APPLIES TO: 
SQL Server 
Azure SQL Database Azure SQL Data Warehouse Parallel Data Warehouse
The xp_cmdshell option is a SQL Server server configuration option that enables system administrators to control whether the xp_cmdshell extended stored procedure can be executed on a system. By default, the xp_cmdshell option is disabled on new installations. Before enabling this option, it is important to consider the potential security implications associated with the use of this option. Newly-developed code should not use this option as it should generally be left disabled. Some legacy applications require it to be enabled, and if they cannot be modified to avoid the use of this option, it can be enabled by using the Policy-Based Management or by running the sp_configure system stored procedure as shown in the following code example:
-- To allow advanced options to be changed.
EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1;
GO
-- To update the currently configured value for advanced options.
RECONFIGURE;
GO
-- To enable the feature.
EXEC sp_configure 'xp_cmdshell', 1;
GO
-- To update the currently configured value for this feature.
RECONFIGURE;
GO