Windows PowerShell

Windows PowerShell for the first time is included as part of the Windows operating system. Windows PowerShell is one of the numerous manageability enhancements of Windows Server 2008 including the new Server Manager, Server Core, new Event Viewer, new Task Scheduler and new Reliability and Performance Monitor.

Windows PowerShell 1.0 is available as a download or can be evaluated as part of Windows Server 2008 evaluation versions. Download Windows PowerShell 1.0 for Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003 or Windows Vista via our Windows PowerShell download page.

The following partners have developed products that leverage Windows PowerShell to help with management of Windows or to improve applications running on Windows. Most of these products have a free component that can be used by all Windows administrators.

F5 Networks: Support use of Windows PowerShell to manage F5's BIG-IP network hardware.
Full Armor: Group-Policy Management via Windows PowerShell.
/n Software: Network management, messaging and ability to remotely manage Windows via Windows PowerShell.
PowerGadgets: Visualization product that allows users to run real-time Gadgets such as charts, gauges and maps. Uses Windows PowerShell to allow users or administrators to easily create Windows Vista Sidebar gadgets.
PowerGUI by Quest Software: Graphical user interface for executing Windows PowerShell commands and writing scripts.
PowerShell Analyzer by Shelltools: Graphical User Interface for developers as well as administrators.
Quest Software: Active Directory Management including new Windows Server 2008 features including read-only domain controllers and new user configuration.

TechNet Script Center has over 500 Windows PowerShell sample scripts and multiple articles on how to write practical, time-saving Windows PowerShell scripts for routine management tasks as well as management of Windows Server roles such as Terminal Server. The Script Center also has over 100 Windows PowerShell scripts for managing Exchange Server 2007. Also check out www.IIS.net and the Windows PowerShell cmdlets for managing IIS 7.0.

Keep up-to-date with the latest announcements directly from the team responsible for building Windows PowerShell. This blog is the definitive Windows PowerShell knowledge source for both developers and IT Professionals.

A number of introductory video tutorials demonstrate the numerous capabilities of Windows PowerShell including Introduction to Windows PowerShell, Windows Vista and Windows PowerShell, and Windows PowerShell and IIS 7.

This documentation pack is essential reading for beginners and advanced Windows PowerShell users. The Getting Started Guide and Quick Reference sheet provide useful tips and references on how to use the interactive shell as well as how to write and migrate Windows PowerShell scripts. The pack also includes a 100+ page Windows PowerShell Primer covering many basic and advanced topics.

Join this popular community newsgroup for discussions on Windows PowerShell commands, scripts, and best practices.

ScriptCenter provides a one-stop shop for all your Windows PowerShell scripting needs.

Scott Hanselman interviews Windows PowerShell Architect Jeffrey Snover. Hanselminutes is a weekly audio talk show with web developer and technologist Scott Hanselman.

Free book covering Windows PowerShell available via MSDN. Requires Windows Live registration.

Developers and advanced script writers can leverage the SDK to create custom Windows PowerShell commands (cmdlets) and providers to simplify management of applications and the Windows environment.

Windows PowerShell wiki on myITforum.com.

Paul Robichaux provides a PowerShell 101 overview that was featured on the cover of the August, 2006 Windows IT Pro magazine.

Scott M. Fulton III provides an overview of Windows PowerShell, examples demonstrating Window PowerShell functionality, and an overview of security features.

Join Don Jones for a monthly adventure into the Windows PowerShell as he shows you how to make the most out of this powerful technology.

The following publishers have books available for you to get started using Windows PowerShell in your IT environment.

Architect Evangelist David Aiken provides an introductory demonstration of Windows PowerShell covering help resources, basic command usage, formatting, working with objects, navigation of management information and security features.

Jeffrey Snover provides an overview of Windows PowerShell for TechEd 2006.

Join Vivek Sharma as he demonstrates the new command line and scripting interface (based on Microsoft Windows PowerShell) in Microsoft Exchange Server 2007. Learn tips and tricks for building scripts that you can use to automate small-, medium-, and enterprise-business scenarios.

In this webcast, we examine the Windows PowerShell pipeline and provide real-world examples of how Windows PowerShell enables you to complete time-saving administrative tasks directly from the command line without writing scripts.

To automate tasks across tens, hundreds or thousands of computers or servers, Windows PowerShell requires an administrator to write a script. This webcast covers the basics of Windows PowerShell scripts.

The ground-breaking innovation of Windows PowerShell is the ability to work with objects directly from the command line. Learn how to easily leverage the power of the .NET framework via Windows PowerShell.