To open PowerShell on Windows, type 'PowerShell' in the search bar and select 'Run as Administrator' to get full capabilities. On macOS and Linux, install PowerShell Core and open it from the terminal.
Welcome to PowerShell!
This guide provides an easy-to-follow introduction to PowerShell, a task automation and configuration management framework from Microsoft, consisting of a command-line shell and associated scripting language built on .NET. PowerShell helps system administrators and power-users rapidly automate tasks that manage operating systems (Linux, macOS, and Windows) and processes.
By the end of this guide, you will understand the basics of PowerShell, including how to execute commands and write scripts for automation.
Why should I use PowerShell?
PowerShell extends the capabilities of the CMD by offering a more comprehensive command suite with integrated scripting language that enables administrative automation and configuration management. It is especially powerful in managing large networks of computers and automating repetitive tasks.
Challenges of PowerShell
PowerShell scripts can be complex and require a good understanding of scripting and the .NET framework. There is also a security risk associated with running scripts, which can be mitigated by setting appropriate execution policies.
What You'll Need
To start using PowerShell, you'll need:
- A PC running Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- The PowerShell Core for cross-platform capabilities if you are not using Windows.
PowerShell Basics
In this section, we'll cover the foundational elements of using PowerShell:
- How to open PowerShell in different operating systems.
- Basic cmdlets like
Get-Help,Get-Command,Get-Process, and how to use them. - Understanding how to navigate the filesystem using PowerShell.
Practical Example
We'll go through a practical example where you'll use PowerShell to list all running processes, and write a simple script to automate clearing temporary files.