PowerShell is a powerful command-line utility launched by Microsoft in November 2006. It was developed to carry out admin tasks effectively and securely on the Windows platform. Windows PowerShell commands are far more powerful and advanced than the commands used on the command prompt.

We have listed the commands in three different categories; beginners, intermediate, and advanced users. Before executing the command, let’s see what Windows PowerShell is and how it is different from the command prompt.

What is Windows PowerShell?

PowerShell is built on the .Net framework to carry out task automation and script-based processes. You can control your entire Windows 10 PC using the PowerShell commands known as cmdlets (command-lets). The work of Windows admins and advanced power users is much more simplified by PowerShell access to data stores like registry and file systems using cmdlets.

Microsoft made it open source and cross-platform on 18th August 2016. It is now available on GitHub for every platform.

Commands vs. Cmdlets

As mentioned above, the Windows PowerShell commands are cmdlets that let you execute the tasks in Windows Powershell. The cmdlets are light-weight commands that return the .Net framework object to the next command after performing the tasks.

The cmdlets are not stand-alone utilities like the commands executed in the command prompt. PowerShell offers a list of cmdlets to perform different tasks.

The cmdlets list is much longer than the commands used in the command prompt.

Note: We have executed each command mentioned below and checked if its functions as required.

Basic Windows PowerShell Commands for Beginners

If you are new to Windows 10 PowerShell, then you can try the basic commands to begin. Our beginner’s list of PowerShell commands will help you get the hang of PowerShell commands or cmdlets. Kids can also work around such beginner commands, which can add fun to their routine computer classes.

1. Get-Help

The first command on the beginner’s list is Get-Help. You can get help related to any cmdlets of PowerShell using this command. Along with commands, Get-Help can help you with functions, workflows, Common Information Model (CIM) commands, aliases, scripts, and providers.

Examples:

Get-Help Clear-History

2. Get-Host

Well, to get information about the PowerShell, you can use the Get-Host command. You can get complete information like Name, Version, Instance ID, UI, and many more.

Example

Get-Host

Gives the complete information with all the parameters; Name, Version, InstanceId, UI,  CurrentCulture, CurrentUICulture, PrivateData, DebuggerEnabled, IsRunspacePushed, Runspace

Using this PowerShell command you can know the version number of your PowerShell.

3. Get-Location

Get-Location gives you the path of the working directory. If you wish to know the current location or location stack, where you are currently working, then you can use the Get-Location command.

Example

Get-Location

Gives you the path of the current working directory

4. Get-History

Each PowerShell session history is maintained by PowerShell, which includes the commands you execute during the entire session. You can get this session history using Get-History cmdlet.

Example

Get-History

Displays the list of all the commands executed in the single session

5. Clear-History

Clear-History can help you delete the entire history of the ongoing session. After using Clear-History, if you again use Get-History, then only Clear-History command is displayed.

Example

Clear-History

Wipes out the history of the entire session

6. Set-Content

You can create a file and add the contents to the file using Set-Content. This PowerShell command also replaces the existing content on the file with the new content.

Example

Set-Content -Path .Desktop Example.txt -Value 'This is a Sample Content in the Example File'

Creates a file named Example.txt on the Desktop and adds the specified value to it.

Note: If you already had a file name Example.txt on Desktop with contents, the above command will replace the contents.

7. Get-Content

You can see the contents of a particular file from the PowerShell window using the Get-Content cmdlet. To read a specific number of lines from the file, you can mention that in PowerShell command itself.

Example

Get-Content -Path .Desktoptesting.txt 

Display the entire contents of the mentioned file

Get-Content -Path .Desktoptesting1.txt -TotalCount 2 

Display only first 2 lines of the file

8. Clear-Content

You can delete the contents of an entire file with the Clear-Content PowerShell command in Windows 10. With Clear-Content cmdlet, you can clear many files with the same extension in the particular folder/directory.

Example

Clear-Content .Desktoptesting.txt

Clears the content of the testing file

Clear-Content .Desktop*  -Filter "*.log"

Clears the content of all the files present in the Desktop having .log extension

9. Start-Process

You can launch Windows 10 app using the PowerShell command called Start-Process. This PowerShell command allows you to open Notepad, Settings, and many other apps using a single command.

Example

Start-Process “notepad”

Opens Notepad in Windows

Start-Process "ms-settings:"

Opens Windows Settings

Start-Process -FilePath "Example.txt" -WorkingDirectory "C:Users" -Verb Print

Prints the file named Example.txt present in C:Users folder.

Start-Process for Advanced Users

The advanced users can use the Start-Process cmdlet for different tasks, other than printing or opening an app.

Example

Start-Process -FilePath "powershell" -Verb RunAs

Opens PowerShell as administrator

Start-Process -FilePath "$env:comspec"

Opens command prompt. You can also pass the argument list to execute the command in the command prompt.

10. Get-Process

If you wish to know the processes running on Windows, then you can use the Get-Process command. You can get information like utilized CPU time, process ID, pageable and non-pageable memory, and virtual memory.

Example

Get-Process

Lists all the running process on the local computer along with the information stated with it

Get-Process -Name 'notepad'

Lists the information related to notepad only

11. Stop-Process

You can close the open apps on Windows using the PowerShell cmdlet named Stop-Process. You can close the running processes by using the ID or name.

Example

Stop-Process -Name 'notepad' 

Closes Notepad

Stop-Process -Id 13636 -Confirm -PassThru 

Closes calculator on my PC

You can get the ID using the Get-Process command, and it differs from system to system. If you try to close the app or process which is not running, then you will get an error stating ‘Cannot find a process.

12. Get-EventLog

With Get-EventLog PowerShell cmdlet, you can view the events and event logs of the local and remote computers. You can also check the error events log from the PowerShell window.

Example

Get-EventLog

Displays all the Event logs

Get-EventLog -LogName System -Newest 5

Displays the last five events from System logs

Get-EventLog -LogName Application -EntryType Error

Displays the error events from Application logs

13. Read-Host

You can play with this command and write your first line of code in the PowerShell window. Read-Host reads the input for you from the console itself.

Example

$Age = Read-Host "Please enter your age"

Takes the input and stores it in Age variable

Read-Host command execution
Read-Host command execution
$pwd_secure_string = Read-Host "Enter a Password" -AsSecureString

Takes the input and stores it in the variable as a secure string because of AsSecureString parameter

14. Remove-Variable

You can delete the variable using the Remove-Variable command. It simply deletes the data that is assigned to it.

Example

Remove-Variable $Age

Deletes the age number assigned to it

15. Out-File

The output of any command can be saved into a file using the Out-File command. The file is saved at the specified location after the FilePath parameter.

Example

Get-Process | Out-File -FilePath .Process.txt

Saves the output of Get-Process command in Process.txt file

Basic Tips

Some tips mentioned below can help you use PowerShell more conveniently. The tips are given by our technical experts to answer some basic questions related to PowerShell.

  • You can execute all the commands of the command prompt in PowerShell as well. Hence, you can use the different utilities to fix the corrupt files and bad sectors in PowerShell.
  • To clear the entire PowerShell console type cls or clear and press Enter.
  • To exit the PowerShell terminal, type exit on the console and hit Enter.
  • To stop the execution of any cmdlets, press Ctrl + C.

PowerShell Commands for Intermediate Users

Once you get hold of basic PowerShell commands, you can get major tasks done on your Windows system using the intermediate level Powershell commands.

1. Where-Object

Using the Where-Object PowerShell command, you can select specific property values. It will display only the list with only specified property values. You cannot use the Where-Object cmdlet separately. You need to use it with some other command.  

Example

Get-Process | Where-Object WorkingSet -GT (50000*1024)

Lists the processes having the Working Set greater than 50000 KB. Here, 1024 is multiplied to convert the data stored in bytes to KB

2. Get-Service

Get-Service cmdlet displays all the running and stopped services on the local and remote computers. You can alter the command attributes to display specific services.

Example

Get-Service

Displays all the running and stopped services on your local computer with status, service name, and display name

Get-Service -Displayname "*Windows*"

Displays all the running and stopped Windows services

Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.Status -eq "Running"}

Displays the services that are currently running on your computer

3. Start-Service

To start a particular service on your local computer, you can use Start-Service cmdlet. This command notifies Windows Service Controller to start the specified service.

Example

Start-Service  -Name “AppMgmt”

Starts the Application Management services

$s = Get-Service -Name “AppMgmt”
Start-Service -InputObject $s -PassThru | Format-List >> services.txt

Starts the Application Management services and saves the output in services.txt file

4. Stop-Service

Stop-Service cmdlet notifies Windows Service Controller to stop the specified service which is running.

Example

Stop-Service -Name “AppMgmt”

Stops the Application Management services

Stop-Service -DisplayName “Application Management” | Stop-Service

Stops the Application Management services using the Display Name parameter

5. Select-Object

You can filter the list using the Where-Object cmdlet. However, to display only the properties or columns you want, you need to use Select-Object command on your Windows PowerShell console.

Example

Get-Host | Select-Object Version

Displays the PowerShell version number

Get-Service -Name “AppMgmt” | Select-Object -Property DisplayName

Displays only the DisplayName of Application Management service

6. Set-Alias

With the Set-Alias cmdlet, you can give another name to any command or any other executables.

Example

Set-Alias -Name host -Value Get-Host

The Get-Host command can now be executed using host command; the host is an alias name for Get-Host

Set-Alias -Name exp -Value C:Windowsexplorer.exe

Sets exp as the alias name for Windows Explorer executable file.

Set-Alias -Name loc -Value Get-Location -Option ReadOnly -PassThru | Format-List -Property *

Makes an unwritable alias to Get-Location; that is, you cannot use loc alias for any other cmdlet. If you wish to change the alias “loc” to some other cmdlet, then you need to use -Force parameter.

Set-Alias -Name loc -Value Get-Host -Option ReadOnly -PassThru -Force| Format-List -Property *

-Force parameter used to assign the alias ‘loc’ to Get-Host command

7. Get-Alias

You can get the aliases of the entire session using Get-Alias cmdlet.

Example

Get-Alias

Lists all the aliases of the current session

Get-Alias -Name loc

Gives the information related to the loc alias

Get-Alias -Definition Get-Host

Displays the alias name for Get-Host

8. Set-Item

Set-Item is one of the Windows PowerShell commands, that is used to change the value of an item, such as variable or registry keys

Example

Set-Item -Path alias:exp -Value "C:Windowsexplorer.exe"

Creates an alias named exp to open Windows Explorer

Set-Item -Path function:prompt -Value {'PS '+ (Get-Date -Format t) + " " + (Get-Location) + '> '}

Shows time along with the location on the PowerShell console

9. Get-Item

Get-Item cmdlet displays the directory and its contents when specified. You can navigate to different types of data stores with this Windows PowerShell commands.

Example

Get-Item . 

Displays the path of the current directory along with last access time, mode and name

Get-Item *

Displays the contents of the current directory/folder

(Get-Item C:Windows).LastAccessTime

Displays the last access time of the mentioned drive

Get-Item C:Windows*s* -Exclude “a*”

Displays the list of contents in the directory that includes s and excludes ‘a’ in its name

10. Copy-Item

As the name says, Copy-Item cmdlet is used to copy contents from one location to another. You need to specify the location correctly in the command itself.

Example

Copy-Item "C:DesktopExample.png" -Destination "C:Public"

Copies Example.png from Desktop to Public folder

Copy-Item "C:DesktopExample*" -Destination "C:DocumentsTesting"

The testing folder is created in Document, and all the contents from Example folder are copied to the Testing folder

11. Remove-Item

Remove-Item cmdlets help you to remove the specified item, be it functions, aliases, files, and folders.

Example

Remove-Item “C:DesktopExample*.*”

Deletes all the contents from the Example folder

Remove-Item * -Include *.txt -Exclude *a*

Deletes files having extension .txt from the current working directory

12. Get-ExecutionPolicy

To get the details about the execution policies of the current session, you can use the Get-ExecutionPolicy command. The execution policies are displayed in a list as per precedence.

Example

Get-ExecutionPolicy -List

Displays the execution policies of each scope

13. Set-ExecutionPolicy

The execution policies shown above can be modified using the Set-ExecutionPolicy command. The execution policies are the security strategies of PowerShell, hence be careful when you change it.

Example

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope LocalMachine

Modifies the execution policy for the local machine

14. Get-Command

Get-Command cmdlet gets all the commands, functions, aliases, applications, and script and displays it for you. You can get a list of imported cmdlets using the ListImported parameter.

Example

Get-Command

Displays all commands, functions, aliases, applications, and script currently installed on your local computer

Get-Command -ListImported

Lists the commands of only the current session

Get-Command -Type Cmdlet | Sort-Object -Property Noun | Format-Table -GroupBy Noun

Group the cmdlets by a noun and sort them alphabetically.

You can use the above command as it is to find commands for the specific task.

Get-Command -Module Microsoft.PowerShell.Security, Microsoft.PowerShell.Utility 

Module parameter list commands of specified modules only

Get-Command Get-AppLockerPolicy

Imports AppLocker module and displays the information related to Get-AppLockerPolicy command

15. Get-ChildItem

You can get a list of contents available at the specified location using the Get-ChildItem cmdlet. However, when the list of directories and contents is displayed, the empty directory is skipped by the Windows PowerShell commands.

Example

Get-ChildItem -Path C:

Displays all the contents under C drive

Get-ChildItem -Path C:Desktop -Recurse

Displays all the child item from all the folders present in the Desktop with the information about the mode and last write time

Get-ChildItem -Path C:Desktop -Name

Only Prints the name of the folder and files saved on Desktop

16. Sort-Object

To get the sorted list of objects or contents for a particular command, you can use the Sort-Object command. It can sort all the objects in ascending or descending order based on the Property value specified in the command.

Example

Get-ChildItem -Path C:Desktop | Sort-Object

Sorts all the contents of the desktop in ascending order

Get-ChildItem -Path C:Desktop | Sort-Object -Property LastWriteTime 

Sorts the contents based on the last write time and not on the file name

Get-Process | Sort-Object -Property WS | Select-Object -Last 5

Displays 5 processes based on the memory usage

17. Invoke-Item

You can open the document in Microsoft Word and pdf in the default pdf reader using the Invoke-Item command. In other words, Invoke-Item performs the default action on the specified file.

Example

Invoke-Item "C:Desktop1.png"

Opens 1.png file

Invoke-Item "C:UsersUrviDesktop*.png"

Opens all the png files saved on the desktop one after the other

You can use Invoke-Item to open any type of files saved anywhere on your PC

18. Format-Table

You can view any commands output in table format using Format-Table cmdlet. This command allows you to group the output by the GroupBy parameter.

Example

Get-Host | Format-Table -AutoSize

Displays the properties in the form of rows and columns. The Autosize parameter avoids truncation of the table.

Get-Process | Sort-Object -Property BasePriority | Format-Table -GroupBy BasePriority -Wrap

Groups the processes using Base Priority and displays them in table format. The Wrap parameter wraps the data to avoid truncation.

19. Write-Host

You can have different options to customize the output by using the Write-Host command. It is a fun command to use and play around with it.

Example

Write-Host "no newline test " -NoNewline

Write-Host “second string”

Displays both the strings on the same line

Write-Host (2,4,6,8,10,12) -Separator ", +2= "

Displays each number with the separator in between

Write-Host "Red on white text." -ForegroundColor red -BackgroundColor white

Displays the text in red on the white background using the Foreground and Background parameters

20. Write-Warning

You can write the warning message for some specific actions using the Write-Warning message. This command contains the $WarningPreference and WarningAction for the warning response.

Example

Write-Warning "This is only a test warning."

Displays the specified message as a warning

Write-Warning "This is only a test warning." -WarningAction Inquire

Displays the warning message and asks whether you want to continue or not.

PowerShell Commands for Advanced Users

Advanced users like Windows admins and developers need some complicated tasks to be covered. Hence, PowerShell has a set of advanced commands to carry out complicated tasks. You can check out the Windows PowerShell commands mentioned below.

1. ForEach-Object

ForEach-Object performs the specified operation on the given set of objects. The object can be in the form of command output as well.

Example

2,4,8 | ForEach-Object {$_/2}

Divides 2,4, and 8 by 2

Get-ChildItem $pshome | ForEach-Object -Process {if (!$_.PSIsContainer) {$_.Name; $_.Length; " " }}

Gets all the files and folders from the PowerShell folder, passes those to the ForEach-Object cmdlet to loop over. Finally displays all the files with its length.

$Events = Get-EventLog -LogName System -Newest 1000
$Events | ForEach-Object -Begin {Get-Date} -Process {Out-File -FilePath Events.txt -Append -InputObject $_.Message} -End {Get-Date}

$Events stores the newest 1000 System Event log. This variable is passed to ForEach-Object, where the Begin parameter prints the time and date when the process starts. The Process parameter creates a new file named Events.txt with the help of the Out-File command. The Message property of each of the events is saved in the Events.txt file. Lastly, the End parameter prints the date and time when the process ends.

Execution of ForEach-Object cmdlet
Execution of ForEach-Object cmdlet

2. Compare-Object

You can compare two objects using the Compare-Object command. One object is the ‘reference’ object, and the other is the ‘difference’ object.

Example

Compare-Object -ReferenceObject (Get-Content -Path C:Desktoptest1.txt) -DifferenceObject (Get-Content -Path C:Desktoptest2.txt)

Compares two files test1.txt and test2.txt, if there is any difference between them, the output is displayed. Otherwise, there is no output.

$objects = @{
ReferenceObject = (Get-Content -Path C:\Desktop\test1.txt)
DifferenceObject = (Get-Content -Path C:\Desktop\test2.txt)
} Compare-Object @objects -IncludeEqual

Compares the specified object and also displays the output if both the files are the same.

3. ConvertTo-Html

If you wish to see the output of the executed command on the web browser, then you can use the ConvertTo-Html command. This command converts the Microsoft .NET Framework objects into HTML, which can then be displayed on a Web browser.

Example

ConvertTo-Html -InputObject (Get-Date)

Converts the output of the Get-Data command into HTML format.

ConvertTo Html windows powershell command
Execution of ConvertTo-Html cmdlet
Get-Alias | ConvertTo-Html | Out-File aliases.htm
Invoke-Item aliases.htm

Converts the output of Get-Alias command into HTML and saves it in the aliases.htm. Uses Invoke-Item command to open the HTML file in the Web browser.

4. ConvertTo-XML

You can convert the specified object into XML format using the ConvertTo-XML PowerShell command.

Example:

Step 1: Converts the Date object into XML

$a = Get-Date | ConvertTo-Xml

Step 2: Displays the XML object in the XML form

$a.InnerXml
ConvertTo Xml cmdlet windows powershell commands
Execute ConvertTo-Xml cmdlet
ConvertTo-Xml -As "Document" -InputObject (Get-Process) 

Converts the output of Get-Process in XML format

-Depth 

Depth parameter represents all the XML objects properties till the specified Depth level

5. ConvertFrom-SecureString

You can convert a secure string to an encrypted standard string using the ConvertFrom-SecureString Windows PowerShell commands. Unlike Secure String, you can read the encrypted string.

Example

Step 1: Asks for input and saves it in the variable as a secure string

$SecureString = Read-Host -AsSecureString

Step 2: Converts the stored secure string in an encrypted format

$StandardString = ConvertFrom-SecureString $SecureString
$Key = (3,4,2,3,56,34,254,222,1,1,2,23,42,54,33,233,1,34,2,7,6,5,35,43)
$StandardString = ConvertFrom-SecureString $SecureString -Key $Key

Encrypts using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) Algorithm. The key is used for encryption which is a 192-bit key. The final encrypted data is stored in the StandardString variable.

6. ConvertTo-SecureString

If you wish to convert the encrypted standard strings or plain text into a secure string, then you can use the ConvertTo-SecureString PowerShell command. You can use this cmdlet with ConvertFrom-SecureString and Read-Host cmdlets.

Example

Step 1: Takes the input and stores it in ‘a’ variable as Secure String

$a = Read-Host -AsSecureString

Step 2: Displays contents of variable ‘a’

$a

Step 3: Converts the secure string saved in variable ‘a’ to encrypted string and stores this encrypted string in ‘Encrypted variable’

$Encrypted = ConvertFrom-SecureString -SecureString $a

Step 4: Displays the encrypted string stored in the ‘Encrypted variable’

$Encrypted

Step 5: Converts the Encrypted string into a secure string and stores the output in ‘a2’ variable

 $a2 = ConvertTo-SecureString -String $Encrypted
ConvertTo SecureString Windows PowerShell command
Multiple commands executed to understand ConvertTo-SecureString
$Password = ConvertTo-SecureString "AB@c!" -AsPlainText -Force

Converts the plain text into a secure string. You need to mention AsPlainText and Force parameter to use ConvertTo-SecureString with plain text.

7. New-ItemProperty

With New-ItemProperty, you can create a new item and also add value to it. This command is used to add new registry values. You cannot use it with PowerShell objects.

Example

New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:SoftwareMySchool" -Name "NoOfSchool" -Value 800

Adds new key named NoOfSchool to the registry key MySchool and the Value parameter gives the value 800.

$newValue = New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:SchoolsXYZ" -Name 'MultiString' -PropertyType MultiString -Value ('a','b','c')

Add multiple values to the new property named MultiString.

8. New-Object

New-Object cmdlet allows you to create an instance of the Microsoft .NET Framework and COM object.

Example

New-Object -TypeName System.Version -ArgumentList "1.2.3.4"

Uses 1.2.3.4 as the constructor and creates a new object System Version

$IE1 = New-Object -COMObject InternetExplorer.Application -Property @{Navigate2="www.microsoft.com"; Visible = $True}

Creates an instance of COM object of Internet Explorer. The Property parameter calls the Navigate2 method, and the Visible property of the object is set to True to make the application visible.

9. Export-CSV

If you want to have your PowerShell object in comma-separated value (CSV), then you can use Export-Csv cmdlet. This Windows PowerShell command also saves the output to the mentioned file.

Example

Get-Process -Name WmiPrvSE | Select-Object -Property BasePriority,Id,SessionId,WorkingSet |
Export-Csv -Path .WmiData.csv
Import-Csv -Path .WmiData.csv

Gets the process named WmiPrvSE with the property mentioned in the command and export the result to WmiData file in the CSV form. You can see the output because of the Import-CSV command.

Get-Process | Export-Csv -Path .Processes.csv 
Get-Content -Path .Processes.csv

Saves the output of Get-Process command to Processes.csv file in CSV format and then displays the content in CSV form.

10. Find-Module

When you want to find the modules, you can use the Find-Module cmdlet. With the Find-Module PowerShell command, you can specify the criteria to find any specific module in the repository.

Example

Find-Module -Name PowerShellGet

Finds and displays the PowerShellGet module from the repository using the -Name parameter

Find-Module -Name PowerShell*

Finds the modules with PowerShell prefix

Find-Module -Name PowerShellGet -RequiredVersion 1.6.5

Find the module with the version specified version in the RequiredVersion parameter

11. Set-StrictMode

You can enable the strict mode to enforce the best coding practices within the current scope and the child’s scope. This mode is for all the expressions, scripts, and script blocks. You need to turn on the strict mode because it is off by default.

Example

Strict mode disabled by default

Step 1: Output: False

$b -gt 10

Step 2: Strict Mode Turned on

Set-StrictMode -Version 1.0

Step 3: Output: The variable ‘$b’ cannot be retrieved because it has not been set.

$b -gt 10
At line:1 char:1
+ $b -gt 10
+ ~~
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidOperation: (b:String) [], RuntimeException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : VariableIsUndefined
Set StrictMode
Execution of expression after turning on Strict mode
Set-StrictMode -Off

Turns off Strict mode

Strict-Mode can be used to enforce good coding practices.

12. Start-Job

You can run any scripts, commands, or other jobs in the background using Start-Job command. It lets you work on the current session without interference from the background running jobs.

Example

Start-Job -ScriptBlock { Get-Process -Name powershell }

With the -ScriptBlock parameter, the Get-Process command is executed in the background. The Name parameter is specified to find the PowerShell processes.

Start-Job -FilePath C:ScriptsExample.ps1

Runs the script in the background

Start-Job is one of the best Windows PowerShell commands when you need to run long scripts in the background.

13. Receive-Job

If you wish to know about the jobs running in the background, then you can use the Receive-Job command. You can get the details by name, ID, computer name, instance ID, location, or session, or by submitting a job object. You can view the output of the command executed using Start-Job in this Windows PowerShell command.

Example

Step 1: Stores the job details in ‘job’ variable and starts the background job

$job = Start-Job -ScriptBlock {Get-Process}

Step 2: Gets the output of the command executed in the background by using the job parameter

Receive-Job -Job $job

Receive-Job -Id 5

Displays the result about the job having ID 5

14. Wait-Job

When the jobs run in the background, you can suppress the command prompt using the Wait-Job command. Once you execute Wait-Job command, your command prompt access will be stopped. Wait-Job cmdlet is mostly used with Start-Job command.

Example

Wait-Job -Id 5

Stops the command prompt till the job ID 5 is executed

15. Write-Progress

You can get a progress bar on your PowerShell console using the Write-Progress command. Well, you need to know the basic scripting language to know how to use this Windows PowerShell commands.

Example

for ($i = 1; $i -le 100; $i++ )
{
    Write-Progress -Activity "Search in Progress" -Status "$i% Complete:" -PercentComplete $i;
}

Shows the progress at the top of the loop execution

$Events = Get-EventLog -LogName system
$Events | ForEach-Object -Begin {
       Clear-Host
       $i = 0
      $out = ""
} -Process {
        if($_.message -like "*bios*")
    {
        # Append the matching message to the out variable.
        $out=$out + $_.Message
    }
       $i = $i+1
       Write-Progress -Activity "Searching Events" -Status "Progress:" -PercentComplete ($i/$Events.count*100)
} -End {
       $out
}

Searches for bios in the Event log and also shows the progress bar for the search performed

16. Set-AuthenticodeSignature

Authenticode is a code-signing technology from Microsoft that identifies the publisher and ensures the integrity of the software by verifying that it has not tampered since it was signed and published.

The Set-AuthenticodeSignature cmdlet can be used to add and Authenticode signature to files.

Example: Sign a PowerShell script using a certificate from the local store

$cert=Get-ChildItem -Path Cert:\CurrentUser\My -CodeSigningCert
Set-AuthenticodeSignature -FilePath PsTestInternet2.ps1 -Certificate $cert

You can also use a certificate from a root authority to sign files.

Conclusion

PowerShell is one of the best command-line utilities. You can carry out any tasks related to administration or development using the different Windows PowerShell commands mentioned above. For the ones new to PowerShell, go through the basic PowerShell commands. Once you understand the basics, it will be easier to get the hang of the advanced ones.