run from the directory where AnyDesk.exe is located, or the full executable path must be specified.

The location of the AnyDesk executable depends on the client type:

• Standard clients downloaded from anydesk.com are typically installed to:
  C:\Program Files (x86)\AnyDesk\AnyDesk.exe
• Custom clients generated via my.anydesk.com are typically installed to:
  C:\Program Files (x86)\AnyDesk-<prefix>\AnyDesk-<prefix>.exe
  The <prefix> is a unique identifier for your account. You can find it in my.anydesk > Builds tab > select desired build > in the General section, check the Prefix field.

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Installation

This section provides instructions for installing or updating the AnyDesk Windows client using command-line. You can use these commands in scripts, system deployment processes, or during manual setup. Installation parameters allow you to define specific installation behaviors, such as shortcut creation, silent mode, and update preferences.

Installation commands

To install or update AnyDesk using the CLI, use the following command format:

anydesk.exe --install <location> <additional_parameters>

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For example:

anydesk.exe --install “C:\Program Files (x86)\AnyDesk” --start-with-win --create-desktop-icon

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For MSI-based deployments:

anydesk.msi (optional: INSTALL="<location>")

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Installation parameters

Parameter	Description
–install	Installs AnyDesk in the specified location (e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\AnyDesk).
–start-with-win	Configures AnyDesk to launch automatically with Windows.
–create-shortcuts	Adds a Start Menu shortcut.
–create-desktop-icon	Adds a desktop shortcut.
–remove-first	Uninstalls the current version before installing a new one. Useful for manual updates.
–silent	Runs the installation without user interface and error prompts.
–update-manually	Enables manual updates (default for custom client).
–update-disabled	Disables AnyDesk updates.
–update-auto	Enables automatic updates (default for standard clients; not available for custom clients

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AnyDesk client

The AnyDesk executable (anydesk.exe) offers a wide range of commands that allow administrators to control and configure the client. These commands can be used individually or within automation scripts to streamline administrative tasks across multiple systems.

Client commands

The examples below demonstrate how to use key client commands, such as registering a license key or setting an Unattended Access password. These commands are frequently used during initial setup or when automating client configuration.

Command	Description
anydesk.exe	For a full list of available options, see Client command parameters.
**echo <license_key>	anydesk.exe –register-license**
**echo <my_password>	anydesk.exe –set-password**

Client command parameters

This table lists individual command-line parameters available for the AnyDesk client. These parameters can be used with anydesk.exe to configure or control the client directly, and are commonly used in scripts or administrative setups.

Parameter	Description
–uninstall	Uninstalls AnyDesk with a graphical prompt.
–remove	Uninstalls AnyDesk silently without any prompt or UI.
–start	Starts the AnyDesk background service.
–stop-service	Stops the AnyDesk background service.
–restart-service	Restarts the AnyDesk background service.
–remove-password	Deletes the Unattended Access password (admin rights required). Note: This cannot remove preset passwords from custom clients.
–remove-license	Removes the license key from the client. Note: This does not sign out users signed in via their account.
–get-alias	Displays the AnyDesk Alias. Typically used in scripts.
–get-id	Displays the AnyDesk ID. Typically used in scripts.
–get-status	Displays the client’s online status.
–version	Displays the installed AnyDesk version.
–settings	Opens the default (local) settings page.
–admin-settings	Opens the global (admin-level) settings page.
–settings:<viable_parameter>	Opens the specified settings section. Supported parameters: ui, security, alias, privacy, video, capture, audio, connection, file_transfer, recording, printer, wol, license, about
–admin-settings:<viable_parameter>	Opens the specified section of the global settings. Supported parameters: capture, security, connection, recording
–disclaimer	Displays the custom disclaimer message. Only works for custom clients with this option enabled.

Example batch script to get AnyDesk ID:

@echo off for /f "delims=" %%i in ('"C:\Program Files (x86)\AnyDesk\AnyDesk.exe" --get-id') do set ID=%%i echo AnyDesk ID is: %ID% pause

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Permission profile commands (AnyDesk 7+)

Permission profiles allow administrators to define custom access control settings for remote sessions. These profiles can be created, configured, and managed via the command line. This is supported in AnyDesk version 7 and later.

Create a permission profile

anydesk.exe --add-profile <name> +<permission> +<permission> ...

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Creates a new permission profile named <name>. By default, all permissions are disabled. Use +<permission> to enable specific permissions, separated by spaces.

Supported permissions:

• audio
• input
• clipboard
• clipboard_files
• block_input
• sas (CTRL+ALT+DEL action)
• restart
• file_manager
• lock_desk
• sysinfo
• whiteboard
• tcp_tunnel
• VPN
• user_pointer
• privacy_feature
• record_session

Create a profile with unattended access password

echo <password> | anydesk.exe --add-profile <name> +<permission> +<permission> ...

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Creates a permission profile named <name> with the specified unattended access password. Permissions must be defined the same way as above.

Set a password for an existing profile

echo <password> | anydesk.exe --set-password <profile>

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Assigns or updates the unattended access password for the specified profile.

• For custom profiles: use the permission profile name.

• For default profiles, use:

  • _default – Default
  • _full_access – Full Access
  • _screen_sharing – Screen Sharing
  • _unattended_access – Unattended Access

Remove a password from a profile

anydesk.exe --remove-password <profile>

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Removes the unattended access password from the specified profile.

💡 NOTE

This command cannot remove preset passwords from custom client configurations.

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Start sessions via command-line

You can initiate remote sessions directly from the command line using the anydesk.exe executable.

Connection commands

This can be useful for integrating AnyDesk with scripts, management tools, or automation processes.

Connect to a client

anydesk.exe <ID/Alias> <additional parameters>

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Starts a remote session to the specified AnyDesk ID or Alias.

• <ID_or_Alias> - the AnyDesk address of the remote client.
• <additional_parameters> - optional parameters to customize the session. For additional parameters, see Optional session parameters.

Connect using a password

echo <password> | anydesk.exe <ID/Alias> --with-password

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Starts a session to the specified client and submits the given password for Unattended Access.

Optional session parameters

You can add the following parameters to session commands to modify how the session starts:

Command	Description
–file-transfer	Starts a File Transfer session.
–full-screen	Starts a session in fullscreen mode.
–plain	Starts a session in a window without borders and menu options.

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Proxy commands

You can configure AnyDesk’s HTTP proxy settings using command-line parameters. This is especially useful for environments with strict network policies or where proxy authentication is required.

🦉 For more details on proxy settings, see this article. 

Disable proxy usage

anydesk.exe --proxy --set-host never

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Sets the proxy mode to No proxy under Settings > Connection > HTTP-Proxy. AnyDesk will not attempt to connect via a proxy.

Detect proxy automatically

anydesk.exe --proxy --set-host detect

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Sets the proxy mode to Detect proxy. AnyDesk will attempt to detect a proxy. If none is found, it will proceed without one.

Set up a manual proxy

anydesk.exe --proxy --set-host <proxy_type> <address> <port> [<force_proxy>] [--reconnect]

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Configures a manual proxy under Settings > Connection > HTTP-Proxy.

• <proxy_type>: http, https, or socks
• <address>: Proxy server address (IP or URL)
• <port>: Port used to connect to the proxy
• [+force-proxy]: Try proxy, fallback to normal connection if it fails (optional)
• [-force-proxy]: Force proxy; disconnect if the proxy is unavailable (optional)
• [--reconnect]: Restarts the connection to apply the new settings (optional)

Disable proxy authentication

anydesk.exe --proxy --set-auth disable

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Disables authentication. Sets HTTP-Proxy authentication to No authentication required.

Use Windows credentials

anydesk.exe --proxy --set-auth auto

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Uses Windows account credentials for proxy authentication (NTLM). Sets HTTP-Proxy authentication to NTLM.

Specify username and password

echo <password> | anydesk.exe --proxy --set-auth simple <username>

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Uses the configured username and password for authentication. Sets the proxy authentication method to Set up username and password.

A tool that allows administrators and advanced users to automate installation, configuration, and client management tasks using command-line commands.

The process of overseeing and controlling remote sessions, including starting, ending, and monitoring connections.

A feature that allows connections to a remote device without requiring manual approval on the other end, enabling access using just a password.

A built-in feature that creates a secure, private connection between local and remote devices. It enhances security by linking only the two devices directly, without allowing access to other devices on either network.