Networking / Security · Risk: High · Documentation Verified
Last verified: 2026-10-26
Microsoft NetEventPacketCapture reference: Creates a network event session. The syntax and selected example below are adapted from the pinned Windows Server 2025 reference. Module availability, target configuration and delegated permissions determine whether it can run in your environment. Documentation and parameter text: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; formatting adapted by Cmdlet World. No execution testing is claimed.
Use an account with the target resource permissions documented for New-NetEventSession. Modifying administrative cmdlets may require elevation or delegated administration. This catalog does not assert that ordinary users can execute the command.
Supported environments
Windows / NetEventPacketCapture · Windows Server 2025 documentation; feature/module prerequisites apply
Parameters
-AsJob
Runs the cmdlet as a background job. Use this parameter to run commands that take a long time to complete.
-CaptureMode
Specifies a capture mode. The acceptable values for this parameter are: - SaveToFile. Saves the capture to an .etl file. - RealtimeRPC. Connects remotely for a live event and packet capture. - RealtimeLocal. Connects locally for a live event and packet capture. If you specify a value of SaveToFile, you can specify a location for the file by using the LocalFilePath parameter and specify a maximum file size by using the MaxFileSize parameter. If you specify a value of RealtimeRPC or RealtimeLocal, the capture requires additional software, such as Microsoft Message Analyzer.
-CimSession
Runs the cmdlet in a remote session or on a remote computer. Enter a computer name or a session object, such as the output of a New-CimSession or Get-CimSession cmdlet. The default is the current session on the local computer.
-Confirm
Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.
-LocalFilePath
Specifies a file path. If you specify a value of SaveToFile for the CaptureMode parameter, the cmdlet saves the file to this location. Be sure that you can write to this location. If you do not specify this parameter, the cmdlet uses the default value of %LocalAppData%\Temp\NetTrace.etl.
-MaxFileSize
Specifies a maximum file size, in megabytes. If you specify a value of SaveToFile for the CaptureMode parameter, this value is the maximum size for the .etl file. Once the file reaches the maximum, the session continues to save events, and discards the oldest events to create space. A value of 0 means that there is no maximum. If you do not specify this parameter, the cmdlet uses a default value of 250.
-MaxNumberOfBuffers
Specifies the maximum number of buffers used in a session. If the computer determines that the value restricts performance or the value is 0, the computer overrides the configuration to optimize trace performance. For more information, see EVENT_TRACE_PROPERTIES structure in the Microsoft Developer Network library.
-Name (required)
Specifies a name to assign to the session for event and packet capture.
-ThrottleLimit
Specifies the maximum number of concurrent operations that can be established to run the cmdlet. If this parameter is omitted or a value of 0 is entered, then Windows PowerShell® calculates an optimum throttle limit for the cmdlet based on the number of CIM cmdlets that are running on the computer. The throttle limit applies only to the current cmdlet, not to the session or to the computer.
-TraceBufferSize
Specifies the amount of memory, in kilobytes, for a buffer for event tracing. The maximum value is 1024. If the computer determines that the value restricts performance or the value is 0, the computer overrides the configuration to optimize trace performance. The ETW logger uses the size of physical memory to calculate the default value.
-WhatIf
Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.
Prerequisites
Windows with the NetEventPacketCapture module and the Windows feature or management tools that provide it. Confirm target connectivity and version compatibility using the linked Microsoft reference.
Security considerations
This cmdlet changes system state. Review every target and parameter in the official reference, test outside production, and prepare an appropriate backup or rollback. Do not execute the example automatically.
Examples
Example 1: Create a session
New-NetEventSession -Name "Session38"
This command creates session named Session38. Use the Add-NetEventProvider cmdlet to add a provider for the session. Source: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; transcript prompt/output removed. This example was not executed.