Links: - Table of Basic PowerShell Commands

  • Everything is treated like an object, which could be configured and manipulated with PowerShell
  • Object oriented, interactive shell that enables task automation and bulk operations.
  • Based on the .NET framework
  • Commands and arguments are case-insensitive.

  • Aliases help to bridge gap between languages.

    E.g. dir is actually an alias for the PowerShell command Get-Child.

  • Built into many products including 3rd party products.

How to Read Powershell

Get-Service -name *net*         # Displays all services that contain net
Get-Service -name "*net*"       # Performs the same function
  • Get is the verb, Service is the noun, while Get-Service is the command.
  • -name is the name, "*net*" is the argument, while -name "*net*" is the parameter
  • Parameters are like adjectives.
  • Almost all commands are singular.

Power of the Pipe

  • The pipe operator: |
  • Output from one command becomes input for the next.
  • Also strings together multiple commands.
  • Parameter binding is the key; "|" routes information to the correct command.
get-service|out-file c:\service.txt     # Pipes output from get-service into a text file

Getting Help

  • PowerShell Supports tab suggestions, e.g. Typing Get- and then will offer suggestions.
  • help is similar to Get-Help but also attaches the "More" function to it.
  • man is an alias for help.
  • N.B. Help may need to be updated by Update-Help
Get-Help <cmdlet name>
Get-Help <keyword>

Getting Help: Examples

Get-Help alias                      # Get help entry for the command alias
Get-Help New-Alias
New-Alias -name "lsss" "Get-ChildItem"

Get-help get-service -examples      # Get help entry for get-service examples
Get-help get-service -online        # N.B. Requires a browser to display the online help

Cmdlets and Aliases

Get-Command         # Gets all commands that are installed on the computer.
Get-Command|More
gcm                 # Alias for Get-Command

Get-ChildItem       # Powershell command for dir or ls; actually dir and ls are aliases of this command.
gci                 # Alias for Get-ChildItem

Alias               # Displays all aliases in the current environment
Get-Help about_Aliases

Exploring Services

Get-Service         # Lists all services, including running and stopped services.
Get-Service|Where-Object {$_.status -eq "stopped"}      # Search servies for Status "stopped"

Get-Member          # Gets the properties and methods of objects
  • Get-Service can be piped into Get-Member so show the properties and methods of Get-Service.
Get-Service|Get-Member

Exploring Local Users

Get-CIMinstance win32_useraccount
getWMIObject win32_useraccount