Windows & Linux · PowerShell Fundamentals

PowerShell Fundamentals

A practical walkthrough of PowerShell's object-based shell and scripting language—cmdlets, syntax, objects, scripting basics, policies, debugging, and real-world tasks.

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Introduction: What is PowerShell?

PowerShell is a powerful command-line shell and scripting language built on .NET (and .NET Core for cross-platform PowerShell). Designed for admins and power users, it automates tasks, manages configurations, and interacts with APIs, the registry, and the file system. Unlike traditional text-based shells, PowerShell is object-based—commands pass rich objects, not just text—unlocking precise filtering, formatting, and automation.

Getting Started with PowerShell

  • .NET and .NET Core foundations
  • Windows PowerShell vs PowerShell (Core)
  • Cmdlets, basic syntax & structure
  • Working with files and directories
  • Scripting basics (types, control flow, functions)
  • Real-world examples

.NET and .NET Core Foundations

.NET Framework

The .NET Framework provides PowerShell with the CLR runtime and vast class libraries. When you run Get-Process, format with Select-Object, or manage services, you're leveraging .NET types and methods under the hood—enabling rich, object-first automation.

  • Libraries: file I/O, networking, services, UI, and more
  • CLR runtime: execution, memory, exception handling
  • Objects: structured data instead of flat text

.NET Core

.NET Core (now .NET 6/7/8+) powers cross-platform PowerShell (a.k.a. PowerShell Core). It's modular, fast, and open source—ideal for modern automation across Windows, Linux, and macOS.

  • Cross-platform: consistent scripts on Windows/macOS/Linux
  • Performance & modularity: lean runtime and libraries
  • Open source: rapid improvements, community modules

Windows PowerShell and PowerShell (Core)

Windows PowerShell

  • Version: 5.1 (final)
  • Platform: Windows-only
  • Runtime: .NET Framework
  • Compatibility: deep Windows integration & legacy APIs

PowerShell (Core)

  • Version: 6.x/7.x (current is 7 line)
  • Platform: cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • Runtime: .NET Core / .NET 5+
  • Notes: faster & modular; some Windows-only features differ

Cmdlets & Basic Syntax and Structure

Cmdlets are small, purpose-built commands that follow a clear Verb-Noun pattern and output objects. They're the building blocks of PowerShell automation.

Naming Format

VerbNounMeaning
Get-HelpDisplays help for cmdlets
Get-CommandLists available commands
Get-ProcessShow running processes
Get-ServiceShow services
Start-ServiceStart a service
Restart-ServiceRestart a service
Stop-ServiceStop a service
Get-Help screenshot
Get-Command screenshot
Get-Process screenshot
Get-Service screenshot
Service management examples

Exploration

$PSVersionTable
Get-Module -ListAvailable
Get-Command -Module ModuleName
Get-FileHash
Get-FileHash -Algorithm SHA1 -Path
Get-NetAdapter
Select-Object
Get-NetAdapter | Select-Object Name, Status, LinkSpeed
Set-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup "File and Printer Sharing" -Enabled True
Get-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup "Network Discovery"
(Get-WmiObject -Query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey
wmic bios get serialnumber
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block Specific IP" -Direction Inbound -Action Block -RemoteAddress "192.168.1.100" -Protocol Any
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block Specific IP Outbound" -Direction Outbound -Action Block -RemoteAddress "192.168.1.100" -Protocol Any
Get-ComputerInfo | Select-Object WindowsProductName, WindowsVersion
net users
net groups
net user administrator
Get-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators"
Remove-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "Domain Users"

Get-Module -ListAvailable

Get-Module list
More module listings

Command Discovery Across Modules

WindowsUpdate commands
NetAdapter commands
NetTCPIP commands
TroubleshootingPack commands
NetworkConnectivityStatus commands
NetSecurity commands list

Networking & Hash Basics

NetSecurity module
Get-FileHash output
Get-NetAdapter output
Adapter selected properties

Firewall Rules & Discovery

Enable File and Printer Sharing rule
Network Discovery rules

Retrieve Computer Serial Number

Serial number retrieval

Block IP Inbound/Outbound

New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block Specific IP" -Direction Inbound -Action Block -RemoteAddress "192.168.1.100" -Protocol Any
Inbound block rule
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block Specific IP Outbound" -Direction Outbound -Action Block -RemoteAddress "192.168.1.100" -Protocol Any
Outbound block rule

Get-ComputerInfo & Selected Properties

ComputerInfo full
Selected OS properties 1
Selected OS properties 2

Local Users & Groups

net user
net group
net user administrator

Modern Local Group Cmdlets

Get-LocalGroupMember
Modify local group members

Working with Files and Directories

Get-ChildItem
New-Item
Remove-Item
echo
mkdir
Move-Item
Copy-Item
ls

The familiar Linux-style commands like mkdir, echo, and ls also work in a PowerShell session.

New-Item examples
Get-ChildItem examples
Remove-Item examples
echo/mkdir examples
Item operations

PowerShell Scripting Basics

Core building blocks that underpin automation and administration with PowerShell.

Data Types (Variables, Strings, Integers)

Variables
Strings
Integers

Arrays

Create arrays
Append to arrays
Loop through arrays

Booleans

Boolean basics
Comparison produces boolean
Logical operators
Negation example

Loops and Conditional Statements

Loops screenshot

Objects

Process object properties
Custom object
Array of objects
Filter objects

Functions

function Greet-User {
  param ($Name)
  "Welcome, $Name!"
}
Greet-User -Name "Dave"
Function with param
Function no params
Function one param
Function multiple params
Function with logic
Return value function

Scripts end with the .ps1 extension.

Permissions and Execution Policy

Get-ExecutionPolicy
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
Execution policy

Policies: Restricted · AllSigned · RemoteSigned · Unrestricted

Administrator privileges may be required.

Useful Tools and Debugging

  • Write-Host vs Write-Output
  • Start-Transcript to log sessions
  • try/catch/finally for error handling

Write-Host vs Write-Output

Write-Host demo
Write-Output demo

Start-Transcript

Start-Transcript demo

try / catch / finally

try/catch example 1
try/catch example 2
finally block demo

Real-World Use Cases

  • Batch user creation in AD
  • Automating updates
  • Backing up and archiving logs
  • Scheduled tasks and reporting

Batch User Creation in AD

Create a CSV with user attributes, then run a script to provision users in bulk.

AD CSV example
AD user creation script
New AD users created

Automating Updates

Windows Update 1
Windows Update 2
Windows Update 3

Backing Up and Archiving Logs

Backup logs with PowerShell

Scheduled Tasks and Reporting

Task Scheduler 1
Task Scheduler 2
Task Scheduler 3
Task Scheduler 4
Task Scheduler 5
Task Scheduler 6
Task Scheduler 7
Task Scheduler 8
Task Scheduler 9
Task Scheduler 10

PowerShell gives IT pros control and automation that save time, reduce errors, and improve reliability. Mastering the fundamentals is step one toward serious automation chops.

PowerShell is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. This content is for educational purposes and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft.

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