Windows PowerShell Core Cmdlet Help Topics

Article
10/15/2012

Applies To: Windows PowerShell 2.0, Windows PowerShell 3.0

This section consists of an alphabetical list of the commands (cmdlets, functions, CIM commands, and workflows) that are installed with Windows PowerShell. To find the help topics that describe the commands, click the command-name link.

For a list of commands in each module, see Windows PowerShell Core Modules.

Cmdlet Help Topics

Name	Description
Add-Computer	Adds computers to a domain or workgroup.
Add-Content	Adds content to the specified items, such as adding words to a file.
Add-History	Appends entries to the session history.
Add-JobTrigger	Adds job triggers to scheduled jobs.
Add-Member	Adds a user-defined custom member to an instance of a Windows PowerShell object.
Add-PSSnapin	Adds one or more Windows PowerShell snap-ins to the current session.
Add-Type	Adds a .NET type (a class) to a Windows PowerShell session.
Checkpoint-Computer	Creates a system restore point on the local computer.
Clear-Content	Deletes the contents of a item, such as deleting the text from a file, but does not delete the item.
Clear-EventLog	Deletes all entries from specified event logs on the local or remote computers.
Clear-History	Deletes entries from the command history.
Clear-Host	Clears the display in the host program.
Clear-Item	Deletes the value of an item, but does not delete the item.
Clear-ItemProperty	Deletes the value of a property but it does not delete the property.
Clear-Variable	Deletes the value of a variable.
Compare-Object	Compares two sets of objects.
Complete-Transaction	Commits the active transaction.
Connect-PSSession	Reconnects to disconnected sessions.
Connect-WSMan	Connects to the WinRM service on a remote computer.
Convert-Path	Converts a path from a Windows PowerShell path to a Windows PowerShell provider path.
ConvertFrom-Csv	Converts object properties in CSV format into CSV versions of the original objects.
ConvertFrom-Json	Converts a JSON-formatted string to a custom object.
ConvertFrom-SecureString	Converts a secure string into an encrypted standard string.
ConvertFrom-StringData	Converts a string containing one or more "name=value" pairs to a hash table.
ConvertTo-Csv	Converts .NET objects into a series of comma-separated, variable-length (CSV) strings.
ConvertTo-Html	Converts .NET objects into HTML that can be displayed in a Web browser.
ConvertTo-Json	Converts an object to a JSON-formatted string.
ConvertTo-SecureString	Converts encrypted standard strings to secure strings. It can also convert plain text to secure strings. It is used with ConvertFrom-SecureString and Read-Host.
ConvertTo-Xml	Creates an XML-based representation of an object.
Copy-Item	Copies an item from one location to another within a namespace.
Copy-ItemProperty	Copies a property and value from a specified location to another location.
Debug-Process	Debugs one or more processes running on the local computer.
Disable-ComputerRestore	Disables the System Restore feature on the specified file system drive.
Disable-JobTrigger	Disables the job triggers of scheduled jobs.
Disable-PSBreakpoint	Disables the breakpoints in the current console.
Disable-PSRemoting	Prevents the computer from receiving remote Windows PowerShell commands.
Disable-PSSessionConfiguration	Denies access to the session configurations on the local computer.
Disable-WSManCredSSP	Disables Credential Security Service Provider (CredSSP) authentication on a client computer.
Disconnect-PSSession	Disconnects from a session.
Disconnect-WSMan	Disconnects the client from the WinRM service on a remote computer.
Disable-ScheduledJob	Disables a scheduled job.
Enable-ComputerRestore	Enables the System Restore feature on the specified file system drive.
Enable-JobTrigger	Enables the job triggers of scheduled jobs.
Enable-PSBreakpoint	Enables the breakpoints in the current console.
Enable-PSRemoting	Configures the computer to receive remote commands.
Enable-PSSessionConfiguration	Configures the computer to receive remote commands.
Enable-ScheduledJob	Enables a scheduled job.
Enable-WSManCredSSP	Enables Credential Security Service Provider (CredSSP) authentication on a client computer.
Enter-PSSession	Starts an interactive session with a remote computer.
Exit-PSSession	Ends an interactive session with a remote computer.
Export-Alias	Exports information about currently-defined aliases to a file.
Export-Clixml	Creates an XML-based representation of an object or objects and stores it in a file.
Export-Console	Exports the names of snap-ins in the current session to a console file.
Export-Counter	The Export-Counter cmdlet exports performance counter data to log files.
Export-Csv	Converts .NET objects into a series of comma-separated, variable-length (CSV) strings and saves the strings in a CSV file.
Export-FormatData	Saves formatting data from the current session in a formatting file.
Export-ModuleMember	Specifies the module members that are exported.
Export-PSSession	Saves commands from another session in a module file.
ForEach-Object	Performs an operation against each of a set of input objects.
Format-Custom	Uses a customized view to format the output.
Format-List	Formats the output as a list of properties in which each property appears on a new line.
Format-Table	Formats the output as a table.
Format-Wide	Formats objects as a wide table that displays only one property of each object.
Get-Acl	Gets the security descriptor for a resource, such as a file or registry key.
Get-Alias	Gets the aliases for the current session.
Get-AuthenticodeSignature	Gets information about the Authenticode signature in a file.
Get-ChildItem	Gets the items and child items in one or more specified locations. (Like "dir".)
Get-Command	Gets all commands.
Get-ComputerRestorePoint	Gets the restore points on the local computer.
Get-Content	Gets the content of the item at the specified location.
Get-ControlPanelItem	Gets control panel items.
Get-Counter	Gets performance counter data from local and remote computers.
Get-Credential	Gets a credential object based on a user name and password.
Get-Culture	Gets the culture currently set in the operating system.
Get-Date	Gets the current date and time.
Get-Event	Gets the events in the event queue.
Get-EventLog	Gets the events in a specified event log or a list of the event logs on a computer.
Get-EventSubscriber	Gets the event subscribers in the current session.
Get-ExecutionPolicy	Gets the execution policies in the current session.
Get-FormatData	Gets the formatting data in the current session.
Get-Host	Gets an object that represents the current host program.
Get-HotFix	Gets the hotfixes that have been applied to the local and remote computers.
Get-Help	Displays information about Windows PowerShell cmdlets and concepts.
Get-History	Gets a list of the commands entered during the current session.
Get-IseSnippet	Gets snippets that the user created.
Get-Item	Gets the item at the specified location.
Get-ItemProperty	Gets the properties of a specified item.
Get-Job	Gets Windows PowerShell background jobs (PsJobs) that are running in the current console.
Get-JobTrigger	Gets the job triggers of scheduled jobs.
Get-Location	Gets information about the current working location.
Get-Member	Gets the properties and methods of objects.
Get-Module	Gets the modules that have been imported, or can be imported, into the current session.
Get-PfxCertificate	Gets information about .pfx certificate files on the computer.
Get-Process	Gets the processes that are running on the local computer or a remote computer.
Get-PSBreakpoint	Gets the breakpoints set in the current console.
Get-PSCallStack	Displays the current call stack.
Get-PSDrive	Gets the Windows PowerShell drives in the current console.
Get-PSProvider	Gets information about the specified Windows PowerShell provider.
Get-PSSession	Gets the Windows PowerShell sessions (PSSessions) in the current session.
Get-PSSessionConfiguration	Gets the session configurations registered on the computer.
Get-PSSnapin	Gets the Windows PowerShell snap-ins on the computer.
Get-Random	Gets a random number or selects objects randomly from a collection.
Get-ScheduledJob	Gets scheduled jobs on the local computer.
Get-ScheduledJobOption	Gets the job options of scheduled jobs.
Get-Service	Gets the services on a local or remote computer.
Get-TraceSource	Gets the Windows PowerShell components that are instrumented for tracing.
Get-Transaction	Gets the current (active) transaction.
Get-TypeData	Gets the extended type data in the current session.
Get-UICulture	Gets the current user interface culture set in the operating system.
Get-Unique	Returns the unique items from a sorted list.
Get-Variable	Gets the variables in the current console.
Get-Verb	Gets Windows PowerShell approved verbs.
Get-WinEvent	Gets events from event logs and event tracing log files on local and remote computers.
Get-WmiObject	Gets instances of WMI classes or information about available classes.
Get-WSManCredSSP	Gets the Credential Security Service Provider-related configuration for the client.
Get-WSManInstance	Displays management information for a resource instance specified by a Resource URI.
Group-Object	Groups objects that contain the same value for specified properties.
Import-Alias	Imports an alias list from a file.
Import-Clixml	Imports a CLIXML file and creates corresponding objects within Windows PowerShell.
Import-Counter	Imports performance counter log files (.blg, .csv, .tsv) and creates the objects that represent each counter sample in the log.
Import-Csv	Converts object properties in a CSV file into CSV versions of the original objects.
Import-IseSnippet	Imports ISE snippets into the current session.
Import-LocalizedData	Imports language-specific data into scripts and functions based on the current culture setting of the operating system.
Import-PSSession	Imports cmdlets, aliases, functions, and other command types from another session on a local or remote computer into the current session.
Import-Module	Adds modules to the current session.
Invoke-AsWorkflow	Runs a command or expression as a Windows PowerShell Workflow.
Invoke-Command	Runs commands on local and remote computers.
Invoke-Expression	Runs commands or expressions on the local computer.
Invoke-History	Runs commands from the session history.
Invoke-Item	Performs the default action on the specified item.
Invoke-RestMethod	Sends an HTTP or HTTPS request to a REST-compliant web service.
Invoke-WebRequest	Sends an HTTP or HTTPS request to a web service.
Invoke-WmiMethod	Calls WMI methods.
Invoke-WSManAction	Invokes an action on the object that is specified by the Resource URI and by the selectors.
Join-Path	Combines a path and child-path into a single path.
Limit-EventLog	Sets the event log properties that limit the size of the event log and the age of its entries.
Measure-Command	Measures the time it takes to run script blocks and cmdlets.
Measure-Object	Calculates the numeric properties of objects, and the characters, words, and lines in string objects, such as the text in files.
Move-Item	Moves an item from one location to another.
Move-ItemProperty	Moves a property from one location to another.
New-Alias	Creates a new alias.
New-Event	Creates a new event.
New-EventLog	Creates a new event log and a new event source on a local or remote computer.
New-IseSnippet	Creates a Windows PowerShell ISE snippet.
New-Item	Creates a new item.
New-ItemProperty	Creates a new property for an item and sets its value. For example, you can use New-ItemProperty to create and change registry values and data, which are properties of a registry key.
New-JobTrigger	Creates a job trigger for a scheduled job.
New-Object	Creates an instance of a .Net or COM object.
New-Module	Creates a new dynamic module that exists only in memory.
New-ModuleManifest	Creates a new module manifest.
New-PSDrive	Creates a Windows PowerShell drive in the current console.
New-PSSession	Creates a persistent connection to a local or remote computer.
New-PSSessionConfigurationFile	Creates a file that defines a session configuration.
New-PSSessionOption	Creates an object that contains advanced options for a session.
New-PSTransportOption	Creates an object that contains advanced options for a session configuration.
New-PSWorkflowExecutionOption	Creates an object that contains session configuration options for workflow sessions.
New-PSWorkflowSession	Creates a workflow session.
New-ScheduledJobOption	Creates an object that contains advanced options for a scheduled job.
New-Service	Creates a new Windows service.
New-TimeSpan	Creates an object that represents a time interval.
New-Variable	Creates a new variable.
New-WebServiceProxy	Creates a Web service proxy object that lets you use and manage the Web service in Windows PowerShell.
New-WinEvent	Creates a new Windows event for the specified event provider.
New-WSManInstance	Creates a new instance of a management resource.
New-WSManSessionOption	Creates a WSMan Session option hashtable to use as input parameters to the following WSMan cmdlets: Connect-WSMan, Get-WSManInstance, Invoke-WSManAction, Set-WSManInstance.
Out-Default	Sends the output to the default formatter and the default output cmdlet. It is a placeholder that lets you write your own Out-Default function or cmdlet.
Out-File	Sends output to a file.
Out-GridView	Sends output to an interactive table in a separate window.
Out-Host	Sends output to the console.
Out-Null	Deletes output instead of sending it to the console.
Out-Printer	Sends output to a printer.
Out-String	Sends objects to the host as a series of strings.
Pop-Location	Changes to the location most recently pushed onto the stack by Push-Location.
Push-Location	Adds the current location to the top of a list of locations ("stack").
Read-Host	Reads a line of input from the console.
Receive-Job	Gets the results of the Windows PowerShell background jobs in the current session.
Register-EngineEvent	Subscribes to events that are generated by the Windows PowerShell engine and by the New-Event cmdlet.
Register-ObjectEvent	Subscribes to the events that are generated by a .NET object.
Register-PSSessionConfiguration	Creates and registers a new session configuration.
Register-ScheduledJob	Creates a new scheduled job.
Register-WmiEvent	Subscribes to an event generated by a WMI object.
Remove-Computer	Removes computers from workgroups or domains.
Remove-Event	Deletes events from the event queue.
Remove-EventLog	Deletes an event log or unregisters an event source.
Remove-Item	Deletes the specified items.
Remove-ItemProperty	Deletes the property and its value from an item.
Remove-Job	Deletes a Windows PowerShell background job.
Remove-JobTrigger	Deletes job triggers from scheduled jobs.
Remove-Module	Removes modules from the current session.
Remove-PSBreakpoint	Deletes breakpoints from the current console.
Remove-PSDrive	Removes a Windows PowerShell drive from its location.
Remove-PSSession	Closes one or more Windows PowerShell sessions (PSSessions).
Remove-PSSnapin	Removes Windows PowerShell snap-ins from the current session.
Remove-TypeData	Deletes extended types from the current session.
Remove-Variable	Deletes a variable and its value.
Remove-WmiObject	Deletes WMI classes and instances.
Remove-WSManInstance	Deletes a management resource instance.
Rename-Computer	Renames a computer.
Rename-Item	Renames an item in a Windows PowerShell provider namespace.
Rename-ItemProperty	Renames a property of an item.
Reset-ComputerMachinePassword	Resets the machine account password for the computer.
Resolve-Path	Resolves the wildcard characters in a path and displays the path contents.
Restart-Computer	Restarts ("reboots") the operating system on local and remote computers.
Restart-Service	Stops and then starts one or more services.
Restore-Computer	Starts a system restore on the local computer.
Resume-Job	Restarts a suspended job.
Resume-Service	Resumes one or more suspended (paused) services.
Save-Help	Downloads and saves the newest help files to a file system directory.
Select-Object	Selects specified properties of an object or set of objects. It can also select unique objects from an array of objects or it can select a specified number of objects from the beginning or end of an array of objects.
Select-String	Finds text in strings and files.
Select-Xml	Finds text in an XML document.
Send-MailMessage	Sends an e-mail message.
Set-Acl	Changes the security descriptor of a specified resource, such as a file or a registry key.
Set-Alias	Creates or changes an alias (alternate name) for a cmdlet or command element.
Set-AuthenticodeSignature	Adds an Authenticode signature to a Windows PowerShell script or other file.
Set-Content	Writes or replaces the content in an item with new content.
Set-Date	Changes the system time on the computer to a time that you specify.
Set-ExecutionPolicy	Changes the user preference for the execution policy of the shell.
Set-Item	Changes the value of an item to the value specified in the command.
Set-ItemProperty	Creates or changes the value of a property of an item.
Set-JobTrigger	Changes the job trigger of a scheduled job.
Set-Location	Sets the current working location to a specified location.
Set-PSBreakpoint	Sets a breakpoint on a line, command, or variable.
Set-PSDebug	Turns script debugging features on and off, sets the trace level and toggles strict mode.
Set-PSSessionConfiguration	Changes the properties of a registered session configuration.
Set-ScheduledJob	Changes scheduled jobs.
Set-ScheduledJobOption	Changes the job options of a scheduled job.
Set-Service	Starts, stops, and suspends a service, and changes its properties.
Set-StrictMode	Establishes and enforces coding rules in expressions, scripts, and script blocks.
Set-TraceSource	Configures, starts, and stops a trace of Windows PowerShell components.
Set-Variable	Sets the value of a variable. Creates the variable if one with the requested name does not exist.
Set-WmiInstance	Creates or modifies instances of WMI classes.
Set-WSManInstance	Modifies management information related to a resource.
Set-WSManQuickConfig	Configures the local machine for remote management.
Show-Command	Creates Windows PowerShell commands in a graphical command window.
Show-ControlPanelItem	Opens control panel items.
Show-EventLog	Displays the event logs of the local or a remote computer in Event Viewer.
Sort-Object	Sorts objects by property values.
Split-Path	Returns the specified part of a path.
Start-Job	Starts a Windows PowerShell background job.
Start-Process	Starts one or more processes on the local computer.
Start-Service	Starts one or more stopped services.
Start-Sleep	Suspend shell, script, or runspace activity for the specified period of time.
Start-Transaction	Starts a transaction.
Start-Transcript	Creates a record of all or part of a Windows PowerShell session in a text file.
Stop-Computer	Shuts down local and remote computers.
Stop-Job	Stops a Windows PowerShell background job.
Stop-Process	Stops one or more running processes.
Stop-Service	Stops one or more running services.
Stop-Transcript	Stops a transcript.
Suspend-Job	Temporarily stops workflow jobs.
Suspend-Service	Suspends (pauses) one or more running services.
Tee-Object	Saves command output in a file or variable and displays it in the console.
Test-ComputerSecureChannel	Tests and repairs the secure channel between the local computer and its domain.
Test-Connection	Sends ICMP echo request packets ("pings") to one or more computers.
Test-ModuleManifest	Verifies that a module manifest accurately describes the contents of a module.
Test-Path	Determines whether all elements of a path exist.
Test-PSSessionConfigurationFile	Verifies the keys and values in a session configuration file.
Trace-Command	Configures and starts a trace of the specified expression or command.
Unblock-File	Unblocks files that were downloaded from the Internet.
Undo-Transaction	Rolls back the active transaction.
Unregister-Event	Cancels an event subscription.
Unregister-PSSessionConfiguration	Deletes a registered session configurations from the computer.
Unregister-ScheduledJob	Deletes scheduled jobs from the local computer.
Update-FormatData	Updates and appends format data files.
Update-Help	Downloads and installs the newest help files on your computer.
Update-List	Adds and removes items from a property value that contains a collection of objects.
Update-TypeData	Updates the extended type data in the session.
Use-Transaction	Adds the script block to the active transaction.
Wait-Event	Waits until a particular event is raised before continuing to run.
Wait-Job	Suppresses the command prompt until one or all of the Windows PowerShell background jobs are complete.
Wait-Process	Waits for the processes to be stopped before accepting more input.
Where-Object	Creates a filter that controls which objects will be passed along a command pipeline.
Write-Debug	Writes a debugging message to the console.
Write-Error	Writes an object to the error pipeline.
Write-EventLog	Writes an event to an event log.
Write-Host	Writes customized output to a host.
Write-Output	Sends the objects to the next command in the pipeline. If the command is the last in the pipeline, the objects are displayed on the console.
Write-Progress	Displays a progress bar within a Windows PowerShell command window.
Write-Verbose	Writes text to the verbose message stream in Windows PowerShell.
Write-Warning	Writes a warning message.

Windows PowerShell Core Cmdlet Help Topics

Cmdlet Help Topics

See Also

Concepts

Other Resources

Additional resources