Scripting with Windows PowerShell

This page brings together resources for system administrators who are interested in learning about the Windows PowerShell command line and scripting environment. Please let us know how we could make the site more useful for you.

Hey, Scripting Guy!

Read an archive of the Scripting Guys' answers to customer-submitted questions about Windows PowerShell. Click the More Windows PowerShell Blog Posts link to see all the Hey, Scripting Guy! Windows PowerShell blog posts.

Webcasts

Using Windows PowerShell with Hyper-V and Virtual Machine Manager
In this webcast, examples are provided of Windows PowerShell being used to perform common administration tasks in Hyper-V and Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager. The two automation methods are discussed in detail, as well as some online community-focused Windows PowerShell resources such as http://powershellcommunity.org.
How Windows Server 2008 R2 Affects Your IT Infrastructure
This webcast covers many new features included in Windows Server 2008 R2 that improve the cost of ownership. The features in this session will include Branch Cache, Server Core new features, file system improvements for branch office deployments, and Windows Powershell.
More Windows PowerShell Webcasts

Scripts

Windows PowerShell Script Repository
Browse a repository of sample Windows PowerShell scripts.

Scripting Guide

Windows PowerShell Owner’s Manual
Here’s the guide for learning Windows PowerShell from the ground up.
VBScript to Windows PowerShell Conversion Guide
Are you a VBScript script writer looking to try your hand at Windows PowerShell? Then you might want to take a look at our conversion guide which shows you how to replicate VBScript functions and methods in Windows PowerShell.
A Task-Based Guide to Windows PowerShell Cmdlets
This guide focuses on the tasks you can carry out using cmdlets. Read and write text files, manage event logs, sort data, and much more.

Hands-On Scripting Labs

Introduction to Windows PowerShell Virtual Lab

Learn some of the fundamentals of Windows PowerShell by walking through this self-paced virtual lab.

Writing Scripts with Windows PowerShell

As a follow-up to Windows PowerShell Week, the Scripting Guys held a combination Virtual Lab/Webcast, known as a Labcast. This was a bit of an experiment, and while everything didn’t go flawlessly during the live presentation, the Labcast is now available on-demand. You’ll be able to walk through the Virtual Lab environment while the recorded version of the Webcast plays and guides you through the lessons.

Books

	Windows PowerShell 2.0 Best Practices Author: Ed Wilson
	Microsoft Windows PowerShell Step By Step Author: Ed Wilson
	Windows PowerShell Scripting Guide Author: Ed Wilson

Downloads

Download Windows PowerShell 2.0
This Windows Management Framework download includes Windows PowerShell 2.0, WinRM 2.0, and BITS 4.0. Download it today!
Windows PowerShell 1.0 Graphical Help File
Fully-searchable and easily-readable version of Windows PowerShell Help, and instructions about how to access this Help from a cmdlet.
Windows PowerShell Cheat Sheet
Quick Reference guide to using Windows PowerShell.

Interviews

Interview with Lee Holmes
Windows PowerShell developer and author of the Windows PowerShell Cookbook Lee Holmes chats with the Scripting Guys
Interview with Windows PowerShell Architect
Meet Jeffrey Snover, the software architect responsible for Windows PowerShell.

Additional Resources

Windows PowerShell Toolbox
A valuable list of resources for Windows PowerShell scripters.
Windows PowerShell Features
Scripting Tools
The Windows PowerShell Information Centre
Windows PowerShell Quick Start Command Reference
Windows PowerShell Team Blog