PowerShell Basics: A Cheat Sheet for Essential Commands

Introduction

In the world of information technology, mastering the right tools is pivotal for efficiency and effectiveness. One such powerful tool is PowerShell, a task-based command-line shell and scripting language built on .NET. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of PowerShell, its uses, and its key features.

What is PowerShell?

PowerShell is a Microsoft-created command-line shell and scripting language. It is designed for system administration, automating tasks, and managing configurations. Unlike traditional command-line interfaces, PowerShell leverages the power of .NET framework, offering a more sophisticated control and automation capability.

Why PowerShell?

The significance of PowerShell lies in its versatility and efficiency. It offers:

• Advanced Scripting Capabilities: Automates complex tasks and processes.
• Cross-Platform Functionality: Available on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
• Access to .NET Framework: Allows for more robust and complex operations.
• Rich Object Manipulation: Handles data as objects, not just text.
• Community Support: A strong community and wealth of resources.

Getting Started

• Open PowerShell: You can access PowerShell through the Start menu or by typing powershell in the run dialog (Win + R).
• Execution Policy: Check the current execution policy using Get-ExecutionPolicy. Set a new policy using Set-ExecutionPolicy, if necessary, to run scripts.

Basic Commands

1. Get-Help:
   • Usage: Get-Help <command>
   • Description: Displays help about PowerShell commands and concepts.
2. Get-Command:
   • Usage: Get-Command
   • Description: Lists all commands available in your session.
3. Get-Service:
   • Usage: Get-Service
   • Description: Retrieves the status of services on a local or remote machine.
4. Set-Location (cd):
   • Usage: Set-Location C:
   • Description: Changes the current working directory.
5. Get-ChildItem (dir/ls):
   • Usage: Get-ChildItem
   • Description: Lists items in the current directory.
6. Copy-Item (copy):
   • Usage: Copy-Item "path\source" -Destination "path\destination"
   • Description: Copies an item from one location to another.
7. Remove-Item (del/rm):
   • Usage: Remove-Item "path"
   • Description: Deletes an item.
8. New-Item:
   • Usage: New-Item -Path "path" -ItemType File
   • Description: Creates a new item.
9. Invoke-WebRequest:
   • Usage: Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "website"
   • Description: Sends HTTP and HTTPS requests to a web page.

Scripting Basics

• Variables: Start with $, e.g., $myVar = "Hello World"
• Loops: For, Foreach, While, Do-While, e.g., foreach ($item in $collection) {<#actions#>}
• Conditional Statements: If, Elseif, Else, e.g., if ($condition) {<#action#>} else {<#alternative action#>}
• Functions: Define reusable code blocks, e.g., function Get-MyFunction {<#commands#>}

Advanced Commands

1. Get-Process:
   • Usage: Get-Process
   • Description: Retrieves information about the processes running on a computer.
2. Select-Object:
   • Usage: Get-Service | Select-Object Name,Status
   • Description: Selects specific properties of an object.
3. Export-Csv:
   • Usage: Get-Process | Export-Csv -Path "path\processes.csv"
   • Description: Exports data to a CSV file.
4. Import-Module:
   • Usage: Import-Module <ModuleName>
   • Description: Adds modules to your session.

Useful Codes

1. Checking Disk Space:
   • Script: Get-PSDrive -PSProvider FileSystem | Select-Object Name, @{Name="UsedGB";Expression={[math]::Round(($_.Used / 1GB), 2)}}, @{Name="FreeGB";Expression={[math]::Round(($_.Free / 1GB), 2)}}
   • Description: Displays the used and free space on all drives in gigabytes.
2. Listing Installed Software:
   • Script: Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* | Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, Publisher, InstallDate | Format-Table -AutoSize
   • Description: Lists all installed software on a Windows machine.9

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Conclusion

PowerShell is more than just a command-line tool; it is a powerful scripting environment that can greatly simplify and automate the management of systems and processes. Whether you are a system administrator, developer, or IT professional, understanding and utilizing PowerShell can significantly enhance your productivity and operational efficiency.