Scripting Blog [archived]
Formerly known as the "Hey, Scripting Guy!" blog
Latest posts
All good things must come to an end
Introduction of New PowerShell Community Blog and Retirement of "Hey Scripting Guy!" Blog, the passing of the Torch to a new Generation.
Testing RPC ports with PowerShell (and yes, it’s as much fun as it sounds!) New and Improved!!
Summary: Using PowerShell to identify RPC ports in use by capturing content from PowerShell We'd like to introduce you today to one of our newest bloggers! It's a froopingly awesome friend of ours, Joel Vickery, PFE. (did I mention Dr. Scripto is a big fan of books written by Douglas Adams?....oops!) Take it away Joel! Thanks Doc! So hey everybody! What do you do when you have to troubleshoot the dreaded "RPC Unavailable" error 1722, which rears its ugly head anywhere from Active Directory replication to Configuration Manager Distribution Point installations, and many other places in between? We have the ans...
Import Azure DevOps Test Plans from One Environment to Another
Summary Standardization of Azure DevOps Test Plans and Reusing Them Between Different Organizations Today we introduce Claudia Ferguson and Mike Stiers to the Scripting Blog. Claudia is a Senior Consultant with the Microsoft Active Directory Migration Services Engineer team, and Mike Stiers is a Microsoft Consultant from Toronto Canada. His focus is to help teams to use scalable infrastructure as code deployments in Azure DevOps. They put together something you will find to be very useful when you need to move DevOps test plans. There is some PowerShell here too (as it's the Scripting Blog!) but the content is...
Just go with the flow…. WorkFlow that is with Windows PowerShell
Doctor Scripto returns again with our good friend Joel Vickery, PFE who is going to touch on the use of Workflows In PowerShell. Take it away Joel! Following up on my original post Parallel Processing with jobs in PowerShell, I wanted to go into another method of running parallel processes in PowerShell, namely WorkFlows. WorkFlow is very similar to using the Start-Job/-asJob functionality but it has some distinct advantages that are fully covered in many other blog postings on TechNet. I'll mention them quickly below, but if you want deeper detail, see the When Windows PowerShell Met WorkFlow blog posting...
PowerTip: Identify Completed PowerShell Jobs with Data yet to be Received
Summary: Doctor Scripto quickly shows how to identify Completed Jobs in PowerShell which have yet to have the data Received Hey Doctor Scripto, How can I identify jobs which already completed but I haven’t done a Receive-Job on to get the data? You can do this with the Get-Job Cmdlet by targeting the -ChildJobState and -HasMoreData like the following example Get-Job -ChildJobState Completed -HasMoreData:$True PowerShell, Doctor Scripto, PowerTip, Sean Kearney
Parallel Processing with jobs in PowerShell
Joel Vickery discusses an introductory use of PowerShell jobs and working with data
PowerTip: Use Windows PowerShell to display all Environment variables
Summary: Doctor Scripto demonstrates how to use env: to show all currently set environment variables Question: Hey Doctor Scripto, I remember in DOS if I wanted to see the values of all the Environment variables; like TEMP I could just type the SET Command. How do I do this in PowerShell? Answer: You can do this in one line using the env: PowerShell drive to display all of the currently set Environment variables. dir env: PowerShell, Doctor Scripto, PowerTip, Sean Kearney
PowerTip: Identify if CredentialGuard is enabled with Windows PowerShell
Summary: Easily identify if Credential Guard is enabled using the Get-ComputerInfo Cmdlet in Windows 10 Question: Hey Doctor Scripto, how can I tell if CredentialGuard has been enabled on my Windows 10 computer? Answer: Just use the Get-ComputerInfo Cmdlet and target the DeviceGaurdSecurityServicesConfigured property. The following line will produce a Boolean $TRUE if it is enabled. 'CredentialGuard' -match ((Get-ComputerInfo).DeviceGuardSecurityServicesConfigured) PowerShell, Doctor Scripto, PowerTip, Credential Guard, Paul Greeley
Use PowerShell to Identify Unassociated Azure Resources
Summary: Save costs by Identifying Unassociated Resources left behind after deletions in Azure Q: Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I quickly identify un-associated resources in my Azure subscription? A: Hi SH! At least you know that’s a question to ask! I myself when I first began exploring this new world didn’t realize that when deleting a virtual system in Azure, not all the associated resources are deleted with it! First things first, if you’ve never done it, you’ll need to install the Azure PowerShell modules. This can be done by following the steps provided here on docs.microsoft.com Install the...
PowerTip: Using Set-ADUser with multi-valued attributes
Summary: Using the -Replace parameter with Set-ADUser to take an array to populate multi-valued attributes Question: Hey Doctor Scripto, how can I use Set-ADUser to populate multivalued attributes in Active Directory? Answer: You can use an array with the -Replace parameter to do it. Set-ADUser -Identity "TestUser" -Replace @{ProxyAddresses = @("Address1","Address2","Address3")} PowerShell, Doctor Scripto, PowerTip, Active Directory, Walid Moselhy
Copy multi-valued Active Directory attributes from one user to another with PowerShell
Summary: Using -Replace parameter with Set-ADUser to copy Active Directory multi-valued attributes Q: Hey, Doctor Scripto! We are in the middle of an Active Directory migration and need to copy the multi-valued attribute “ProxyAddresses” from old user accounts to new ones. Can you do with a few lines of code? —ND A: Hello ND, Hello everyone, your good friend Doctor Scripto is here with Walid, one of our PFEs who really likes mixing PowerShell with Active Directory. Walid, what do you think of this one? Well, Doctor Scripto, it makes a lot of sense to try and automate this type of tasks. Who like...
PowerTip: Use New-Alias to make Cmdlets easier to remember
Using New-Alias to create easier to remember shortcuts in PowerShell
Using PowerShell to View and Remove Wireless Profiles in Windows 10 – Part 4
Summary: Using Windows PowerShell to purge Wlan profiles with NetSh.exe. Last week we had a way with a Regular Expression to run one Netsh.exe command and show only the profile names as a PowerShell Array. Today we're going to finish the task and show you how to delete those Profiles. As a quick reminder here's the line in PowerShell we used to capture the list of Wireless profiles by only their names as an Array. The resulting output containing our Wireless profile names looked like this From our first posting we saw that to delete a WLAN profile in Netsh.exe we would execute this command. ...
PowerTip: Show all Installed Capabilities on Windows 10
Summary: Identify if capabilities like OpenSSH are installed in your Windows 10 Operating System Hey, Doctor Scripto. I was curious if there was a way to see if a workstation has a capability installed on it like OpenSSH. I’m trying to report on this for my environment. Absolutely! You can run the following line on a workstation to show the installed Capabilities like OpenSSH Get-WindowsCapability -Online | Where-Object { $_.State -eq 'Installed' } PowerShell, Doctor Scripto, PowerTip, Sean Kearney
Using PowerShell to View and Remove Wireless Profiles in Windows 10 – Part 3
Summary: Using Regular Expressions to cleanup string data from NetSh.exe. Let's remember the last two discussions. The first time we looked at using PowerShell to identify wireless profiles with some simple regular expressions. We followed up the next week with how to identify which approach would be the fastest. Today we're going to take that array of information and clean it up so we only have the profile names. As a quick reminder here's the line in PowerShell we used to capture the list of Wireless profiles The resulting output looked like this What we need to do now is cleanup this data so...
PowerTip: Identify Drives Encrypted with Bitlocker
Summary: Using the Get-Bitlocker Cmdlet to show the status of drives on your Windows 10 computer Hey, Doctor Scripto. Is there a nice simple way to see if drives are Bitlocker encrypted? A most excellent question! You can the Get-BitlockerVolume Cmdlet and filter on the VolumeStatus property. Here's an example of a line that will show only drives which have Bitlocker enabled. Get-BitLockerVolume | Where-Object { $_.VolumeStatus -eq 'FullyEncrypted' } PowerShell, Doctor Scripto, PowerTip, Sean Kearney
Using PowerShell to View and Remove Wireless Profiles in Windows 10 – Part 2
Summary: Using Measure-Command to determine the fastest approach to a solution. Last week we were having some fun using PowerShell as a wrapper around the NetSh.exe command's output. We were left at a decision point. Which way to go? A For loop to clean up the data, which worked fine or Regular Expressions. Although both work which was the better path to use? For me initially, when I first started in PowerShell I very often used a For loop for a few reasons. But as I progressed in my knowledge of PowerShell I've started to touch on Regular expressions as a solution when possible. A go...
PowerTip: Converting a Here-String to an Array in One Line with PowerShell
Summary: Using the split method in a more powerful fashion to split an array based upon two line terminating types Hey, Doctor Scripto. I was wondering if there was a more efficient way of converting a Here-String to an Array when there were multiple line termination options like Linefeed or Carriage Return and Linefeed? There most definitely is. You can pass multiple parameters to the split method. This example traps both! $HereStringSample=@' Banana Raspberry '@ $HereStringSample.Split(@("$([char][byte]10)", "$([char][byte]10)","$([char][byte]13)", [StringSplitOptions]::None)) PowerShe...
Using PowerShell to View and Remove Wireless Profiles in Windows 10 – Part 1
Summary: Using PowerShell and Regular Expressions as a wrapper on NetSh.exe output to identify the profiles. Hey, Doctor Scripto! I have a whole pile of old Wireless profiles that have been collecting dust. I know I can use NETSH to view and delete them, but the process is very manual. Do you know if there is an easier way to clear them up? —WF Hello WF, you asked I shall help. Doctor Scripto is in the house! I know the process you mean, I had to do this a few years ago on one of my old laptops. I had wireless profiles from my home, hotels, offices, coffee shops. It was just silly. I think there we...
PowerTip: Identify which Platform PowerShell is running on
Summary: Using $PSVersionTable to identify if you are on Windows or Unix Hey, Doctor Scripto! I'm working on my PowerShell scripts and I need to be able to identify if I'm working on Windows or Linux. How can I do this easily? No problem at all and glad to help. Just examine the $PSVersionTable property called Platform. It will contain one either 'Unix','Win32NT' on PowerShell Core. In the case of Windows PowerShell it will not exist. $PSVersionTable.Platform PowerShell, Doctor Scripto, PowerTip, Sean Kearney
Creating a Platform Independent Function in PowerShell
Summary: Creating a Function in PowerShell and the power of the $PSVersionTable to make code more portable Q: Hey, Doctor Scripto! I saw that post last week on converting Here-String into an array. I wanted to write my code to trap for PowerShell and PowerShell Core. Could you give me a helping hand? —PG A: Hello PG, Hello everyone, your good friend Doctor Scripto is here with Sean sitting across from me having lunch. Sean what do you think about this idea? Well Doctor Scripto this is actually pretty easy and it makes a LOT of sense to have a function do this to avoid re-writing the same code. ...
PowerTip: Identify if you are running on PowerShell Core
Summary: Pulling up the properties of $PSVersionTable to identify your PowerShell edition Hey, Doctor Scripto! I want to write my modules and scripts to be more portable. How can I tell if I am executing on PowerShell Core? Just use the $PSVersionTable object and examine the PSEdition value. If it returns 'Core' you are running on PowerShell core. $PSVersionTable.PSEdition PowerShell, Doctor Scripto, PowerTip, Sean Kearney
Maximizing the Power of Here-String in PowerShell for Configuration Data
Summary: Discovering some of the awesome and neat ways to leverage a Here-String in a Script or function Q: Hey, Doctor Scripto! I used to write scripts with supporting configuration files that never really changed. I was wondering if there was any way to put them INSIDE the script directly to make it self contained. —AB A: Hello AB, I was chatting with my good friend Sean on this one. Here he talks about using Here-Strings to solve this problem. Thanks Doctor Scripto, yes a Here-String can be a great way to embed the configuration or other data for that matter in a script. If you've never encou...
PowerTip: Read a JSON configuration file as a PowerShell object
Summary: Using the ConvertFrom-Json Cmdlet in PowerShell to read a JSON formatted file Hey, Doctor Scripto! I've seen a lot of JSON files in use in Azure. I'm not very good with editing JSON properly. Is there an easy way to read this and at least edit it with PowerShell? Most definitely my good friend. For the file below called "settings.json" you can convert it to a PowerShell Object for editing purposes using the following line. Once you have completed this, you can manipulate it like any other PowerShell Object. $PowerShellObject=Get-Content -Path settings.json | ConvertFrom-Json Pow...
Configuring Startup Settings in Microsoft Teams with Windows PowerShell
Summary: Using the ConvertFrom-JSON and ConvertTo-JSON Cmdlets to edit a configuration file Q: Hey, Doctor Scripto! I need to be able to change the Startup settings in Teams (like the Auto launch feature). I can change it in the Interface, but I need to be able to edit across multiple systems. Could you lend me a hand? —RL A: Hello RL, A very excellent question. For which it produced a most interesting solution when I asked Sean Kearney one of our Microsoft PFE's to look at it. Take it away Sean! Let's begin by examining the settings we are trying to change. They can be accessed under the "Setti...
PowerTip: Using PowerShell to Convert raw Text to a Comma Separated columm
Summary: Using PowerShell and a very simple Regular Expression to convert Random counts of spaces to a Comma Hey Doctor Scripto! I have some string based output from a non PowerShell application. The output is good but I need to easily parse it. Is there a way to convert that data to something consistent like "Comma Separated?" Why yes you can! This is something that is easily done with a regular expression. Using a simple example like this will identify all content with more than one blank space separating it, and replace it with a comma! $SampleText='Hello This ...
Automating Quser through PowerShell
Summary: Using PowerShell to automate Quser to identify users to Logoff systems in Windows Hey Doctor Scripto! I need to log a user off every computer they’re logged into. The problem is, I don’t know which ones. How can I discover which computers they’re logged into and then log them off? That's a most excellent question! I know just the person who can answer that. I was talking my good friend Dan Reist on this topic. Dan is a Senior Consultant on Data Platforms here at Microsoft. He actually ran into that same issue. Dan, the room is yours today, take it away! Thanks Doctor Scripto! So my ...
PowerTip: Identify if SQL Servers are configured to best practices
Summary: Using the features of the SQLServer PowerShell module to run assessments of your servers How can I easily check that my SQL Servers are all configured to meet best practices? You can use SQL Server Assessments – the latest addition to the SQLServer PowerShell module. Just Run a best practices assessment on your SQL Server as seen below Get-SqlInstance "DemoSQLServer" | Invoke-SqlAssessment PowerShell, Doctor Scripto, PowerTip, Johnathan Allen, SQL Server
Executing SQL Server Assessments from PowerShell
Summary: Using the SQLServer module cmdlets to review and monitor SQL Server instance and database configuration Q: Hey, Doctor Scripto! I have loads of SQL Servers in my area of responsibility and I know they all need certain configuration settings but I'm never confident that they are all set just right so I spend a long time every month visiting them all over RDP to give reassure myself. How can I automate this work? —AB A: Hello AB, I know the very person that can answer that question for you. It's my good friend Jonathan Allen. Let me introduce him to you. He's a SQL Server PFE from the UK. He...
PowerTip: Identify Synchronized AzureAD accounts without a License assigned
Summary: Using PowerShell to identify users who are Synchronized to AzureAD but not yet licensed Hey, Doctor Scripto! I'd love to be able to identify users Synchronized to AzureAD that haven't yet had their licenses assigned. Help a friend out? No problem at all! You can target that information with two parameters in the Get-Msoluser Cmdlet! Get-MsolUser -UnlicensedUsersOnly -Synchronized PowerShell, Doctor Scripto, PowerTip, AzureAD
Reporting on Microsoft 365 Licensing using PowerShell – Part 3
Summary: Will Martin finalizes his discussion on how to report on Microsoft 365 licensing in the cloud. Previous Posts on this article can be found here for continuity Reporting on Microsoft 365 Licensing using PowerShell – Part 1 Reporting on Microsoft 365 Licensing using PowerShell – Part 2 Dr. Scripto here! When last we saw Will Martin, he was deep in a script pulling down licensing tables and produced a lovely hash table. Let’s watch for the exciting conclusion! From last week, we placed our data in a hash table. Now, let’s swap it from a hash table to CSV format by changing our last active lin...
PowerTip: Identify the last time Users changed passwords in AzureAD
Summary: Using PowerShell to report on Users and the last time Passwords were changed Hey, Doctor Scripto! I need to report on users and when they updated their passwords In AzureAD. Could you show me how ? Most certainly, I love to provide a helping hand however I can. Using the Get-Msoluser Cmdlet just target the LastPasswordChangeTimeStamp Attribute. Here's an example of it in use. Get-MsolUser | Select-Object DisplayName, UserPrincipalName, LastPasswordChangeTimeStamp PowerShell, Doctor Scripto, PowerTip, AzureAD
Reporting on Microsoft 365 Licensing using PowerShell – Part 2
Summary: Will Martin continues his discussion on how to report on Microsoft 365 licensing in the cloud. Previous Posts on this article can be found here for continuity Reporting on Microsoft 365 Licensing using PowerShell – Part 1 Remember from last week we showed the results of what a user licensed in Microsoft 365 looked like in the web portal? So, what does this look like if we try to access it in PowerShell? Well, we have the user, and the service plan. Can we get this into a usable format? Well, let’s see what we can do – let’s try pulling this info for our last three users and see what we...
PowerTip: Identify the last time a User was Synchronized to AzureAD
Summary: Use PowerShell to identify the property in AzureAD with the Synchronization time in AzureAD Hey, Doctor Scripto. Is there a way with PowerShell to identify when a user was last synchronized with AzureAD? Absolutely! We just need to examine the LastDirSyncTime when using the Get-Msoluser cmdlet. Here’s an example below (Get-MsolUser -UserPrincipalName 'drscripto@contoso.com').LastDirSyncTime PowerShell, Doctor Scripto, PowerTip, Microsoft 365
Reporting on Microsoft 365 Licensing using PowerShell – Part 1
Summary: Will Martin discusses how to report on Microsoft 365 licensing in the cloud. Hello everyone, Doctor Scripto here today to introduce you to a good friend of mine. Will Martin is a PFE in Messaging here at Microsoft and he wanted to share a wonderful solution he found on reporting on Microsoft 365 licensing with PowerShell. Will my friend, the Blog is now in your most capable hands! Thanks for the introduction Doctor Scripto! I came across an interesting problem recently. I was asked by my large Office 365 customer if I could give them a script that would output all their user account licensing...
PowerTip: Show files with expired Digital Certificates
Summary: Targeting Expired Certificates with Get-AuthenticodeSignature Question: Hey Doctor Scripto! Is there an easy way to visually identify Digitally signed files with an Expired status on the Digital Certificate? Answer: Absolutely! We just need to filter on the “Status” property and show those without the value ‘Valid’. As an added bonus it would also identify files that are not digitally signed. Get-Childitem C:\Folder\*.* -Recurse | Get-AuthenticodeSignature | Where-Object { $_.Status -ne 'Valid' } PowerShell, Doctor Scripto, PowerTip
Reporting on Digitally Signed Files with PowerShell
Summary: Using the Get-AuthenticodeSignature cmdlet to show if a file is Digitally Signed Q: Hey, Doctor Scripto! I was curious, since many new files are Digitally signed with a certificate if there was an easy way to see the status of the Digital Signatures of many files easily? —SH A: Hello SH your good friend Doctor Scripto is here today to help you along. One of the things which changed with PowerShell in version 3.0 was a beautiful little Cmdlet called Get-AuthenticodeSignature This Cmdlets task was very simple, examine a file and show the properties of the Digital Certificate on a file. He...
Clean up Domain Controller DNS Records with Powershell
Summary: Using Windows PowerShell to remove Stale / Dead Domain Controller records. Q: Hey, Doctor Scripto! How can I quickly clean up all my dead Domain Controller’s DNS records? A: That’s a great question. The good Doctor also knows the very person to answer it best. My good friend Patrick Mercier, An Active Directory PFE who loves working with PowerShell. Take it away Patrick! Whether it’s as part of Active Directory Disaster Recovery, or because you had an old Domain Controller you needed to get rid of, cleaning up all the DNS records of a now dead DC left behind can be tedious: that is, unl...
PowerShell PowerTip: Customizing your prompt
I've been taking a break from the blog for a while due to some personal reasons, but I had a few people ask me about my PowerShell prompt recently. I like extra horizontal space, so I removed the path from the prompt and put it in the window title bar. I also just display the current time in the prompt itself. You can customize your prompt by using your profile and overriding the "Prompt" function. A coworker of mine, Tony Radkiewicz, used a similar prompt and I really liked it so I've been using it since. That's all for now, I'll try to get some...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to pick a random name from a list
Using the Get-Random Cmdlet to select a random list of names instead of numbers
Using PowerShell to create a folder of Demo data
Creating sample files with random sizes and dates for use in a Lab
PowerShell PowerTip: searching and installing modules on the command line
PowerShell 5+ ships with the module PowerShellGet, which lets us search and install modules from cmdlets. The default nuget repository is the PowerShell Gallery, but you could add others yourself (including custom ones for internal modules). There are a lot of reasons this could help you: There are a lot of cmdlets in the module, but the ones you'll use the most will be: You can also specify the scope on install-module and put it in your user module location for ones just for you on a machine. Hope that helps, tune in more often to get short and sweet PowerTips!
Regular Expressions (REGEX): Grouping & [RegEx]
Welcome back to the RegEx crash course. Last time we talked about the basic symbols we plan to use as our foundation. This week, we will be learning a new way to leverage our patterns for data extraction and how to rip our extracted data into pieces we care about. [RegEx] The data type has some cool static members, but we're mostly going to play with the plural method if you don't know what static members are you can check this post or this help data. A lot of the time, when we work with RegEx we are using it to extract everything that matches our pattern in a large amount of data. Using like we did in t...
PowerShell PowerTip: History of commands with PSReadline
One of the really cool things PSReadline provides (module shipping on v5+) isn't as immediately obvious as the syntax highlighting. It offers a persistent history that is stored from session to session. This means if you run commands in a window, close it, and open a new one later you can still hit the up arrow and scroll through them. I use this feature quite a bit doing demos or just working on things where I want to clear out my whole scope and jump back in. If you want to opt out you can as well: Hope that helps, tune in more often to get short and sweet PowerTips!
Regular Expressions (REGEX): Basic symbols
Welcome back to the RegEx guide. Last post we talked a little bit about the basics of RegEx and its uses. I mentioned the most important thing is to understand the symbols. Today we'll ease in with some of the basics to get us going, but later we will expand on these and see some other options we have. is used to represent any single character, aside from a newline, so it will feel very similar to the windows wildcard is the escape character for RegEx, the escape character has two jobs: We can use to specify quantity in a few different ways by attaching them to characters or symbols. ...
PowerShell PowerTip: What is the point of Out-Variable?
A lot of times people see others using the common parameter -OutVariable instead of the best practice $var = <value>. This leads to a lot of folks wondering why OutVariable exists. The real use for OutVariable is to save your data off, while still letting it get sent along the output stream. What this means is that you could use it somewhere inside of a pipe to save some data for later re-use, but continue doing other work with that data. Notice that even though the data continued being pipped along, I could also reference it later when I asked for the count. Hope that helps, tune in more ...
PowerTip: Turn off the power to your computer with PowerShell
I’ve got a script that needs to power off a system after it’s done. How can I accomplish this with PowerShell?
Parse HTML and pass to Cognitive Services Text-to-Speech
Having some fun with Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on first?” comedy routine, and multiple voices with Bing Speech.
PowerShell PowerTip: What you should know about streams
PowerShell has a concept called Streams, which are the different places data can go (output, error, verbose, etc). You usually don't have to worry too much about these streams if you're just writing simple scripts, but it helps a ton to know: What this means for you, as users, is that you can get a non-terminating error, and still do work on the successful output. Take a look at this: Notice that even though I received an error for the process "FAKE", only the non-errors were present in $procs. Using some basic error handling we could clean that up, hide the error message and log out wha...
Regular Expressions (REGEX): Introduction
Hi all, this week I'll be talking about Regular Expressions. I've got a few posts planned to get you set up and going with some basic Regex. Regex is used for extracting and validating data. Essentially, you can think of Regex as windows wild cards on steroids. Anytime we need to match data with a little more clarity than the *s and ?s that windows gives us, we have Regex. Regex has a reputation for being difficult and confusing, but it really isn't so bad when you get used to it. The biggest contributors to Regex's reputation are: With that in mind, let's take a look at a sample about why you ...
PowerTip: Determine your version of PowerShell and host operating system
Identify your PowerShell environment by making use of built-in PowerShell variables.
Windows PowerShell and the Text-to-Speech REST API (Part 5)
Send and receive content to the Text-to-Speech API with PowerShell.
PowerShell PowerTip: Checking your PowerShell version
If there is one question I could say I get the most in PowerShell, it is: How do I check my version? Its not a hard thing, but its not an obvious thing. We can actually check our version with a build in variable called PSVersionTable Hope that helps, tune in more often to get short and sweet PowerTips!
PowerShell For Programmers: Here Strings, There Strings, Everywhere Some String Strings
There won't be much code in today's post, but this can be a useful feature to know about. In addition to the expandable and literal strings we talked about, we can also use something called a Here String. Here strings allow us to have quote characters inside of our string that match the quote characters we use to create that string. For example, you might want the double quote character to appear inside of your expandable-string. You could use the escape character on the internal quote to prevent it from closing your string, but if you had a massive amount of quotes this would be annoying. Here strings exis...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to play WAV files
Make use of the native features of Windows through PowerShell to play sound.
Windows PowerShell and the Text-to-Speech REST API (Part 4)
Send and receive content to the Text-to-Speech API with PowerShell.
PowerShell PowerTip: Grabbing the location your script lives in
One super common thing in PowerShell is to design a script to consume particular files for data. Often times you are building the script right in the folder for your files. However, it can be annoying to give long, literal file paths to a file. Also, if you give that script to someone else, they need to edit that path to point at the right location-- how annoying! There is a built in variable to help with this scenario: $PSScriptRoot will provide the file path the script was run from, which can let you relatively point at files. You can see an example of this in an older blog post. I received a few questions ab...
Working with JSON data in PowerShell
Welcome back everyone! This week we will take another look at some common data types we might encounter in the real world: JSON data. JSON data is used pretty frequently on the web if you're hitting APIs. This not only includes external data (twitter, weather, marvel database), but often includes internal data to your company. It's nice to be able to leverage data from anywhere, and it can be frustrating for people to try to parse JSON data. Luckily, we have this all built in for you using ConvertFrom-JSON I'll get a response from an API online used for testing: The response data looks like this: A...
PowerTip: Ensure that errors in PowerShell are caught
Here’s how to make sure your errors get caught with <strong>Try Catch Finally</strong>.
Windows PowerShell and the Text-to-Speech REST API (Part 3)
Use Windows PowerShell to access the Cognitive Services Text-to-Speech API.
PowerShell PowerTip: ISE crashing and auto complete not working
Hi all, I'm going to start putting out these short PowerShell PowerTips every so often. They won't be full blog posts, but they will be short and useful! Have you been having issues with the ISE crashing and not auto completing since windows update 1803? From what I've seen there is a fix for this coming, but if you need these features now you can try the 2016 ISE preview To try it run as an admin and do this: Then go ahead and pin it while you wait for the fix. You can also check out VS Code Happy PowerShelling!
Run PowerShell code in Puppet
Normally, it’s preferable to use specific Puppet and DSC Windows modules to manage systems in Puppet, but an alternative is running PowerShell commands and scripts by using the <strong>exec</strong> resource. This can be helpful for transitioning existing PowerShell code into Puppet quickly.
Doing more with functions: Verbose logging, Risk mitigation, and Parameter Sets
Welcome back to PowerShell for Programmers, this week I'm trying gitGist again for the code blocks. Let me know what you think about it vs the normal syntax highlighter I use :) As we've seen in the other posts about functions, attributes are a really cool thing to extend the features we have available to ourselves and for our users. This post is going to deal with an attribute for the function itself as well as ones for the individual parameters. This will let us make our functions behave more like any other cmdlet, by giving us access to the common parameters that users are used to seeing. Common Parameters...
PowerTip: Get all your local certificates by using PowerShell
How can I use Windows PowerShell to enumerate all certificates on my Windows computer?
Get certificate info into a CSV by using PowerShell
Summary: Certificate management is always challenging. Let’s explore how to use PowerShell to export local certificate information to a comma-separated values (CSV) file on Windows 7 (or later) computers. Q: Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I get all my certificate info into a CSV on my Windows computers? —SH A: Hello SH, Patrick Mercier here, with my first “Hey, Scripting Guy!” post. This question has come up at multiple customer sites, as they plan a new PKI infrastructure or a revamp of their current one! There’s tons of resources on using PowerShell for querying certificates, but questions around finding exp...
Grabbing Excel (XLSX) values with PowerShell
The Goal: Import data from XLSX files conveniently like import-csv lets you do with simpler data. The preamble: Excel is a mainstay of the business world at this point, which means a lot of the data you might have to work with will come at you as an XLSX file or need to be one. This can be a bit annoying when scripting. If we're just working in PowerShell-land and we can choose to use simple CSV data we have the handy import-csv and export-csv cmdlets, and those CSV files can open up in excel just fine. However, when we are forced to work with XLSX files it can lead to headaches. If you search around ...
Doing More With Functions: Comment-Based Help
I just wanted to throw together a post highlighting how cool and easy it is to add help data to your own Functions and scripts. The help data gets added via comments. For functions the help data can go in three places: For scripts we just put it at the top of your script before you type the param() statement, or at the bottom, but the bottom will mess with code signing. Syntax just involves using a dot before the help keyword and then typing the help you want for it on the next line: Here is a list of all the keywords I found and short descriptions of them: For the most part, I recomm...
Inserting new elements into XML files
The Goal: Insert nodes into a specific place in XML config files The Motivation: I had a coworker a while back working with App Fabric. He needed to insert a particular chunk of XML into a specific spot inside of the config file. This had to be done on a bunch of different machines, but the kicker was that the config files might look different on all of them. We knew the node that needed to come before our new node, but that might be in a different spot in each file. When the configSections node ended ( </configSections> ) we needed to insert: This is the perfect place for PowerShell auto...
Introducing the DscLcm utility for PowerShell
Summary: Desired State Configuration is a great deployment tool to meet your organization’s infrastructure-as-code goals. I recently came across a situation for a project that uses the Push Service (as opposed to the Pull Service). It required me to be able to apply a new partial configuration to a node, without any knowledge of what partial configurations were already in place. This led to the development of the DscLcm module, which solved that problem for my team. DscLcm module The DscLcm PowerShell module is a utility that interacts with the Local Configuration Manager (LCM) of a target machine. You don’t have...
Doing More With Functions: Taking Parameters on the Pipe
In an earlier post, I showed you how you could use the [parameter(mandatory)] attribute to force your parameters to behave a bit more like you'd expect from other languages. We also have a bunch of other useful attributes we can use on our parameters to enable cool features. Pipelineing The pipe might feel pretty magical to you in PowerShell, as it just seems to work with our built in cmdlets. You can add this same kind of functionality to your own tools, and we give you two options to do so. First of all, here is what happens if you don't use this attribute: Pipeline By Value When we talk about stuff...
PowerTip: Build simple HTML with PowerShell
Summary: Here’s how to use the ConvertTo-HTML cmdlet to build basic HTML content. Hey, Scripting Guy! Occasionally I need to build basic HTML documents. I heard there was a way to do that with Windows PowerShell. There most certainly is! Just use the ConvertTo-HTML cmdlet to save the day! For example: $SampleDoc=@' This is a simple text Document in PowerShell That I am going to make into a Tiny web page :) '@ ConvertTo-Html -InputObject $SampleDoc ...
Windows PowerShell and the Text-to-Speech REST API (Part 2)
Summary: You can use Windows PowerShell to authenticate to the Text-to-Speech REST API. Q: Hey, Scripting Guy! I was reading up on the REST API for the Text-to-Speech component of Cognitive Services. I'm just starting to learn how to use REST and PowerShell. Could you spend a little bit of time and show me how to authenticate to the service? —SH A: Hello SH, Authentication is one of the biggest pieces you'll want to learn. Telling a system at the back end who you are, and knowing how to communicate with it, is very critical before you can do anything fun! Talking to the Text-to-Speech API is pretty easy onc...
PowerShell for Programmers: The Magic Switch!
Welcome back everyone, I'm trying out GitHub Gist for my code blocks this week. It lets you click and download them, as well as making them easy to edit. The downside is that I can't use my usual dark themed syntax highlighting. Let me know in the comments if you like gist or the old method better :) Switch statements in PowerShell are very cool, and by knowing some of the tricks it has in place it can save you a lot of time. Basic Syntax Let's start by taking a look at a basic switch statement. In C# you might write something like this: In PowerShell you could do this: Notice we don't use t...
PowerShell For Programmers: Strings, Quotes and Quirks
Welcome back everyone! This will be a short, but important entry for the guide. The difference between quote characters is something I’m asked about all the time. It is important to understand in PowerShell, but most of the time it probably won’t make a difference. TLDR: If you're just typing a value like "alg" then it doesn't matter, but if you have any special symbols you can see the difference. Single vs. Double Quotes We refer to single quotes as Literal Strings and double quotes as Expandable Strings. Both create the same datatype (system.string), but a double quote will expand any special charact...
PowerTip: Create new authentication keys for AzureRM Cognitive Services
Summary: Change the keys to authenticate to Azure RM Cognitive Services, by using Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I created the keys for my Rest API. I know I can change them in the web portal, but is there a faster way of doing it through Windows PowerShell? There absolutely is! Just use the New-AzureRMCognitiveServicesAccountKey cmdlet to reset either Key1 or Key2 (or both). Here is an example, where we generate a new sequence for Key1: New-AzureRMCognitiveServicesAccountKey -ResourceGroup 'HSG' -Name 'Sample' -KeyName Key1
Windows PowerShell and the Azure Text-to-Speech Rest API (Part 1)
Summary: You can use Windows PowerShell to authenticate to the Microsoft Cognitive Services Text-to-Speech component through the Rest API. Q: Hey, Scripting Guy! I heard about the cool Microsoft Cognitive Services, and had heard they have a REST API. Does that mean I can use PowerShell to consume them? Could you show me how to authenticate to it? —SH A: Hello SH, I just love waking up and saying "YES YOU CAN!" when people ask "Can you do that with Windows PowerShell?" So… ahem…. "Yes you can!" For those who didn't know, Cognitive Services are hosted in the Azure cloud, and they allow you to many things eas...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to read an RSS feed
Summary: “Hey, Scripting Guy!” shows you how to use Invoke-RestMethod to read a list of entries from an RSS feed. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see the list of articles from an RSS feed? Just use the Invoke-RestMethod and provide the full path to the link to the RSS feed. Here is an example: Invoke-RestMethod -Uri 'https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/heyscriptingguy/rss.aspx
PowerShell and the REST API for the IT pro
Summary: This post provides a quick introduction to what the REST API is, and how it applies to Windows PowerShell. Q: Hey, Scripting Guy! I can see there is this cool cmdlet called Invoke-RestMethod. I've been told REST API's are all around, and this allows me to consume that data. Could you give me a hand getting started? —SH A: Hello SH, Glad to help out! I remember hearing about REST APIs the first time, thinking they might be a way to take a nap at work. Was I wrong on that one! What a "REST API" is at the most BASIC level is really just a very fancy web Endpoint. You could, if you were really creative, t...
PowerShell for Programmers: How to write a function the right way
Just like I mentioned in my first post, PowerShell supports a lot of stuff that makes it pretty easy to dive in and get stuff running. The following two examples are supported in PowerShell, but not something you should really be doing for any reusable tool set. Putting your parameters (arguments) next to the function name in parenthesis is pretty standard in most languages, but in PowerShell it will limit your functionality. Similarly, $args will stop working for you if you add some of those more useful features, but I’ll show you a way to mimic the functionality on your own later. So, how should you b...
PowerShell for Programmers: What happened to my operators?
Operators are one of the most frustrating things about learning PowerShell if you’re coming from just about any other language in existence. Operators like ==, <=, !=. etc. are almost ubiquitous in programming, but none of them are supported in PowerShell. This can lead to some pretty frustrating errors with things like If statements. You might see: In PowerShell we are still going to have all these operators, they are just going to look different, using dashes and vaguely resembling parameters. I wondered the reason behind this myself for a while, and made a pretty inaccurate guess, but...
PowerShell for Programmers: Basic Syntax – Variables, Objects, and Data Types
Variables Variables in PowerShell are going to be a bit different than they are for you in most languages. To start out the conversation, the basic way to create a variable is just by using a “$” and an “=”, but there are cmdlets and other ways to generate them. Objects Objects are going to work how they do most places. Dot notation lets us dig into their properties and methods. If you want to see your object’s members, we have several options: 1. Get-Member: you’ll notice the definitions look a lot like you’re used to in C-based lang...
PowerShell for Programmers: A Quick Start Guide
Now that my content has been migrated to the scripting blog, this will be the landing page for the series and I'll be trying to update all the links. Learning PowerShell can be very useful for people with programming experience. Whether you’re currently a developer, dev-ops, or an admin you can get some serious use out of being familiar with PowerShell. You might think its just a version of command prompt with an eye-burning color scheme, but it really is a full scripting language with lots of nice tie ins. PowerShell is geared towards IT admins and made easy to learn with lots of nice shortcuts, and auto-...
PowerShell For Programmers: Basic Syntax — CMDLETs
PowerShell might look really strange to you. Many people assume PowerShell is basically CMD-prompt 2.0 because of the way it looks, but it really is a fully operational scripting language underneath. PowerShell has something called a cmdlet (command-let), which for the most part is the same idea as functions you're used to from other languages. I'll assume you're coming from a more classic language and you're used to calling functions like this: If you've been using cmdlets in PowerShell like this, you've been doing it wrong. This could cause you some serious problems down the line. "But I can type ...
Cross-platform PowerShell remoting in action
Summary: Learn how to configure and use cross-platform PowerShell remoting in PowerShell Core. I’m Christoph Bergmeister, a London-based full stack .NET software developer with a passion for DevOps. To enable product testing of .NET Core apps across non-Windows machines in CI, I was one of the first people to use the new cross-platform remoting capabilities based on an integration of OpenSSH with PowerShell Core. In the early days, setup was very tedious, and as part of my journey I had to experiment a lot to get everything working together nicely. Today, I want to share with you some of what I learned. Introduc...
Script Wars: The Farce Awakens (part V)
Summary: Rey is skilled in PowerShell, and new to Contoso Holly Jolly Hat Company. Already she has been a great boon to her new co-workers and had her sneakers become the subject of a hungry trash robot. She was just about to walk out to the hall with Ben Kerberosie, when suddenly an dominant figure has blocked them, with the following words booming through the hall: "WHO DO I SPEAK TO ABOUT CLEAR TEXT PASSWORDS in POWERSHELL!?!" ---------------------- That entity was none other than Katherine Phantampa! Head of IT Security, and also known as The Gatekeeper. The Protector of Data. The Guardian of all that was...
Script Wars: The Farce Awakens (part IV)
Summary: A quick recap shall we? Newly graduated from IT training and future guru in the world of Windows PowerShell, Rey Skyworker has been hired on by her mentor, Ben Kerberosie. Already, she has helped peers from her team improve their PowerShell code to do some basic error trapping and cleanup of the data upon entry. Not bad for somebody on their first day, eh? Oh, almost forgot, her shoelaces have been chosen as lunch by a new Beta cleaning robot with more suction than common sense. Shall we continue? Let's! -------------------------- Tin has been left back to tend to the help desk, while Ben continues ...
Script Wars: The Farce Awakens (part III)
Summary: When last we saw our hero, Rey Skyworker, she was aiding her new co-worker, Tin. They managed to implement better error trapping by using the "Try Catch" statement in Windows PowerShell. The fact they could do this so easily it has tickled Tin's curiosity. ---------------------------- "Now Rey, I'm looking at this and as I see it, I could avoid the error altogether by trapping for those situations. Maybe adding in a few IF statements like this to the script." If (($First -or $Last)) -eq '') then { Write-Output 'Names cannot be blank } Else { ….rest of the script } Rey nodded. "You mean adding ...
Script Wars: The Farce Awakens (part II)
Summary: Yesterday, we met a newly graduated IT professional, Rey Skyworker, as she discussed the ways of "The Farce." It was during this discussion that her instructor, Ben Kerberosie, discovered she had a natural gift in understanding how to implement some good practices into writing her scripts. Today, we sit quietly (I mean all of you in the back too, no chattering and tossing about popcorn!), as Rey is about to embark on her new job. The position: on the help desk. The company: Contoso Holly Jolly Hat Company. She is being introduced to her new co-worker on the help desk, Jeremy Tinnison. ---------------...
Script Wars: The Farce Awakens (part I)
Summary: Seven years ago, “Hey, Scripting Guy!” was approached by a member of the community to see if we would be interested in doing something a little fun for the holidays. The result was a seven-part series called “A PowerShell Carol.” So when we were approached continuously in following years, we allowed this madness to continue! The tradition continued on with the "Blues" in Blueville and Curly Blue, amongst others, doing a twist on popular holiday stories. The community even dared to touch upon classic tales, with "Oliver Script," a "twist" on another famous story by Mr. Dickens. And now, we bring you th...
PowerShell support for certificate credentials
Summary: It's not a very well-known feature, but the PSCredential object, and the PowerShell Get-Credential cmdlet, both support certificate credentials (including PIN-protected certificates). In this post, we take a look at how a certificate credential is marshaled inside a PSCredential object, how you can do this marshaling yourself, and how you can retrieve the original certificate from a PSCredential object supplied to you. Most Win32 APIs that support the PSCredential object for credential validation already support certificates. However, if your code currently consumes a PSCredential, and you use the user ...
Visual Studio Updates for Office 365 APIs Tools
As we recently detailed on the Office Developer blog, we are making it simpler and easier for developers to connect to Office 365 through the Microsoft Graph. For Visual Studio developers currently using the Office 365 API Tools to create applications, you should plan to transition your apps to use Microsoft Graph to access Office 365 data directly. Call to Action You can use the Microsoft Graph Quick Start Guide to learn the quickest way to get started with Microsoft Graph for the platform of your choice. Or, you can use Office 365 Connected Services docs for Microsoft Graph if you have Visual Studio...
Connect(); 2017: SmartHotel360 Demo Apps and Architecture
Last month we hosted Microsoft Connect(); in New York City. Connect(); is a three-day, in-person and online developer event. If you missed it, no worries! You can watch our keynotes, sessions, and on-demand videos on Channel 9. For the past five months our keynote demo team worked on a new set of reference apps. We used most of these apps and Azure backend for our keynote demos. As every year, today we are delighted to share the availability of our newest reference sample apps and Azure backend: SmartHotel360 in GitHub. SmartHotel360 is a fictitious smart hospitality company showcasing the future of connected...
Easily Create IoT Edge custom modules with Visual Studio Code
At the recent Connect(); 2017 in November, we announced public preview of Azure IoT Edge. Now you can bring the intelligence of the Cloud right to the IoT Edge as well as easily create and manage business logic for your devices. The new Azure IoT Edge extension for Visual Studio Code along with the updated Azure IoT Toolkit extension will make your IoT Edge developments a real pleasure, providing a set of functionalities including: Get Started with IoT Edge in Visual Studio Code First things first, let’s start by answering the obvious question - What is IoT Edge? What can it do and how does i...
Sky’s the limit with Azure, ASP.NET Core, and Visual Studio for Mac
[Hello, we are looking to improve your experience on the Visual Studio Blog. It will be very helpful if you could share your feedback via this short survey that should take less than 2 minutes to fill out. Thanks!] Cloud services represent a huge leap in functionality, performance, and management simplicity for web apps, APIs, mobile backends, and more. To help you get started with cloud-based development in Visual Studio for Mac, today we're publishing two new hands-on labs: publishing your ASP.NET Core web app to Azure, and connecting your ASP.NET Core web app to Azure SQL Database. These two labs will help d...
Share UI Code in any iOS and Android App with .NET Embedding
One of the most exciting announcements during this year’s Connect(); event was the ability to embed .NET libraries into existing iOS (Objective-C/Swift) and Android (Java) applications with .NET Embedding. This is great because you can start to share code between your iOS and Android applications, and you can also share the user interface between your apps when you combine .NET Embedding with Xamarin.Forms Native Forms. This means that you can leverage your existing investments and apps without having to re-write them from scratch to start adding cross-platform logic and UI. In fact, during the Connect(); keynote...
Visual Studio 2017 Version 15.6 Preview
[Hello, we are looking to improve your experience on the Visual Studio Blog. It will be very helpful if you could share your feedback via this short survey that should take less than 2 minutes to fill out. Thanks!] A few days ago we released Visual Studio 2017 version 15.5 and an update to Visual Studio for Mac, and today we are releasing the first preview of the next minor update: Visual Studio 2017 version 15.6. You can either download the Preview, or, if you already have it installed, click on the notification you’ll receive in the product informing you that the update is available. This latest preview conta...
Post-Connect(); 2017 Visual Studio Partner Webinar Series
[Hello, we are looking to improve your experience on the Visual Studio Blog. It will be very helpful if you could share your feedback via this short survey that should take less than 2 minutes to fill out. Thanks!] Earlier this week, we released 13 Visual Studio partner webinars that build off of some of the major announcement areas of Connect(); 2017 and provide applications of developer tools that, literally, 'connect' with the latest and greatest from Azure, SQL Server 2017, and Visual Studio. Developer Tools for Application Innovation Scott Guthrie introduced advancements in developer productivity in the c...
Snapshot Debugging with Visual Studio 2017: Now Ready for Production
[Hello, we are looking to improve your experience on the Visual Studio Blog. It will be very helpful if you could share your feedback via this short survey that should take less than 2 minutes to fill out. Thanks!] Earlier this year we previewed the Snapshot Debugger, a tool that enables you to debug web apps running in production in Azure. With the general availability of Visual Studio 2017 Enterprise 15.5 this week, Snapshot Debugger is now available for you to get started. Read more about how here. Snapshot Debugging Overview If an issue happens in production, you may find yourself digging through logs or att...
Join Us to Learn How to Build Android 8.0 Oreo and iOS 11 apps with Visual Studio
[Hello, we are looking to improve your experience on the Visual Studio Blog. It will be very helpful if you could share your feedback via this short survey that should take less than 2 minutes to fill out. Thanks!] Visual Studio and Xamarin enable .NET developers everywhere to use their favorite language and full-featured IDE to create native Android, iOS, and UWP apps, even incorporating the latest and greatest from Android 8.0 Oreo and iOS 11. To help you get the most out of the new Google and Apple APIs, we’re hosting two webinars: one for all things Android 8.0 Oreo and one dedicated to iOS 11. In these web...
Visual Studio 2017 Version 15.5, Visual Studio for Mac Released
[Hello, we are looking to improve your experience on the Visual Studio Blog. It will be very helpful if you could share your feedback via this short survey that should take less than 2 minutes to fill out. Thanks!] Today we released significant updates to both Visual Studio 2017 and Visual Studio for Mac. I’ll share some details in this post, but as always, there’s a lot more information in the release notes. If you’d like to jump right in, download Visual Studio 2017 version 15.5 and download Visual Studio for Mac. Visual Studio 2017 Version 15.5 This update contains major performance improvements, new ...
Announcing JUnit Support for Visual Studio Code
Today, we’re pleased to release a new extension to our Visual Studio Code Java extension family - Test Runner/Debugger for Java. It’s a lightweight test runner/debugger with below features we hope you will like. Same as the Debugger for Java, this is also an open source project. Please check out the github page https://github.com/Microsoft/vscode-java-test/ for more details and feedback. Along with the new extension, we’re also updating our Debugger extension with version 0.4.0. With this release, we’re adding a few useful tools to make Java debugger in VS Code more enjoyable. Launch in terminal ...
TFVC support and other enhancements hit Continuous Delivery Tools for Visual Studio
A year ago, we released the first preview of the Continuous Delivery Tools for Visual Studio (CD4VS) with support for configuring a continuous integration and continuous delivery pipeline for ASP.NET and ASP.NET Core projects with and without container support. With CD4VS you can always configure Continuous Delivery for solutions under source control to App Service, and Service Fabric Clusters. Today, we announce the support for configuring Continuous Delivery for solutions under TFVC source control on VSTS. When you click configure Continuous Delivery on the solution menu, CD4VS detects the source control prov...
Announcing Language Server Protocol Preview Release
Visual Studio is joining Visual Studio Code in offering support for the Language Server Protocol. As an extension author, you can now write Visual Studio extensions that leverage existing language servers to provide a rich editing experience for languages that initially had no native language support in Visual Studio. With these extensions, you can use Visual Studio to code in your favorite language! This is a preview release that is available as an extension on Visual Studio Marketplace and can only be installed on Visual Studio 2017 Preview. Read our documentation to find out more. What is an LSP? The Langua...
Overview of Visual Studio 2017 and Updates for .NET Developers
Visual Studio 2017 first released in March of this year. Since then, there have been five updates with each bringing more improvements and capabilities. Every improvement is geared towards making you more productive and this post aims to give you an overview of the culmination of features to date. Read on to see how you can get started working on your projects quickly and write better code faster. Download Visual Studio 2017 Preview today. New Install Experience, Performance and Reliability The first thing you’ll notice with Visual Studio 2017 is the new install experience which lets you pick and choose which de...
Large C# and VB solutions load significantly faster in 15.5 update
On average, 50 percent of all solutions opened by Visual Studio users open in ten seconds or less. However, large solutions can take longer to load because there are a lot of projects that Visual Studio needs to process. Over the last six months, we looked at ways to make solution load much faster, even for large solutions. We are happy to share that with update 15.5, Visual Studio 2017 loads C# and Visual Basic projects twice as fast as before. (C++ solution load was optimized earlier in Visual Studio 2017, as described here.) This video compares loading the Orchard Content Management System solution before an...
Managing Secrets Securely in the Cloud
You’ve probably heard some version of the story about a developer who mistakenly checked in his AWS S3 key to Github. He pulled the key within 5 minutes but still racked up a multi-thousand dollar bill from bots that crawl open source sites looking for secrets. As developers we all understand and care about keeping dev and production secrets safe but managing those secrets on your own or especially in a team can be cumbersome. We are pleased to announce several new features that together will make detecting secrets in code and working with secrets stored securely on Azure easier than it’s ever been before. ...
Test Experience Improvements
There have been several significant improvements to the test experience that range across Visual Studio and Visual Studio Team Services. These efforts involved frameworks and tooling for both .NET and C++, but all had a common goal: make testing with our developer tools a great experience. .NET Side-by-side Performance Comparison These improvements are best shown in a side-by-side comparison of Visual Studio 2017 15.4 and Visual Studio 2017 15.5 Preview 2 with the Real Time Test Discovery feature flag turned on. Wow! How did you get that performance?! The performance improvements are thanks to work in a few dif...
Spend more time working on the interesting stuff
There’s a reason that each day thousands of developers take advantage of the rich set of extensions offered by our growing family of VS and VSTS Partners and the broader VS community. Collectively these offerings can save you and your team time in many different ways, from helping find bugs faster, to making it easier to work with data, to helping create great UX. I’m excited to be here at Connect(); this week where our partners are announcing a slew of exciting new products and updates for developers in tandem with our own developer productivity announcements. Here's a quick overview of these updated and new a...
Keep Your Skills Up to Date: New Training and Azure Resources
Finding better ways to upskill is a consistent topic that comes up when we talk to you about what’s top of mind. It’s no wonder when the one constant in our industry is change with new techniques, frameworks, tools, and languages emerging all the time. Developers by nature are extremely self-reliant when it comes to dealing with this change. Over 90% of the respondents on StackOverflow’s 2017 Developer Survey indicated that they were at least partially self-taught. Whether through coding boot camps, online courses, online forums/Q+A, or joining an OSS project, you are using a variety of ways to level up your ski...
The Latest in Developer Productivity and App Experiences
Whatever the language or platform, developers want the same thing - to create app experiences that are high-quality, intelligent and personalized. Experiences that delight users and keep them engaged. To do that, we need tools that increase our productivity, so that we spend more time on what matters most to our app's success. At Connect(); 2017 we are showcasing new tools and services that demonstrate Microsoft’s commitment to developer productivity and incredible app experiences. Visual Studio App Center – Build, Test, Deploy, Engage, Repeat. Today we announced the General Availability of Visual Studio App Cen...
Run and Debug Java 9 in Visual Studio Code
In the past 3 weeks, we’ve continued to see a lot of people installing and trying our tools, reading our documents, and visiting our repository. We’ve also seen a number of new issues opened by the Java community. Thank you all for trying our tools and providing feedback, all of which is motivating us to make VS Code a better tool for Java developer. With our new 0.3.0 release, we have added a few new capabilities and addressed your top feedback. Java 9 Support Java 9 was officially out just weeks after the initial release of our debugger. To allow more and more developers to try the new version of Java with VS C...
Visual Studio IDE extensions now published and managed at Marketplace
Consumers of Visual Studio IDE extensions visit Visual Studio Marketplace to discover and acquire extensions. But extension publishers visit Visual Studio Gallery to publish and manage their Visual Studio IDE extensions. Henceforth, extension publishing and management will also be in Marketplace. In this process, all extensions in Gallery will be automatically moved over to Marketplace. Marketplace now serves as a single place for extension publishers and consumers to publish, manage or acquire extensions. Benefits of publishers moving to Marketplace To publish and manage an exte...
Reverse Desired State Configuration: How it works
Nik Charlebois is a Premier Field Engineer based out of Canada. He is the author of several books on SharePoint automation, and he writes blog posts on a regular basis about all things PowerShell. You can find out more about his work here. ReverseDSC PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC) has been around for a few years now, and many organizations are using it to help them automate parts of their DevOPS pipeline. There are now several hundred DSC modules available in the PowerShell Gallery. This enables organizations to create a complex automation solution that allows them to manage, via DSC, different comp...
Use Docker to automate testing of PowerShell Core scripts
Summary: Learn the basics about Docker, and see how to use it for PowerShell Core script testing on different operating systems. I'm Dan Ward, a Boston-based .NET software engineer who is just plum crazy about PowerShell and automation. Earlier this year, I uploaded my first GitHub project—a PowerShell whitespace cleaner that also replaces aliases with commands and fixes casing issues. Like any manager of a new project, I was excited to see people using it and providing feedback and enhancement requests. But I became concerned when bug reports started coming in: "But I tested this on my machine before up...
PowerTip: Remove calendar events from a mailbox
Summary: Remove calendar events within an Exchange Online mailbox. Is there an easy way to remove calendar events from within an Exchange Online mailbox? Yes there is. There is a newly deployed cmdlet to Office 365 tenants: Remove-CalendarEvents. This cmdlet is currently only available in Exchange Online, but it does allow administrators to remove calendar events, with an attendee, from an owner's mailbox. Here are three examples: Remove-CalendarEvents -Identity chris@contoso.com -CancelOrganizedMeetings This example cancels every meeting in the mailbox chris@contoso.com that occurs on or after today...
Weekend Scripter: Exchange add-in module
Summary: Mike O'Neill, Microsoft Senior Premier Field Engineer, created an Exchange add-in module. This is a PowerShell module for Exchange engineers. The module takes into account both on-premises and hybrid deployed Exchange environments. It is a combination of several other scripts that are either on the internet, or are action items you might need help with in your day-to-day tasks. By combining several lines of code into a single verb-noun cmdlet, it makes repeatable, mundane tasks much easier. In fact, once you have the hang of them, you could delegate them out to other team members with a few minutes of ...
Hey, Scripting Guy! update
Ed Wilson retired, but we are continuing his legacy of friendly tutorials on solving common problems. We will also help IT professionals expand their skill set beyond what might be their comfort zone. Examples of this include incorporating continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) tools into core infrastructure management, and hybrid cloud operations. Ed actively recruited contributors to submit new content. We are continuing that tradition by making "Hey, Scripting Guy!" a community effort. In the spirit of getting people started in the wide world of scripting for the cloud, we are asking that propo...
Debugging PowerShell script in Visual Studio Code – Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of the series about how to debug PowerShell in Visual Studio Code. In Part 1, we looked at the debugging features of Visual Studio Code with the PowerShell extension installed. Now we will examine the various ways that you can start to debug PowerShell script with Visual Studio Code. Single file debugging With the 1.9 release of Visual Studio Code, you can now debug a PowerShell script with no debugger configuration required and no need to open a workspace. That is, you can open a single PowerShell file instead of a folder and still debug it. In the following example, I open a single script fi...
Cloud operating system deployment: WinPE in Azure
Jason Ryberg is a Consultant for Microsoft, where he writes PowerShell code and provides DevOps support. Have you ever wanted to boot to WinPE in Azure and select an Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) Task Sequence? As part of an informal cloud-readiness evaluation, I was asked to deploy a server image to Azure. The image that I was given would run the MDT Deployment Wizard to allow for the selection of deployment options. But, how could I choose deployment options if I could not reach the Azure virtual machine in the boot environment? Read on to find out how to interact with an Azure virtual machine in a prebo...
Announcing the 2016 Honorary Scripting Guys
Summary: The Honorary Scripting Guys for 2016 are announced. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, it has been an awesome year for Windows PowerShell and for the community. The Scripting Wife and I had the opportunity to speak at lots of user groups and conferences last year. This involved many, many miles of travel. Luckily, the community pitched in and helped – a lot – with the Scripting Guys blog … and so, once again, it was the top Microsoft blog. The cool thing about a strong community – and of community contributions to the blog is that we can get lots of different views about how we can use W...
Debugging PowerShell script in Visual Studio Code – Part 1
Summary: Here's a look at the many features of the PowerShell debugger for Visual Studio Code. In previous blog posts, we covered how to get started with PowerShell development in Visual Studio Code and the editing features of Visual Studio Code and the PowerShell extension. If you don’t already have Visual Studio Code configured with the PowerShell extension, read those blog posts to get caught up. In the first of this two-part series, we will cover the many features of the PowerShell debugger for Visual Studio Code. These features are provided by the PowerShell extension, or, more accurately, by the PowerSh...
PowerTip: Get a list of security patches installed in the last 90 days
Summary: Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, Thomas Rayner, shows how to get a list of all the security patches installed in the last three months. How can I list all the security patches that I’ve installed in the last 90 days? There’s a class for that! Just use , and you can retrieve this information. Here is an example:
PSScriptAnalyzer deep dive – Part 4 of 4
Summary: Thomas Rayner, Microsoft Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, shows how to write a custom PSScriptAnalyzer rule. Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a Cloud and Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for The Scripting Guy this week. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner), or posting on my blog, workingsysadmin.com. This week, I’m presenting a four-part series about how to use PSScriptAnalyzer. Part 1 – Getting started with PSScriptAnalyzer Part 2 – Suppressing, including, excluding rules Part 3 - Wrapping PSScriptAnalyzer with Pester to get formatted results Part 4 – Writing custom rules This ...
PowerTip: Get a list of suspended Azure Automation jobs
Summary: Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, Thomas Rayner, shows how get a list of all your suspended Azure Automation jobs. I think I have an Azure Automation job that is getting suspended for running too long. How can I verify this? You can use the cmdlet and its flag to get this information. Here is an example: You can also use other values like , , and in that place.
PSScriptAnalyzer deep dive – Part 3 of 4
Summary: Thomas Rayner, Microsoft Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, shows how to use Pester to get nUnit formatted results out of PSScriptAnalyzer. Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a Cloud and Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for The Scripting Guy this week. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner), or posting on my blog, workingsysadmin.com. This week, I’m presenting a four-part series about how to use PSScriptAnalyzer. Part 1 – Getting started with PSScriptAnalyzer Part 2 – Suppressing, including, excluding rules Part 3 - Wrapping PSScriptAnalyzer with Pester to get formatted results Part 4 ...
PowerTip: Convert from UTC to my local time zone
Summary: Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, Thomas Rayner, shows how write a function to convert from UTC to your local time zone. I have a time that I’d like to convert from UTC to my local time zone. How can I do this? You can write your own function to do this, and use the [System.TimeZoneInfo] .NET class and associated methods to make this conversion easily. Here is an example: { param( [parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [String] $UTCTime ) $strCurrentTimeZone = (Get-WmiObject win32_timezone).StandardName $TZ = [System.TimeZoneInfo]::FindSystemTimeZoneById($strCurrentTimeZone) $LocalTime = [System.TimeZoneInf...
PSScriptAnalyzer deep dive – Part 2 of 4
Summary: Thomas Rayner, Microsoft Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, shows how to suppress, include, and exclude PSScriptAnalyzer rules. Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a Cloud and Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for The Scripting Guy this week. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner), or posting on my blog, workingsysadmin.com. This week, I’m presenting a four-part series about how to use PSScriptAnalyzer. Part 1 – Getting started with PSScriptAnalyzer Part 2 – Suppressing, including, excluding rules Part 3 - Wrapping PSScriptAnalyzer with Pester to get formatted results Part 4 – Writing cu...
PowerTip: Find all the Azure Automation jobs that will run in the next two days
Summary: Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, Thomas Rayner, shows how to find all the Azure Automation jobs that will run in the next two days. Is there a way to find all the Azure Automation jobs that will run in the next two days? Use the cmdlet, and check out the attribute. Here is an example:
PSScriptAnalyzer deep dive – Part 1 of 4
Summary: Thomas Rayner, Microsoft Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, shows the basics about how to use PSScriptAnalyzer. Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a Cloud and Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for The Scripting Guy this week. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner), or posting on my blog, workingsysadmin.com. This week, I’m presenting a four-part series about how to use PSScriptAnalyzer. Part 1 – Getting started with PSScriptAnalyzer Part 2 – Suppressing, including, excluding rules Part 3 - Wrapping PSScriptAnalyzer with Pester to get formatted results Part 4 – Writing custom rules This...
Nearly everything has changed for SQL Server PowerShell
2016 was the best year in SQL PowerShell history! I guess I should have mentioned that here sooner. Wired® Magazine recently said that Microsoft SQL Server was the surprise hit of the year. The primary cited reason is the SQL Server port to Linux, but there are several other reasons to be really excited about SQL Server and SQL Server PowerShell is one of them. Independent, frequent releases of SSMS Thanks to the new release cycle of SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), which comes out nearly every month, the SQL Tools team could deliver even more without making us wait until the next major release of SQL Server...
View passwords of wireless profiles without using netsh.exe
Ever since the GUI lost the ability to view the password of a wireless profile, I wanted to provide this functionality in PowerShell. A search of the Internet for how to view the password of a Wi-Fi profile returns numerous examples of how to use netsh.exe to accomplish this. I wrote a previous blog post about how to view Wi-Fi profiles, and the method I used returned objects, but still relied on netsh.exe. I had some free time, and I wanted to learn about p/invoke, so I wrote a PowerShell module to do this. Let’s look at how to do this without netsh. If there isn’t a cmdlet or method in .NET to get what you wan...
Visual Studio Code editing features for PowerShell development – Part 2
Summary: Editing features for Visual Studio Code that use the PowerShell extension. Welcome to Part 2 about editing features of Visual Studio Code. Everything that we examined in Part 1 of this series is about Visual Studio Code editing features that are available without the PowerShell extension installed! They apply to your markdown, JSON, XML, and YAML files. Now, let’s look at additional editing features the PowerShell extension provides. IntelliSense With the PowerShell extension, you get IntelliSense for commands, command parameters, .NET type names, member names, and method parameter information as shown...
Visual Studio Code editing features for PowerShell development – Part 1
Summary: The editing features of Visual Studio Code come in handy as you develop your PowerShell scripts. Note: This post includes animated gifs. For best results, view the post in Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge. In the previous blog post, we explained how to get started with PowerShell development in Visual Studio Code. If you don’t have Visual Studio Code configured with the PowerShell extension, read that blog post first to get caught up. Since that blog post, there have been two important updates. First, Visual Studio Code has been updated to 1.8. One significant new feature in Visual Studio Code 1.8 is ...
SharePoint Online cmdlets to help your migration
Summary: Use these PowerShell cmdlets to migrate to SharePoint Online. Today’s post is from Christopher Weaver, who is a Microsoft Premier Field Engineer (PFE) and focuses on SharePoint and Office 365 solutions for large enterprise Premier customers. He has been doing PowerShell and SharePoint with Microsoft for nine years. In his spare time, he enjoys backpacking, hiking, kite surfing, and spending time with his kids and dog. You can follow him on his blog at https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/christwe/. As we prepare our SharePoint Online environment for migration, we will need to be able to manage site coll...
Where[-Object] clauses for people who use SQL Server
Summary: Learn about the power of the Where[-Object] cmdlet in PowerShell. Can I do a WHERE clause with an IN, in PowerShell? Yes! Today’s post is from Aaron Nelson ( blog | twitter ), who is a Microsoft MVP for SQL Server (Data Platform), leads the PowerShell Virtual Chapters of PASS, volunteers for the local PASS Chapter AtlantaMDF, and helps organize SQL Saturday events in Atlanta. The PowerShell Virtual Chapter of PASS hosts monthly sessions on SQL Server + PowerShell, and you can find the recordings of those sessions on their YouTube channel. is an extremely important cmdlet. Those of us who use SQL are...
PowerTip: Get the Notes field when accessing users or groups in Active Directory
Summary: Use the Active Directory Module to get the information from the “Notes” field. I’m trying to find the Active Directory property to use to access the Notes field when I’m viewing a user or a group. Could you lend me a hand? No problem at all. The property you are looking for is and can be added when you use or . I like to add as well to pull in most of the descriptive details. Here is an example:
Curly Blue and the meaning of scripting – Part 5
Summary: Curly Blue learns the true meaning of scripting in PowerShell. When we last saw our hero, Curly Blue, he had discovered not only the ease of use of PowerShell but also the vast community resources provided by Github. Because of this one reason alone, his co-workers, Loopy and Codestock, had no need to fret over the upcoming holiday weekend. Their task was solved in a quick and cost-effective manner. Curly sat down to reflect upon his past 24 hours of “intensive PowerShell training” with his co-workers. “At first I came in and was apprehensive about scripting. I personally didn’t find it useful due to...
PowerTip: Get a list of local Users in Windows 10 / Windows Server 2016
Summary: Use the cmdlets provided in PowerShell 5.1 to manage local user accounts on a system. I remember having to use the Active Directory Service Interfaces (ADSI) accelerator to access a list of local users in PowerShell. Is there a cmdlet that could do this now? Yes. In the most recent version of Windows 10 / Windows Server 2016 with PowerShell 5.1, you can run just one cmdlet to pull up a list of local users.
Curly Blue and the meaning of scripting – Part 4
Summary: Curly Blue learns how to use GitHub resources on PowerShell to clean out old office installations. When we last saw our hero, Curly Blue, he had been hanging around the office of Azura and discovering the simple ways he could use Windows PowerShell with minimal learning. In the past few days, he’s seen how easy it is to work and access files by date and time, use features that are built into the Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC) to identify samples of PowerShell, and pull data by using the Common Information Model (CIM) cmdlets. He was blinking in disbelief. Although he was a master of usi...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to determine active CIM sessions
Summary: Use the Common Information Model (CIM) cmdlets to pull a list of active sessions to remote workstations. How can I find active CIM sessions on my workstation? Just use this one cmdlet to list all active CIM sessions, and you’re done for the day!
Curly Blue and the meaning of scripting – Part 3
Summary: Curly Blue discovers the raw power of Cim-Instance combined with PowerShell remoting. We continue with Curly Blue as he searches understand the meaning of scripting. He is still sitting in the office with Azura. The co-op student, Hermie, has run off to chase something that wandered into his phone. Virus or virtual creature, nobody can ever tell. A new request has just made its way across her desk. The CIO would like a complete inventory of all serial numbers of the company’s workstations. Curly just rolled his eyes. “Over 5,000 workstations! Just where do we even start?” Azura noted his displeasure...
PowerTip: List locked-out accounts in Active Directory with PowerShell
Summary: Use Active Directory cmdlets to identify locked-out user accounts and computer accounts. Is there a quick and easy way to find all users who are locked out in Active Directory by using PowerShell? You’ll love this. The answer is just one cmdlet away with the ActiveDirectory module. Just use Search-ADAccount, and you’ll have a complete list on your screen.
Curly Blue and the meaning of scripting – Part 2
Summary: Curly Blue learns how to use built-in PowerShell script examples in Windows. Yesterday we met our new friends, Curly Blue and Linux. Curly had started his new job as a IT Professional at Contoso. The challenge for poor Curly was that he had never learned scripting or, for that matter, gotten into the spirit of it. He had mastered a unique talent of hyper-active data entry skills combined with keyboard shortcuts. He was now walking to the Office of Azura. She is in charge of managing the migration of the company resources to the cloud. Today she is working with a co-op student, Hermie. “Our big challe...
PowerTip: Limit Get-Childitem to a limited depth in the tree
Summary: Use the new -depth parameter to control how far down a directory you can search. I have a large file structure to search but I only want to go two folders deep on the search. Is there a way to do this in PowerShell? Certainly! In PowerShell 5.0, you can use the -depth parameter to specify how many branches deep you’d like to limit from the search root. Here, we can search the C:\Users\CurlyBlue folder for DOCX files but only go to two levels below. Here is an example:
Curly Blue and the meaning of scripting – Part 1
Summary: Curly Blue learns how to automate cleaning of old data files by using PowerShell. This week, in the spirit of the holidays (and of course the previous six years!), Hey, Scripting Guy is honored to bring forth a repeat of a tradition: The “Hey, Scripting Guy!” holiday special. This year, we are pleased to offer a week of fun and Windows PowerShell with a new story produced as a collaboration of two MVPs, Honorary Scripting Guys, Thomas Rayner and Sean Kearney. This year’s special is about a fellow named Curly Blue who has just started his new job with only a week remaining before the holiday weekend. C...
Make Visual Studio Code more like the integrated scripting environment
Summary: Learn some handy tips to make Visual Studio Code work more like the ISE. I was very intrigued with the release of Visual Studio Code last year. An editor that is light-weight and integrated with Git is something worth considering. Well, any new tool that could be added to the tool box is worth considering. In the past, I used the integrated scripting environment (ISE) as my tool of choice to develop and edit PowerShell scripts but I’m always looking for ways and tools to improve my PowerShell skills. There is a learning curve to Visual Studio Code. The ISE is very intuitive. I have never had much troub...
Get started with PowerShell development in Visual Studio Code
Summary: Learn about the features in Visual Studio Code that help you write PowerShell code. Since the PowerShell integrated scripting environment (ISE) shipped with Windows PowerShell 2.0 in 2009, the PowerShell landscape has changed significantly. In November 2014, Microsoft took .NET open source and cross-platform. Given PowerShell’s dependence on .NET, this was an important prerequisite before taking PowerShell cross-platform. And, indeed, nine months later, Microsoft made PowerShell available cross-platform, supporting Linux and macOS in addition to Windows. To the surprise of many, Microsoft also open-sour...
PowerTip: Capture the output of a Linux application in PowerShell
Summary: Use the built-in features of PowerShell to obtain data produced by a Linux application. Can I run a Linux application like ls and capture its output in PowerShell? You certainly can! It’s no different from when you normally grab output from any other command in Windows. To grab the output of the ls command, for example, just assign it to a PowerShell object as you normally would. The captured output will be all text, and you can run standard methods, Search-String and regular expressions against it.
Open Source PowerShell – Part 4
Summary: Install and Configure SSH for Open Source PowerShell remoting. With PowerShell, up to this point, one thing that I love is the ability to connect various systems in my environment and run cmdlets on them remotely. Can we do this with Open Source PowerShell? Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to go over how to get Open Source PowerShell set up to do remoting. Because this, my friends, this is the big game changer. When Linux admins presently need to work with a Windows Server, they need to play with a few options: A Windows admin could typically just download a utility l...
PowerTip: Return a status code to Linux from PowerShell
Summary: Pass a result code back to a calling Linux environment from Open Source PowerShell. How can I pass a numeric value back to a calling Bash Shell to indicate an error? Just simply supply the EXIT command and a numeric value at the point where the error is flagged. For example, the following code is a PowerShell script that returns a value of 76 if the script does not match the value of . If ($Value -eq ‘Something Good’) { Write-Output ‘It’s Good, it’s very Good’ } Else { Exist 76 }
Open Source PowerShell – Part 3
Summary: Pass and return data correctly between Bash and Open Source PowerShell. Could you show me some examples of actually passing and returning values between PowerShell and Bash? Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today and we’ll do exactly that. It isn’t difficult to actually to do this either, but there are two things to keep in mind to make all of this easier. When working with data: If you keep this in mind, much of the challenge is in just understanding that when PowerShell parameters are set, they should be typed correctly by using the appropriate .NET class. You’ll also need to...
PowerTip: Get the status code of a PowerShell script in Bash
Summary: Identify the results of a script running in Open Source PowerShell in a Bash environment. Is there any way to see the results of a PowerShell script? For example, if somebody sent an “Exit 42”, could I see it in Linux? All you need to do is examine the $? variable in Linux, just like any other Linux application. Here is an example:
Open Source PowerShell – Part 2
Summary: Use PowerShell scripts within Python and Bash (and those within PowerShell). I am curious just how much I can use Open Source PowerShell within Linux and macOS. Is it an isolated environment, or can it interact with other shells? Thanks for your question. Our good friend, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to show you just how well it interacts. Let’s consider something. Most shells, whether it is Bash or CMD.EXE, are just that, a shell. They normally can run some processes and send output to the console. In many cases, those same shells can call up other shells and launch others...
Manage SharePoint Online site collections and the web templates with PowerShell
Summary: PowerShell commands can manage site collections and the web templates that create site collections. Christopher Weaver is a Microsoft Premier Field Engineer (PFE) who focuses on SharePoint and Office 365 solutions for large enterprise Premier customers. He has been doing PowerShell and SharePoint with Microsoft for nine years. In his spare time, he enjoys backpacking, hiking, kite surfing, and spending time with his kids and dog. You can follow him on his blog at https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/christwe/. Hello All, As we prepare our SharePoint Online environment for migration, we will need to be ...
Part 3 – Use Azure Automation DSC to Configure Linux and execute PowerShell scripts
Summary: Learn how to configure and use PowerShell, Bash, and DSC with Linux. Hi, my name is Stefan Roth (Blog: http://stefanroth.net / Twitter: @stefanroth_net), and I am a Cloud and Datacenter MVP. In my last post of this three-part series, I would like to show you how we are able to hook up the previously installed Linux system to Azure Automation desired state configuration (DSC), deploy a DSC configuration, and apply it to our Linux system. What we are actually going to do is create a cronjob on Linux via Azure Automation DSC. This cronjob will run a PowerShell script on Linux every five minutes to send the...
How to avoid reinventing the wheel in Azure Automation
Summary: Take advantage of existing scripts to create your own solutions. Automation is the number one technical skill that IT needs to have to thrive in today’s quickly changing world. My recommendation is that anything you do for automation you should do in PowerShell, and you should use Azure Automation as your go-to automation solution. (PoSH Wizard illustration courtesy of myITforum.com) The Microsoft Operations Management Suite provides functionality around log analysis, backup and recovery, security and compliance, and IT automation. IT automation uses Azure Automation and is described as a met...
PowerTip: Capture error code of a PowerShell session in Linux or macOS
Summary: Capture the status code of a PowerShell session in Linux or macOS. Could you show me how to run a PowerShell script in Linux or macOS and capture the status of whether that script succeeded or failed? No problem, my friend. Just run the PowerShell session, and start the script as in the following example. You can view the status in the built-in variable in Linux and macOS.
Open Source PowerShell – Part 1
Summary: Find and install the Open Source PowerShell software for Linux or Windows. I was reading up about a great new change in PowerShell. I heard that the newest version was Open Sourced on GitHub. Any chance you could give me a quick run-through to check it out? Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to bring you up to pace with the coolest new change that was introduced ever. The newest version of Windows PowerShell (version 6.0) is on GitHub.com as an Open Source project! Don’t believe me? Check it out right now at https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell. To say, “This is big,” is a very...
PowerTip: Know the difference between the .split() method and ‘-split’
Summary: Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, Thomas Rayner, shows how to split a string by using a string instead of just a character. I am trying to split the string “this is my amazing string” on the pattern “my” by using “this is my amazing string”.split(“my”) but it’s giving me a bunch of garbled stuff back. How do I accomplish my goal? You’ll have to use –split instead of .split(). Methods like .split() and .trim() take arrays of characters instead of strings. What happened to you is that your pattern, “my”, was treated as an array of characters and “this is my amazing string” was split on all of the “m”...
PowerShell regex crash course – Part 5 of 5
Summary: Thomas Rayner, Microsoft Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, shows the basics of working with regular expressions in PowerShell. Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a proud Cloud and Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for The Scripting Guy! this week. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner), or posting on my blog, workingsysadmin.com. This week, I’m presenting a five-part crash course about how to use regular expressions in PowerShell. Regular expressions are sequences of characters that define a search pattern, mainly for use in pattern matching with strings. Regular expressions are extremely ...
Join the PowerShell tenth birthday celebration
SUMMARY: Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson announces November 14, 2016 as date for PowerShell 10th anniversary celebration Can you believe that PowerShell is nearly 10 years old (that is a long time in 'internet time')? On November 14, 2016 we will celebrate the occasion with a day-long event that will run from 8 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon (PST). We will stream this live event on the Channel 9 homepage. This is going to be a day long extravaganza befitting the most awesome management, tool ever shipped. We will have segments on SQL and PowerShell, Azure Automation and PowerShell, the future of Powe...
PowerTip: How to use regular expressions to split a string without losing the character you split on
Summary: Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, Thomas Rayner, shows how to split a string without losing the character you split on. I’m splitting this file name some file.txt into its name and extension by going “some file.txt” –split “.”. It’s giving me some file and txt, but I want to keep the dot and get .txt instead. How can I do this? You can split on a regex lookahead and split on the space between characters where the character on the right is a dot
PowerShell regex crash course – Part 4 of 5
Summary: Thomas Rayner, Microsoft Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, shows the basics of working with regular expressions in PowerShell. Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a proud Cloud & Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for The Scripting Guy! this week. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner), or posting on my blog, workingsysadmin.com. This week, I’m presenting a five-part crash course about how to use regular expressions in PowerShell. Regular expressions are sequences of characters that define a search pattern, mainly for use in pattern matching with strings. Regular expressions are extremel...
Speed up remote PowerShell connection to Exchange
Summary: Speed up the connection to Exchange by importing only the cmdlets that you need. Is there a way to speed up the initial PowerShell connection to Exchange? Yes, of course! With a little modification to Import-PSSession, we can speed up the connection. Normally, you would connect to Exchange 2010/2013/2016 like this: $session = New-PSSession -ConfigurationName Microsoft.Exchange -ConnectionUri 'http://ex01/PowerShell/?SerializationLevel=Full' -Authentication Kerberos Import-PSSession -Session $session This would import all available cmdlets in the local PowerShell session. But, consider the next...
PowerTip: How to detect a valid Active Directory user name using regular expressions
Summary: Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, Thomas Rayner, shows how use regex to detect if a string is a valid Active Directory user name. The invalid characters for an Active Directory user name are and . How do I tell if a string is a valid Active Directory user name? You can treat this array of characters as a pattern and see if they exist within the string You’ll have to manually escape and because is a bit quirky.
PowerShell regex crash course – Part 3 of 5
Summary: Thomas Rayner, Microsoft Cloud & Datacenter Management MVP, shows the basics of working with regular expressions in PowerShell. Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a proud Cloud & Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for The Scripting Guy! this week. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner), or posting on my blog, workingsysadmin.com. This week, I’m presenting a five-part crash course about how to use regular expressions in PowerShell. Regular expressions are sequences of characters that define a search pattern, mainly for use in pattern matching with strings. Regular expressions are extrem...
PowerTip: How to detect phone numbers using regular expressions
Summary: Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, Thomas Rayner, shows how to use regex to detect if a string is a phone number. I have an array like , and I need to know which array items are phone numbers. How can I do this? You can compare each item in the array with all its non-digit characters removed and see if that matches your requirements for a phone number. Here in Canada, our phone numbers are 10 digits. Here is an example:
PowerShell regex crash course – Part 2 of 5
Summary: Thomas Rayner, Microsoft Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, shows the basics of working with regular expressions in PowerShell. Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a proud Cloud and Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for The Scripting Guy! this week. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner), or posting on my blog, workingsysadmin.com. This week, I’m presenting a five-part crash course about how to use regular expressions in PowerShell. Regular expressions are sequences of characters that define a search pattern, mainly for use in pattern matching with strings. Regular expressions are extremely ...
Part 2 – Install .NET Core and PowerShell on Linux Using DSC
Summary: Learn how to configure and use PowerShell, Bash, and desired state configuration (DSC) with Linux. Today, Cloud and Data Center MVP Stefan Roth returns for Part 2 of his three-part series about how to configure and use PowerShell, Bash, and desired state configuration (DSC) with Linux. Take it away Stefan … My previous post installed the foundation for this second part. It installed the OMI CIM server and DSC on Linux. In this part, the goal is to run a DSC configuration on Linux to download and install .NET core libraries and Windows PowerShell for Linux. There is a multi-step process to get this don...
PowerTip: How to escape characters in a string using regular expressions
Summary: Cloud & Datacenter Management MVP, Thomas Rayner, shows how escape characters for use in regex. Is there a way to escape characters in a string automatically for use in regex? Use the method to automatically escape characters in a string so you can use them in regex.
PowerShell regex crash course – Part 1 of 5
Summary: Thomas Rayner, Microsoft Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, shows the basics of working with regular expressions in PowerShell. Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a proud Cloud and Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for The Scripting Guy! this week. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner) or posting on my blog, workingsysadmin.com. This week, I’m presenting a five-part crash course about how to use regular expressions in PowerShell. Regular expressions are sequences of characters that define a search pattern, mainly for use in pattern matching with strings. Regular expressions are extremely u...
Part 1 – Install Bash on Windows 10, OMI CIM Server, and DSC for Linux
Summary: Learn about the Windows Subsystem for Linux that runs on top of Windows 10. Today we have a guest article written by Stefan Roth. Take it away Stefan … Hi, my name is Stefan Roth, and I am a Cloud and Datacenter MVP. In a couple of posts, I would like to show you how cool it is that Microsoft is touching the Linux world. Myself, I am a 100% Microsoft fan, but, as you can read all over the Internet…Microsoft loves Linux. This is not just a one-night stand. Microsoft is really serious about Linux support in all cloud scenarios (private, public, and hybrid). Therefore, we start with something really cool....
Scripting Guys at Ignite 2016 in Atlanta
SUMMARY: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about the Scripting Guys booth at Ignite 2016 in Atlanta.Good morning everyone. Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, here. So, the day has finally arrived – after literally months and months of planning, Ignite 2016 in Atlanta has arrived. Well, actually it arrived earlier with the Pre-Con’s yesterday from the Operations Management Suite (OMS) team, and with MVP Days on Saturday. But today is the official kick off for Ignite. The Scripting Wife and I arrived yesterday at the conference center, and it is huge. Our shuttle bus drops us off at the far end of the buil...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to retrieve the date and time of the given time zone ID
Summary: Use PowerShell to pull out specify TimeZone data from an object. I have data retrieved from an external source that contains different time zone IDs like W. Europe Standard Time, AUS Eastern Standard Time, etc. How can I get the current date time value of it by using PowerShell? In PowerShell, use [System.TimeZone] and invoke the ConvertTimeBySystemZoneID static method, which returns the date-time value of the given time zone!In PowerShell, use [System.TimeZone] and invoke the ConvertTimeBySystemZoneID static method, which returns the date-time value of the given time zone! For example, you need to kn...
Use PowerShell to integrate with the Lync 2013 SDK for Skype for Business – Part 2
Summary: Learn how to extend PowerShell with Lync 2013 SDK to explore groups and contacts information in Skype for Business 2016 client. MVP Chendrayan Venkatesan is back again to show us how to get started with the Lync 2013 SDK to enable us to do some cool stuff with PowerShell and Skype for Business! Take it away Chen! Skype for Business 2016 client is great for business users for quick chat, sharing, presentation, organizing meetings, calls etc. Here is the Skype for Business client quick start guide. Please refer to it to understand and manage groups, contacts, and status (presence information). It’s a ve...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to list all possible colors in the console
Summary: Use PowerShell and enumeration to access all possible colors that you can use in the console. Is there a way to see all of the available colors that I can use when using Write-Host? We sure can! Why, with just one line in PowerShell, you’re all done! Here is an example:
Use PowerShell to integrate with the Lync 2013 SDK for Skype for Business – Part 1
Summary: Get started with the Lync 2013 SDK by using PowerShell to manage Skype for Business 2016 client. How do I integrate Windows PowerShell with the Lync SDK to manage Skype For Business client? MVP Chendrayan Venkatesan is back again to show us how to get started with the Lync 2013 SDK and do some really cool stuff with PowerShell and Skype for Business! Take it away, Chen! The Skype for Business 2016 client helps you stay connected with known people by using instant messaging, audio, video call, email, persistent chat rooms, online meetings, and presentations. By using Skype for Business, you can send...
PowerTip: Identify the numeric value of a custom (dingbat) character using PowerShell
Summary: Use PowerShell to determine the value of an Extended ASCII character to reproduce it for later use. I have a really simple question that’s been bugging me. I have a string with a special (Extended ASCII) character that I scraped from some output. I can’t find the ASCII value of it to reproduce it. How can I get the value of this silly “Dingbat”? In PowerShell, all you need to use is the [int] accelerator to get its numerical value! For example, if your special character is stored as a single character in a string called $char, you can find the value like this: For the hexadecimal value, just run the ...
Use PowerShell to report on SharePoint content with custom (dingbat) characters
Summary: Learn how to use PowerShell to retrieve SharePoint list item values as dingbat symbols to make HTML reports simple and clean. Can you show me an example of how to report on my SharePoint data by using something other than the standard ASCII characters? Today we have a special guest MVP, Chendrayan Venkatesan, to help us out! Chendrayan Venkatesan (Chen V) is a SharePoint IT Professional, Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, Microsoft Community Contributor, Author of Windows PowerShell 5.0 for .NET developers, speaker, blogger, Microsoft TechNet Wiki Ninja, and a fun-loving person. Chen V is a Powe...
Use PowerShell to maintain IIS logs
Summary: Learn how to use PowerShell to maintain and work with IIS logs. Welcome back guest blogger, Terri Donahue. Here are Terri’s previous blog posts. Terri is a Senior Customer Support Engineer for Dynamicweb NA and a Visual Studio and Development Technologies MVP. Twitter: @terrid_dw Internet Information Services (IIS) log maintenance has been a thorn in the side of web administrators for a while…basically since the first release of IIS. There isn’t a built-in utility to handle file compression, archival of log files, or deletion of log files. Depending on a site’s traffic, these logs can grow quite big ve...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to remove a user from all site collections in SharePoint Online
Summary: Learn how to use PowerShell to remove a corporate user from all site collections in SharePoint Online. How can I use Windows PowerShell to quickly remove a corporate user from all site collections in SharePoint Online? Use the following commands (change the login user name as required):
Manage your SharePoint Online tenant with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to manage your SharePoint Online tenant installation by using Windows PowerShell cmdlets. Christopher Weaver is a Microsoft Premier Field Engineer (PFE) who focuses on SharePoint and Office 365 solutions for large enterprise Premier customers. He has been doing PowerShell and SharePoint with Microsoft for nine years. In his spare time, he enjoys backpacking, hiking, kite surfing, and spending time with his kids and dog. You can follow him on his blog at https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/christwe/. Hello All, Continuing with the topic of how to use PowerShell to migrate a site collection fr...
The Scripting Guy: coming to a town near you
SUMMARY: The Microsoft Scripting Guys, Ed Wilson, upcoming live appearances. Hello Scripters, Teresa (aka. Scripting Wife) here. We have been really busy recently working with PowerShell user groups, and we want to provide you with a convenient listing of upcoming special events. Hope we will be able to see you at one or more of the events. By the way, these events are filling up quickly, so you may want to sign up today. Here is the list: July: July 19, 2016 Tampa FL SharePoint User Group Meeting July 21, 2016 Tampa FL Tampa PowerShell User Group August: August 17, 2016 Basel Switzerland Base...
Get started with PowerShell and SharePoint Online
Summary: Microsoft PFE Chris Weaver talks about getting started with Windows PowerShell and SharePoint Online. Welcome back Chris Weaver as guest blogger. You can see his previous guest blogs. Christopher Weaver is a Microsoft Premier Field Engineer (PFE) who focuses on SharePoint and Office 365 solutions for large enterprise Premier customers. He has been doing PowerShell and SharePoint with Microsoft for nine years. In his spare time, he enjoys backpacking, hiking, kite surfing, and spending time with his kids and dog. You can follow him on his blog. Hello All, I’ve put the kids to bed, the dog is snoring o...
PowerTip: Find all devices connected to a computer
Summary: Use PowerShell to find all devices that are connected to a computer. How can I use Windows PowerShell to list all devices that are connected to a computer? Use the Get-PnpDevice cmdlet and the -PresentOnly switch. Here is an example:
Passing through devices to Hyper-V VMs by using discrete device assignment
Summary: Learn how to attach a device from your Hyper-V host to your VM by using a new feature of Windows Server 2016. Today we have a guest blogger, Rudolf Vesely, who has blogged here on previous occasions. Here is a link to his previous posts if you would like to read them. Here is what Rudolf says about himself. I am an Azure Solutions Architect at Rackspace in London. I believe that public cloud is the future for most organizations and this is why I specialize in public clouds (Amazon Web Services and Azure) and hybrid cloud strategy. My unique role at Rackspace is to guide our customers in their cloud st...
PowerTip: Get the public IP of an Azure VM with PowerShell
Summary: Use the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to get the public IP address of an Azure virtual machine. How can I get the public IP address information for an Azure Resource Manager virtual machine (VM)? All you need to do is use Get-AzureRmVm to find the VM and pass it to Get-AzureRmPublicIPAddress as in the following example:
How to alter the public IP address of an Azure virtual machine
Summary: Change the public IP address in Azure Resource Manager by using Windows PowerShell. Honorary Scripting Guy, Will Anderson, shares a personal challenge that he encountered when working with Azure and public IP addresses. He also shares the solution with the rest of us! Take it away, Will! Recently, I incorrectly configured an Azure Resource Manager virtual machine (VM) in my lab environment and needed to make some changes to the public IP settings. A brief look around the Internet came up empty, so I thought I'd share the challenge and the solution to this puzzle with you. The challenge If we take a lo...
PowerTip: Get a GUI interface for any PowerShell cmdlet
Summary: Use the Show-Command to build PowerShell cmdlets. I ran into a problem. Some cmdlets have too many parameters to list. Is there an easy way to build a cmdlet with its parameters for the console? You’ll love this trick! Just use the Show-Command cmdlet with any PowerShell cmdlet to get a GUI interface. In the following example, we use this with the Import-MDTDriver cmdlet. When you are done, you will have three options: Run, Copy (for the clipboard), or Cancel.
Find ready-to-use sample PowerShell scripts in the GUI
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, goes over some often missed, easy-to-use PowerShell techniques for those who are starting out. I had heard a rumor that many of the management tools actually run PowerShell code in the backend. Is there any way to see what code it’s running? Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today, and, yes, it’s true. This hidden gem is one of the most frequently missed pieces by many people who use PowerShell. The GUI in many cases is calling up PowerShell. Let’s begin with something pretty simple: managing users in Active Directory and auditing groups. For me, tha...
PowerTip: List all available CIM classes by using PowerShell
Summary: Use the Get-CimClass cmdlet to see all classes that you can query from. How can I find a list of Common Information Model (CIM) classes in Windows so that I can ask my computer useful questions? Just run the Get-CIMClass cmdlet to get a list of all available classes in the default namespace in Windows. If you’d like to filter on the list, you can use a wildcard. In the following example, we show all classes that begin with Win32 and have the word, Disk, in it. Get-CimClass Win32*Disk*
Use Windows PowerShell as an administrative console
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, shares his early use of PowerShell as a network administrator. I have a simple but irritating task each day around lunch time. A handful of people usually lock themselves out of Active Directory. Can you help me find an easy way to deal with this? Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to help you share the pain. I, too, once felt that prickly feeling on the back of my neck near the end of lunch hour. “Lock out Hell”, I called it. I know that everyone has experienced that, especially on Friday. A handful of people come in and for whatever reason have lock...
PowerTip: List all subfolders under a target path with PowerShell
Summary: Use Get-Childitem to provide a printable list of all folders under a path. I used to use tree.com to get a list of folders on a computer. Is there something close to that in PowerShell? Maybe something I could print? If you were to use Get-Childitem combined with Select-Object, you could get a pretty clean list. Here’s an example that targets drive c: and all hidden folders. It displays only directories and their full paths.
Erase files based on date by using PowerShell
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, relates his first experience with PowerShell. I was curious just how difficult it is to use Windows PowerShell. For example, how difficult is it to erase files based on the current date? Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today, and I can completely relate to exactly what you’ve said. I once had absolutely zero time to learn about scripting or automation. I was a field technician. You know the typical work for some field techs. You get in the car, go to the call, hop back in the car, off to the next call, lunch in a drive-thru, sleep in a parking lot....
PowerTip: Use a destructive PowerShell cmdlet safely
Summary: Use the –whatif parameter with PowerShell cmdlets to test code live. I heard that PowerShell has a built-in safety switch to many of its cmdlets. Could you show me an example of it in use? No problem. You’re referring to the –whatif parameter, which is meant to show you what would happen if you used a PowerShell cmdlet without actually executing the cmdlet. An example of this in action is in the following Remove-Item cmdlet. This will attempt to remove the document, HSG-Article-Sean-Should-Not-Lose.docx, without actually removing it.
Use Windows PowerShell to search for files
Summary: Use Get-Childitem to search the files system with PowerShell. I saved a file somewhere on my computer and can’t find it. Is there a way to use Windows PowerShell to find it? Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to show you a cool trick I use all the time. I use PowerShell to search for things constantly! Why PowerShell? Well, to be honest, I have a bad, bad, bad habit of putting data where it shouldn’t be. Sometimes I’d use locations that the Indexer in Windows isn’t watching. In these situations, even Cortana can’t help me. We can use Get-Childitem to show a list of files and/or dir...
PowerTip: Remove trailing space from a string by using PowerShell
Summary: Use the trim() method to remove leading and trailing spaces from a string. Could you do me a huge favor and show me how to get rid of spaces before and after a string in PowerShell? No problem at all. All you need to do is apply the trim() method to remove all the output. You can also use trimstart() to remove the start or trimend() to remove the end. Here is an example: $Data=’ Look at all of this wasted space on my screen. $Data $Data.trim() $Data.trimstart() $Data.trimend()
Build a hexadecimal clock in PowerShell – Part 5
Summary: Learn to split data in a Here-String and get a console beep. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here with our final day this week to wrap up building a hexadecimal clock in PowerShell. When we finished yesterday, we ran across a snag in our output. Most of our rows kept dropping to the immediate left of the screen as in the following image: For this, we will look at one of our Here-Strings to try and figure out the problem: If we look at a Here-String, you’ll notice it is literally a long string. It has an array count of 1 but a large length. The question is, how can I access the i...
PowerTip: Set the color of the progress bar with PowerShell
Summary: Use the $Host object to alter the color of the progress bar in PowerShell. I was curious if there’s a way to change the color of the progress bar in PowerShell. Do you know how this could be done? Glad you asked! You can do this by altering the values for ProgressBackGroundColor and ProgressForegroundColor under $Host.PrivateData. To change to a bright green background with a black foreground, use the following code in PowerShell: $Host.PrivateData.ProgressBackgroundColor=’Green’ $Host.PrivateData.ProgressForegroundColor=’Black’
Build a hexadecimal clock in PowerShell – Part 4
Summary: Use PowerShell to navigate the neutral zone. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to continue forth (not COBOL nor even Visual BASIC) into our silly yet fun quest to build a hexadecimal clock by using the PowerShell console. It does seem silly, doesn’t it? Yet, consider some of the things that we’ve learned in PowerShell during our quest. So, although the quest seems silly, we have learned quite a bit. Actually, it's much like any quest. The goal isn’t the point. It’s what you learn or experience while getting there. Our next part is to figure out how to draw this silly thi...
PowerTip: Set a default value in a switch statement
Summary: Use the default field in switch statement to have an assumed value. I was playing with Select-String and would like to have it default to a value if none was trapped for. How can I do that? Just use the Default keyword, and you can have an assumed value in the script block. In the following example, the switch is listening for the $DogSeesSquirrel object. If no values match, it returns ‘Squirrel runs free’. { 'Back door' { $Response=’Bark!’} 'Couch' { $Response=’Growl a bit.’} 'Food bowl' { $Response=’Bark! Bark! Bark!’} Default { $Response=’Squirrel runs free’ } } My apologies to our little d...
Build a hexadecimal clock in PowerShell – Part 3
Summary: Use Select-String in PowerShell to identify data and match it to an array. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to play more with our funky, nerdy, cool hexadecimal clock. Yesterday we built out a small function named Get-HexTime to give us the current time that displays hex digits instead of decimal for hours, minutes, and seconds. One of our challenges is going to be matching up the individual hex digits to our positions in the array. We can step through the list of characters in HexTime with a pretty simple loop: $Hextime=Get-Hextime For ($Count=0; $Count -lt ($HexTime.Length); $Coun...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to identify a leap year
Summary: Use PowerShell and Math to identify a leap year. Is there a way to use PowerShell to identify whether this year is a leap year? Actually there is! You can use a combination of Get-date to find out the year and the Modulus function in PowerShell. If the value is zero, the current year is a leap year!
Build a hexadecimal clock in PowerShell – Part 2
Summary: Manipulate string data from Get-Date in PowerShell. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to have a little more fun with our silly project to build a hexadecimal clock in the PowerShell console. Well, after all, who said scripting wasn’t allowed to be fun? That’s usually how I learn, by playing about! Yesterday, we defined a cool array of Here-Strings that contain all the characters that we’d like to display in our clock. Today, we’re going to access the properties of the current time and see how we could put that to use. The very first thing that we’ll need to do is pull up the date an...
PowerTip: Extend a string array in PowerShell
Summary: Use the built in features of PowerShell to easily add new Element to a string array. I created an array of strings in PowerShell, but I need to add to it. Is there a simple way to do this? Absolutely. Just use += to add an element to your string array. In the following example, we add a new element to the array that’s named $HSG
Build a hexadecimal clock in PowerShell – Part 1
Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today, and I’m going to sit down and have some fun this week. Today I was feeling a bit bored and, for some reason, the thought “hexadecimal clock” entered my head. Don’t ask why because I’m not quite sure about the “Why” part. But, it just did. Then, I sat down and thought, what’s involved? Really? As a script, from a pseudo-code standpoint, it’s pretty simple Only I wanted this to be…well…b-i-g. In my head, I wanted a clock as wide as my console. That started my head spinning. “Big letters. How can I draw big letters and numbers?” In the “old world” ...
PowerTip: Export Azure resource group as JSON by using PowerShell
Summary: Use the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to export a resource group as a JSON configuration. I’ve heard that JSON is used to define features in Azure Resource Manager. Is there a way to export a resource group in JSON format? Just use the Export-AzureRMResourceGroup cmdlet and provide the resource group name. It will automatically save a JSON file that matches the resource group name in your current folder. Here is an example:
Create Azure Resource Manager virtual machines by using PowerShell – Part 5
Summary: Use the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to assign credentials and create the virtual machine. This blog post is part of a series about how to create Azure Resource Manager virtual machines by using PowerShell. To get the most out of this series, read the posts in order. If you’re new to PowerShell, you might want to start with the two series that precede this series: Now that I’ve built all the objects for the virtual machine (VM), what’s left before we spin up the machine in Azure Resource Manager? Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to finish up our three-week session abo...
PowerTip: Search Azure Resource Manager image publishers by using PowerShell
Summary: Use the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to search publishers for a match. Could you show me an example of how to search through the list of publishers for Azure images? Just use the Get-AzureRMVMImagePublisher cmdlet, and filter on the PublisherName property. The following example searches for all publishers that contain the name, Windows.
Create Azure Resource Manager virtual machines by using PowerShell – Part 4
Summary: Use the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to select the operating system image for a virtual machine. This blog post is part of a series about how to create Azure Resource Manager virtual machines by using PowerShell. To get the most out of this series, read the posts in order. If you’re new to PowerShell, you might want to start with the two series that precede this series: I’ve got most of that virtual machine (VM) assembled, but I was having quite a time trying to pull together the operating system image with PowerShell. Nudge me in the right direction, could you? Honorary Scripting...
PowerTip: Change current Azure Resource Manager subscription by using PowerShell
Summary: Use the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to alter the current active subscription in use. I have about a dozen different subscriptions in my Azure Resource Manager account. How can I change it from the default one to one of my others? You can do this very task by using the Select-AzureRMSubscription cmdlet and providing either the name of the subscription or the SubscriptionId (which is probably more accurate). Here are examples: *or*
Create Azure Resource Manager virtual machines by using PowerShell – Part 3
Summary: Use the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to create and attach a virtual network card to a virtual machine. This blog post is part of a series about how to create Azure Resource Manager virtual machines by using PowerShell. To get the most out of this series, read the posts in order. If you’re new to PowerShell, you might want to start with the two series that precede this series: I’m trying to find some guidance about how to use PowerShell to create a virtual network card. Would you be so kind as to lend me a hand? Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today continuing forth (...
PowerTip: Get the time and date as a string of numbers by using PowerShell
Summary: Use the –format option in Get-Date to change the output. I’d like to build some log files and have the date and time as part of the name. Is there a way to show the date and time in a format where it’s all numbers? Absolutely! Just use the –format option with Get-Date and supply a format for the output. To see the format as month, day, year, hour, minutes, and seconds, use this example:
Create Azure Resource Manager virtual machines by using PowerShell – Part 2
Summary: Use the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to define the operating system disk on a storage blob for a virtual machine. This blog post is part of a series about how to create Azure Resource Manager virtual machines by using PowerShell. To get the most out of this series, read the posts in order. If you’re new to PowerShell, you might want to start with the two series that precede this series: Would you help me, please? I need to know how to define storage for my virtual machine in Azure Resource Manager by using PowerShell. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here as we happily go...
PowerTip: Find available virtual machine size by using PowerShell
Summary: Use the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to get the proper name for a virtual machine size. Is there a way to see the proper name for a virtual machine size without creating a virtual machine first? Just use the Get-AzureRMVMSize cmdlet, and filter on the Name property. You just need to supply a location first. In this example, we are looking at available sizes in the ‘eastus’ location that have ‘S2’ in the name.
Create Azure Resource Manager virtual machines by using PowerShell – Part 1
Summary: Use PowerShell cmdlets to start to create a virtual machine in Azure Resource Manager. This blog post is part of a series about how to create Azure Resource Manager virtual machines by using PowerShell. To get the most out of this series, read the posts in order. If you’re new to PowerShell, you might want to start with the two series that precede this series: How do I create virtual machines (VMs) in Azure Resource Manager by using PowerShell? Where do I start? Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here, and we’re going to give you some basic step-by-step guidance this week abou...
PowerTip: List all virtual network subnets by using PowerShell
Summary: Use the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to identify all the available subnets in a particular virtual network. I’m trying to figure out a way to list all the subnet configurations in a virtual network in Azure Resource Manager. Got any tips? How about the answer? It’s a matter of combining the Get-AzureRMVirtualNetwork cmdlet and Get-AzureRMVirtualNetworkSubnetConfig. Here is an example:
Retrieve Azure Resource Manager virtual machine properties by using PowerShell – Part 5
Summary: Use PowerShell to retrieve Azure Resource Manager virtual machine properties. This blog post is part of a series about how to retrieve Azure Resource Manager virtual machine properties by using PowerShell. To get the most out of this series, read the posts in order. If you’re new to PowerShell, you might want to first read the preceding five-part series about how to work with Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. After you finish this series, move on to the next series to learn more about the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. There’s one thing I couldn’t figure out that I really need your help...
PowerTip: List all Azure Resource Manager storage accounts by using PowerShell
Summary: Use the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to identify available storage accounts. I’m working a client site, and they’d like me to document the configuration of their Azure Resource Manager environment. I’m in desperate need of a list of the storage accounts. Help me, please? One cmdlet and you’re done. Just use the Get-AzureRMStorageAccount cmdlet. If you run this, you’ll only get the list, but you can export it to a .csv file named StorageAccounts.csv. Here is an example:
Retrieve Azure Resource Manager virtual machine properties by using PowerShell – Part 4
Summary: Find storage groups by using PowerShell. This blog post is part of a series about how to retrieve Azure Resource Manager virtual machine properties by using PowerShell. To get the most out of this series, read the posts in order. If you’re new to PowerShell, you might want to first read the preceding five-part series about how to work with Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. After you finish this series, move on to the next series to learn more about the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. Could you lend me a hand? I’m trying to find properties, like the current storage group that a virtual ma...
PowerTip: List Azure Resource Manager resources assigned to a resource group by using PowerShell
Summary: Use the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to show resources that are assigned under a resource group. I looked at the console for Azure Resource Manager and can see all the resources for a particular resource group. Is there a way to see that by using PowerShell? There sure is! Just use the Get-AzureRMResource cmdlet and filter on the ResourceGroupName property. Here’s an example:
Retrieve Azure Resource Manager virtual machine properties by using PowerShell – Part 3
Summary: Identify properties for the operating system of a virtual machine. This blog post is part of a series about how to retrieve Azure Resource Manager virtual machine properties by using PowerShell. To get the most out of this series, read the posts in order. If you’re new to PowerShell, you might want to first read the preceding five-part series about how to work with Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. After you finish this series, move on to the next series to learn more about the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. Can you show me how to identify the properties for the operating system so that...
PowerTip: Get Azure Virtual Machine Diagnostics by using PowerShell
Summary: Use the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to retrieve diagnostic data within Azure Resource Manager virtual machines. Our QA department was asking a very specific question that I didn’t know how to answer. Is there anything in an Azure virtual machine (VM) to show the quality of the boot and its startup? Maybe this will help. You can access the boot diagnostics data with a single cmdlet. To retrieve the data for a single machine, use the Get-AzureRmVMBootDiagnosticsData cmdlet and add a parameter to target whether the machine is a Windows VM or Linux VM. Here is an example:
Retrieve Azure Resource Manager virtual machine properties by using PowerShell – Part 2
Summary: Use the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to get the machine size from a virtual machine. This blog post is part of a series about how to retrieve Azure Resource Manager virtual machine properties by using PowerShell. To get the most out of this series, read the posts in order. If you’re new to PowerShell, you might want to first read the preceding five-part series about how to work with Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. After you finish this series, move on to the next series to learn more about the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. I remember that yesterday we created a virtual machine (VM)...
PowerTip: Show Azure Resource Manager virtual machine status with PowerShell
Summary: Using the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to see the running state of a virtual machine. I remember using the old cmdlets for Azure, and they would show the status of my virtual machines. How can I do that with the new cmdlets? Use the Get-AzureRM cmdlet with the –Status parameter to expand the available properties. Here’s a simple example to pull the statuses of a virtual machine: Here is an example:
Retrieve Azure Resource Manager virtual machine properties by using PowerShell – Part 1
Summary: Use the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets to create a virtual machine. This blog post is part of a series about how to retrieve Azure Resource Manager virtual machine properties by using PowerShell. To get the most out of this series, read the posts in order. If you’re new to PowerShell, you might want to first read the preceding five-part series about how to work with Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. After you finish this series, move on to the next series to learn more about the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. I was curious about something. Could you show me a simple example to create a ...
PowerTip: List Azure Resource Manager virtual networks with PowerShell
Summary: Use the AzureRM cmdlets to list all available virtual networks in a subscription. I’m doing work for a client who forgot to give me a list of the virtual networks in the client's Azure subscription. Could you save me some time and show me how to get that list? Just use the Get-AzureRMVirtualNetwork cmdlet. This will dump the output to the screen in a long list. If you’d like something more readable, such as the name, location and the subnet that it controls, try this one liner:
Work with the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets – Part 5
Summary: Here's how to use PowerShell to create a virtual network and a network security group. This blog post is part of a series about how to work with the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. To get the most out of this series, read the posts in order. After you finish this series, move on to the next two series to learn more about the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. I’ve heard that networking is far more powerful in Azure Resource Manager. Could you take a few minutes to show me how to use PowerShell to set up a basic network for virtual machines (VMs) in Azure? Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean K...
PowerTip: View properties from a storage account with PowerShell
Summary: View and access the SKU from a storage account for future use. I went to work with the New-AzureRMStorageAccount cmdlet but was confused about how to know which name to use for the SKU. Is there an easy way to know which one to use? There most certainly is! Just create your storage account in the Azure portal first. Then you use the Get-AzureRMStorageAccount cmdlet to access the SKU property. Here is an example to access ‘hsgstorageaccount’.
Work with the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets – Part 4
Summary: Learn how to use PowerShell to create storage accounts. This blog post is part of a series about how to work with the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. To get the most out of this series, read the posts in order. After you finish this series, move on to the next two series to learn more about the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. Now that we know how to create resource groups, what is our next step to prepare the Azure Resource Manager infrastructure for virtual machines (VMs)? Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today with a wee bit more PowerShell for your Azure Resource Man...
PowerTip: Get all Azure Resource Manager resource groups with PowerShell
Summary: Using the AzureRM cmdlets to get a list of resource groups. I have a client who has a large list of resource groups. Can you show me how to get a filtered list? Just use the Get-AzureRMResourceGroup cmdlet and pipe the results to Where-Object. To identify all resource groups that start with HSG in the name, try this;
Work with the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets – Part 3
Summary: Create and access resource groups with the AzureRM cmdlets. This blog post is part of a series about how to work with the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. To get the most out of this series, read the posts in order. After you finish this series, move on to the next two series to learn more about the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. I’m happily sitting here logged into Azure with the AzureRM cmdlets and would like to start with resource groups. Could you show me where to start? Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here again. Yesterday we discovered how to automate authentication ...
PowerTip: Get a list of all subscriptions in your Azure Resource Manager account
Summary: Use the Get-AzureRMSubscription cmdlet. How can I see all of the available subscriptions when I am logged into Azure Resource Manager? Just run the Get-AzureRMSubscription cmdlet to get a complete list available to your UserID. Get-AzureRMSubscription
Work with the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets – Part 2
Summary: Authenticate to Azure with the AzureRM cmdlets. This blog post is part of a series about how to work with the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. To get the most out of this series, read the posts in order. After you finish this series, move on to the next two series to learn more about the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. I’ve got the new AzureRM cmdlets installed, but I’m just not sure where to start! Could you give me a nudge in the right direction? Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to help you out. The first real piece you need is to get authenticated to Azure Resource Ma...
PowerTip: Find a module in the PowerShell Gallery
Summary: Use the PowerShell Find module to search for modules. I was trying to use the Find-module. Can you show me how to find all modules that have the word, Azure, in them? Just use a wildcard in the search like in the following example to return modules with the name Azure in the beginning:
Work with the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets – Part 1
Summary: Obtain and install the AzureRM cmdlets. This blog post is part of a series about how to work with the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. To get the most out of this series, read the posts in order. After you finish this series, move on to the next two series to learn more about the Azure Resource Manager cmdlets. I heard Microsoft introduced some new cmdlets to work with Azure Resource Manager. Could you show me how I could install them? Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to introduce you to the newest cmdlets to manage the Azure Resource Manager environment. Most o...
The Scripting Guys and Scripting Wife summer tour
SUMMARY: Ed Wilson talks about his summer of PowerShell tour with dates and links to live appearances. Hello everyone, Hope you are having a fantastic day. Ed and I have been busy as usual and are ready to get busier. Here are the dates and links to upcoming events we will be attending and Ed speaking. There is a trip to Europe that some items are planned and have a link and others that are on the planning board. We will post links as they are available but for now I will just reference the city/country and for the link I will just write to be determined. Hope to see you at one of these events. May 23...
The top three tips for effective sorting in PowerShell
Summary: Learn the top three tips to effectively use Windows PowerShell to sort data in this blog post by the Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson. One of the fundamental things that I need to do when I look at any kind of data is sort it so that I can make sense of what I am looking at. It doesn’t matter if I am looking at Yelp for restaurant recommendations (I want to sort by distance from me and by average rating) or at my Facebook timeline (I want to sort by time, as in, when an update was posted). Yes, sorting is one thing that makes the difference between, say, looking for books at the library via the online...
PowerTip: Specify that a script requires admin privileges to run
Summary: Learn how to require admin privileges to run a Windows PowerShell script. How can I make sure that my Windows PowerShell script has administrator privileges to run? Use the #Requires directive and specify RunAsAdministrator. Here is an example:
How to answer a technical question: A guide for presenters
Summary: Learn how to properly answer a technical question in a presentation in this step-by-step post by PowerShell MVP June Blender. Today we have another blog post by PowerShell MVP June Blender. June is an Honorary Scripting Guy and a technical evangelist for the SAPIEN Technologies, Inc. She has been working with PowerShell for a long time. When she worked for Microsoft, she wrote the PowerShell help documentation. If you have ever used Get-Help in your life, more than likely you have seen some of her work. Take it away June … How to Answer a Technical Question Like many people, I look forward to the Power...
Use a script block to create custom groupings in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use a script block with the Group-Object cmdlet in Windows PowerShell to create custom groupings in this article by Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson. Good morning. Ed Wilson the Microsoft Scripting Guy is here. This week, I have been hanging out with a group of writers. It has been both fun and educational. It is always good to see how other people solve standard types of problems. As I look around, I can see nearly a dozen other writers huddled into little conversation groups as they discuss problems of craft. Anyway, with Windows PowerShell, there are also standard problems of craft wit...
Discover relationships by using Group-Object in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use one of the most basic Windows PowerShell cmdlets, the Group-Object cmdlet, to see relationships among different objects. There are some things in life that just seem to always go together: jasmine flowers and green tea, scones and English breakfast tea, or even peanut butter and apples. In the world of Windows PowerShell, there are things that go together as well. It seems that I always do the same kinds of things: For the next few days, I want to focus on the second and third items, grouping data and sorting data. Group-Object: A basic cmdlet No matter what I am doing with Wi...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to display a percentage that has two decimal places
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display a percentage as a two place number. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display a number as a percentage that has two decimal places? Use the -f format specifier, and specify a pattern as “{0:p2}”. On the other side of the -f format specifier, perform your percentage calculation. Here is an example: PS C:\> "{0:p2}" -f (1/10) 10.00 %
PowerTip: Use a regular expression pattern to remove nonalphabetic characters
Summary: Learn how to use a regular expression pattern to remove non-alphabetic characters from a string by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to remove non-alphabetic characters from a string? To remove nonalphabetic characters from a string, you can use the -Replace operator and substitute an empty string ‘’ for the nonalphabetic character. The secret to doing this is to create a pattern on characters that you want to include and then using the not (^) in the series symbol. Here is an example: $string = 'abcdefg12345HIJKLMNOP!@#$%qrs)(*&^TUVWXyz' $pattern = '[^a-zA-Z]' $string -re...
Additional resources for text analysis by using PowerShell
Summary: This is a summary of some of the additional resources for working with text and Windows PowerShell. Good day. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. So, here's the deal. We are going along and decide to write a simple Windows PowerShell script. Before we know it, the thing has morphed into dozens of lines. And, also before we know it, we quickly find ourselves in the weeds. It begins like a day at the beach, perhaps like the one here. And suddenly, before we know it, we are in the weeds, look around and, lo and behold, alligators. Dude! And, all of a sudden, we are feeling as exposed as a bu...
Calculate percentage character frequencies from a text file by using PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to calculate the percentage of how often a character appears in a text file. This is the fifth post in a multi-part series of blog posts that deal with how to determine letter frequency in text files. To fully understand this post, you should read the entire series in order. Here are the posts in the series: Okay, I will admit that I am just playing around, but I wanted to calculate the percentages of letter frequencies in a text file. For this example, I am using A Tale of Two Cities as a text file. You should refer to earlier blog articles about this ...
Compare the letter frequency of two text files by using PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to compare the letter frequency of two different text files. This is the fourth post in a multi-part series of blog posts that deal with how to determine letter frequency in text files. To fully understand this post, you should read the entire series in order. Here are the posts in the series: One thing that is kind of cool is that with Windows PowerShell you can do all kinds of stuff and never have to write a script. This also means that it is easy to forget your scripting skills after a few years of never writing scripts. You may say, "WOOHOO!!!" But,...
Read a text file and do frequency analysis by using PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to read a text file and do a letter-frequency analysis using Windows PowerShell in this article written by the Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson. This is the third post in a multi-part series of blog posts that deal with how to determine letter frequency in text files. To fully understand this post, you should read the entire series in order. Here are the posts in the series: Today I am going to put the script I wrote yesterday together with the script that I wrote on Friday. After I do that, I will be able to get a more accurate letter-frequency analysis of a text file. The co...
How to skip the beginning and ending of a file by using PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to skip the beginning and ending portions of a text file by using Windows PowerShell in this article by the Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson. This is the second post in a multi-part series of blog posts that deal with how to determine letter frequency in text files. To fully understand this post, you should read the entire series in order. Here are the posts in the series: Good morning, Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson is here. At this very moment, the Scripting Wife (PowerShell MVP Teresa Wilson) and I are heading back to Central Florida after an absolutely incredible week in...
Letter frequency analysis of text by using PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to do letter frequency analysis of a text enabling one to see how often a letter occurs. This is the first post in a multi-part series of blog posts that deal with how to determine letter frequency in text files. To fully understand this post, you should read the entire series in order. Here are the posts in the series: So, the other night I was watching a show about cryptography. In the episode, the moderator said that all forms of encryption involve some form or type of letter substitution, and they went back over ...
PowerShell 5 MVA coming soon to a computer near you
SUMMARY: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson talks about recording a new Microsoft Virtual Academy series of videos with PFE Ashley McGlone. Hello everyone, Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson here. Well, I can tell you this week has been absolutely incredible. The Scripting Wife and I are out in Seattle (Bellevue, Redmond, Puget Sound ... whatever region) for the PowerShell Dev/Ops summit. This sold out event has been awesome ... and it is not over yet. With more than 150 PowerShellers from around the world, the electricity, the buzz, the overall awesomeness factor is rocking. Well, anyway, Microsoft PFE Ashley M...
PowerTip: Create a nested PowerShell custom object
Summary: Learn how to create a nested PowerShell custom object. How do I create a nested PowerShell custom object to store layers (nested) of information? Use a hashtable with the PSCustomObject type accelerator, and specify PSCustomObject as the value to the Property Name (Key): [PSCustomObject]@{ PropertyName = [PSCustomObject]@{ NestedPropertyName = ‘NestedPropertyValue’ } }
Next steps for the official PowerShell documentation
Summary: Learn about changes that we’ve already made for PowerShell content and what’s planned for the near future. Hello scripters! My name is Don Gill, and I am the new documentation manager for Windows PowerShell. With the 2016 PowerShell and DevOps Summit quickly approaching, I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to introduce myself to the PowerShell community and share some changes that we are putting in place to help you stay more connected with the PowerShell development team, share your feedback and suggestions, and even contribute directly to improving the PowerShell documentation. While I am ...
Use PowerShell 5.0 to create temporary files in the temp folder
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson talks about using Windows PowerShell 5.0 on Windows 10 to create temporary files in the temporary folder. Sometimes it is the little things that make life easier. You know, like a cereal bar … it’s not like a major technological breakthrough but it is much more convenient than getting a bowl of milk and opening a box of cereal and dumping it in the bowl. Or a peanut butter cup is easier to use than getting two bars of chocolate and a jar of peanut butter … neater too. Well in Windows PowerShell 5.0 there are lots of these stealth features that make life easier ...
Use PowerShell 5 to empty the recycle bin
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson talks about using Windows PowerShell 5.0 to empty the recycle bin on Windows 10 It seems that now days when I talk to someone about Windows PowerShell 5.0 they get all excited and go on and on about Desired State Configuration (DSC). Now, I will agree, DSC is awesome. DSC rocks! Even on Windows PowerShell 4.0 DSC was great, but on Windows PowerShell 5.0 it is even better. But … and this is huge … but, there is so much more in Windows PowerShell 5.0 than simply improvements to DSC. In fact, there is lots and lots of stuff in Windows PowerShell 5.0 that have been...
Using the new PowerShell ISE transcript tool
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using the new Windows PowerShell 5.0 ISE Transcript tool. One of my favorite features for Windows PowerShell has always been the transcript tool. I mean, it seems like it was made for Windows PowerShell … I guess it was. What am I talking about? Well, one of my favorite ways to spend time is plugging in various Windows PowerShell commands to see what they might do. Then I try to shorten them, make them leaner, or more powerful, or modify them to better suit my needs. Back when I used to do this on other systems, I would end up copying the command, ...
PowerTip: Find your version of PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to find your Windows PowerShell version easily. How can I use Windows PowerShell to tell me what version of Windows PowerShell I am running? Use the $PsVersionTable automatic variable. To see the major, minor, build, and revision of Windows PowerShell, use the following: $PSVersionTable.PSVersion
Control management pack updates between MS OMS and Operations Manager
Summary: Learn how to disable automatic management pack updates from MS OMS to Operations Manager and limit updates to a specific time window. Hi all, Brian Wren here. I usually spend my time writing documentation for TechNet and Azure.com, but I’ve been hearing about an issue from a few customers that I wanted to address. We’re going to get some detailed documentation out on this, but a quick blog entry should suffice in the meantime. When you connect a management group in System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) to Log Analytics in Operations Management Suite (OMS), several management packs are automatically i...
For the love of Pi
Summary: In honor of Pi Day today, we have a guest blog post written by PowerShell MVP, Doug Finke. It's that time of year again when lovers of math, geometry, Albert Einstein, food, and Windows PowerShell can stop and reflect on that transcendental irrational number, Pi. It's the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter or "Hey, can I get a slice of that Pi?". Approximate Pi The best we can do is approximate Pi, 22/7 (go ahead, type that into a PowerShell console). The first recorded algorithm for rigorously calculating the value of π was a geometrical approach using polygons, which was devised aroun...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to configure BranchCache to run in local mode
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to configure BranchCache to run in local caching mode. How can I use Windows PowerShell to configure BranchCache to run in local caching mode? Open Windows PowerShell in an elevated prompt, and use the Enable-BCLocal cmdlet. Here is an example: Enable-BCLocal
PowerTip: Configure a client to listen for content requests by using PowerShell when powered on battery
Summary: Learn how to configure a client to listen for content discovery requests even when running on battery with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to configure a client to listen for content discovery requests even when my computer's running on battery? Open Windows PowerShell with elevated permissions, and use the Enable-BCServeOnBattery cmdlet. Here is an example: Enable-BCServeOnBattery
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to dismount a disk image
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to dismount a virtual disk or ISO. How can I use Windows PowerShell to dismount a virtual disk? Use the Dismount-DiskImage cmdlet. It will dismount either an ISO or a virtual hard disk. Specify the path then using -imagepath. Here is an example: Dismount-DiskImage -imagepath “C:\fso\myisodisk.iso”
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to disconnect virtual disk
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to disconnect from a virtual disk. How can I use Windows PowerShell to disconnect from a virtual disk? Use the Disconnect-VirtualDisk cmdlet and specify the friendly name, for example: Disconnect-VirtualDisk -FriendlyName VirtualDisk01
PowerTip: Disconnect sessions to ISCSI target with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to disconnect sessions to a specified ISCSI target with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to disconnect sessions to a ISCSI target object? Use the Get-ISCSITarget cmdlet to retrieve the target, and then supply it as a node address for Disconnect-ISCSITarget, for example: Get-IscsiTarget $Tar = Get-IscsiTarget Disconnect-IscsiTarget -NodeAddress $Tar.NodeAddress
PowerTip: Enable and disable ODBC performance counter settings with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to enable and disable a collection of ODBC performance counter settings for troubleshooting. How can I use Windows PowerShell to enable the ODBC performance counters, run commands in a script, and then disable the counters? You can store a returned object for later use when you enable the performance counters by using the -PassThru parameter, for example: $perfCounter = Enable-OdbcPerfCounter -Platform 32-bit -PassThru <Execute some ODBC applications that are using ODBC pooling> Disable-OdbcPerfCounter $perfCounter
PowerTip: Enable PerfMon counters for ODBC connection pooling with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to enable Windows Performance Monitor counters for ODBC connection pooling. How can I use Windows PowerShell to enable Windows Performance Monitor (PerfMon) counters so I can troubleshoot Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) connection pooling? Use the Enable-ODBCPerfCountger cmdlet and specify the platform (32 bit or all). Here is an example: Enable-OdbcPerfCounter -Platform 32-bit
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to disable constrained delegation
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to disable constrained delegation. How can I use Windows PowerShell to disable constrained delegation authorization so that a user who is remotely connected to a SMB server cannot configure resources? Use the Disable-SmbDelegation cmdlet, and specify the client and the SMB server, for example: Disable-SmbDelegation –SmbServer "FileServer01" –SmbClient "HVSVR01"
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to disable all scheduled tasks in folder
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to disable all scheduled tasks in a specific folder. How can I use Windows PowerShell to disable all scheduled tasks in a particular folder? Use the Get-ScheduledTask cmdlet to enumerate the scheduled tasks in the folder, and then pipe the objects to the Disable-ScheduledTask cmdlet, for example: Get-ScheduledTask -TaskPath "\UpdateTasks\" | Disable-ScheduledTask
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to disable scheduled task
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to disable a scheduled task. How can I use Windows PowerShell to disable a scheduled task? Use the Disable-ScheduledTask cmdlet and specify the task name, for example: Disable-ScheduledTask -TaskName "SystemScan"
PowerTip: Disable plug and play device with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to disable a plug and play device with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to disable a plug and play device? Use the Disable-PNPDevice cmdlet and specify the instance ID, for example: Disable-PnpDevice -InstanceID 'USB\VID_5986&;PID_0266&;MI_00\7&;1E5D3568&;0000'
PowerTip: Find DSC resources with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to find DSC resources with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find DSC resources that are available in the PowerShell Gallery? Use the Find-DSCResource command.
Overview of the PowerShellGet module to find scripts
Summary: In this blog post, I provide a quick overview of the PowerShellGet module and its various commands. Believe it or not, the Windows PowerShell Saturday event in Tampa, Florida is coming up pretty quickly. There are still some tickets available, but they have been going pretty quickly lately. There are some awesome speakers coming to Tampa for this event and I am looking forward to seeing all of them. Something really cool is that Ashley McGlone is coming from Columbus, Ohio for the event. I was his mentor for a couple of years, and it is really great to see how successful he has become. In fact, we are g...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell modules that are installed by PowerShell Get command
Summary: Learn how to find modules that were installed by the Windows PowerShell Get command. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find modules that have been installed by the Get command? Use the Get-InstalledModule command.
PowerShell Spotlight: February 2016
Summary: Microsoft MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about Windows PowerShell Saturday in this month’s PowerShell Spotlight. Hello scripters, I hope everyone had a marvelous weekend and is planning on an awesome week. I have been working on some of the last of the preparations for PowerShell Saturday #010 coming up in less than a month (March 19) in Tampa, FL. There are still seats available, so you have time to register. As a special favor to me, if you plan to attend, the quicker you sign up, the faster I know how many are attending and I can order the correct amount of food. Here’s a little background (in case you ...
PowerTip: Add Hyper-V network switch to network packet capture session
Summary: Learn how to add a Hyper-V virtual switch as a filter for a remote packet capture session. How can I use Windows PowerShell to add a Hyper-V Virtual switch as a provider for a remote packet capture session? Use the Add-NetEventVmSwitch cmdlet and specify the name of the switch. In the following commands, I create a new event session, specify a packet capture provider, and then add the Hyper-V switch: PS C:\>New-NetEventSession -Name "NESession01" PS C:\> Add-NetEventPacketCaptureProvider -SessionName "NESession01" PS C:\> Add-NetEventVMSwitch -Name "Network Adapter 2 - Virtual Switch"
PowerTip: Add virtual network adapter to packet capture session
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to add a virtual network adapter to a network packet capture session. How can I use Windows PowerShell to add a virtual network adapter to a network packet capture session? Use the Add-NetEventVmNetworkAdapter cmdlet and specify the name of the adapter. In the following example, I create a net event session, add a capture provider, and then specify the virtual network adapter: PS C:\>New-NetEventSession -Name "NESession01" PS C:\> Add-NetEventPacketCaptureProvider -SessionName "NESession01" PS C:\> Add-NetEventVMNetworkAdapter -Name "LargeGuid"
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to add ETW provider to a session
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to add an ETW provider to a session. How can I use Windows PowerShell to add an ETW provider to a session? Use the Add-NetEventProvider cmdlet and specify the name of the session and the provider. In the following example, first a net event session is created, and then the TCPIP ETW provider is added to the session: PS C:\>New-NetEventSession -SessionName "Session01" PS C:\> Add-NetEventProvider -Name "Microsoft-Windows-TCPIP" -SessionName "Session01"
PowerTip: Add network adapter to packet capture session
Summary: Learn to use Windows PowerShell to add a network adapter to a capture session. How can I use Windows PowerShell to add a network adapter to a packet capture session? Use the Add-NetEventNetworkAdapter cmdlet and specify the name of the adapter. In the following example, I create a network capture session, add a provider, and then add the network adapter: PS C:\>New-NetEventSession -Name "Session38" PS C:\> Add-NetEventPacketCaptureProvider -SessionName "Session38" PS C:\> Add-NetEventNetworkAdapter -Name "Ethernet01"
PowerTip: Set ErrorActionPreference to original value
Summary: Cloud & Datacenter Management MVP, Thomas Rayner, shows how to work with the ErrorActionPreference variable in Windows PowerShell. I have a script that requires me to change the ErrorActionPreference variable, but how can I set it to its original value after the script is done? Store the current value of $ErrorActionPreference and set it again later: $OldEAP = $ErrorActionPreference $ErrorActionPreference = 'silentlycontinue' #Your script runs in here $ErrorActionPreference = $OldEAP
Migrate Windows CA from CSP to KSP and from SHA-1 to SHA-256: Part 5
Summary: Thomas Rayner, Microsoft Cloud & Datacenter Management MVP, shows how to modify the registry for SHA-256 as a part of migrating a Windows certification authority from CSP to KSP and from SHA-1 to SHA-256. Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a proud Cloud & Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for The Scripting Guy this week. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner) or on my blog, Working Sysadmin: Figuring stuff out at work. I recently had the chance to work with Microsoft PFE, Mike MacGillivray, on an upgrade of some Windows certification authorities, and I want to share some information ...
PowerTip: Count backwards in array
Summary: Cloud & Datacenter Management MVP, Thomas Rayner, shows how to count backwards in a Windows PowerShell array. I know I can access the first, second, and third items in an array by using $Array[0], $Array[1], and $Array[2], but how can I count backwards? Use negative numbers, for example: $Array = @('first','second','third') $Array[0] $Array[1] $Array[2] $Array[-1] $Array[-2] $Array[-3] This will output the following: first second third third second first
Migrate Windows CA from CSP to KSP and from SHA-1 to SHA-256: Part 4
Summary: Thomas Rayner, Microsoft Cloud & Datacenter Management MVP, shows how to import a certificate into a KSP and bring it into the certificate store. Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a proud Cloud & Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for The Scripting Guy this week. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner) or on my blog, Working Sysadmin: Figuring stuff out at work. I recently had the chance to work with Microsoft PFE, Mike MacGillivray, on an upgrade of some Windows certification authorities, and I want to share some information about it with you. This script has only been tested on Wind...
PowerTip: Prompt user for value but provide default
Summary: Cloud & Datacenter Management MVP, Thomas Rayner, shows how to set a variable to a default value in PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to prompt a user for a value for a variable, but provide a default value if the user doesn’t enter anything? First prompt the user for the value to the variable and then detect if the response was empty. If the response is empty, set the value of the variable. You can validate parameters for a function more conveniently than this. This code is for inline variables in an interactive script: $Interesting = Read-Host -Prompt 'Give me a value [some-value]' if...
Migrate Windows CA from CSP to KSP and from SHA-1 to SHA-256: Part 3
Summary: Thomas Rayner, Microsoft Cloud & Datacenter Management MVP, shows how to delete your Windows CA certificates and crypto provider as a part of migrating a Windows certification authority from CSP to KSP and from SHA-1 to SHA-256. Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a proud Cloud & Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for The Scripting Guy this week. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner) or on my blog, Working Sysadmin: Figuring stuff out at work. I recently had the chance to work with Microsoft PFE, Mike MacGillivray, on an upgrade of some Windows certification authorities, and I want to...
PowerTip: Use positional parameters
Summary: Cloud & Datacenter Management MVP, Thomas Rayner, shows how to use positional parameters in Windows PowerShell. I always see people pass variables or data to a function without specifying the parameter name that the data is for, for example: “copy-item $source $destination” acts like “copy-item –path $source –destination $destination” How do I do that in my functions, and how does the function know which variable is the path and destination? In functions, you declare parameters before doing much else. When declaring your parameter, indicate the Position starting with 0, for example: Function Invok...
Migrate Windows CA from CSP to KSP and from SHA-1 to SHA-256: Part 2
Summary: Thomas Rayner, Microsoft Cloud & Datacenter Management MVP, shows how to back up your Windows certification authority as a part of migrating from CSP to KSP and from SHA-1 to SHA-256. Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a proud Cloud & Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for The Scripting Guy this week. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner) or on my blog, Working Sysadmin: Figuring stuff out at work. I recently had the chance to work with Microsoft PFE, Mike MacGillivray, on an upgrade of some Windows certification authorities, and I want to share some information about it with you. Th...
PowerTip: Send output to file and screen at the same time
Summary: Cloud & Datacenter Management MVP, Thomas Rayner, shows how to easily send data to the output of a script. How can I use Windows PowerShell to send the same data that I’m writing to a file to the standard output of my script? In Windows PowerShell 5.0, use Tee-Object, for example: PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> Tee-Object -InputObject 'Some text' -FilePath 'C:\temp\some file.txt' Some text PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> Get-Content -Path 'C:\temp\some file.txt' Some text
Migrate Windows CA from CSP to KSP and from SHA-1 to SHA-256: Part 1
Summary: Thomas Rayner, Microsoft Cloud & Datacenter Management MVP, shows how to start the migration of a Windows certification authority from CSP to KSP and from SHA-1 to SHA-256. Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a proud Cloud & Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for The Scripting Guy this week. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner) or on my blog, Working Sysadmin: Figuring stuff out at work. I recently had the chance to work with Microsoft PFE, Mike MacGillivray, on an upgrade of some Windows certification authorities, and I want to share some information about it with you. This script h...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to add exclusion folder to Windows Defender
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to add an exclusion folder to Windows Defender. How can I add the C:\temp folder to the exclusion list so it is not scanned by Windows Defender? Use the Add-MpPreference cmdlet and specify the exclusion path, for example: Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\Temp" Note You must run Windows PowerShell with elevated permissions when you execute this command or an error arises.
PowerTip: Flush file system cache by using PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to forcibly write the file system cache to a drive. How can I use Windows PowerShell to forcibly flush the volume cache by writing it to a drive? Use the Write-VolumeCache cmdlet and specify the drive letter, for example: Write-VolumeCache c Note There is no colon following the drive letter.
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to remove app package from image
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to remove an app package from a Windows image. How can I use Windows PowerShell to remove an app package from a Windows image? Use the Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage cmdlet, for example: Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage –Path c:\offline –PackageName MyAppxPkg
PowerTip: Fully format drive using PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to do a full format of a drive. How can I use Windows PowerShell to do a full format of a drive? Use the Format-Volume cmdlet and specify the -FullFormat parameter, for example: Format-Volume -DriveLetter C -FileSystem FAT32 -FullFormat –Force
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to format drive
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to quickly format a drive. How can I use Windows PowerShell to quickly format a drive? Use the Format-Volume cmdlet and specify the drive letter, for example: Format-Volume -DriveLetter D
Finding WMI classes that contain methods
Summary: Learn how to find methods from WMI classes. Sometimes when working with WMI, it might seem as if you are entering a strange territory with dangers lurking around every corner. Unfortunately, there might not even be a sign such as the following to alert you to the hidden dangers: But by using the CIM cmdlets, we can bring a bit of order to an otherwise messy situation. If I do not know the name of a WMI method, I can use a wildcard character to find the method. If I use the *, my command will return all WMI classes that have a method defined: Get-CimClass -MethodName * The command and output from the...
PowerTip: List all WMI classes
Summary: Use the Get-CimClass cmdlet to easily list all classes in current WMI namespace. How can I use Windows PowerShell to list all of the WMI classes in the current WMI namespace? Use the Get-CimClass cmdlet.
Use CIM cmdlets to find WMI classes
Summary: Learn how to locate the right WMI class by using the Get-CimClass cmdlet to work through the class schema. Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) came into the Windows world around the time of the Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4—that’s about the same time as the release of Star Wars 1: The Phantom Menace. One of the really cool things about WMI was that I could (with some difficulty) write VBScript scripts that accessed the WMI schema. Therefore, I could use script to search through the WMI classes to help me locate and find information that I would later use in other VBScript scripts. In this way, it wa...
PowerTip: Find default PowerShell modules
Summary: Find Windows PowerShell modules that load by default. How can I easily find what modules are loading in my Windows PowerShell console by default? Open your Windows PowerShell console, and before doing anything, type Get-Module.
Using the PowerShell CIM cmdlets for fun and profit
Summary: Learn how to use CIM cmdlets for better speed, security, and data return as opposed to the WMI cmdlets in Windows PowerShell. The other day, Windows PowerShell MVP, Richard Siddaway, posted Should I use CIM or WMI with Windows PowerShell? Today, I would like to continue that discussion a little bit. You should read Richard’s blog post before you read mine today. In the old days (like way back in Windows PowerShell 1.0), if you wanted to do anything on a remote computer, you were pretty much limited to using WMI—kind of like things were in the VBScript days. Sure, there were some things that you could d...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to get only the date
Summary: Learn how to find only the date by using the Get-Date cmdlet. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily display only the date (not the time)? Use the Get-Date cmdlet and specify a display hint of date, for example: Get-Date -DisplayHint date
PowerTip: Use Get-Command to resolve PowerShell alias
Summary: Learn how to use the Get-Command cmdlet to resolve an alias to a Windows PowerShell command. How can I find if a Windows PowerShell command is an alias? Use the Get-Command cmdlet, for example: gcm gwmi Note: gcm is an alias for Get-Command.
PowerTip: Find schema of a WMI class
Summary: Learn how use Windows PowerShell to find the schema of a WMI class. How can I use Windows PowerShell to look at the schema of a WMI class? Use the Get-CIMClass cmdlet, for example: Get-CimClass win32_bios
Should I use CIM or WMI with Windows PowerShell?
Summary: Richard Siddaway explains the differences between the CIM cmdlets and the WMI cmdlets, and details use cases. Hey, Scripting Guy! Should I use the WMI cmdlets or the newer CIM cmdlets? —NR Hello NR, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. The simple answer is that you can use either Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) or Common Information Model (CIM) cmdlets, but there are (to my mind) some significant advantages to using the newer CIM cmdlets. Before I show you why I think you should use the CIM cmdlets, let’s do a little recap....
PowerTip: Hide a PowerShell ISE add-on
Summary: Learn how to programmatically hide a Windows PowerShell ISE add-on. How can I use code to hide one of the Windows PowerShell ISE add-ons? Use the Windows PowerShell ISE object model, and set the IsVisible property of the add-on to False, for example: $psISE.PowerShellTabs.VerticalAddOnTools.Item(0).isvisible = $false
PowerTip: Display Windows PowerShell ISE add-ons
Summary: Display the Windows PowerShell ISE add-ons that are available. How can I programmatically display the Windows PowerShell ISE add-ons that are available and show their status? Use the Windows PowerShell ISE object model to display the VerticalAddonTools collection from the PowerShellTabs collection: $psISE.PowerShellTabs.VerticalAddOnTools
PowerTip: List all scripts open in Windows PowerShell ISE
Summary: List all the scripts that are open in the Windows PowerShell ISE. How can I find which scripts are open in the Windows PowerShell ISE and if they are saved? Use the ISE object model and display the Files collection from the PowerShellTabs collection: $psISE.PowerShellTabs.Files
PowerTip: Open a script in PowerShell ISE
Summary: Automatically open a script in the Windows PowerShell ISE. How can I automatically open a script in the Windows PowerShell ISE from within a script? Use the Windows PowerShell ISE automation model, and use the Add method for the Files collection on the current PowerShell tab, for example: $psISE.CurrentPowerShellTab.Files.Add("C:\fso\backup.ps1")
PowerTip: Update a PowerShell module
Summary: Learn how to update an installed Windows PowerShell module. I used Install-Module to install a Windows PowerShell module, but how can I update it? Use the Update-Module cmdlet, for example: Here are a couple of other examples: find-module *ise-preview | Update-Module Update-Module *ise-preview
Playing with PowerShell ISE Preview
Summary: This blog post explores the features and functionality of the newly released Windows PowerShell ISE Preview edition that runs on Windows PowerShell 5.0. After you install the Windows PowerShell ISE preview from the PowerShell Gallery and take a look at the modules and functions it provides, it is time to fire up the new ISE and play a bit. I click the new shortcut in my All Apps section on my laptop running Windows 10. (To make it a bit more accessible, I drag the shortcut to my tool bar. I mean, I rarely go searching through the All Apps section.) I add a blank page to the ISE, and it looks pretty muc...
PowerTip: Install module from PowerShell Gallery
Summary: Learn how to install a module from the PowerShell Gallery. How can I easily install a module from the PowerShell Gallery? Use the Install-Module cmdlet in Windows PowerShell 5.0, and specify the name of the module.
A first look at Windows PowerShell ISE Preview
Summary: Take a first look at the newly released Windows PowerShell ISE Preview. Good morning everyone. Ed Wilson here. I can tell you that the list of speakers for PowerShell Saturday on in Tampa March 19, 2016 looks really impressive. There are going to be seven MVPs and six Microsoftees there! When it comes to Microsoft Automation, this is going to be the place to be in March. Registration is still open, but it is starting to fill up quickly. Yesterday in Install the PowerShell ISE Preview from the PowerShell Gallery, I looked at downloading and installing Windows PowerShell ISE Preview. Because this installs...
PowerTip: Find published modules in the PowerShell Gallery
Summary: Learn how to find Published Windows PowerShell modules in the PowerShell Gallery. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find modules that are published in the Windows PowerShell Gallery? Use the Find-Module cmdlet in Windows PowerShell 5.0. This example finds modules related to the ISE: Find-Module *ISE*
Install the PowerShell ISE Preview from the PowerShell Gallery
Summary: Learn how to install the Windows PowerShell ISE Preview edition from the PowerShell Gallery to Windows PowerShell 5.0 by using a one-line command. One of the way cool things is that the Windows PowerShell ISE is released to the PowerShell Gallery. “PowerShell Gallery?” you might ask. Yeah, the PowerShell Gallery. Although this version of the PowerShell ISE is currently still under limited preview, this does not mean that you can’t use it. In fact, you should be using it. I go to the PowerShell Gallery page, and type ISE in the Search box, and what comes back is a bunch of stuff related ...
PowerTip: Learn about PowerShell default parameter values
Summary: Learn about the default parameter values in Windows PowerShell. How can I find more about default parameter values in Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-Help cmdlet and search for *defaultParameter*. The following command returns a list of Help topics that provide this information: help *DefaultParameter*
Convert a web page into objects for easy scraping with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell 5.0 to scrape a web page so that you can easily return parsable objects. Good morning. Ed Wilson here, and today I have a guest blog post by Doug Finke... When surfing the PowerShell Gallery, you'll find that each module has a web page with a version history, for example: Wouldn't it be great if you could get this information at the command line? Click here for a 20 second video that shows the code to do it. How to do web scrapping This approach will only work in Windows PowerShell 5.0, because it uses the new ConvertFrom-String function to convert the...
PowerTip: Get password from PowerShell credential object
Summary: Learn how to retrieve the password from a Windows PowerShell credential object. I am having a problem connecting to an application via Windows PowerShell. How can I verify the user name and password that was supplied to the credential object? Assuming you have permissions to the object, you can use the GetNetworkCredential method, for example: $a = Get-Credential $a.GetNetworkCredential() | fl *
PowerShell spotlight: February 2016
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, shares her roundup of Windows PowerShell activities for the coming months. Hello scripters, Teresa Wilson here. I hope you had a marvelous weekend and are ready to tackle this week. Ed is finally getting back to normal and we have a few trips coming up—all Windows PowerShell related. Arizona PowerShell User Group March 1 in Phoenix First of all, we will be in Phoenix, AZ on March 1, 2016 for the Arizona PowerShell User Group (AZPOSH) meeting. I also heard from a little birdie that my good friend Jason Helmick will be there. The signup is not available yet (they are ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to view properties and their values for a .NET Framework class
Summary: Learn how to view properties and the associated values of those properties of .NET Framework classes with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to view the properties and their values from a .NET Framework class, such as System.String? Use the Type accelerator [string], pipe the output to the Format-List cmdlet, and use an asterisk to select all properties: [string] | fl * Note: fl is an alias for Format-List.
PowerTip: Find properties of .NET Framework class with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to display properties of a .NET Framework class. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily display properties of a .NET Framework class? Pipe the type accelerator to the Get-Member cmdlet and specify the MemberType property, for example: [string] | gm -MemberType Properties Note: gm is an alias for Get-Member.
PowerTip: Find information about .NET Framework method with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find information about a .NET framework method. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find basic information about a particular .NET Framework method? Use the GetMethod method from the class, for example: [math].GetMethod("Tan") Note The method name is case sensitive and it must be in double quotation marks.
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to find all methods from .NET Framework class
Summary: Learn how to find all methods from a .NET Framework class by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to show both static and dynamic methods for a .NET Framework class? Use the GetMethods method from the class. This example uses the System.Math class to return the method name and if the method is static: [math].GetMethods() | Select Name, IsStatic -Unique
PowerTip: Return remainder after dividing two numbers
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to return the remainder after dividing two numbers. How can use Windows PowerShell to divide two numbers and only return the remainder (called a modulo operation)? In Windows PowerShell, the modulo operator is the % sign. Here are a few examples of how to use it: PS C:\> 3 % 2 1 PS C:\> 5 % 2 1 PS C:\> 11 % 2 1
How to contribute to PowerShell documentation
Summary: Learn how to contribute to Windows PowerShell documentation via various community initiatives. Today’s guest blog post is by Microsoft premier field engineer, Ashley McGlone. He will be speaking at PowerShell Saturday, so come join us for a great day of PowerShell learning. For more information, see PowerShell Saturday in Tampa, FL, March 19, 2016. Follow Ashley through his TechNet blog, Goatee PFE, and Twitter. Here’s Ashley… How many times have you found PowerShell documentation that was not up-to-date? Or maybe you could not even find the documentation you needed. Today I’ll be discussing ways that ...
PowerTip: Add number to existing variable value
Summary: Learn how to easily add a number to an existing value stored in a variable and update the value of the variable. How can I use Windows PowerShell to add a number to a value stored in a variable so that I can update the value in that variable with the number and store the number back into the variable? Use the += operator. This example adds 3 to the value stored in the $a variable and then stores the new value back into the variable: PS C:\> $a = 5 PS C:\> $a += 3 PS C:\> $a 8
Use PowerShell to parse event log for shutdown events
Summary: Using the Windows PowerShell Get-EventLog cmdlet makes it easy to parse the system event log for shutdown events. One of the great things about central Florida during this time of the year is that there are certain fruits, such as red grapefruit, that are in season. This is also true of a certain variety of tangelo that is super sweet. However, as sweet as both of these are, neither is a sweet as parsing the event log with Windows PowerShell. It makes it easy to gain insights into what is going on with your computer, server, or whatever device. Using Get-EventLog cmdlet is super easy There are two basic ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to create repeating letters
Summary: Learn how to easily create duplicate letters by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily create a specific number of letters in a repetitive fashion? To create repetitive letters, all you need to do is to “multiply” them, for example: PS C:\> "a"*5 aaaaa
Using Desired State Configuration and Chef to deploy System Center
Summary: Learn how to use Chef and DSC in Windows PowerShell to deploy System Center in this guest blog post by Jason Morgan.Ed Wilson, here. Today I have a guest blog post by Jason Morgan in which he will talk about using Desired State Configuration (DSC) and Chef to deploy System Center. Welcome back, Jason…Hello again. Today I’m writing to analyze the deployment of System Center by using Desired State Configuration and Chef. I’ve been using Chef heavily for the last six months because I decided that using DSC to run my System Center deployments was a too heavy lift on its own. Adding Chef ha...
PowerTip: Import colon-delimited file with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to import a file that uses a colon as a delimiter. How can I use Windows PowerShell to import a file that is delimited with a colon instead of a comma? Use the Import-CSV cmdlet and specify the colon as the delimiter, for example: import-csv -Path C:\fso\applog.csv -Delimiter ':'
Announcing the 2015 Honorary Scripting Guys
Summary: The Honorary Scripting Guys for 2015 are announced in this blog post. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I have been pretty busy—I missed work because of my ear surgery and the holidays, so I have enlisted the help of the Scripting Wife, Teresa Wilson, to write this post to announce the 2015 Honorary Scripting Guys. I gave her the names and she did the rest. Wow, that is almost exactly what I wrote last year, and it holds true for this year. The main difference is that the recovery time from my ear surgery was quite a bit longer than I anticipated. Hopefully that is the last ear surgery for m...
PowerTip: Find running services with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find running services. How can I use Windows PowerShell to quickly produce a sortable list of running services on my computer? Use the Get-Service cmdlet to return the services, and the Out-GridView to produce a sortable list: gsv | ogv Note gsv is an alias for Get-Service, and ogv is an alias for Out-GridView.
Introducing the top five Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts in 2015
Summary: See which Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts were the top five in 2015.Today I feature Honorary Scripting Guy and Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, aka The Scripting Wife. Take it away Teresa…Hello everyone, with over 700 new posts a year on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog, the number one thing I hear at conferences and user group meetings is that it is practically impossible to keep up with the blog. I happen to have an RSS feed that comes to Outlook, so I am able to keep up fairly well. The exception is when I go on vacation, or am otherwise not as connected to the Internet as I might wish.Anyway,...
PowerTip: Find disk status with PowerShell and Windows 10
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell in Windows 10 to find disk status. How can I use Window PowerShell in Windows 10 to check the status information (such as the health status, operational status, and if the disks are offline or read-only) on multiple disks? Use the Get-DiskStorageNodeView cmdlet: Get-DiskSNV Note Get-DiskSNV is an alias for Get-DiskStorageNodeView.
PowerTip: Create list of approved PowerShell verbs
Summary: Learn how to easily produce a list of approved Windows PowerShell verbs. How can I find what verbs are approved for use in a Windows PowerShell function? Use the Get-Verb cmdlet, and to make it easy to peruse, send the output to the Out-GridView cmdlet: get-verb | Out-GridView
PowerTip: Find single-name PowerShell functions
Summary: Learn how to find Windows PowerShell functions that do not have a hyphen in the name. How can I easily find Windows PowerShell functions that do not have a hyphen in the name, but instead are single words, such as the Prompt function? Use the Get-Command cmdlet and return only functions. Filter out function names that do not contain a hyphen, for example: gcm -CommandType function | where name -notmatch '-' Note gcm is an alias for the Get-Command cmdlet.
PowerTip: Find top PowerShell cmdlet nouns
Summary: Learn how to find the top five nouns in Windows PowerShell cmdlets. How can I find which nouns are the most prevalent in Windows PowerShell cmdlets? You need to find all of the cmdlet names, group them by noun, sort them by count, and then select only the first five, for example: gcm * -CommandType cmdlet | group noun -noelement | sort count -Descending | select -First 5 Note gcm is an alias for Get-Command.
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to return first two lines of file
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to return the first two lines of a text file. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily return the first two lines of a text file? Use the Get-Content cmdlet and specify the TotalCount parameter. In this example, TotalCount is set to 2 and the file is named AMoreComplete.txt:Get-Content 'C:\fso\AMoreComplete.txt' -TotalCount 2
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to return first two lines of file
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to return the first two lines of a text file. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily return the first two lines of a text file? Use the Get-Content cmdlet and specify the TotalCount parameter. In this example, TotalCount is set to 2 and the file is named AMoreComplete.txt:Get-Content 'C:\fso\AMoreComplete.txt' -TotalCount 2
PowerTip: Find related cmdlet aliases
Summary: Learn how to find aliases related to a series of cmdlets. How can I find aliases that are related to a series of Windows PowerShell cmdlets, such as processes? Use the Get-Alias cmdlet and specify a wildcard character for the definition parameter, for example: Get-Alias -Definition "*process"
PowerTip: Find related cmdlet aliases
Summary: Learn how to find aliases related to a series of cmdlets. How can I find aliases that are related to a series of Windows PowerShell cmdlets, such as processes? Use the Get-Alias cmdlet and specify a wildcard character for the definition parameter, for example:Get-Alias -Definition "*process"
PowerTip: Find cmdlets and functions related to DSC
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find cmdlets and functions related to Desired State Configuration. How can I use Windows PowerShell to quickly find a list of cmdlets and functions related to Desired State Configuration (DSC)? Use the Get-Command cmdlet and specify a noun of *dsc*: Get-Command -Noun *DSC*
PowerTip: Find cmdlets and functions related to DSC
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find cmdlets and functions related to Desired State Configuration. How can I use Windows PowerShell to quickly find a list of cmdlets and functions related to Desired State Configuration (DSC)? Use the Get-Command cmdlet and specify a noun of *dsc*: Get-Command -Noun *DSC*
PowerTip: Find Amount of Time Between Two Dates
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find the amount of time between two dates. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determin how many days until Windows PowerShell Saturday on March 19, 2016 in Tampa? There are many ways to find the difference between two dates. I use the [datetime] type accelerator and subtraction, for example: [datetime]'3/19/16' - [datetime]::now
Weekend Scripter: Find Information on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about how to find stuff on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is hard to imagine that it is 2016. It’s even harder to imagine that I have been writing the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog since 2008! With the current pace of twice a day posts, 7 days a week, there are literally thousands of Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts—plus there was a team writing Scripting Guy content before there was a Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog. One of my first major projects after becoming the Microsoft Scripting Guy was to work with my editor a...
PowerTip: Find Processes by Using Wildcard Characters
Summary: Learn how to use wildcard characters and Windows PowerShell to find processes. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily see all processes that contain the letters SV in the process name? Use the Get-Process cmdlet and a simple wildcard pattern, for example: gps *sv* Note gps is an alias for Get-Process.
Weekend Scripter: PowerShell Saturday in Tampa,FL, March 19, 2016
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about Windows PowerShell Saturday in Tampa Florida on March 19, 2016. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. There are worse places to be in March than in Tampa, Florida. If you come to Florida, you might see the elusive and endangered Florida panther. You could see a bear. If you get out on the water, you will more than likely see a dolphin. You will probably see a gator, especially if you hang around swamps and creeks. What I can say for sure, is that if you are in Tampa on March 19, 2016, you will definitely see some awesome Windows PowerShell. The othe...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Command Line of Processes
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find the command line of processes. How can I find the command line that was used to launch a process that is running on my system? Use the Get-CimInstance cmdlet, the Win32_Process WMI class, and the CommandLine property: gcim win32_process | select commandline Note gcim is an alias for Get-CimInstance.
Working with Windows Startup Processes and PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell to examine startup processes in Windows 10. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am playing with the Xbox One Smart Glass app on Windows 10. I have used the app since it was in beta, and I just got my Xbox One. But I have started using the Pandora app on my Xbox One, and I like to do stuff like mute advertisements, skip boring songs, change stations, and otherwise control the app. Yeah, I can use my Xbox controller, and with a recent firmware update, it does connect faster, and has better battery life, bu...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Cmdlets that Work with CSVs
Summary: Learn how to find Windows PowerShell cmdlets that work with CSVs. How can I find Windows PowerShell cmdlets that I can use to work with a CSV file? Use the Get-Command cmdlet and look for cmdlets that have a noun of CSV: Get-Command -Noun csv*
Use PowerShell to Work with Data from MS OMS
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell to parse data obtained from Microsoft Operations Management Suite. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things I have been working on a lot the past month is the new Microsoft Operations Management Suite Blog. For one thing, it is on the new blogging platform we using at Microsoft, so the blog is like a new toy with lots of fun things for a geek to play with. In addition, Microsoft Operations Management Suite (MS OMS) is a tremendously powerful platform that uses Windows PowerShell in the background, so it is also...
PowerTip: Find Help about PowerShell Pipelines
Summary: Learn how to find Windows PowerShell Help about pipelines. How can I find information so that I can read about Windows PowerShell pipelines? Use the Get-Help cmdlet, specify the category of HelpFile, then type the word pipeline, for example: Get-Help -Category HelpFile pipeline
Incorporating Pipelined Input into PowerShell Functions
Summary: Microsoft MVP, Adam Bertram, talks about accepting pipelined input into Windows PowerShell advanced functions. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today Microsoft MVP, Adam Bertram, returns to talk about accepting pipeline input into advanced Windows PowerShell functions. Note This is the second post in a series. Don’t miss Introduction to Advanced PowerShell Functions. When you begin to learn Windows PowerShell, you'll soon find yourself neck-deep in objects. Objects are one of the fundamental concepts of what makes PowerShell so user-friendly—and powerful at t...
PowerTip: Find List of PowerShell Functions
Summary: Easily find a list of Windows PowerShell functions. How can I produce a list of the Windows PowerShell functions that are currently available? Use the Function PS Drive and the Get-ChildItem cmdlet: Get-ChildItem function:
Introduction to Advanced PowerShell Functions
Summary: Guest blogger, Microsoft MVP, Adam Bertram, talks about advanced Windows PowerShell functions.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest post by Microsoft MVP, Adam Bertram. Take it away Adam…I'm a Pluralsight author and I develop online training courses that are mostly about Windows PowerShell. I recently had the opportunity to develop a course about building advanced PowerShell functions and modules, and a big topic in that course was about advanced functions.With that topic fresh on my mind, I thought how to build advanced functions would make a great post for the Hey, S...
PowerTip: Identify PowerShell Version
Summary: Learn how to easily find the version of Windows PowerShell, CLR, and WSMan. How can I use Windows PowerShell to identify the version of Windows PowerShell that is running on my system? Use the $PSversionTable automatic variable (you can use Tab expansion to avoid some typing). The command and output are shown here:
PowerTip: Identify PowerShell Version
Summary: Learn how to easily find the version of Windows PowerShell, CLR, and WSMan. How can I use Windows PowerShell to identify the version of Windows PowerShell that is running on my system? Use the $PSversionTable automatic variable (you can use Tab expansion to avoid some typing). The command and output are shown here:
Where’s Waldo (and Where’s Ed)?
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about the future of the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog and other stuff. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you are a regular reader of the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog, you will no doubt have noticed that I have not been very active these past several weeks. However, it is a testament to the Windows PowerShell community—especially to Microsoft MVP, Sean Kearny and the Scripting Editor, Dia Reeves—that the blog has not missed a single day of posts. Sean did an excellent job of rounding up guest bloggers, and Dia did a tremendous job of ensuring that...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Perform Case-Sensitive Comparison
Summary: Learn how to perform a case-sensitive comparison in Windows PowerShell. I need to compare two strings while taking case sensitivity into account. I try using -eq, but it does not work. How can I use Windows PowerShell to perform a case-sensitive comparison? Use the -ceq operator instead of -eq. Here are two examples that compare the results of -eq and -ceq: PS C:\> 'scripting guys' -eq 'Scripting Guys' True PS C:\> 'scripting guys' -ceq 'Scripting Guys' False PS C:\>
Weekend Scripter: Unexpected Case Sensitivity in PowerShell
Summary: PowerShell MVP, Mike F Robbins, discusses case sensitivity in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger, Mike Robbins. Mike F Robbins is a Microsoft MVP for Windows PowerShell and a SAPIEN Technologies MVP. He is a co-author of Windows PowerShell TFM 4th Edition, and is a contributing author of a chapter in the PowerShell Deep Dives book. Mike has written guest blog posts for the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog, PowerShell Magazine, and PowerShell.org. He is the winner of the advanced category in the 2013 PowerShell Scripting Games. Mike is also the leader and ...
PowerTip: Check PowerShell Scripts Against Rules
Summary: Learn how to easily check your Windows PowerShell scripts against various rules. How can I quickly check my Windows PowerShell scripts with preconfigured rules? Download the latest version of the Script Analyzer from the Microsoft PowerShell Gallery: PSScriptAnalyzer 1.2.0. It snaps into the Windows PowerShell ISE is a good free tool.
PowerShell Spotlight: January 2016
Summary: PowerShell MVP and the Scripting Wife, Teresa Wilson, talks about upcoming events in the PowerShell community for January 2016.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have back guest blogger, Teresa Wilson. Teresa, as you probably know, is my real-life wife, and she is also known as the Scripting Wife. She once said that it was meant to be because her initials in real life are TSW, and if you shortened The Scripting Wife to initials it would be TSW. Take it away, TSW...Hello everyone, my apologies for not writing the PowerShell Spotlight for the last two months. I’ve been a little pre...
PowerTip: Automatically Enable PowerShell ISE Toolbar
Summary: Ensure that the Windows PowerShell ISE toolbar is always enabled. How can I use Windows PowerShell to turn on the ISE toolbar? Turn on the toolbar with the following command: $psISE.Options.ShowToolBar=$True To turn it off, change the value to $False.
A Favorite PowerShell ISE Feature: Remote Text File Editing
Summary: Sean Kearney shows you how to edit files remotely in the Windows PowerShell ISE. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to show you the last of the little nuggets I love to use in the Windows PowerShell ISE—that is editing files remotely. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts about features in the Windows PowerShell ISE: In Windows PowerShell 5.0, there is a unique cmdlet called PSEdit. This cmdlet is also unique to the PowerShell ISE. The goal of PSEdit is to bring file editing for any PowerShel...
PowerTip: List All Files Open in PowerShell ISE
Summary: Get a list of all files that are currently open in the Windows PowerShell ISE. How can I pull a list of anything that I am currently editing in the Windows PowerShell ISE? Use this command to get the entire list of files (including the full file path) that are currently open in the PowerShell ISE: $psISE.PowerShellTabs.files.FullPath
A Favorite PowerShell ISE Feature: Snippets
Summary: Sean Kearney shows you how to get sample code in the Windows PowerShell ISE. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to show you a really cool feature that has been in Windows PowerShell ISE for a while, but you might have overlooked it! It’s called Snippets. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts about features in the Windows PowerShell ISE: I love using the Snippets feature on a regular basis, because although I can work in PowerShell, I don’t memorize code. I’m an IT pro, not a dev. Even my good developer friends don’t memorize...
PowerTip: Determine Which Files in ISE Are Saved
Summary: Easily identify which files have been saved in the PowerShell ISE. How can I see which of my open files in the Windows PowerShell ISE been saved? To show a list of files that have been saved, run the following code in the ISE. $psISE.PowerShellTabs.files | where { $_.IsSaved } | Select-Object DisplayName
A Favorite PowerShell ISE Feature: Module Browser
Summary: Sean Kearney shows you how to access modules in the PowerShell Gallery. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to introduce you to a feature you may not have heard of called the Module Browser for the PowerShell ISE. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts about features in the Windows PowerShell ISE: One of the newest things coming out of Microsoft is a central website called the PowerShell Gallery. This is a central repository of scripts that the community can use programmatically. A perfect example of this in action is Desired...
PowerTip: Set Zoom Level in PowerShell ISE
Summary: Automatically set the zoom level in the Windows PowerShell ISE. How can I programmatically adjust the zoom for my font size in the Windows PowerShell ISE? Set the Zoom property—for example, to adjust the font to 150%, run: $pSISE.Options.Zoom=150
A Favorite PowerShell ISE Feature: Script Browser
Summary: Sean Kearney shows you how to browse the TechNet Script Repository from the PowerShell ISE. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to introduce you to a pretty cool feature that is available in the Windows PowerShell ISE. It’s an add-on called the Script Browser. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts about features in the Windows PowerShell ISE: The Script Browser came with my installation yesterday when I dropped in the Script Analyzer. I referenced its existence, but I didn’t show it to you. After the installation...
PowerTip: Edit Profile for PowerShell ISE
Summary: Identify and edit the autostart features for the Windows PowerShell ISE. Is there something similar to the $Profile feature in the Windows PowerShell console that I can use to customize my Windows PowerShell ISE environment? The variable name is the same in the PowerShell ISE, but the file name it references is different, for example: Notepad $Profile If you are using the Windows PowerShell 5.0 ISE, you can use: PSEdit $Profile
A Favorite PowerShell ISE Feature: Script Analyzer
Summary: Sean Kearney introduces a free tool for examining your script. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here. This week I’m going to introduce you to my favorite Windows PowerShell ISE features. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts about features in the Windows PowerShell ISE: Today, I’m talking about a free add-on called the Script Analyzer. In the past, I’ve written some scripts that literally “just worked,” but I still wondered if there was something I missed. More recently I wrote a couple of modules for t...
PowerTip: Restore PowerShell ISE to Default Settings
Summary: Learn how to restore the Windows PowerShell ISE to its default configurations. How can I restore the Windows PowerShell ISE to its default configurations? Use the four built-in RestoreDefault methods with the PSise object to bring back everything in the ISE to the original settings: $PSise.Options.RestoreDefaults()$PSise.Options.RestoreDefaultConsoleTokenColors()$PSise.Options.RestoreDefaultTokenColors()$PSise.Options.RestoreDefaultXMLTokenColors()
Weekend Scripter: Customize PowerShell Title and Prompt
Summary: Learn how to interactively update the Windows PowerShell prompt and title. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to have a little bit of fun with the Windows PowerShell console. Why not? It’s a Sunday, it’s the last day of my time off, and I feel like playing. There have been many posts online about the fun you can have with the $Host.UI.RawUI object in Windows PowerShell. You can use it to edit cursor locations, flip colors about…almost anything your little heart desires. Another fun little thing we’re going to play with is the Windows PowerShell prompt. Yes! You&r...
PowerTip: Set Personal Environment Variable from PowerShell
Summary: Access the $ENV object in Windows PowerShell to alter personal environment settings. How can I use Windows PowerShell to change a system environment variable such as the user %TEMP%? You can read any personal environment settings by using $ENV:VariableName, then assigning a value. For example, to change your personal %TEMP% to a new location, use: $ENV:Temp=C:\Foo Note This presumes C:\Foo exists and will alter the variable for the present PowerShell session.
Learn Easier Way to Build Command for PowerShell.exe
Summary: Learn how to parse a here-string with Windows PowerShell.Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to show you a neat little trick.Anyone who has ever scheduled a PowerShell task knows that if you want to launch a cmdlet directly in PowerShell, you would launch it like this:PowerShell.exe –ExecutionPolicy Bypass –command ‘Get-ChildItem’No challenge there. It also does not end there. You can add some down-right complex stuff in there, for example:PowerShell.exe –executionpolicy Bypass –command ‘Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass;Import-Module DeployImage; New-WindowsP...
PowerTip: Save Help Content for Module
Summary: Learn how to target content to save with the Save-Help cmdlet. How can I use Windows PowerShell to save the Help content for a single module? Use the –module parameter with the Save-Help cmdlet, for example: Save-Help –module Dism –destination C:\Foo\
‘Tis the Season…for Giving Back
Summary: Guest blogger, Don Jones, discusses how you can share with the worldwide community.Today, special guest blogger, Don Jones offers ideas about how we all can increase the power of the PowerShell community…How’s your 2015 been? Hopefully, you’ve been taking advantage of some of the wonderful, free resources that are available in the global PowerShell community. Hopefully you’ve learned a new thing or two, solved a problem or two, and hoisted yourself up another rung of the PowerShell ladder.And hey…maybe in 2016, it’s time to give back a little. Oh, I know, it’s ...
PowerTip: Use Here-Strings with PowerShell
Summary: Learn the basic use of a here-string in Windows PowerShell. What is a here-string and how do I use it? In PowerShell, you can use here-strings to declare blocks of text. They’re declared just like regular strings except they have an @ on each end. Instead of being limited to one line, you can declare an entire block or a multiple line string. Here-strings are also useful for making a string composed of the text to execute a command. Try these examples: $String1 = @" Get-ChildItem c:\temp "@ $String2 = @" This is somemultiple line text! "@...
Sounds of the Holidays–Part 2
Summary: MVP, Thomas Rayner, continues to inspire holiday spirit by using PowerShell to trigger multimedia. Yesterday in Sounds of the Holidays–Part 1, I tried to inspire my coworker, Matthew, with some cool holiday messages. Unfortunately, Matthew is still being a Grinch and I need to step up my game. Instead of some spoken messages from “Ebenezer Script,” I’m going to play him some holiday music every time he signs in to his workstation. I’m a fan of the Charlie Brown holiday jazz album by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, and they’ve been kind enough to upload some of their music to YouTube. I’ve chosen this great pi...
PowerTip: Launch Minimized Application with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to specify the launch state of an application through Windows PowerShell. How can I launch a minimized application in Windows PowerShell instead of opening the window in the foreground? Use the –WindowStyle parameter with the Start-Process cmdlet, and select Minimized, for example: Start-Process -WindowStyle Minimized 'iexplore.exe' Note You can also choose Hidden, Maximized, or Normal, but not all applications support all modes.
Sounds of the Holidays–Part 1
Summary: MVP, Thomas Rayner, inspires holiday spirit by using Windows PowerShell to trigger some multimedia.Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a proud Cloud & Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for the Scripting Guy for a couple days. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner), or posting biweekly on my blog, WorkingSysadmin: Figuring stuff out at work. I’m enjoying some time off from work this holiday season by playing around with some of the multimedia resources that come with Windows.Do you have a coworker who you wish was a little more festive? I do. His name is Matthew, and I’m go...
PowerTip: Get Status of a DSC File in Azure
Summary: Use the Azure cmdlets to get the current status of a Desired State Configuration file on a virtual machine. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine if a Desired State Configuration (DSC) file that I applied to an Azure virtual machine is successful? Get the Azure virtual machine and pipe the object to Get-AzureVMDscExtensionStatus. The following example checks the status on the virtual machine called Hitchy01 on the service called AzureVMNetwork: Get-AzureVM –service ‘AzureV...
PowerTip: How to Upload DSC File to Azure
Summary: Use Azure PowerShell cmdlets to send a Desired State Configuration file to be used later by a virtual machine. How can I use Windows PowerShell to send a DSC file to be used later by a virtual machine? Use the Publish-AzureVMDscConfiguration cmdlet and specify the path to your DSC script. The following example targets the DSC script called FileServer.ps1: Publish-AzureVMDscConfiguration -ConfigurationPath ".\FileServer.ps1"
PowerTip: How to Upload DSC File to Azure
Summary: Use Azure PowerShell cmdlets to send a Desired State Configuration file to be used later by a virtual machine. How can I use Windows PowerShell to send a DSC file to be used later by a virtual machine? Use the Publish-AzureVMDscConfiguration cmdlet and specify the path to your DSC script. The following example targets the DSC script called FileServer.ps1:Publish-AzureVMDscConfiguration -ConfigurationPath ".\FileServer.ps1"
PowerTip: Display Hidden Files in PowerShell
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to use Windows PowerShell to display hidden files. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display hidden files and folders? There are a couple of approaches that use Get-ChildItem:
Weekend Scripter: Remove a Long Path File
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to remove a file with a long path. Honorary Scripting Guy and Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, the Scripting Guy. This is a continuation of this weekend series on working with PowerShell and PInvoke to do things that you normally couldn’t do natively. Also see Manage Window Placement by Using PInvoke. Today I am continuing my approach of working with PInvoke by using Add-Type to compile C# code that contains the PInvoke signatures to show that it can be pretty easy to pull together and use a Windows API when we need it. Yest...
PowerTip: Display Titles of Windows
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to use Windows PowerShell to find the titles of windows. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the titles of windows? Use Get-Process and display the title of the processes for windows by looking at the MainWindowTitle property, for example:Get-Process | Where { $_.MainWindowTitle} |Select-Object ProcessName, MainWindowTitle ProcessName MainWindowTitle &nb...
Weekend Scripter: Manage Window Placement by Using PInvoke
Summary: Boe Prox shows us how to manage window placement in Windows PowerShell. Honorary Scripting Guy and Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, the Scripting Guy. Today I start a little weekend fun by using a technique known as platform invoke, or PInvoke for short. What is PInvoke, you ask? Well, PInvoke allows us to utilize the low-level Windows API to call functions that would normally not be available to us natively. This allows us to do some pretty cool things, such as looking at files with a file path that is greater than the MAX_PATH allowed when using n...
PowerTip: Find Scripts in Script Center Repository from PowerShell ISE
Summary: Use a free add-on to directly access scripts and modules from the Windows PowerShell ISE. In Windows PowerShell 5.0, I can access the TechNet Gallery for PowerShell modules, but is there an easy way to access and search the older Script Center Repository from the PowerShell ISE? In the PowerShell ISE, click Add-ons, select Script Browser Add-on Tool, and then follow the step-by-step instructions.
A Holiday Special: Rusty the Red-Eyed Scripter, Part 5
Summary: Rusty discovers the power of classes and enums in Windows PowerShell 5.0. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: When last we ran into our good friend Rusty, he had encountered the infamous Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, and listened to his introduction about the ConvertFrom-String cmdlet. Now he was about to hear a session about classes. What could that possibly be about? “For many of us, this will be a new concept—the ability to create classes and other types of new and more powerful custom objects in PowerShell.” Ed looked a...
PowerTip: Convert Data to Hexadecimal Output in PowerShell 5
Summary: Use the Format-Hex cmdlet to produce hexadecimal output. How can I use Windows PowerShell to put data in a binary key in the registry? In Windows PowerShell 5.0, you can use the Format-Hex cmdlet, for example: ‘This is meant to be binary’ | Format-Hex $DataForRegistry=(‘This is meant to be binary’ | Format-Hex).Bytes
A Holiday Special: Rusty the Red-Eyed Scripter, Part 4
Summary: Rusty the Red-Eyed Scripter learns how PowerShell can convert raw string data to an object. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Yesterday, our good friend Rusty found his head spinning with ideas after getting shown some new PowerShell cmdlets—cmdlets he could immediately put to work when using Windows PowerShell 5.0. He decided to move to the front row with Thomas to get a better view. There was some powerful stuff coming on the screen, and he didn’t want to miss a bit. “And now we have a special treat for you folks,&r...
PowerTip: Clear Recycle Bin with PowerShell 5
Summary: Easily purge the Recycle Bin on a targeted drive with PowerShell 5. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily flush out the Recycle Bin? In Windows PowerShell 5.0, use the Clear-RecycleBin cmdlet. For example, run the following command with elevated rights to purge the Recycle Bin on drive C: Clear-RecycleBin –DriveLetter C -force
PowerTip: Clear Recycle Bin with PowerShell 5
Summary: Easily purge the Recycle Bin on a targeted drive with PowerShell 5. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily flush out the Recycle Bin? In Windows PowerShell 5.0, use the Clear-RecycleBin cmdlet. For example, run the following command with elevated rights to purge the Recycle Bin on drive C:Clear-RecycleBin –DriveLetter C -force
A Holiday Special: Rusty the Red-Eyed Scripter, Part 3
Summary: Rusty the Red-Eyed Scripter learns how to unblock files and tweak event logs with Windows PowerShell 5.0. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Our story continues as we observe Rusty and getting his first real taste of Windows PowerShell 5.0 and discovering the power and ease-of-use it brings. Rusty and Thomas have been watching the PowerShell Saturday speaker get deeper into PowerShell—until a quick pizza break is called. Everybody ambles to the back of the room to scoop up some pizza and sodas, and the chatting begins. Rusty is ch...
A Holiday Special – Rusty the Red-Eyed Scripter: Part 3
Summary: Rusty the Red-Eyed Scripter learns how to unblock files and tweak event logs with Windows PowerShell 5.0.Note This is Part 3 in a five-part series. To catch up, read: Our story continues as we observe Rusty and getting his first real taste of Windows PowerShell 5.0 and discovering the power and ease-of-use it brings.Rusty and Thomas have been watching the PowerShell Saturday speaker get deeper into PowerShell—until a quick pizza break is called.Everybody ambles to the back of the room to scoop up some pizza and sodas, and the chatting begins. Rusty is chatting with Thomas, “I’d l...
PowerTip: Uninstall Module with PowerShell 5
Summary: Learn how to uninstall a Windows PowerShell module. How can I easily uninstall a Windows PowerShell module? Use the Uninstall-Module cmdlet to remove anything discovered by using Find-Module. For example, to permanently remove the LocalAccount module, use:Uninstall-Module LocalAccount
PowerTip: Uninstall Module with PowerShell 5
Summary: Learn how to uninstall a Windows PowerShell module. How can I easily uninstall a Windows PowerShell module? Use the Uninstall-Module cmdlet to remove anything discovered by using Find-Module. For example, to permanently remove the LocalAccount module, use:Uninstall-Module LocalAccount
A Holiday Special: Rusty the Red-Eyed Scripter, Part 2
Summary: Rusty the Red-Eyed Scripter discovers how Windows PowerShell 5.0 can pull modules from a central repository. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: We return with Rusty sitting beside his new friend Thomas from Edmonton, all invigorated to check out Windows PowerShell 5.0. Rusty was quite interested in this PowerShell Saturday presentation about PowerShell 5 because it seems to offer a stronger level of ease-of-use from the PowerShell 1.0 version he had tried years ago. The speaker began discussing how PowerShell provides a new method ...
A Holiday Special: Rusty the Red-Eyed Scripter, Part 2
Summary: Rusty the Red-Eyed Scripter discovers how Windows PowerShell 5.0 can pull modules from a central repository. Note This is Part 2 in a five-part series. To get started, read Rusty the Red-Eyed Scripter, Part 1.We return with Rusty sitting beside his new friend Thomas from Edmonton, all invigorated to check out Windows PowerShell 5.0.Rusty was quite interested in this PowerShell Saturday presentation about PowerShell 5 because it seems to offer a stronger level of ease-of-use from the PowerShell 1.0 version he had tried years ago.The speaker began discussing how PowerShell provides a new ...
PowerTip: Eliminate Duplicates in PowerShell History
Summary: Use an option in the PSReadLine module to control Windows PowerShell 5.0 history duplication. How can I make sure that there are no duplicates in my history? In Windows PowerShell 5.0 with the PSReadLineModule loaded, use the Set-PSReadLineOption cmdlet as follows:Set-PSReadLineOption –HistoryNoDuplicates:$True
PowerTip: Eliminate Duplicates in PowerShell History
Summary: Use an option in the PSReadLine module to control Windows PowerShell 5.0 history duplication. How can I make sure that there are no duplicates in my history? In Windows PowerShell 5.0 with the PSReadLineModule loaded, use the Set-PSReadLineOption cmdlet as follows: Set-PSReadLineOption –HistoryNoDuplicates:$True
A Holiday Special: Rusty the Red-Eyed Scripter, Part 1
Summary: Rusty the Red-Eyed Scripter discovers compressing files and working with the Clipboard in PowerShell 5.0. It’s that time again folks—time for the long awaited holiday tradition on the Hey, Scripting Guys! Blog. Get ready for some horrible music and a fun story involving PowerShell. This is our sixth year running the holiday special, so grab a relaxing beverage of your choice and sit back as we begin the watch the journey of an IT pro who has yet to use PowerShell… Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Let me tell you a tale of...
PowerTip: Determine Size of Folder with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to determine the size of a folder. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily get the size of a folder structure? Use a combination of Get-Childitem and Measure-Object. For example, to see the size of the C:\Foo folder structure in Windows PowerShell 5.0 or 4.0, use:Get-Childitem C:\Foo –file –recurse | Measure-Object –property Length -sum
PowerTip: Determine Size of Folder with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to determine the size of a folder. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily get the size of a folder structure? Use a combination of Get-Childitem and Measure-Object. For example, to see the size of the C:\Foo folder structure in Windows PowerShell 5.0 or 4.0, use: Get-Childitem C:\Foo –file –recurse | Measure-Object –property Length -sum
Build a Better Copy-Item Cmdlet
Summary: Sean Kearney investigates how to navigate file system content. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here with an early holiday gift—a way to deal with copying many files and getting some kind of progress on the update. I ran into this problem when I was duplicating file structures onto USB keys for Windows to Go a few months ago. Maybe “problem” is not the correct word. When I execute Copy-Item to duplicate a file structure, it works properly. There is, of course, some “finicky” issues. As one reader correctly pointed out the other week, one issue arises if the folder...
Build a Better Copy-Item Cmdlet
Summary: Sean Kearney investigates how to navigate file system content.Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here with an early holiday gift—a way to deal with copying many files and getting some kind of progress on the update.I ran into this problem when I was duplicating file structures onto USB keys for Windows to Go a few months ago. Maybe “problem” is not the correct word. When I execute Copy-Item to duplicate a file structure, it works properly. There is, of course, some “finicky” issues.As one reader correctly pointed out the other week, one issue arises if the folder name ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Change Colors in PSReadline Module
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell access color options in the PSReadline module. How can I use Windows PowerShell to alter the colors in the PSReadline module? Use the Set-PSReadlineOption cmdlet to alter pretty much any item. For example, to provide a white foreground for error messages, use:Set-PSReadlineOption –ErrorForegroundColor White
Introducing the PowerShell Extension for Visual Studio Code
Summary: Doug Finke, Microsoft MVP, introduces a new way to edit code. There’s a new editor in town and as with any new shiny toy, it’s a good to download, kick the tires, and give it the seven day test. The seven day test is when you install it, try it, and see if you consistently come back to it over seven days. If you don’t, then uninstall it and move on. Microsoft Visual Studio Code is code editing, redefined. It’s free, cross-platform, extensible, and it is open source. Plus, Microsoft has released PowerShell language support for it (see PowerShell Language Support for Visual Studio...
Introducing the PowerShell Extension for Visual Studio Code
Summary: Doug Finke, Microsoft MVP, introduces a new way to edit code.There’s a new editor in town and as with any new shiny toy, it’s a good to download, kick the tires, and give it the seven day test. The seven day test is when you install it, try it, and see if you consistently come back to it over seven days. If you don’t, then uninstall it and move on.Microsoft Visual Studio Code is code editing, redefined. It’s free, cross-platform, extensible, and it is open source. Plus, Microsoft has released PowerShell language support for it (see PowerShell Language Support for Visual Studio Cod...
PowerTip: Contribute to the Pester Project
Summary: Learn how you can add to the Pester solution. How can I contribute to Pester? On the project’s GitHub site, submit bug reports or feature requests in the Issues log, or submit your code via a Pull Request.
PowerTip: Contribute to the Pester Project
Summary: Learn how you can add to the Pester solution. How can I contribute to Pester? On the project’s GitHub site, submit bug reports or feature requests in the Issues log, or submit your code via a Pull Request.
More Pester Features and Resources
Summary: Dave Wyatt wraps up his week teaching us about Pester with information about more resources. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: I hope that this series has convinced you that writing Pester tests for your code can be easy and valuable—even if I had to be fairly brief in my examples of the most essential parts of the module. Today, I want to show you a few of the other features that the module has to offer. First, coverage analysis! The term “code coverage” refers to how much of your code is actually tested. Pester can ...
More Pester Feature and Resources
Summary: Dave Wyatt wraps up his week teaching us about Pester with information about more resources. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: I hope that this series has convinced you that writing Pester tests for your code can be easy and valuable—even if I had to be fairly brief in my examples of the most essential parts of the module. Today, I want to show you a few of the other features that the module has to offer.First, coverage analysis! The term “code coverage” refers to how much of your code is actually tested. Pester can help...
PowerTip: Use Pester to Test Functions in Module
Summary: Use Pester to test new functions in your module. How can I unit test a non-exported function in my script module? Use the InModuleScope command to execute some or all of your Pester script within the scope of the module you’re testing.
PowerTip: Use Pester to Test Functions in Module
Summary: Use Pester to test new functions in your module. How can I unit test a non-exported function in my script module? Use the InModuleScope command to execute some or all of your Pester script within the scope of the module you’re testing.
Testing Script Modules with Pester
Summary: Dave Wyatt discusses using Pester for testing PowerShell modules. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Yesterday, we looked at how to use the Mock and Assert-MockCalled commands in Pester to unit test the logic in your PowerShell code without having any external dependencies. This can get a little bit trickier when you start to store your code in script modules (.psm1 files). To demonstrate this, I’ve taken the code from yesterday’s Active Directory example, placed it into a .psm1 file, and added a small change to introduce an internal function: The Tests.p...
PowerTip: Test Active Directory Script with Pester
Summary: Use Pester to safely test script changes to Active Directory. How can I test my Active Directory script without having it make changes to my live domain? Use Pester’s mocking feature to test your code without using the actual Active Directory cmdlets.
Unit Testing PowerShell Code with Pester
Summary: Guest blogger, Dave Wyatt, discusses using Pester to analyze small pieces of Windows PowerShell code. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Before we get into the technical details today, let’s define a few terms. There are several categories of automated testing, all of which are used in a continuous delivery pipeline. For the purposes of Windows PowerShell code, I tend to refer to three: Unit tests A unit test is the smallest and fastest type, and it is the first thing that will be run in your pipeline. It can ...
PowerTip: Connect Pester to Automated System
Summary: Learn how to incorporate Pester into an automated system. How do I incorporate Pester into an automated system? Use one of the features in Pester that are built for this purpose: NUnit XML export, -PassThru switch, or the –EnableExit switch in conjunction with powershell.exe’s exit code, for example: $testResults = Invoke-Pester -PassThru -OutputFormat NUnitXml -OutputFile .\TestResults.xml
Getting Started with Pester
Summary: Guest blogger, Dave Wyatt explains how to get information back from Pester. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: At the end of yesterday’s post, I showed this brief example of a .Tests.ps1 file: Today, we’ll go into more detail about what goes into these tests, and how to get information back from Pester. In the example screenshot, there are four new commands that are not part of the PowerShell language: Describe, Context, It, and Should. Describe Defines a group of tests, and all Pester tests files must contain ...
PowerTip: Get Started with Pester Tests and PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to start a Pester test. How do I run Pester tests? Place your tests into a file with a name that ends with .Tests.ps1, and then run the Invoke-Pester cmdlet.
What is Pester and Why Should I Care?
Summary: Guest blogger, Dave Wyatt introduces a new test framework for PowerShell called Pester. This week we are honored to have one of the authors of Pester here with us on the Hey, Scripting Guys! Blog. It’s Dave Wyatt himself, a Cloud and Datacenter MVP. Dave, tell us all about Pester… Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: What is Pester? That’s easy to answer… Pester is a test framework for PowerShell. It provides a language that allows you to define test cases, and the Invoke-Pester cmdlet to execute these tests and ...
PowerTip: Find List of PowerShell About Topics
Summary: Find a list of Windows PowerShell About topics. How can I find Help topics so I can learn about various Windows PowerShell concepts? Use Get-Help and a wildcard character, for example: Get-Help about*
Weekend Scripter: Conceptual PowerShell Help
Summary: Guest blogger, Tim Warner, talks about using Windows PowerShell conceptual Help.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back Timothy Warner as our guest blogger today.Tim is an author and evangelist for Pluralsight, a premier online IT pro and development training company. Tim is the author of Windows PowerShell in 24 Hours, Sams Teach Yourself, a contributor at PowerShell.org, and co-organizer of the Nashville PowerShell User Group.Here’s Tim…Let’s say you need to identify and extract all email addresses from a huge text file. To solve the issue, you decide to employ the ...
PowerTip: Time How Long PowerShell Command Takes to Complete
Summary: Easily time how long a Windows PowerShell command takes to complete. How can I time how long a command takes to complete in Windows PowerShell? Use the Measure-Command cmdlet—for example, to time how long it takes to Get-Process (gps is an alias) to complete, put the command in a script block and call Measure-Command: Measure-Command {gps}
Weekend Scripter: PowerShell ASCII Bar Charts
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Wei Hao Lim, presents a script that creates ASCII bar charts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a new guest blogger. Please welcome Wei Hao Lim. Wei is a Microsoft PFE from Australia who works primarily with enterprise customers helping to configure, deploy, maintain, and customize System Center implementations. In his spare time, he enjoys video editing, swimming, playing with board games, and video games. He writes a very popular blog named Wei Out There with System Center. Here’s Wei… This article features a sample PowerShell script that generates a...
PowerTip: Find Module Path with Windows PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to determine the location of a module. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the location of a module that I am using from a vendor? Use the Path property of the module with Split-Path to show the parent: $ModuleName=(Get-Module –module DeployImage) $ModulePath=Split-Path $ModuleName
Using DeployImage and Windows PowerShell to Build a Nano Server: Part 5
Summary: Use the DeployImage module to build bootable Windows PE media with deployment content.Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to show you one of my favorite pieces of my DeployImage module—building a piece of bootable USB media that has everything I need to deploy Nano Server. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Last week in the series, Build a PowerShell-Enabled Windows PE Key, I talkedl about building a Windows PE USB key with Windows PowerShell. This week, I explored how to use the new DeployImage module to build out Na...
PowerTip: Escape Parsed Content in PowerShell String
Summary: Use the backtick character to insert data normally parsed by Windows PowerShell in a string. Certain characters (such as the colon and double quotation marks) are special in Windows PowerShell. How can I use those in a parsed string? Use the backtick character (usually under the tilde, and it’s also ASCII character 96), for example: $OSDrive=’C’ $DriveLetter=”$OSDrive`:”
Using DeployImage and Windows PowerShell to Build a Nano Server: Part 4
Summary: Use the new cmdlets in the DeployImage module to simplify the deployment of a Nano Server.Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to get into the really fun part of deploying a Nano Server—the actual deployment part. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Yesterday, I showed you the New-UnattendXMLContent cmdlet to help you name the Nano Server and provide direct settings, such as the time zone. Today we’re going to look at creating partitions and applying the image—our actual process.If you were to try to apply Nano Se...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create Module Manifest
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to build a module manifest for GitHub. How can I use Windows PowerShell to build a module manifest for my module in GitHub? In Windows PowerShell 5.0 use the New-ModuleManifest cmdlet—for example, to create a sample manifest in the C:\Foo folder, type: New-ModuleManifest –path C:\Foo\Sample.PSD1 Note This creates a full module manifest, including comments. This cmdlet also accepts parameters for some key points of data.
Use DeployImage Module and PowerShell to Build a Nano Server: Part 3
Summary: Sean Kearney uses the New-UnattendXMLContent cmdlet in his DeployImage module to automate naming the Nano Server. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to continue with our work in easing the deployment of a Nano Server or other WIM files with the DeployImage module. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: But most of us are used to going to a computer, swapping in the computer name, and joining the domain via the GUI. But this is not the only way to do it. If you’re just getting into deploying Windows or images, there is...
PowerTip: Add CAB Package to Windows Image with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to update a Windows image with a CAB package. How can I use Windows PowerShell to update a Windows image with a new CAB package?Supply the path to the package and use the Add-WindowsPackage cmdlet. For example, to add a package to a previously mounted offline installation in the C:\Media\Mount folder, use:Add-WindowsPackage –PackagePath C:\Foo\Somepackage.CAB –Path C:\Media\Mount
Use DeployImage Module and PowerShell to Build a Nano Server: Part 2
Summary: Sean Kearney uses the New-NanoServerWim cmdlet from the DeployImage module to build an updated Nano Server WIM file. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today continuing forward with creating a new Nano Server with the DeployImage module. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: I’m presuming that you have the media for the Nano Server ready, and it is sitting off the NanoServer folder at the root of the Windows Server 2016 TP4 media. To customize the Nano Server WIM file, we use the same process as customizing any other WIM f...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Remove Drive Letter
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to remove an assigned drive letter from a partition. How can I use Windows PowerShell to remove a drive letter from a partition? Use a combination of three cmdlets with the drive letter—for example, to remove drive letter X from the drive it is assigned to, use $DriveLetter=’XGet-Volume -Drive $DriveLetter | Get-Partition | Remove-PartitionAccessPath -accesspath "$DriveLetter`:\"
Use DeployImage Module and PowerShell to Build a Nano Server: Part 1
Summary: Sean Kearney introduces his DeployImage module and the cmdlets for Nano Server.Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here this week giving Ed a little early holiday rest and showing you a bit about Nano Server. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: One of the challenges we all need to deal with in our environments is security. One of the biggest security headaches is patching. Patching means one big headache: rebooting the server. The reason rebooting that server is a headache is that it often means an interruption in business operations o...
PowerTip: Get Author Information about PowerShell Session Configuration
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get session owner information. How can I get more information about which Windows PowerShell session configurations came with my system and which were set up by another administrator? Use Get-PssessionConfiguration and target the Name and Author properties, for example: Get-PssessionConfiguration | Select-Object –Property Name,Author | Format-Table -autosize
Weekend Scripter: Taking JEA for a Spin—Part 2
Summary: Thomas Rayner explores how to restrict Active Directory management with JEA in Windows Server 2016. Thomas Rayner, Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, continues his two-part series about an exciting new feature in Windows Server 2016, Just Enough Admin (JEA). Today we’ll investigate how JEA can be applied in a situation where a limited user has permissions to run specific Active Directory queries. Yesterday in Taking JEA for A Spin—Part 1, I tackled code promotion. I showed how to configure JEA so that a connecting user could run only a specially crafted script. Today, the example use case I...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Identify Endpoints on Server
Summary: Learn how to identify endpoints on a server. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see the available endpoints on a server if I have the necessary rights? Use the Get-PSSessionConfiguration cmdlet.
Weekend Scripter: Taking JEA for a Spin—Part 1
Summary: Thomas Rayner explores code promotion with Just Enough Admin (JEA) in Windows Server 2016. Hello! I’m Thomas Rayner, a proud Cloud and Datacenter Management Microsoft MVP, filling in for The Scripting Guy this weekend. You can find me on Twitter (@MrThomasRayner). I also post my blog bi-weekly: Working Sysadmin—Figuring stuff out at work. The temperature is dropping and the snow is starting to fly here in Alberta, Canada so I’m going to stay in this weekend and take an awesome new feature in Windows Server 2016, Just Enough Admin (JEA), for a spin. I’ll explore how it can be ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to List All Volumes
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to identify all partitions on a disk drive. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily see all of the partitions on a disk drive? Pipe the Disk object through Get-Partition (to identify its partitions), then pipe that through Get-Volume to get the volume data. Here is an example of using this on the default hard drive (drive 0): Get-Disk –number 0 | Get-Partition | Get-Volume
Build a PowerShell-Enabled Windows PE Key: Part 5
Summary: Populate a bootable USB key with content from Windows PE. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today sharing all you need to know about having a Windows PE key with Windows PowerShell. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Let’s remember that we’ve got that bootable USB key—a complete structure from Windows PE—sitting on our hard drive…a full tank of gas! (Oops! Sorry! I was watching Blues Brothers last night.) Our folder structure in question sits in the Media folder under the structure defined by $WinPEtemp. ...
PowerTip: Duplicate File Structure with PowerShell
Summary: Use Copy-Item to duplicate content with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to duplicate content? Use Copy-Item—for example, to duplicate all files and folders from C:\Foo to D:\Foo, run: Copy-Item C:\Foo D:\Foo -recurse
Build a PowerShell-Enabled Windows PE Key: Part 4
Summary: Build out the necessary file structure for a Windows PE environment.Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to give you all you need to build out your own Windows PE file structure. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Let’s think about what we’ve developed in the first three parts of this series: Our next task is to pull all of this together into a file structure for Windows PE.Confused?Normally, we would take a Windows image file and expand it directly to the target file system. But not with Windows PE. A Windows PE e...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Build Simple Menu
Summary: Use the Out-Gridview cmdlet to easily build a GUI menu. How can I easily build a GUI menu in Windows PowerShell so I can select items from a list? Pipe any array to the Out-Gridview cmdlet and you can capture the results! ‘AddUser’,’RemoveUser’,’DeleteUser’,’ExitSystem’ | Out-Gridview -passthru
Build a PowerShell-Enabled Windows PE Key: Part 3
Summary: Identify available USB keys and make them bootable devices. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to continue delving into having a cool PowerShell experience in a Windows PE environment. Today I’m going to show you how to use Windows PowerShell to identify USB keys and make them bootable devices. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: With Windows PowerShell finding a USB key is actually quite easy. We just use the Get-Disk cmdlet. This will show us all disks on the computer. There is a property we can filter on called BusType. A ...
PowerTip: See All Images Contained in Windows Image File
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to identify all available images in a WIM file. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see what images are stored in a WIM file? Use the Get-WindowsImage cmdlet and target the WIM file, for example: Get-WindowsImage –imagepath Install.wim
Build a PowerShell-Enabled Windows PE Key: Part 2
Summary: Customize a Windows PE environment to contain Windows PowerShell and DISM modules.Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here again today with some early holiday gifts! A little PowerShell in a mean, lean green environment! Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Now that we have the necessary software installed in Windows to build out a Windows PE environment, let’s take a look at building it.The Windows PE environment is pretty neat because most of the actual boot environment is ready for you. But the actual “live environment” ...
PowerTip: Determine Windows Architecture with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to identify whether you are running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows. How can I use Window PowerShell to see if my version of Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit? Use Get-CimInstance and query the OSArchitecture property: (Get-CimInstance Win32_operatingsystem).OSArchitecture
Build a PowerShell-Enabled Windows PE Key: Part 1
Summary: Sean Kearney explores installing the Windows ADK and validating its presence with Windows PowerShell. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here filling in for The Scripting Guy. This week, I’m going to help you out with Windows PE. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: First, we need to explore “what is Windows PE?” Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) is a very light version of Windows that is intended for deployment solutions. A perfect example (and one we’ll delve into next week) is when you need to deploy Nan...
PowerTip: Update Module from PowerShell Gallery
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to update a module from the Windows PowerShell Gallery. How can I update a module from the Windows PowerShell Gallery? Run the following command to check for an update to the module and install the update if one is found:Update-Module –Name PoshRSJob –VerboseVERBOSE: Checking for updates for module 'PoshRSJob'.VERBOSE: The specified Location is 'https://www.powershellgallery.com/api/v2/' and PackageManagementProvider is 'NuGet'.VERBOSE: Getting the provider object for the PackageManagement Provider 'NuGet'.VERBOSE: The specified Location is 'https://www.powershell...
Weekend Scripter: A Look at the PoshRSJob Module
Summary: Boe Prox presents a module for working with runspaces. Honorary Scripting Guy and Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. Today I finish up my series about using runspaces in PowerShell by showing you a module that I put together that makes working with runspaces a lot easier. Note This is a four-part series that includes the following posts: There are some great scripts out there that provide a tool to work with runspaces, such as Invoke-Parallel. I wanted to come up with something that would provide a famil...
PowerTip: Add Custom Function to Runspace Pool
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to add a custom function to a runspace pool. How can I use Windows PowerShell to add a custom function to a runspace pool? Use the following approach:#Custom FunctionFunction ConvertTo-Hex { Param([int]$Number) '0x{0:x}' -f $Number}#Get body of function$Definition = Get-Content Function:\ConvertTo-Hex -ErrorAction Stop#Create a sessionstate function entry$SessionStateFunction = New-Object System.Management.Automation.Runspaces.SessionStateFunctionEntry -ArgumentList 'ConvertTo-Hex', $Definition#Create a SessionStateFunction$InitialSessionSt...
Beginning Use of PowerShell Runspaces: Part 3
Summary: Boe Prox shows us some tips about using runspace pools for multithreading. Honorary Scripting Guy and Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. Note This is a four-part series that includes the following posts: After spending the past couple of days working with runspaces and looking at how we can use parameters and arguments to supply variables to our runspaces, we are taking the next step in our journey by looking at runspace pools to do some multithreading with multiple commands. The process for working with...
PowerTip: Get the Async Object Created by BeginInvoke
Summary: Boe Prox shows how retrieve a seemingly lost Async object from a runspace. How can I get the seemingly lost Async object created by BeginInvoke? Use Reflection to pull this information out of a Runspace object and get the Async object, which is required to use with EndInvoke().$Runspace = [runspacefactory]::CreateRunspace()$PowerShell = [powershell]::Create()$Runspace.Open()$PowerShell.Runspace = $Runspace[void]$PowerShell.AddScript({ [pscustomobject]@{ Name = 'Boe ...
Beginning Use of PowerShell Runspaces: Part 2
Summary: Boe Prox presents some tips about beginning use with runspaces. Honorary Scripting Guy and Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. Note This is a four-part series that includes the following posts: Yesterday, we spent some time looking at how we can create a runspace that can be used to run a command in the background while leaving our console wide open for us to continue running commands. Although using what we have learned will make it easier to push commands to the background, we are currently limited to o...
PowerTip: Find Current Runspaces in PowerShell
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to find the current runspaces in Windows PowerShell. How can I list all of the currently running runspaces in Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-Runspace cmdlet in Windows PowerShell 5.0:Get-RunspaceId Name ComputerName Type State Availability-- ---- ------------ ---- ----- ------------ 1 Runspace1 ...
Beginning Use of PowerShell Runspaces: Part 1
Summary: Boe Prox presents some tips about beginning use with runspaces. Honorary Scripting Guy and Cloud and Datacenter Management MVP, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. Note This is a four-part series that includes the following posts: Let's say you are working in PowerShell and you want to kick off something to run in the background while you are working on some other things in the console. You would usually use something related to PSJobs, such as the *-Job cmdlets. Or you might use the –Asjob parameter that you see in some cmdlets, such as Get...
PowerTip: Create Function List and Find PowerShell Files
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a function list and find files. How can I use Windows PowerShell to avoid repetitively typing “ls . –r *.ps1” to get a list of PowerShell files and then “ls . –r *.ps1 | sls function” to search the content of those files for a string? Add this function to your PowerShell profile: function fps ($find) { "Get-ChildItem . -Recurse *.ps1 $(if($find) { "| Select-String $find" })" | ...
Introducing the PowerShell Excel Module
Summary: Guest blogger, Doug Finke talks about his PowerShell Excel module. The PowerShell Excel Module is a brand new, exciting, and better way to interact with Microsoft Excel from Windows PowerShell. Plus for bonus points, you don’t need Excel installed on the target machine to create the spreadsheet. Many users of this module generate Excel spreadsheets on servers, and then others in the company pick up the reports from a central server. Or for the last step in their script, they can mail the .xlsx file. The challenge Until now, there have been a few ways to get data into Excel. One way is to creat...
Introducing the PowerShell Excel Module
Summary: Guest blogger, Doug Finke talks about his PowerShell Excel module.The PowerShell Excel Module is a brand new, exciting, and better way to interact with Microsoft Excel from Windows PowerShell. Plus for bonus points, you don’t need Excel installed on the target machine to create the spreadsheet. Many users of this module generate Excel spreadsheets on servers, and then others in the company pick up the reports from a central server. Or for the last step in their script, they can mail the .xlsx file.The challengeUntil now, there have been a few ways to get data into Excel. One way is to create a comm...
PowerTip: Store Current Pipeline Value in Variables with PowerShell
Summary: Use PowerShell to store current pipeline values in variables. How can I use Windows PowerShell to improve my code by storing the current pipeline value into variables? Use the new PipelineVariable common parameter, for example:Get-Counter -ListSet 'LogicalDisk','SQLServer:Buffer Manager','SQLServer:Memory Manager' -PipelineVariable CounterCategory | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Counter -PipelineVariable CounterName |Where-Object {$CounterName -match '(sec/Transfer|Avg. Disk Queue Length|Buffer Cache|CheckPoint|Target Server|Total)'} | Select-Object @{E={$CounterCategory.Counte...
Automating Index Fragmentation Reports
Summary: Guest blogger, Laerte Junior discusses how to use PowerShell to automate an index fragmentation report and generate an Excel file.One of the day-to-day tasks of a DBA is to maintain your environment. This task includes checking the fragmentation of indexes. In this post, I will show how to automate this collection and generate an Excel file.Environment considerationsFor this particular script, I am assuming that like me, you use a central “collector” machine. For that, you have installed SQL Server 2012 or later, Excel, and Windows PowerShell 4.0 or later. Yes! I will use some coding features...
Automating Index Fragmentation Reports
Summary: Guest blogger, Laerte Junior discusses how to use PowerShell to automate an index fragmentation report and generate an Excel file.One of the day-to-day tasks of a DBA is to maintain your environment. This task includes checking the fragmentation of indexes. In this post, I will show how to automate this collection and generate an Excel file.Environment considerationsFor this particular script, I am assuming that like me, you use a central “collector” machine. For that, you have installed SQL Server 2012 or later, Excel, and Windows PowerShell 4.0 or later. Yes! I will use some coding features...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Generate Object with Two Property Types
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to generate an object with two property types. How can I use Windows PowerShell to generate an object with two property types from simply splitting a string? Use the ConvertFrom-String cmdlet to pipe a string, and then specify the desired property types, for example:PS C:\>“123 456” | ConvertFrom-String –PropertyType String,Int
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Generate Object with Two Property Types
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to generate an object with two property types. How can I use Windows PowerShell to generate an object with two property types from simply splitting a string? Use the ConvertFrom-String cmdlet to pipe a string, and then specify the desired property types, for example: PS C:\>“123 456” | ConvertFrom-String –PropertyType String,Int
Get Wireless Network SSID and Password with PowerShell
Summary: Jason Walker explores using Windows PowerShell to get the SSID and password for a wireless network. Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy is here. Today I'm turning over the keyboard to Jason Walker. Jason is an Office 365 deployment consultant, who assists customers in the public sector arena. Here's Jason... Let me start off with a scenario. You are somewhere, anywhere, and a friend of yours asks you for the password to a wireless network. This could be the wireless network at your house or a hotspot. What do you do? In Windows 7, you could easily get that from a viewable preferred wireless netw...
PowerTip: Find Expiring Certificates by Using PowerShell
Summary: Boe Prox shows how you can find certificates that are expiring. How can I find if I have any certificates on my system that are expiring within 30 days? Use the ExpiringInDays dynamic parameter when working with the certificate provider, for example: Get-ChildItem Cert:\LocalMachine\My\ -ExpiringInDays 30 | Select-Object Thumbprint, Subject, NotAfter
Weekend Scripter: Report on Network Level Authentication
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to use Windows PowerShell to report on Network Level Authentication. Honorary Scripting Guy and Windows PowerShell MVP, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. I plan to spend this Sunday showing you how you can report on whether your systems are enabled for Network Level Authentication. By using PowerShell, we can make some amazing scripts and functions that can do a variety of things. Whether we want to build a complex workflow to provision a system, use Desired State Configuration to configure many systems, or even build a UI, we can pretty much do any...
PowerTip: Find Free Commands in PowerShell 5
Summary: Learn how to find free commands in Windows PowerShell 5.0. I would like to customize my command line experience in Windows PowerShell 5.0, but I don’t want to write a lot of code. How can I find available commands that are not bound to any keyboard chord sequence? Use the Get-PSReadlineKeyHandler and look for unbound commands: (Get-PSReadlineKeyHandler).where({$_.key -eq 'unbound'})
Weekend Scripter: The Case of the Disappearing PowerShell Console
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about fixing a problem where his Windows PowerShell console disappears. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. So there I was, on a two week trip, out of time, with only my laptop, and I needed to use Windows PowerShell. Most of the time, I use the Windows PowerShell console, but I do occasionally use the Windows PowerShell ISE. At home, I have a nice-sized second monitor that is attached to my laptop—but I do not—actually the truth is, I rarely travel with my second monitor. I have been known to take it with me on a road trip. So I click to ope...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Show Deployment Types for Application
Summary: Use the Configuration Manager cmdlets to identify all deployment types for an application. How can I use Windows PowerShell to pull up a list of all deployment types for one of my applications? Use the Get-CmDeploymentType cmdlet and supply the application name in question, for example: Get-CmDeploymentType –ApplicationName ‘HSG Application’ | Select-Object LocalizedDisplayName
PowerShell and Configuration Manager 2012 R2–Part 5
Summary: Use the Configuration Manager cmdlets to create an application. Oh, Scripting Guy! I want to get home at a decent hour today, but I need to bring this massive list of applications into Configuration Manager. I heard the Configuration Manager cmdlets can do this, but I need some help. So…er…*Cough*...HELP! —TR Hello TR, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to help you. I know vividly what you’re talking about. I’ve had to do the same thing. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Configuration Manager is a great environme...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Identify Network Drivers in Configuration Manager
Summary: Use the Configuration Manager cmdlets in Windows PowerShell to identify all network drivers. I deal with drivers detection issues in Windows PE because we have too many network card drivers. How can I use Windows PowerShell to quickly show all of the network drivers in Configuration Manager? Use the Get-CmDriver cmdlet and filter on the DriverClass property, for example: $DriverClass=’Net’ Get-CmDriver | Where { $_.DriverClass –match $DriverClass } You can pipe this object to Select-Object to choose the in...
PowerShell and Configuration Manager 2012 R2–Part 4
Summary: Use the Configuration Manager cmdlets to work with driver packages. Hey, Scripting Guy! My current job involves creating packages in Configuration Manager 2012. Is there some way to automate the process? It’s not that it’s actually difficult, but it is a very repeatable process. I thought to myself, “Repeatable? This sounds like a job for PowerShell!" Help out a friend and tell me there are cmdlets to do this. —KB Hello KB, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today with relief for you. Yes, there are cmdlets for that! If you’ve been following along this week, you have seen t...
PowerTip: Get List of Distribution Points with PowerShell
Summary: Use the PowerShell cmdlets in Configuration Manager to pull a list of all distribution points. How can I get an easy-to-read list of the distribution points in a site? Load the Configuration Manager 2012 cmdlets, and run the following one-liner in PowerShell: Get-CMDistributionPoint | Select-Object NetworkOsPath,RoleName,SiteCode
PowerShell and Configuration Manager 2012 R2–Part 3
Summary: Use the Configuration Manager cmdlets to update applications in distribution points. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’m forever having the nightmare of going clickity, click, click, click when I’m working with my distribution points—especially when updating applications and packages. There must be some way to do this in Windows PowerShell. Can you help me? —DS Hello DS, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here, shedding more light on the Configuration Manager cmdlets! Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: I feel your pain. Whenever I ...
PowerTip: List Collections in Configuration Manager
Summary: Use the Configuration Manager cmdlets to show all available User and Device collections. How can I use Windows PowerShell to list all the available User and Device collections in Configuration Manager 2012, and then export the list to a file? Use the Get-CMCollection cmdlet with Export-CSV, for example: Get-CMCollection | Export-CSV Collectionlist.csv
PowerShell and Configuration Manager 2012 R2–Part 2
Summary: Use the Configuration Manager cmdlets to work with site collections. Hey, Scripting Guy! I deal with Configuration Manager on a regular basis, and I have to manage User and Device collections. I’d like an easier way to add and remove members and audit the memberships of site collections. Could you show me how to do that with the cmdlets in Configuration Manager? —RL A: Hello RL, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to further delve into some basic uses of those ever so magical Configuration Manager cmdlets. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: ...
PowerTip: Find Version of Configuration Manager
Summary: Use PowerShell cmdlets to identify the current version and build number of a Configuration Manager site. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the current version and build number for a client's Configuration Manager site? When you have the cmdlets for Configuration Manager 2012 or later loaded into the Windows PowerShell console, execute this line to display the information: Get-CmSite | Select-Object Servername,SiteCode,BuildNumber,Version
PowerShell and Configuration Manager 2012 R2–Part 1
Summary: Load the Configuration Manager cmdlets and make a basic site connection. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve been doing a lot of work in the Configuration Manager 2012 R2 console and it’s beautiful. But I find I spend a lot of my time clicking all over the place and repeating tasks. Are there PowerShell cmdlets available that I can use? —SH Hello SH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to give you the answer you want, which is, “Yes!” There absolutely are cmdlets for Windows PowerShell in Configuration Manager 2012 R2, and boy, are they cool! I’ve had to do some repetitive tasks in ...
PowerTip: Move PowerShell ISE Command Pane Left
Summary: Show the Windows PowerShell ISE command pane on the left side of the screen. How can I split the PowerShell ISE screen vertically so I can see the screen pane on the right and the command pane on the left? To show a vertical configuration, select Show Script Pane Right from the View menu. Or use <CTRL-2> to show the script pane on the right, and use <CTRL-1>to go back to the horizontal configuration.
Weekend Scripter: Great PowerShell ISE Features for Beginners
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about some of the greatest Windows PowerShell ISE features for beginners. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the great things about the Windows PowerShell ISE is that it can help a wide level of scripters. For example, if you are very experienced with Windows PowerShell, there is an API that can be used to create your own add-ons for the Windows PowerShell ISE. This can help to smooth many of the rough spots that sometimes annoy users of the Windows PowerShell ISE. I love this feature. But when I am teaching Windows PowerShell to beginners, I don...
PowerTip: Toggle Command Add-on in PowerShell ISE
Summary: Learn how to enable the Command Add-on for the Windows PowerShell ISE. I use different computers, and the Command Add-on is displayed only sometimes. I would like to display this add-on as required. How can I do this? Select Show Command Add-on from the View menu in the Windows PowerShell ISE.
Weekend Scripter: PowerShell ISE Not Only for Scripts
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about why you may want to use the Windows PowerShell ISE instead of the console.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I was speaking at a Windows PowerShell user group recently. After the presentation, someone came up to me and said that the Windows PowerShell ISE was rather confusing. Because he did not write scripts, he had not taken the time to learn how to use the ISE. Instead, if any Windows PowerShell needed “to be done,” he simply opened the Windows PowerShell console, typed away—and that was that.Cool. I use the Windows PowerShell...
PowerTip: Revert PowerShell ISE Token Values
Summary: Learn how to revert Windows PowerShell ISE token values to default values. I have been playing with token colors in the Windows PowerShell ISE and things are confused. How can I use Windows PowerShell to change back to default values.? Use the RestoreDefaultTokenColors method from the Options object: $psISE.Options.RestoreDefaultTokenColors()
Set PowerShell ISE to Default Values
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about resetting the Windows PowerShell ISE settings to the defaults. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the great things about Windows PowerShell is that it is highly configurable. Not only the things that I can configure, but Windows PowerShell itself. The behaviors in the Windows PowerShell console and the Windows PowerShell ISE can be quickly changed. One of the best ways to do this is to use a Windows PowerShell profile. I like to create specific profiles for certain environments instead of one big monolithic profile. In fact, I like to use m...
PowerTip: Toggle Outlining View in PowerShell ISE
Summary: Toggle between outlining view in the Windows PowerShell ISE. How can I switch to the outlining view in the Windows PowerShell ISE to collapse the functions so it is easier to read the code? Use the ToggleOutliningExpansion function from the Editor object, for example:$psise.CurrentFile.Editor.ToggleOutliningExpansion()
PowerTip: Toggle Outlining View in PowerShell ISE
Summary: Toggle between outlining view in the Windows PowerShell ISE. How can I switch to the outlining view in the Windows PowerShell ISE to collapse the functions so it is easier to read the code? Use the ToggleOutliningExpansion function from the Editor object, for example: $psise.CurrentFile.Editor.ToggleOutliningExpansion()
Use Regions in PowerShell ISE
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using regions in the Windows PowerShell ISE. Hey, Scripting Guy! I like using the Windows PowerShell ISE. The price is right I guess. There is one thing that kind of bugs me, however. When I am writing a long script, there is too much scrolling, and things seem to slow down. I wish there was a way that I did not have to deal with lines and lines of script. I guess I can move the functions into a module, but that adds more complexity than I want in my life right now. Is there something that can help? —RR Hello RR, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed W...
Use Regions in PowerShell ISE
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using regions in the Windows PowerShell ISE. Hey, Scripting Guy! I like using the Windows PowerShell ISE. The price is right I guess. There is one thing that kind of bugs me, however. When I am writing a long script, there is too much scrolling, and things seem to slow down. I wish there was a way that I did not have to deal with lines and lines of script. I guess I can move the functions into a module, but that adds more complexity than I want in my life right now. Is there something that can help?—RR Hello RR,Microsoft Scripting Guy,...
PowerTip: Find the PowerShell ISE Default Options
Summary: Learn how to find the Windows PowerShell ISE default options. How can I find the default options for the Windows PowerShell ISE object model? Use the ISEOptions object:$psise.Options.DefaultOptions
Ed Wilson Joins the PowerScripting PodCast Tonight
Summary: Tune-in to the PowerScripting PodCast tonight to hear the Scripting Guy!Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, will be on the PowerScripting PodCast tonight, November 11, 2015. He will talk about his new PowerShell Step-by-Step book, his new job, and lots of other things.Although the show will be recorded, you can tune-in live to chat with Hal, Jon, Ed, and others during the PodCast recording. It will be great fun, informative, and much better than watching an old rerun of Scooby Doo.For more information, see Tonight: Ed Wilson returns to the PowerScripting Podcast!
PowerTip: Find the PowerShell ISE Default Options
Summary: Learn how to find the Windows PowerShell ISE default options. How can I find the default options for the Windows PowerShell ISE object model? Use the ISEOptions object: $psise.Options.DefaultOptions
Automatically Keep Log of PowerShell ISE Commands
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using the new transcript command in the Windows PowerShell ISE. Hey, Scripting Guy! I might be alone in this, but I love using the transcript tool in the Windows PowerShell console. I really wish I could have a transcript in the Windows PowerShell ISE because that is what I use to write scripts. But every time I try to use it, I get a bogus error message that says basically, "Go jump in a lake." How rude. I am just complaining, and I really don’t expect that there is anything you can actually do about this sad state of affairs. Oh, yea...
PowerTip: Change Font Size in PowerShell ISE
Summary: Learn how to change the font size in the Windows PowerShell ISE. How can I use a Windows PowerShell command to change the font size in my Windows PowerShell ISE? Use the $psISE object option, and assign a new number for FontSize property, for example: $psISE.Options.FontSize = 12
Use PowerShell to Set Up the ISE
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell to set up the ISE. Hey, Scripting Guy! I am so excited—really excited! I have been selected to speak at a SQL Saturday event about Windows PowerShell. I could not have done it without you. I read your stuff every day, actually twice a day, and I come back to it during the day to help me with things I need to do. I never thought I would be talking about Windows PowerShell.So I have a question, naturally. I would like to set up the ISE in my first script. I know how to run a script to set up my scratch folder, my working fo...
PowerTip: Change PowerShell ISE Foreground Color
Summary: Programatically change the foreground color in the Windows PowerShell ISE. How can I change the foreground color in the Windows PowerShell ISE? Use $Host.UI.RawUI.ForegroundColor and assign a new color. For example, to change it to cyan, use:$Host.UI.RawUI.ForegroundColor = 'cyan'
PowerTip: Change PowerShell ISE Foreground Color
Summary: Programatically change the foreground color in the Windows PowerShell ISE. How can I change the foreground color in the Windows PowerShell ISE? Use $Host.UI.RawUI.ForegroundColor and assign a new color. For example, to change it to cyan, use: $Host.UI.RawUI.ForegroundColor = 'cyan'
Change Display Output Colors in PowerShell ISE
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about changing the output console colors in the Windows PowerShell ISE. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things I like about using the Write-Host cmdlet is that I can change the color of a line that writes to the Windows PowerShell console. But, what if I want to change the entire output console so that the output is really obvious? I can also do that on the fly by using the $host object. As shown here, the $host object returns a number of properties, and it contains a number of other objects: PS C:\Users\mredw> $host Name ...
Change Display Output Colors in PowerShell ISE
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about changing the output console colors in the Windows PowerShell ISE.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things I like about using the Write-Host cmdlet is that I can change the color of a line that writes to the Windows PowerShell console. But, what if I want to change the entire output console so that the output is really obvious? I can also do that on the fly by using the $host object. As shown here, the $host object returns a number of properties, and it contains a number of other objects:PS C:\Users\mredw> $hostName ...
PowerTip: Display Numeric ASCII Value of Letter
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display the numeric ASCII value of a letter. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the numeric ASCII value associated with a letter? Use [byte] and [char] together. The following example will display the numeric ASCII value of the capital letter A:[byte][char]'A'
Improve Your Writing for Blogs and Technical Articles
Summary: The Scripting Editor, Dia Reeves, offers tips to help you improve your writing. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, I'm enlisting my editor, Dia Reeves, to help you write clear, concise, and consistent blog posts and feature documentation. Take it away Dia... Hello to all of you who have lost your content team (or never had one) and have discovered that you are now writers! Gone are the days where PMs wrote specs, devs wrote code, technical writers documented how to use features, and editors made everything cohesive. Let's hear it...group sighhhh... Additionally, blog writin...
Improve Your Writing for Blogs and Technical Articles
Summary: The Scripting Editor, Dia Reeves, offers tips to help you improve your writing.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, I'm enlisting my editor, Dia Reeves, to help you write clear, concise, and consistent blog posts and feature documentation. Take it away Dia...Hello to all of you who have lost your content team (or never had one) and have discovered that you are now writers! Gone are the days where PMs wrote specs, devs wrote code, technical writers documented how to use features, and editors made everything cohesive.Let's hear it...group sighhhh...Additionally, blog writing has become commo...
PowerTip: Replace Non-Alphabetic Characters in String
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to replace non-alphabetic characters in a string. How can I use Windows PowerShell to replace a string that contains non-alphabetic characters (such as commas and periods)? Use the –Replace operator, and specify a regex pattern '[^a-zA-Z]', for example:$a = 'Never a foot too far, even.'$a -Replace '[^a-zA-Z]',''
PowerTip: Replace Non-Alphabetic Characters in String
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to replace non-alphabetic characters in a string. How can I use Windows PowerShell to replace a string that contains non-alphabetic characters (such as commas and periods)? Use the –Replace operator, and specify a regex pattern '[^a-zA-Z]', for example: $a = 'Never a foot too far, even.' $a -Replace '[^a-zA-Z]',''
Weekend Scripter: Exploring Palindrome Sentences with PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about identifying palindromes that are more than a single word. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the coolest things about palindromes is that they can be formed with sentences. It is also what makes them the most subtle. For example, whereas it is pretty obvious that mom, dad, and the name bob are all the same forward and backward, it is not so obvious that the sentence “Never a foot too far, even” is also considered a palindrome. I mean, if I stand on my head, and hold my ear just so, maybe I get it. Clearly, this is a job for Win...
Weekend Scripter: Exploring Palindrome Sentences with PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about identifying palindromes that are more than a single word.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the coolest things about palindromes is that they can be formed with sentences. It is also what makes them the most subtle. For example, whereas it is pretty obvious that mom, dad, and the name bob are all the same forward and backward, it is not so obvious that the sentence “Never a foot too far, even” is also considered a palindrome. I mean, if I stand on my head, and hold my ear just so, maybe I get it. Clearly, this is a job for Windo...
PowerTip: Find if Variable Is Array
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find if a variable is an array. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find if a variable contains an array? Use the –is operator, and test to see if it is a type of [array], for example: $a = 1,2,4,5,6,7 $a -is [array]
PowerTip: Find if Variable Is Array
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find if a variable is an array. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find if a variable contains an array? Use the –is operator, and test to see if it is a type of [array], for example: $a = 1,2,4,5,6,7 $a -is [array]
Use PowerShell to Find Palindromes
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find palindromes. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I enjoy playing around with words. I like words that sound similar to each other, such as to, too, and two. I also like words that look alike, and sound alike but have different meanings depending on the context, such as might and might. Of course, there is also mite, which goes back into the previous category of words that sound alike. There are also words that look alike, but are pronounced differently depending on the context (which also, of course, alters the mean...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display ASCII Characters
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display ASCII characters. How can I use Windows PowerShell to quickly display printable ASCII characters when I am not connected to the Internet? Use the range operator to create a range of numbers 1 through 128, pipe it to Foreach-Object (% is the alias), and display the current object and the [char] value on the pipeline, for example: 1..128 | %{"$_ $([char]$_)"}
Generate Random Letters with PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about generating random letters with Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need to generate a string of random letters. These letters need to be five characters long, and they should be either upper case or lower case. I do not need any numbers or special characters. In fact, my strings should not contain any special characters—only upper case and lower case letters. I have spent several days on this, and it is not working. I am not looking for a random password generator; I have a rather special application for this. Can you help me? —BG &n...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Mount ISO Image
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to mount ISO images. How can I use Windows PowerShell to mount an ISO image so I can see what it contains? Use the Mount-DiskImage cmdlet and specify a path to the ISO file, for example:Mount-DiskImage -ImagePath C:\Data\en_office_professional_plus_2016_x86_x64_dvd.iso
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Mount ISO Image
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to mount ISO images. How can I use Windows PowerShell to mount an ISO image so I can see what it contains? Use the Mount-DiskImage cmdlet and specify a path to the ISO file, for example: Mount-DiskImage -ImagePath C:\Data\en_office_professional_plus_2016_x86_x64_dvd.iso
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Mount ISO Image
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to mount ISO images. How can I use Windows PowerShell to mount an ISO image so I can see what it contains? Use the Mount-DiskImage cmdlet and specify a path to the ISO file, for example: Mount-DiskImage -ImagePath C:\Data\en_office_professional_plus_2016_x86_x64_dvd.iso
Reverse Strings with PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell to reverse strings. Hey, Scripting Guy! I am working with Windows PowerShell, and I need to reverse a string. I am surprised there is no reverse method in the string class. It seems like a major oversight. Anyway, can you show me how to do this easily?—SS Hello SS,Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week is an awesome week. The MVP Summit is going on, and the Scripting Wife is in Bellevue/Redmond/Seattle hanging with thousands of MVPs from around the world. She keeps sending me text messages, like, "Dud...
PowerTip: Display Network Adapter Binding
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display network adapter binding. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display a list of network adapter binding? In Windows 10, use the Get-NetworkAdapterBinding cmdlet in Windows PowerShell 5.0.
Long String Running
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using a compound string command. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The other day, the Scripting Wife and I headed to Nashville for a couple of speaking engagements. We decided to head through Alabama instead of going through Atlanta for a couple of reasons. We have never driven the length of Alabama, so we were looking for a bit of different scenery. Secondly, because we always spend a couple of hours trying to drive through Atlanta and all of the associated communities in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area (hmmmm….Gamma)? Anyway, it wa...
PowerTip: Create Pop-up Message with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily create a pop-up message. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a pop-up message? Use Out-GridView, and pipe your message string to it, for example: "popup message" | Out-GridView -Title "message box"
Creating Pop-ups by Using PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger and PowerShell MVP, Chrissy LeMaire, talks about creating pop-ups with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome today a brand new guest blogger, Chrissy LeMaire. Chrissy is a systems engineer and PowerShell MVP. Always an avid scripter, she attended the Monad session at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles in 2005. She has worked and played with PowerShell ever since. You can follow her on Twitter at @cl, and read more about her work with PowerShell on her blog, blog.netnerds.net:\>. Here’s Chrissy… A few weeks ago, I built ...
PowerTip: Reverse an Array with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to reverse an array with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to reverse the order of an array stored in a variable? Use the static reverse method from the Array class, for example: $a = @(1,2,3) [array]::reverse($a)
Weekend Scripter: Exploring PowerShell Arrays
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about Exploring Windows PowerShell arrays. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the problems I had with Windows PowerShell when I first learned it was handling arrays. Why? Because they were so easy. Well, they are easy, but they are also a bit confusing. Why? Because Get-Member seems to hide the type, so I may have an array, and it will report string. But that is something I will talk about in a minute. First, let's look at creating an array. Create an array in PowerShell The easiest way to create an array is to simply create a variable and a...
PowerTip: Combine Arrays in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to combine two arrays in Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to combine two arrays stored in two different variables? Use the + operator, for example: [array]$a = @('a','b','c') [array]$b = @(1,2,3) [array]$c = $a + $b
PowerShell Spotlight: November 2015
Summary: Guest blogger and PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson talks about Windows PowerShell community events.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is the last Saturday of October, and that means it is PowerShell Spotlight day with guest blogger, Teresa Wilson.Hello everyone. I hope you are having a scriptastic day! The MVP Summit starts tomorrow. I am looking forward to being in Washington with other MVPs and speaking with the PowerShell team.I know of three events on the horizon to let you know about. The first is on November 11. Ed Wilson will be the guest on the PowerScripting Podcast hosted by MVPs Hal ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Back Up System Databases
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to back up system databases. How can I use Windows PowerShell to dynamically back up all of the system databases on my servers? Combining provider lookups with the Backup-SqlDatabase cmdlet makes this simple: $instances = @(‘KIRK’,’SPOCK’,’PICARD’,’RIKER’) foreach($instance in $instances){ $dbs = Get-ChildItem SQLSERVER:\SQL\$instance\DEFAULT\Databases -Force | Where-Object {$_.IsSystemObject -eq $true -and $_.Name -ne 'TempDB'} ...
Use SQL Server PowerShell Provider for Fun and Profit
Summary: Guest blogger, Mike Fal, talks about leveraging the SQL Server PowerShell provider. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger, Mike Fal. He blogged yesterday (see Getting Information from the SQL Server Provider with PowerShell), and he continues today... In my previous post, I covered how to gather and view data for our SQL Server components by using the SQL Server provider. Gathering this information is simple, just like looking up files in a directory. Being able to grab collection of SQL Server objects and display their properties exposes things quickly and easily for Po...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Versions of SQL Server
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find versions of SQL Server. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see all the versions of SQL Server I have installed? Use the provider and a list of instances to look them up as if they were files in a directory:$instances = @(‘KIRK’,’SPOCK’,’PICARD’,’RIKER’)$instances | ForEach-Object {Get-Item “SQLSERVER:\SQL\$_\DEFAULT”} | Select-Object Name,VersionString
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Versions of SQL Server
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find versions of SQL Server. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see all the versions of SQL Server I have installed? Use the provider and a list of instances to look them up as if they were files in a directory: $instances = @(‘KIRK’,’SPOCK’,’PICARD’,’RIKER’) $instances | ForEach-Object {Get-Item “SQLSERVER:\SQL\$_\DEFAULT”} | Select-Object Name,VersionString
Getting Information from the SQL Server Provider with PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Mike Fal, talks about using the SQL Server provider with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. We have a new guest blogger today. Please welcome Mike Fal. Mike Fal. Mike has over 15 years of experience as a database administrator. He has worked for many different industries, including healthcare, software development, marketing, and manufacturing, and he has experience supporting databases from 1 GB to 5 TB in size. To follow him on Twitter, use @mike_fal. Windows PowerShell providers are an integral part of PowerShell, but their use is so subtle that s...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to List all Azure Subscription Websites
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to list all of your Azure subscription websites. How can I use Windows PowerShell to list all the websites in my Azure subscription that are using the new preview module? After you have authenticated (Add-AzureRmAccount), run: Get-AzureRmResource -ResourceType Microsoft.Web/sites
Use PowerShell to Scale Azure Websites
Summary: Anders Wahlqvist talks about using Windows PowerShell to scale Azure websites. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest post from Anders Wahlqvist. Anders is really active on Twitter—as a matter of fact, that is where we met. I saw references to his blog, read it, and found that he was a good writer and had a lot of excellent stuff to say. So I contacted him and asked if he would like to write for the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog. Here is more about Anders: I work as a consultant at Lumagate focusing on automation and PowerShell. I have a very strong passion about automation a...
PowerTip: Encode String and Execute with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to encode a string into base64 and execute it with Windows PowerShell. How can I encode a string into base64 and then run it via Windows PowerShell? Use these commands: $string = {(Get-WindowsFeature).Where{$PSItem.Installed}}.ToString() $encodedcommand = [Convert]::ToBase64String([Text.Encoding]::Unicode.GetBytes($string)) powershell.exe -EncodedCommand $encodedcommand
Using WinRM on Linux
Summary: Microsoft MVP, David O’Brien, talks about using the pywinrm module to execute Windows PowerShell from Linux. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today Windows PowerShell MVP, David O’Brien, talks about executing Windows PowerShell on Linux. Hi. I’m David O’Brien, Microsoft MVP for Windows PowerShell, and I was asked by Ed if I wanted to share some of my knowledge on his blog. Sure, cool idea! If you want to read more from me, head over to my personal blog or follow me on Twitter @david_obrien. I recently changed jobs. I am now not only managing and implementing the Window...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell Get-Command to Show Syntax
Summary: Use the Windows PowerShell Get-Command cmdlet to show syntax of cmdlets. How can I use Windows PowerShell to explore the allowed syntax for a specific cmdlet? Use the Get-Command cmdlet, and use the –syntax switch, for example: Get-Command Get-WinEvent -Syntax
Spelunking with Show-Object
Summary: Guest blogger, Tim Warner, talks about using the Show-Object cmdlet. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I have another guest post by Tim Warner. By the way, you can meet Tim and other PowerShell enthusiasts at the Nashville PowerShell user group meeting on Wednesday, October 28. I will be there making the presentation. The Scripting Wife will also be in attendance. Also in Nashville this week is Killer Nashville. I will be speaking at that conference too, but not about PowerShell. Hope to see you in Nashville. Take it away Tim... Spelunk [spi-luhngk], verb. To explore caves, especial...
PowerTip: Group PowerShell Cmdlet Count by Version
Summary: Learn how to group Windows PowerShell cmdlet counts by version. How can I see the version of the modules that contain various cmdlets in Windows PowerShell 5.0? Use the Get-Command cmdlet to return all of the cmdlets, and then pipe the results to the Group-Object cmdlet and group and sort by version. gcm | group version | sort version -Descending Note gcm is an alias for Get-Command, group is an alias for Group-Object, and sort is an alias for Sort-Object.
Weekend Scripter: Test Performance of Event Log Queries—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about comparing the performance of various Windows PowerShell event log queries.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I present a video where I talk about examining the performance of various queries from the event log.Note For more information about this technique, see Check Performance of Event Log Queries.Here is the video: [View: is a link to the video if you would like to download it or watch it on another device: Use PowerShell to Measure the Performance of event log queries.I invite you to follow me on Twitter and Facebook. If...
PowerTip: Prompt for Input for PowerShell Script
Summary: Learn how to prompt for input for your Windows PowerShell script. How can I use Windows PowerShell as an easy way to prompt a user for information for my script? Use Read-Host, for example: $a = Read-Host -Prompt "enter your input" The users input is stored in the $a variable. Note Depending on what you are doing, using unchecked user input for your script can be dangerous. It is best to limit user input to prespecified actions. The second best thing is to check the user input to ensure that it meets certain requirements.
Filtering Event Log Entries with PowerShell—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, presents a video that explores filtering event log entries with Windows PowerShell.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I present a video where I talk about using a filter hash table to filter events from the event log.Note For more information about this technique, see Filtering Event Log Events with PowerShell.Here is the video: [View: is a link to the video if you would like to download it or watch it on another device: Using a Filter HashTable to parse event logs by Ed Wilson.Join me tomorrow when I will present a video about comparin...
PowerTip: Record Commands and Output from PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to easily record commands and output from commands in Windows PowerShell. How can I create a text file all commands and output from the commands that I use in Windows PowerShell? Use the Start-Transcript cmdlet. To stop the transcript, use Stop-Transcript. Note In Windows PowerShell 5.0 on Windows 10, Start-Transcript also works inside the Windows PowerShell ISE. In Windows PowerShell 4.0 and earlier it only works in the console.
Parsing Event Log Messages—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, presents a video about parsing Windows event log messages.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I present a video where I talk about using a cmdlet to parse event log messages. Note For more information about this technique, see Easy Parsing of Messages with PowerShell.Here is the video: [View: is a link to the video from YouTube if you would like to download it or play it offline in a different video player: Parse Event Log Messages with PowerShell by Ed Wilson.Join me tomorrow when I will present a video about using fi...
PowerTip: Measure Performance of PowerShell Command
Summary: Measure how long it takes for a Windows PowerShell command to complete. If I change one command to try to improve the speed of my Windows PowerShell script , how can I see if that command is faster than the one I changed? Use the Measure-Command cmdlet. For example, to see if Get-Date or [datetime]::now is faster, place the command in a script block as shown here: Measure-Command -Expression {get-date} Measure-Command -Expression {[datetime]::now}
Check Performance of Event Log Queries
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about checking the performance of various event log queries. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the great things about Windows PowerShell is that I can use Windows PowerShell to see how it is doing and how to optimize it. Sometimes the difference between one query and another query can be remarkable. So how can I do performance monitoring for a command? I use the Measure-Command cmdlet. Here is an example of such a command: Measure-Command -Expression {Get-EventLog -LogName application} This command uses the Get-EventLog cmdlet to read the entire...
PowerTip: Query Multiple Event Logs at Once
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to query multiple event logs at one time. How can I use Windows PowerShell to query events that happened and may be in multiple event logs? Use the Get-WinEvent cmdlet, specify the LogName parameter for both logs, and specify today for the StartTime, for example: Get-WinEvent @{logname='application','system';starttime=[datetime]::today }
Event Log Queries Using PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell to query event logs. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I talk a bit more about using Windows PowerShell to make queries from the event log. Although most large enterprises already have an event log monitoring application, at times it is useful to do these types of queries on your own. Keep in mind that this can generate a lot of network traffic and a decent amount of load if you are not cognizant of what is really going on. As I mentioned yesterday, this can be an area of hidden danger, such as the alligator that th...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Superheroes
Summary: Follow the adventures of PowerShell superheroes. How can I follow the adventures of a couple of PowerShell superheroes as they use PowerShell commands to solve real world problems? You want to follow the adventures of BATCHman and Cmdlet (the boy blunder) as they battle Tapeworm, the evil Hextor, and other problems that real-world admins face. You can find the series, written by Windows PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog: BATCHman Series. To watch the video, see The Adventures of BATCHman and Cmdlet.
Filtering Event Log Events with PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about filtering event log events with the Get-WinEvent cmdlet. Hey, Scripting Guy! I try to use the Get-WinEvent cmdlet to search event logs, but it is pretty hard to do. Also, I don’t see the nice switches that I had with Get-EventLog, so I don’t see why I should use the other cmdlet and have to pipe everything to Select-Object or Where-Object. —EG Hello EG, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things that you need to realize is that with Windows PowerShell, one should always filter to the left of the pipeline. Th...
PowerTip: Get File System errors on NTFS Volumes with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get file system errors on all NTFS volumes. How can I use Windows PowerShell to check your NTFS volumes for file system errors? On Windows 10 with Windows PowerShell 5.0, use the Get-Volume cmdlet to retrieve all volumes and pipe the output to the Get-VolumeCorruptionCount cmdlet, for example: Get-Volume | Get-VolumeCorruptionCount Note This command requires elevation.
Easy Parsing of Messages with PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about parsing event message strings with Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have seen people using different tools to find stuff in strings in Windows PowerShell, but it always looks complicated. Why is that? I thought Windows PowerShell was supposed to make things easier, but this looks really complicated. Where is the PowerShell advantage in all this? —BR Hello BR, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is about a week away (actually October 28, 2015) that the Scripting Wife (Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson) and I will be...
PowerTip: Produce List of Unique Processes with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to filter out duplicate process names. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily get a unique list of processes running on my local computer? Use Get-Process to retrieve the processes and pipe the output to Get-Unique: Get-Process | Get-Unique
Dude It’s a String—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, presents a video to talk about working with strings in Windows PowerShell.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I present a video where I talk about working with strings—in particular empty or null strings. I talk about the differences between empty, null, and white space in strings and present two static string methods that are always available to deal with the problem. Note For more information on these techniques, see Dude, a String Is a String in PowerShell.[View: is a link to the video from YouTube if you would like to download...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Number of Minutes in a Day
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display the number of minutes in a day. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily display how many minutes are in a day? Create a timespan equal to one day, and then select the total minutes from it: (New-TimeSpan -Days 1).totalminutes
Use PowerShell to Parse Network Trace Logs—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, presents a video to show how to use Windows PowerShell to parse network trace logs. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am presenting a video where I show how to use Windows PowerShell to parse network traces. The steps I show are common commands that will normally be run to set up and collect network tracing. I will talk about the following: Note For more information about this technique, see Use PowerShell to Parse Network Trace Logs. Also check out yesterday's video, Use PowerShell to Collect Network Traces. Here is the video: [View:...
PowerTip: Find Information about Operations Management Suite
Summary: Learn how to find information about Microsoft Operations Management Suite. How can I easily find the latest and coolest blogs and information about Operations Management Suite? On Twitter, create a filter for #MSOMS.
Use PowerShell to Collect Network Traces—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, presents a video that shows how to use Windows PowerShell to collect network traces.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I'm present a video where I show how to use Windows PowerShell to collect network traces. The steps I show are common commands that will normally be run to set up and collect network tracing. I talk about the following: Note For more information about this technique, see Use PowerShell to Parse Network Trace Logs.Here is the video: [View: is a link to the video from YouTube if you would like to downlo...
Now Available! Windows PowerShell Step by Step, Third Edition
We’re pleased to announce the availability of Windows PowerShell Step by Step, Third Edition (ISBN 9780735675117), by Ed Wilson. Purchase from these online retailers: Microsoft Press Store Amazon.com Barnes & Noble Independent booksellers – Shop local Your hands-on guide to Windows PowerShell scripting fundamentals Expand your expertise—and teach yourself the fundamentals of Windows PowerShell scripting, including features available in Windows PowerShell 5.0. If you are an IT professional, power user, or consultant, you’ll get the guidance, exercises, and code you need to master core tec...
PowerTip: Get Unique Numbers from Array
Summary: Learn how to get unique numbers from an array. How can I use Windows PowerShell to return only the numbers that are unique in an array? Sort the array of numbers, then pipe the output to the Get-Unique cmdlet, for example: $a = 1,2,7,6,4,3,3,2,9 $a | sort | Get-Unique Note Sort is an alias for the Sort-Object cmdlet.
Use PowerShell to Parse Network Trace Logs
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell to analyze packet trace logs. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to finish my discussion about analyzing a network trace log that was captured by using the cmdlets from the NetEventPacketCapture module. Note To start my network trace, I need to use the following four commands: Remove-NetEventSession $session = New-NetEventSession -Name "Session1" Add-NetEventProvider -Name "Microsoft-Windows-TCPIP" -SessionName "Session1” Start-NetEventSession -Name "...
PowerTip: Sort an Array of Numbers with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to sort an array of numbers with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily sort an array of numbers? Pipe the array to the Sort-Object (sort is an alias) cmdlet, for example: $a = 1,2,7,6,4,3,3,2,9 $a | sort
Packet Sniffing with PowerShell: Looking at Messages
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson talks about looking at the message field in a packet log with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Yesterday I begin analyzing a packet trace log. Note For more information about setting up and making a packet trace, see Packet Sniffing with PowerShell: Getting Started. For more information about doing basic analytics, see Use PowerShell to Parse Network Log. You may be surprised if you have rebooted your computer, logged off and back on, and opened and closed Windows PowerShell. If you go to create a new net event session, and you call ...
Use PowerShell to Parse Network Log
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell to parse a network trace log.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to talk a little bit about using Windows PowerShell to parse a network trace log. In yesterday’s blog post, Packet Sniffing with PowerShell: Getting Started, I talked using Windows PowerShell to do a network trace.Yesterday, I created a network trace log. I can use that log, or I can create a new log. Note These commands require that Windows PowerShell is elevated.When I...
PowerTip: Send Message to Information Stream in PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to send information for a command to a separate information stream. How can I use Windows PowerShell to send information to a user via a separate information stream, without changing the default information preference variable? In Windows PowerShell 5.0, use the new Write-Information cmdlet, for example: gps ; Write-Information "process information" -InformationAction continue Note gps is an alias for the Get-Process cmdlet.
PowerTip: Display Every PowerShell Example in Help
Summary: Display every Windows PowerShell example that Help contains. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display every Help example that Windows PowerShell contains? Use Get-Command to retrieve all of the cmdlet names, pipe the output to Foreach-Object, and call Get-Help with the –Example switch, for example: gcm | % {get-help $_.name -ex} Note GCM is an alias for Get-Command and % is an alias for Foreach-Object.
Packet Sniffing with PowerShell: Getting Started
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about getting started with packet sniffing in Windows PowerShell.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the way cool things that happened with Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 was the ability to do network traces with Windows PowerShell. I have found network tracing extremely useful and helpful in troubleshooting and diagnostics ever since I wrote my book, Network Monitoring and Analysis: A Protocol Approach to Troubleshooting.In the past, I have used batch files, automated the NetMon API, and done all kinds of crazy things to tr...
PowerTip: Find Windows Capabilities with PowerShell
Summary: Find Windows capabilities with Windows PowerShell on Windows 10. How can I use Windows PowerShell 5.0 on Windows 10 to determine capabilities such as handwriting, optical character recognition (OCR), speech, and text-to-speech on my installation? Use the Get-WindowsCapability cmdlet, specify the -Online parameter, and filter for a state of Installed, for example: Get-WindowsCapability -Online | where state -eq 'Installed' &nb...
Playing with JSON and PowerShell—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, presents a video where he describes converting JSON data with Windows PowerShell.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I present a video where I talk about using the ConvertFrom-JSON cmdlet to parse information returned via Invoke-WebRequest. I am using Windows PowerShell 5.0 on Windows 10 to illustrate this technique. It is powerful and useful, and it makes for a better experience than having to parse XML. Note For more information about this technique, see Playing with JSON and Power...
PowerTip: Find Latest Events in Windows Event Log
Summary: Learn how to quickly find the latest events in a Windows event log. How can I use Windows PowerShell to look in the Application log to see the latest events? Use the Get-Eventlog cmdlet, specify the log name, and select newest events, for example: Get-EventLog application -Newest 5
Troubleshooting WinRM—The Video Part 2
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, presents a video about troubleshooting WinRM (part 2). Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I present part two of my troubleshooting WinRM video. In this video, I talk about five basic commands that are used in troubleshooting WinRM. Note For more information about these commands see this Hey, Scripting Guy Blog post: Troubleshooting WinRM with PowerShell—Part 2. I hope you enjoy this video. [View: Here is a link to the video from YouTube if you would like to download it or play it offline in a different video player (like stream it on your Xbox...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Windows Home Location
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get the Windows home location setting. How can I get the Windows GeoID home location setting for the current user account with Windows PowerShell 5.0 on Windows 10? Use the Get-WinHomeLocation cmdlet.
Troubleshoot WinRM—The Video Part 1
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, presents a video about troubleshooting WinRM (part 1). Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I present a video where I talk a bit about troubleshooting WinRM. First I talk about looking at the WinRM logs, and then I talk about checking specific things such as: Note For more information about this technique, refer to: Here is the video... [View: Here is a link to the video from YouTube if you would like to download it or play it offline in a different video player (like stream it on your Xbox One like I do): Troubleshooting WinRM Part 1 ...
PowerTip: Find Win32 Type Data in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to find Win32 WMI classes in Windows PowerShell that have type data. How can I easily find which WMI classes in Windows PowerShell have their own type data? Use the Get-TypeData cmdlet and filter for types that contain Win32, for example: Get-TypeData -TypeName *win32*
Playing with JSON and PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about playing with JSON and Windows PowerShell 5.0. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Scripting Wife has an updated shopping list. It includes a Microsoft Band 2 and a Surface Pro 4. The launch was a mouthwatering event and really well done. One of the cool cmdlets in Windows PowerShell 5.0 on Windows 10 is the ConvertFrom-JSON cmdlet. One reason it is cool is that it will convert a Java Script Object Notation (JSON) string into a custom Windows PowerShell object. This is a cool way to interact with web services, and it can save...
PowerTip: Concatenate String Array with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to concatenate elements of a array. How can I use Windows PowerShell to concatenate the elements of a string array? Use the static Concat method from the String class, for example: $a = "string a" $b = "string b" $arr = @($a,$b) [string]::Concat($arr)
Dude, a String Is a String in PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using string methods to determine null or empty in Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a problem with a script. It is used to write data to another application, but sometimes the variables in it are empty. I have tried to detect this by checking to see if the variable is equal to $null, but this does not work very well. I need a different way to do this. Can you help? —JB Hello JB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. When I was looking out the window this morning, I saw a squirrel drop from a tree, look up, and then bun...
PowerTip: Enable PowerShell Remoting
Summary: Learn how to enable Windows PowerShell remoting. How can I turn on Windows PowerShell remoting on my workstation so it will run remote commands? Use the Enable-PSRemoting cmdlet.
Troubleshooting WinRM with PowerShell—Part 2
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about troubleshooting WinRM. Hey, Scripting Guy! So I thought that Windows PowerShell remoting was supposed to just work. Well, it doesn't. I am confused, and don’t even know where to begin. I am pretty sure that it should be enabled, but it is not working. Can you help? —EG Hello EG, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning it is rather foggy outside. To be honest, I am not really certain if it is fog or low lying clouds. The weather stations are talking about a hurricane, but we are in central Florida, so we will no...
PowerTip: Produce List of Disabled Windows Features
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to produce a list of disabled Windows features. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see what Windows features are disabled in my installation? Open an elevated Windows PowerShell console, use the Get-WindowsOptionalFeatures cmdlet, and specify that you want to run the command online. You may also want to filter the list by disabled state and sort the list, for example: Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online | ? state -eq 'disabled' | select featurename | sort -Descending Note&nbs...
Troubleshoot WinRM with PowerShell—Part 1
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell to look at WinRM logs. Hey, Scripting Guy! I am having problems with WinRM. When I use the Get-CimInstance cmdlet, it fails. When I specify the –DCOM protocol for Get-CimInstance, it works. I suspect I have a WinRM problem. How can I go about troubleshooting it? —TB Hello TB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the great things about Windows, regardless of the version, is that there are some awesome diagnostics and operational logs. I am not talking about the traditional event logs that have b...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find System Uptime
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find your system uptime. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily find how long my computer has been running? Use the Get-Date cmdlet to return the current date and time, and then subtract the value of the LastBootUpTime property that comes from the Win32_OperatingSystem, for example: (get-date) - (gcim Win32_OperatingSystem).LastBootUpTime Note GCIM is an alias for Get-CimInstance.
Weekend Scripter: That’s Not Very PowerShell-Like
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about what is Windows PowerShell-like scripting.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Before Internet streaming, before Nabster, before CD-ROMs, before cassette tapes, and before 8-track tapes, there were things called records. Now it seems that all technology related to music (unless you are talking about live acoustic performances) are subject to some kind of something that will cause them to fail.With records, it was a scratches. Not the invisible sorts of scratches that cause DVDs to fail—no, I mean serious scratches that came from someone bumpin...
PowerTip: Create Sortable GUI List of Files with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display a filterable GUI list of files. How can I use Windows PowerShell to filter a list of files using a graphical user interface? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet to obtain a directory list, select all of the properties and pipe the output to the Out-GridView cmdlet, for example: dir c:\fso | select * | ogv Note Dir is an alias for Get-ChildItem and ogv is an alias for Out-GridView.
Weekend Scripter: Search and Filter Directory Lists with PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell to sort, search, and to filter through a directory list. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of my friends on Facebook posted a picture of a bunch of hardwood trees all decked out in fall colors. It was rather pretty. That is the down side to living in central Florida—I mean, I have never seen a palm tree in fall colors. Of course, it is 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius), so I guess we don’t really have fall. But the humidity is dropping (down to 55% instead of the usual 75%), so it feels cool outsi...
PowerTip: Use Non-Approved Cmdlet or App within PowerShell Workflow
Summary: Learn how to use a basic inline script in Windows PowerShell workflows. I’m trying to convert a Windows PowerShell script to a workflow, but I keep running into an error that suggests the cmdlet cannot be used in a workflow. How can I get around this? Wrap that section of the workflow as an inline script, and recapture your variables with the Using keyword, for example: Inlinescript { &nbs...
Use PowerShell to Create Windows To Go Keys—Part 5
Summary: Use a basic Windows PowerShell workflow to create multiple devices. Hey, Scripting Guy! I was wondering if there is an efficient way to use Windows PowerShell to create multiple Windows To Go keys at the same time.—TM Hello TM,Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today. I am going to wind up my week of posts by playing with that very idea. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Today I'm going to implement a basic Windows PowerShell workflow to image multiple Windows To Go keys from the same image. The process is actually ve...
PowerTip: Back up Drivers with PowerShell
Summary: Use the Export-WindowsDriver cmdlet to back up all of your Windows drivers elsewhere. How can I use Windows PowerShell in Windows 10 to get a copy of the current drivers in my Windows operating system when my computer is a clone system? Use the Export-WindowsDriver cmdlet to back up all of your drivers to a folder or a USB device, for example: Export-WindowsDriver -Online -Destination I:\
Use PowerShell to Create Windows To Go Keys—Part 4
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to inject drivers and populate the data for Unattend.xml. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a Windows To Go key. Is there a script to automatically give the key a proper workstation name or possibly even add some additional drivers?—TG Hello TG,Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here, and the magical answer to your question, which is, "YES!" Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Windows To Go isn’t really all that special. The ability to add drivers though DISM, automatically name a workstation, or ...
PowerTip: Launch Console Command Embedded in Powershell Variable
Summary: Use a variable to launch a Windows PowerShell cmdlet and maintain the value of $LastExitCode. How can I use Windows PowerShell to launch a variable that contains the path to a console application while retaining the error code? Use the & character before the content in question. This example launches Tree.com in System32 by passing in the Environment variable for Windows: & "$ENV:Windir\system32\tree.com"
Use PowerShell to Create Windows To Go Keys—Part 3
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to apply an image to a Windows To Go key and make it bootable. Hey, Scripting Guy! Now that I have a Windows To Go key partitioned and formatted for use, how do I apply the operating system image to it?—MR Hello MR,Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to continue forth and show you the next step in creating a Windows To Go key. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: To use Windows To Go, we must have one of the following versions of the Windows operating system: The source of the image can be a gold...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Where Drive Letter is Stored
Summary: Use the Get-Partition and Get-Disk cmdlets to identify data storage locations. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily figure out which disk a particular drive letter is on? Use Get-Partition with the drive letter and pipe the results to Get-Disk, for example: Get-Partition –DriveLetter Z | Get-Disk
Use PowerShell to Create Windows To Go Keys—Part 2
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to partition a Windows To Go device. Hey, Scripting Guy! Am I able to use Windows PowerShell to set up the necessary partitions to prepare a Window To Go key?—LL Hello LL,Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here. I'm continuing with my little chat about setting up Windows To Go keys through Windows PowerShell. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Yesterday, I talked about how to use the Get-Disk cmdlet to identify keys. Today I'm going to use that information to prepare the necessary partition structure....
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Identify Bootable Disks
Summary: Use the Get-Disk cmdlet to identify all bootable devices that are attached. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see which USB devices are set to be bootable on my workstation? Use the Get-Disk cmdlet and filter on the BootFromDisk and BusType properties, for example: Get-Disk | Where { $_.BusType -eq 'USB' -and $_.BootFromDisk -eq $TRUE }
Use PowerShell to Create Windows To Go Keys—Part 1
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to identify Windows To Go devices. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve heard a lot of talk about Windows To Go amongst the IT pros at our local user group. I was wondering how I would go about trying to create them with Windows PowerShell? —DM Hello DM, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today, and I’m happy to share that knowledge with you. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Before I start on the Windows PowerShell part, I’ll touch quickly on what Windows To Go is. It&rs...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Approved Verb
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find an approved verb. I want to write a new function that will connect a young Jedi Knight to the force by using the noun TheForce and the verb Use. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find if Use is an approved verb? Use the Get-Verb cmdlet and pass it to the verb: Get-Verb Use
Weekend Scripter: Parsing the DISM Log with PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about parsing the DISM log with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things I like to do on weekends is mess around. So I was intrigued when I found a DISM command that would supposedly export file associations (see DISM Default Application Association Servicing Command-Line Options). I thought, "Cool." Unfortunately, I was not able to find a “PowerShell way" of doing it, but then, hey, the cool thing about a command-line environment is that it makes command-line tools really easy-to-use. So I gave it a ...
PowerTip: Finding PowerShell User Groups
Summary: Learn how to find out about Windows PowerShell user groups. Where can I find out about local or virtual user groups? Check out these sites to find information about when and where user groups are meeting, in addition to the topics of conversation:
September PowerShell Spotlight
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about events happening in the world of PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is the last Saturday of the month again, and the day that the Scripting Wife, Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, takes over the keyboard to share upcoming community events and news. I like to call it PowerShell Spotlight. P.S. Speaking of spotlight...I may get in trouble for this, but oh well...HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, Teresa! Greetings scripters, It appears that there is a lot going on in the next few weeks. First off, on Oct 3-4, there is the Silicon Valle...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Events for Specific Day
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get event log events that occur on a specific day. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get application event log events that occur only on Sept. 24, 2015? Use the Get-EventLog cmdlet and specify the log name and the before and the after dates, for example: Get-EventLog -LogName application -After "9/24/15" -Before "9/25/15"
A Tale of Two PowerShell Cmdlets
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell to explore classic event logs. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. When you get to version five of anything, you already begin to see signs on strain and pain. I mean, take Windows NT 5.0, for example. Oh yeah. That one was delayed for about five years, and it eventually became Windows 2000. Part of the reason is that no matter how good the original version or vision was, things change. Priorities change. And more often than not, computers and technology change. Often, it is easier to create a new tool, than to retrofit an ...
PowerTip: Get Specific Service Information with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to get specific service information. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find information about services, if I do not want to include any service that has a name that begins with the letter “s”? Use the Exclude parameter from the Get-Service cmdlet, for example: gsv -Exclude s* Note Gsv is an alias for the Get-Service cmdlet.
The Death of PowerShell Scripting
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about the reduced need to use Windows PowerShell scripting. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you already know that my new book, Windows PowerShell Step by Step, third edition, is on its way to the printers. I am not going to talk about that today—but it dawned on me as I was completing the final tasks for this book, that I did not talk about as much scripting in the book as I did, for example, in the Windows PowerShell 1.0 Step by Step book. This is not because I don’t like to script. In fact, ...
PowerTip: Get Week of Year with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to get the week of the year. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find how many weeks are left in the current year—without doing lot of math or calendaring stuff? Use the Get-Date cmdlet but specify a –uformat of %V: Get-Date -UFormat %V Note Please remember that UFormat strings are case sensitive, so it is capital V, not lowercase v.
Extending Objects with PowerShell: Week of the Year
Summary: Ed Wilson talks about adding members to an object with Windows PowerShell to get the week of the year.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things about Windows PowerShell is that it is configurable. Not merely configurable, but amazingly flexible. For example, when I look at a DateTime object, I see the following:PS C:\Users\mredw> Get-Date | fl *DisplayHint : DateTimeDateTime : Tuesday, September 22, 2015 11:48:25 AMDate : 9/22/2015 12:00:00 AMDay : 22DayOfWeek &nbs...
PowerTip: Find Number of Hours in Number of Days
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the number of hours in a number of days. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily figure out how many hours are in 30 days without doing any multiplication? Use New-TimeSpan to create a timespan object for 30 days. The output will tell the number of hours, minutes, and seconds in the timespan. Here is an example: New-TimeSpan -Days 30 To return only the number of hours, retrieve the TotalHours property: PS C:\> (New-TimeSpan -Days 30).totalhours 720
Break Text File into Chunks with PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about breaking the contents of a text file into chunks with Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! The other day, you tweeted Get First 140 Characters from String with PowerShell. That is fine, but what about the rest of the text? I mean, if I want to break a text file into lines of 140 characters, how do I go about it? Can you provide a concrete example please? —BG Hello BG, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The markets are mixed, there is a chance of afternoon thunderstorms, and there is a lizard scampering about on the outside pat...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Determine Host
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find your PowerShell host. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine what PowerShell host is being used? Use the Get-Host cmdlet. To get only the name of the host, use the following syntax: (Get-Host).name
Talk Like a Pirate—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks a bit about the script he wrote to translate pirate speech by using Invoke-WebRequest.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I present a video where I talk a bit about my script to submit data to a webpage and receive information back from that page. These sorts of web projects seem to take a lot of time—in fact, many times it seems like they take more time than they are worth.This is because each webpage can be different, and because they can change on a whim. It is much better to have a structured API or a web service to perform these types of...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Title of Foreground Word Document
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the title of the foreground Word document. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the title of the Word document that is currently in the foreground when I have several documents open? The Get-Process cmdlet with the MainWindowTitle property will list the title of the Word document. This example presents the main window title and the start time of the application: Get-Process winword | select starttime, MainWindowTitle
Weekend Scripter: A Way Cool DevOps Conference in London
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about a way cool DevOps conference in London.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Sometimes, things are really crazy, and at other times, things are just normally crazy. One of the cool things about being the Scripting Guy is that I hear from people all over the world, and as time progresses, we become friends around a shared interest in automation.So, I received a way cool invitation the other day via scripter@microsoft.com to attend a DevOps conference in London. Unfortunately, I am not flying right now, but I talked to the organizer, and we decided tha...
PowerTip: Display Current Time with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to display the current time by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display the time with the hour, minute, and seconds? Use the ToString method from the Get-Date cmdlet, and use the long time pattern format string (see Standard Date and Time Format Strings) to overload the method, for example: (get-date).ToString('T')
Weekend Scripter: PowerShell for "Talk Like a Pirate" Day
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell to translate for International Talk Like A Pirate day. Ahoy mates! Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is one of my favorite holidays of the year—probably my favorite holiday. Yep, it is International Talk Like a Pirate day today. The Scripting Wife and I are heading to the coast for some authentic pirate reenactments and a fun day of culture and education. Arrrrrr... Here is a picture of the Scripting Wife trying out her pirate speak with a couple of nautical looking individuals. Well, me hearties...If you would ...
PowerTip: Find Effective AppLocker Policy with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the effective AppLocker policy. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the effective AppLocker policy after considering domain policies and local policies? Open Windows PowerShell with Admin rights, and use the Get-AppLockerPolicy cmdlet with the –Effective switch: Get-AppLockerPolicy -Effective
How to Use Try/Catch/Finally for Non-Terminating Errors
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell and Try/Catch/Finally for non-terminating errors.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to present a video about using Windows PowerShell Try/Catch/Finally with non-terminating errors—that is, Windows PowerShell can progress past the errors when they occur to the next line of code.Note For more information, refer to Understanding Non-Terminating Errors in PowerShell.Here is the video: [View: is a link to the video from YouTube if you would like to download it or play it offline in a different vide...
PowerTip: Find Operating System Version and Installation Date with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the operating system version and installation date. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the version of my Windows operating system, its installation date, and the operating system architecture? Use the Get-CimInstance cmdlet (GCIM is an alias) and query the Win32_OperatingSystem WMI class, for example: gcim Win32_OperatingSystem | select Version, InstallDate, OSArchitecture
Understanding Two Types of PowerShell Errors—The Video
Summary: In this video, Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about two types of Windows PowerShell errors.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to present a video I made about structured error handling, in specific, about terminating errors.Note For more information, refer to Error Handling: Two Types of Errors.Here is the video:[View: is a link to the video from YouTube if you would like to download it or play it offline in a different video player: Intro To Error Handling in PowerShell by Ed Wilson.I invite you to follow me on Twitter and Facebook. If you have any questions, ...
PowerTip: Check What PowerShell Does When Error Occurs
Summary: See what Windows PowerShell will do when an error occurs. How can I check the setting so I will know what Windows PowerShell will do if an error occurs? Look for the value of the $ErrorActionPreference. By default, it is set to Continue, which means it will attempt to execute the next command. Other values are Stop, Inquire, and Ignore. Here is an example of the command: PS C:\> $ErrorActionPreferenceContinue
Understanding Non-Terminating Errors in PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about understanding non-terminating errors in Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! Yesterday in Error Handling: Two Types of Errors, you were talking about terminating errors and how you can use Try/Catch/Finally with those, but you did not really say what a non-terminating error is. Can you talk about that for a little bit please? —SK Hello SK, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sitting here sipping a cup of English Breakfast tea with a cinnamon stick in it, and munching on a piece of baklava. You see, we just cel...
PowerTip: Get First 140 Characters from String with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to retrieve the first 140 characters from a string. How can I use Windows PowerShell to retrieve the first 140 characters from a string? Use the SubString method from a string. Specify the starting point (in this case 0) and the number of characters to retrieve (in this case 140). The following example assumes that $a contains a string with more than 140 characters: $a.SubString(0,140)
Error Handling: Two Types of Errors
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about error handling and two types of errors. Hey, Scripting Guy! I really don’t get it. Everyone tells me I need to use Try/Catch/Finally to catch errors, but it simply won’t work. I am not sure if there is a bug in Windows PowerShell, but I wish you guys would fix it because it doesn't work. Can you help me? —SH Hello SH, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is becoming fall around here in central Florida. In fact, last night it got down to about 69 degrees Fahrenheit. I mean, it was cold. It is something to look fo...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Exported Types
Summary: Learn how to find Windows PowerShell exported types. How can I easily look at runspace exported types in Windows PowerShell? Call the Assembly property from the [psobject] type accelerator, and then call the GetExportedTypes() method, for example: [psobject].Assembly.GetExportedTypes()
Backwards Compatibility in PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about backwards compatibility in Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I wrote a script on a system with Windows PowerShell 4.0 installed. Is there an easy way to find out the earliest version of Windows PowerShell on which it will run?—DH Hello DH,Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This question did not come in via the scripter@microsoft.com email alias. Instead, it came via Twitter to @ScriptingGuys. It doesn’t matter if the question is about Windows PowerShell 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, or even Windows PowerShell 2.0. The answer is t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create New Virtual Disk
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a new virtual disk. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a new virtual disk? Use the New-VirtualDisk cmdlet, for example: New-VirtualDisk -StoragePoolFriendlyName Data -FriendlyName MyData -Size 10GB
Weekend Scripter: PowerShell 5 Class Inheritance and Overrides—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, presents a video where he talks about class inheritance and property overrides in Windows PowerShell 5.0.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The air show in Tampa was awesome. Today the Scripting Wife and I decided to head to the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. It is a lot of fun, and besides that, it is a beautiful weekend to have a birthday. Before we head out, however, I want to share a video I made where I talk a little bit about class inheritance in Windows PowerShell 5.0.Note For more information about class inheritance and property overrides i...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create New Partition
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a new partition on a disk. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a new partition on a disk? Use the New-Partition cmdlet, specify the disk number, and assign a new drive letter and size, for example: New-Partiton -DiskNumber 2 -UseMaximumSize -AssignDriveLetter
Weekend Scripter: Overloaded Class Constructors in PowerShell 5—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, introduces a video about overloaded class constructors in Windows PowerShell 5.0 in Windows 10.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This is my birthday weekend, so today the Scripting Wife decided to take me to Tampa for the air show. As it turns out, my buddy and Microsoft evangelist, Blain Barton, is also going to show up at the air show.Blain and I are planning to make another IT Time video. Our last video became one of the most popular videos on Channel 9, and it was even featured on the front page of Channel 9 news for a while. Check it out: "Offshore...
PowerTip: Clone Virtual Disk with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to clone a virtual disk. How can I use Windows PowerShell to clone a virtual disk? Use the New-VirtualDiskClone cmdlet, for example: New-VirtualDiskClone –virtualDiskFriendlyName “mydata” –TargetVirtualDiskName “ClonedData” –TargetStoragePoolName “ClonePool”
Overriding Inheritance in PowerShell 5 Classes
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about overriding inheritance in Windows PowerShell 5.0 classes. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things that is pretty cool about Windows PowerShell 5.0 classes, is that I can override the things I inherit from a base class. This offers a lot of flexibility because it means that when I inherit from a class, I can customize my new class based on my needs instead of being stuck with a lot of stuff that does not meet the requirements. One thing I need to do is to override a couple of the properties that I inherit from my Vehicle base class. Th...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create New GUID
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a new GUID. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily generate a new GUID for a project.? Use the New-Guid cmdlet. If you need to create more than one, you can use code such as the following (% is an alias for Foreach-Object): 1..4 | % {new-guid}
Use Inheritance in PowerShell 5 Classes
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using inheritance with Windows PowerShell 5.0 classes in Windows 10. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to talk about class inheritance with Windows PowerShell 5.0 in Windows 10. In Introduction to PowerShell 5 Classes, I talked about class design and I mentioned how important it was to spend time designing classes before you begin the writing. As it turns out, I did not really do that. In PowerShell 5: Create Simple Class, I designed a Car class, but you know what? Nearly every property, method, and enum that I designed for the Car c...
PowerTip: Find Class Constructors in PowerShell 5
Summary: Learn how to easily find class constructors. How can I use Windows PowerShell 5.0 to find the constructor overloads for a new class I want to create? Place the class in square brackets, and call the static New method with no parentheses, for example: [datetime]::new
PowerShell 5 Classes: Constructor Overloading
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using the new Windows PowerShell 5.0 class feature in Windows 10 and doing constructor overloading. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to talk about overloaded constructors. I know, I know, I know… It sounds like some sort of engineering failure. But that is not the case. In fact, constructor overloading makes your code much more flexible, and even easier to read—when you learn the trick. And today we are going to unmask the secrets of constructor overloading with Windows PowerShell 5.0 classes in Windows 10. This is way cool stuff...
PowerTip: Quickly Fix a Volume with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to perform a quick fix on a volume. How can I use Windows PowerShell to perform a quick fix on a volume that is somewhat suspect? Use the Repair-Volume cmdlet and specify the drive letter and the SpotFix parameter, for example: Repair-Volume -DriveLetter E -SpotFix
Adding Methods to PowerShell 5 Classes—The Video
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, presents a video about adding methods to Windows PowerShell 5 classes in Windows 10.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am presenting a video where I talk about adding methods to Windows PowerShell 5.0 classes in Windows 10. To be honest, a class with no methods does not do too much. In the video, I talk about methods that are simply called with no parameters and about methods that require input parameters to work properly. This makes classes in Windows PowerShell 5.0 very powerful.Note For more information, refer to Adding Methods to a Power...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Check Volume for Errors
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to check a volume for errors. How can I use Windows PowerShell 5.0 to check a volume for errors on my Windows 10 computer? Use the Repair-Volume cmdlet, and specify the Scan parameter, for example: Repair-Volume -DriveLetter E -Scan
Create PowerShell 5 Classes with Enums—The Video
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, presents a video about creating Windows PowerShell 5.0 classes by using enums in Windows 10.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, I continue my video series about creating classes. I create a couple of enums and use them as types for my properties of the Car class.Note For more information, refer to Adding Enums to PowerShell 5 Classes.[View: is a link to the video from YouTube if you would like to download it or play it offline in a different video player: Using Enums In PowerShell Classes by Ed Wilson.Please join me tomorrow when I will prese...
PowerTip: Set Network Connection Profile with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to configure the network connection profile. How can I use Windows PowerShell to set the network connection profile for my network adapter? Use the Get-NetAdapter cmdlet to retrieve a network adapter, pipe it to the Set-NetConnectionProfile cmdlet, and specify the network category, for example: Get-NetAdapter | Set-NetConnectionProfile -NetworkCategory Private
Weekend Scripter: Create a Simple PowerShell 5 Class—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, presents a video about adding members to Windows PowerShell 5.0 classes in Windows 10.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to present a video I made that illustrates how to create a simple Windows PowerShell 5.0 class. In the video, I cover using the Class and Static keywords, and how to constrain the types of properties. I also show a simple way to create an instance of the class and how to add values to the properties of the class. Note For more information, refer to PowerShell 5: Create Simple Class.[View: is a link to the video ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Determine Network Connection Profile
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to determine the network connection profile. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine the network connection profile my network adapter has picked up? Use the Get-NetConnectionProfile cmdlet.
Weekend Scripter: Introduction to PowerShell 5 classes—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, presents a video to introduce Windows PowerShell 5 classes in Windows 10.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is a wonderful morning here in central Florida. The sun is already shining, and I am thinking about heading out to take some cool nature pictures. The land around here is quite impressive—wild, untamed, and seemingly unchanged for the last thousand years. In fact, some of the trees seem to have been around for about that long.One thing that does not remain static is Windows PowerShell. With Windows PowerShell 5.0, we now have some impressi...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Clean Up Temp Files
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to delete temporary files. How can I use Windows PowerShell to clean up a bunch of files that are stored in my temp directory? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet (dir is an alias), point it to the $env:temp directory, and pipe the results to the Remove-Item cmdlet, for example: dir $env:TEMP -Recurse | Remove-Item -Force -Recurse
Adding Methods to a PowerShell 5 Class
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about adding methods to a Windows PowerShell 5.0 class in Windows 10. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Having a bunch of properties, although cool, is in the end, rather unsatisfying. I remember trying to teach VBScript and WMI in the old days. Although it was possible to glean lots of information, there were few things that actually did anything. I could easily find the name and the driver of the sound card, but I could not disable the sound card. I could find the screen resolution, but I could not change the screen resolution. I could find the curre...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find ETW Providers
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find Event Trace for Windows (ETW) providers. How can I use Windows PowerShell 5.0 to see what Event Trace for Windows (ETW) providers are installed on my computer running Windows 10? Open the Windows PowerShell console with Admin rights, and use the Get-ETWTraceProvider cmdlet.
Creating Instances of PowerShell 5 Classes
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about creating instances of Windows PowerShell 5.0 classes in Windows 10. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am up early. I have the windows open, and I am enjoying the early morning breeze that precedes the midmorning sun and afternoon thunderstorms. I am looking over some of the comments about this week’s series of Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts, and I see that someone didn’t like the way I spelled Camero in my code. Oh well, I probably should have stuck with BMW Z-3 or Z-4. Someone else mentioned that there are three-wheel ca...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to View Appx Log
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to view the Appx log for deployment messages. How can I use Windows PowerShell 5.0 in Windows 10 to examine the Appx log for deployment messages? Use the Get-AppxLog cmdlet and filter on ID 603: Get-AppxLog | Where id -eq 603
Adding Enums to PowerShell 5 Classes
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about adding enums to Windows PowerShell 5.0 classes in Windows 10. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is my birthday week...almost. It is the kind of thing that one needs to begin making plans and preparations for. I know that the Scripting Wife, aka Teresa, is busy working to make this birthday week one of the best ever—at least, I hope that is what she is up to. The cool thing is that after my birthday week, it will be time for her birthday week, so we take pretty much the entire month of September to celebrate birthdays. Then it is October,...
PowerTip: Verify Default Output Encoding in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to verify your default output encoding in Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to verify my default output encoding? Check the value of the $OutputEncoding automatic variable: PS C:\> $OutputEncoding
PowerShell 5: Create Simple Class
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about creating a simple class in Windows PowerShell 5.0 in Windows 10. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The good news is that so far the weather person has been wrong—every single day for the last five days in a row. The bad news is that, well, unfortunately, I believed the weather person, and so I have been huddled in at home, looking out the windows for a storm that never arrived. We have had a little bit of rain, but not even the normal afternoon thunder storms. Guess I shouldn’t complain, but I was hoping to go take pictures of alligat...
PowerTip: Float PowerShell Help
Summary: Learn how to display your Windows PowerShell Help in a new window. How can I keep my Windows PowerShell Help open so I can look at it while I am trying my new code? Use the ShowWindow parameter. It will open a new window that contains your Help and allow you to move it around on your screen. More importantly, it returns your Windows PowerShell console back to you. Here is such a command: Get-Help about_Classes -ShowWindow
Introduction to PowerShell 5 Classes
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about Windows PowerShell 5 classes in Windows 10.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is an interesting morning. We are up early, looking around, and trying to decide if the latest tropical storm is going to become a hurricane...and if it is going to hit or miss Florida.Of course, in Central Florida, we will get a miss, but still it could mean several days of high winds, lots of rain, a bit of flooding, and perhaps some power outages. So we need to stock up on food and water, and fill up the vehicles with petrol. I am thinking we need to make sure we h...
PowerTip: Retrieve Last Token with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to retrieve the last token and avoid retyping. I used Get-Process to view a process I launched, and later I wanted to stop the process. How can I do this without doing a lot of typing or creating new variables? The $$ automatic variable contains the last token submitted, so do the following:PS C:\> notepadPS C:\> gps $$Handles NPM(K) PM(K) WS(K) VM(M) CPU(s) Id ProcessName------- ------ ----- &nb...
Weekend Scripter: PowerShell 5 Enums—The Video
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, presents a video where he recaps his blog posts about Windows PowerShell 5.0 enums.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I decided to make a video to summarize my technique for working with enums in Windows PowerShell 5.0 in Windows 10.Note For more information, refer to New PowerShell 5 Feature: Enumerations and Working with Enums in PowerShell 5.[View: is a link to the video from YouTube if you would like to download it or play it offline in a different video player: Windows PowerShell Enums by Ed Wilson.I invite you to follow me on Twitter an...
PowerTip: Find Specific Help Articles with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to easily find specific Help articles with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find a Help article about automatic variables, if I am not sure of the title? Use the Get-Help cmdlet and begin with about_ , then press Tab expansion. It will cycle through matches. If you think the article is about_automatic_Variables, you can begin with the following command: Help about_a<tab> To quickly find the specific article, when the title appears, press ENTER to retrieve the article.
Weekend Scripter: PowerShell Module Manifests—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson presents a recap video where he talks about Windows PowerShell module manifests.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It has been stormy for the last couple of days. It makes for a great time to spend offline playing around with my Windows 10 laptop or Surface Pro 3. Watching the power of the storms is great fun, especially if I am not directly in the path. The way the storm parades across the flat Florida plain makes it really easy to watch it approach. It is like watching a giant storm switch that is flipped from off to on, and then back again.Anyway, I decided to make a video rec...
PowerTip: See Number of Errors in PowerShell Session
Summary: Learn how to determine how many errors there are in the Windows PowerShell session. How can I determine how many current errors there are in my Windows PowerShell session? Use the Count property from the Error object array: $error.count
August 2015 PowerShell Spotlight
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about community activities.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. In case you haven’t noticed, I have been turning the keyboard over to Teresa (PowerShell MVP, and my real life wife, aka the Scripting Wife) once a month so she can spotlight community happenings. Today is the day for her August post. Take it away Teresa...Greetings everyone.I hope you have had a scriptastic month. I have been looking at the calendar and checking the RAM in my head to share upcoming events with you.The first item is the Nashville PowerShell User Group meeting. The ...
PowerTip: Find Numeric Value of Enum in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to easily find the numeric value of an enum in Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily find the numeric value of an enumeration? Use square brackets to call the enum, call the enumeration property as a static property, and reference3 the value__ property. Here is an example using the [fruit] enum created in yesterday’s post, New PowerShell 5 Feature: Enumerations: [fruit]::apple.value__
Working with Enums in PowerShell 5
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about working with enums in Windows PowerShell 5.0 in Windows 10. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Yesterday, I talked about the new stealth feature in Windows PowerShell 5.0 in Windows 10 that permits me to easily create an enum. Enums are great because they provide a concise way for me to check parameters, a great way to make code easier to read, and many other things. Note Today's post continues New PowerShell 5 Feature: Enumerations. You should read it prior to reading today's post. Awhile back, I wrote a function called Get-EnumVa...
PowerTip: See Enumeration Value in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to retrieve an enumeration value in Windows PowerShell. How can I see enumeration allowed values in Windows PowerShell? Place the enumeration name in square brackets, and use the double colon syntax to retrieve a specific property. IntelliSense will show you permissible values. Here is an example using an enumeration called Fruit: [fruit]::pear
New PowerShell 5 Feature: Enumerations
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about creating enumerations in Windows PowerShell 5.0. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is nearly a stealth feature in Windows PowerShell 5.0—there is an Enum keyword. Yep, that's right, there is an Enum keyword. I wonder what it does? Probably has something to do with creating enums. Is this a big deal? You betcha...as they may say in some places. Why? Because prior to Windows PowerShell 5.0, you had to basically create an enum by using C# kinds of code, and then adding it as a type. Did it work? Sure it did. Was it Windows PowerShell? ...
PowerTip: Find Custom Default PowerShell Parameter Values
Summary: Learn how to find custom default Windows PowerShell parameter values. How can I find what custom default Windows PowerShell parameter values I have set up on my Windows PowerShell console? Check the value of the $PSDefaultParameterValues variable, for example: PS C:\> $PSDefaultParameterValues
Add Default Values for PowerShell Module Manifest
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about adding default values to your Windows PowerShell module manifest. Hey, Scripting Guy! I kind of like the idea of creating a manifest for my Windows PowerShell module, but it seems like a lot of busy work. I mean, I seem to always be typing the same thing over and over. I wish there was an easy way to set default values for the module manifest. I thought about taking a blank module manifest, adding default values, and then manually editing the manifest when I needed to customize it… but that seems like a lot of work. Is there an easier way to do...
PowerTip: Find Path to PowerShell Module
Summary: Easily find the path to a Windows PowerShell module. How can I easily find the location where a Windows PowerShell module is installed? Use the Path property from the PSModuleInfo object that returns from the Get-Module cmdlet, for example: (Get-Module Microsoft.PowerShell.Utility).path
Verify PowerShell Module Manifests
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about verifying Windows PowerShell module manifests. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things that is cool about Windows PowerShell is that it is self-describing. I can type Get-Member or Get-Command and find out what a Windows PowerShell cmdlet is all about. Then there is Get-Help, which also provides way cool information. When cmdlets ship in Windows PowerShell modules, there are additional tools available. I can use Get-Module to see what a module contains. But there is more… I can look at the module manifest. When I create a Windo...
PowerTip: Find Network Adapters that Are Up
Summary: Find your network adapters that are available. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find which network adapters on my computer are up? Use the Get-NetAdapter cmdlet and filter on the status, for example: (Get-NetAdapter).where{$_.status -eq 'up'} Note This command works on Windows 8.1 and later.
Weekend Scripter: Parse NetStat with PowerShell 5—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, shares a video he made that illustrates parsing NetStat with Windows PowerShell 5.0.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. For someone who loves working at the command line, the new ConvertFrom-String cmdlet is awesome. I mean, I can do things in a single line of code that in the past, took 15 or 20 lines of code. This means less scripting and more production work.Today, I am presenting a video to illustrate parsing the output of the NetStat command via Windows PowerShell, but this is simply the surface of how powerful this technique is.[View:https://www.youtube....
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Current Connection Profile
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find your current connection profile. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see what connection profile my computer is using? Use the Get-NetConnectionProfile cmdlet.
Weekend Scripter: Create Objects from Strings—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell 5.0 to create objects from strings in this video.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the great things about Windows PowerShell is that it is object-oriented. This means that I can easily pipe objects, sort objects, and compare objects.In Windows PowerShell 5.0, this becomes even easier, because I can create objects from strings. Today I present a video to illustrate this technique:[View:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQlOaRy0BMc&feature=youtu.be:550:0]Here is a link to the video from YouTube if you wou...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell Tab Expansion to Navigate Registry
Summary: Use the Windows PowerShell tab expansion feature to quickly navigate the Windows registry. How can I use Windows PowerShell to explore settings in the Windows registry? Use a cmdlet like Get-Item, Get-ItemProperty, or Get-ItemPropertyValue, specify the drive (such as HKCU), and then press the Tab key to navigate the registry, for example: Get-ItemProperty HKCU:\SOFTWARE\ <TAB>
New PowerShell 5 Feature Provids Better Registry Support
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about a new feature in Windows PowerShell 5.0 that providers better registry support. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Windows PowerShell registry drive has always been somewhat of a love-hate relationship with me. I mean, it makes such great sense to be able to work with the registry via Windows PowerShell, but still, it always seemed a bit backwards. I know lots of people who stuck with using the .NET registry classes, the old RegRead and RegWrite methods from the VBScript days, or even WMI to work with the registry. Clearly, there was something...
PowerTip: See What Update-Help Does on Your System
Summary: Learn how to see what the Update-Help cmdlet does on your system. How can I see what Update-Help does on my Windows 10 computer—if anything? Open the Windows PowerShell console with Admin rights, type Update-Help, and add the –Verbose switch. It will list everything that it does, the versions of Help that are current, and which versions are updated. Here is such a command: Hpdate-Help -Module * -Force -Verbose
The New Raw-File Version Information in PowerShell 5
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about looking at raw-file version information by using Windows PowerShell 5.0 in Windows 10. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here, and it is finally here. It seems like waiting for a major holiday to appear. Yes! It is nearly time for the Atlanta TechStravaganza. I just got an email yesterday from another Windows PowerShell MVP who will be attending. Cool. Tonight is the “speakers dinner.” By that, I guess they mean, speakers and others—that is, whoever happens to be around and whoever signed up for the dinner will be permitted to ha...
PowerTip: Find Running Services on Your Workstation
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily find all running services on your workstation. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find what services are running on my workstation? Use the Get-Service cmdlet, filter the status on the word Running, and select the display name of the services, for example: gsv | where status -eq 'running' | select displayname Note gsv is an alias for the Get-Service cmdlet.
Parsing NetStat Information with PowerShell 5
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about parsing output from NetStat with Windows PowerShell 5.0. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need a good way to parse output from the NetStat command. I use it all the time, but it ends up requiring me to spend a lot of time looking through stuff. I am not sure if the command itself has a filter language or what, but I really need to be able to parse on the fly. I have even gone so far as run the command, copy it to the clipboard, paste it into Notepad, and then go through the Notepad file adding characters so I could import it into Excel and filter the output. But...
PowerTip: Find Processes with High Priority
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find processes that have a high priority. How can I use Windows PowerShell to quickly see what processes have a high priority or an above normal priority? Open Windows PowerShell with Admin rights, use the Get-Process cmdlet to return processes, and filter processes that are using high or above normal priority, for example: gps | where {$_.priorityclass -eq 'AboveNormal' -OR $_.priorityclass -eq 'high'} | select name, priorityclass
Use New PowerShell 5 Cmdlet to Create Objects from Strings
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using a new Windows PowerShell cmdlet to create objects from strings. Hey, Scripting Guy! It seems that even though Windows PowerShell 5.0 in Windows 10 has a lot of cool new stuff, I still end up using command-line utilities. I don’t know if it is just me, or if there are still some things that are missing. I can get useful information from these command-line utilities, but I miss the experience of having an object that I can easily sort and filter. I guess what I am really wishing is that I had either more Windows PowerShell cmdlets or a way t...
PowerTip: Recurse Specific Number of Levels with PowerShell 5
Summary: Learn how to recurse a specific number of levels in a directory with Windows PowerShell 5.0. How can I recurse only three levels into a deeply nested directory structure? In Windows PowerShell 5.0, the Get-ChildItem cmdlet has a new –Depth parameter that will control how deeply to recurse, for example: Get-childitem c:\fso –recurse –depth 3
Use the PowerShell 5 Convert-String Cmdlet
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using the new Convert-String cmdlet in Windows PowerShell 5.0 to manipulate strings. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Over the weekend, the Scripting Wife and I headed out and about to explore central Florida. We found a really cool lake town that had an awesome tea shop. We also saw some pretty cool birds walking around. Here is one bird that was just hanging out—to be honest, I think he was bumming scones, but as it turned out he was out of luck—I ate all the scones I had. Anyway, exploring is lots of fun and an interesting way to...
PowerTip: Looking at Logs with PowerShell
Summary: Find logs that are not enabled with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to quickly see which logs in the event log tool are not enabled by default? Use the Get-WinEvent cmdlet to produce a list of all the logs, then pipe the results to the Where-Object cmdlet, and specify that you want those that are not enabled, for example: Get-WinEvent -ListLog * -ea 0 | where {-not ($_.isenabled)} Note Many logs require elevated permissions for access. Either launch Windows PowerShell with elevated rights, or sp...
Weekend Scripter: Expanding Compressed Archives—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, created a video that illustrates expanding compressed archives with Windows PowerShell 5.0.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. There is a gigantic shaggy dog looking in the window at me. I think it is a North American slobber hound, but then I have never been great at identifying shaggy dogs. One canine pretty much looks like another. I mean, I can tell the difference between Lassie, Snoopy, and Marmaduke, but that is about the extent of my expertise in the doggie ID department.Ever since I received a rather painful bite on the back of the leg from a “fr...
PowerTip: Get Latest Entry from Event Log with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get the latest entry from an event log. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see the most recent entry from the application log? Use the Get-EventLog cmdlet, specify the log name, and use the –Newest 1 parameter, for example: Get-EventLog application -Newest 1
Weekend Scripter: Compressed Archives—The Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, created a video to illustrate using Windows PowerShell 5.0 to create compressed archives.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The sky is a deep blue, and the early morning haze on the horizon hides the fluffy white clouds causing them to blend into the sky like a brush stroke by an impressionist painter.I am sitting outside with my Surface Pro 3 under a huge oak tree that looks like it is a thousand years old. I brought a pot of Earl Grey tea with me. I added some lavender to the pot while my leaves were steeping. It is a beautiful morning to be out a...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell 5 to Compress Files
Summary: Learn how to use the new Compress-Archive cmdlet to compress selected files in Windows PowerShell 5.0. How can I compress a bunch of files on my computer that match a pattern I supply to Get-ChildItem? Use Get-ChildItem to find the files you want to compress, and pipe the results to the Compress-Archive cmdlet, for example (gci is an alias for Get-ChildItem): gci c:\fso\*.txt | Compress-Archive -DestinationPath c:\fso\myarchive.zip
Working with Compressed Files in PowerShell 5
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about the new compressed file cmdlets in Windows PowerShell 5.0 on Windows 10.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It finally happened. I ran out of Gunpowder Green tea over the weekend. I have been making lots of Gunpowder Green tea with hibiscus flowers, rose hips, lemon grass, and other combinations, and then chilling it down. It works great for the central Florida August afternoons (and indeed sometimes early morning and even late at night).I still have lots of black tea, lots of herbs, and even a pound or so of Oolong tea. So I have decided I am goin...
PowerTip: Find Automatic Variables that Begin with Letter
Summary: Find automatic variables in Windows PowerShell that begin with a specific letter. How can I find automatic variables in Windows PowerShell that begin with the letter P? Use the drive Windows PowerShell variable provider with a wildcard character after the letter P: DIR variable:P*
New Feature in PowerShell 5: Compress Files
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about the compressing files feature in Windows PowerShell 5.0. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, the sun is shining, the air is dead calm, and I am sitting outside under a gigantic old oak tree with my Windows Surface Pro 3 that I upgraded to Windows 10. I am sipping a cup of English Breakfast tea with a bit of lemon grass, crushed mint leaves, and cinnamon stick while looking over Twitter. I see lots of people tweeting about Windows PowerShell 5.0. That is a good thing because there are lots of good things in Windows PowerShell 5.0....
PowerTip: View All Available Modules
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to view all available modules in Windows PowerShell. How can I view all of the available modules in my current Windows PowerShell session? Run Get-Module with the –ListAvailable parameter: Get-Module –ListAvailable
Use PoshUSNJournal Module to Work with Change Journal
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to use the PoshUSNJournal module to work with the USN change journal. Honorary Scripting Guy and Windows PowerShell MVP, Boe Prox, here today, filling in for my good friend, the Scripting Guy. I'm finishing up my three-day stint on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog. Be sure to catch up by reading: Today, I will demo my module called PoshUSNJournal and show you how to use it with the change journal. I have taken you on the journey of using Windows PowerShell along with PInvoke via reflection to hook into the Windows API to view the change journal and look at the entries to see what ...
PowerTip: Determine if PowerShell is Running x86 or x64
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to determine if Windows PowerShell is running x86 or x64. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine if I am running x86 or x64? Use [intptr]::Size as follows: Switch ([intptr]::Size) { 4 {"x86"} 8 {"x64"} }
View Entries in USN Change Journal
Summary: Boe Prox shows us how to view the entries in the USN change journal. Honorary Scripting Guy and Windows PowerShell MVP, Boe Prox, here today, filling in for my good friend, the Scripting Guy. Today I'm continuing on from yesterday’s post, Connect to USN Change Journal. In today’s post, I'll look at the actual entries of the journal, which will show us information about the files and folders that are being created, modified, and deleted. Much like yesterday, I need to create some methods through reflection in addition to some Structs and Enums to handle some of the work that I will b...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to List Exported Types
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to use Windows PowerShell to list exported types. How can I use Windows PowerShell to list all of the exported types? Use this command: [appdomain]::CurrentDomain.GetAssemblies()|ForEach { Try { $_.GetExportedTypes() } Catch {} }
Connect to USN Change Journal
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy, Boe Prox, shows us how to connect to the USN change journal by using Windows PowerShell. Honorary Scripting Guy and Windows PowerShell MVP, Boe Prox, here today, filling in for my good friend, the Scripting Guy. Over the course of the next few days, I am going to be talking about a topic that many of you might not have heard about, which deals with the update sequence number (USN) change journal. We will use Windows PowerShell to take a walk-through, with help from PInvoke, to connect to the change journal and view the entries within the journal. First, a quick overview of the USN...
PowerTip: Find Commands and Descriptions from Module
Summary: Find commands and their descriptions exported from a Windows PowerShell module. How can I see the commands with their descriptions that are available in a new Windows PowerShell module? Use the Get-Command (gcm is an alias) cmdlet and specify the module. Then select the name and create a custom property to retrieve the description from Get-Help, for example: gcm -Module psreadline | select name, @{L='description'; E={(get-help $_).description.text}}
Weekend Scripter: PowerShell 5 Overview Video
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, presents a video he made as an overview of Windows PowerShell 5.0.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It has been a great week. It is a nice sunny day here in central Florida, and I am sipping a cup of Earl Grey tea. I decided to make a video to summarize the things I have been talking about with Windows PowerShell 5.0. Sometimes it is just easier to say things in a video. Windows PowerShell 5.0 Overview video by Ed WilsonI invite you to follow me on Twitter and Facebook. If you have any questions, send email to me at scripter@microsoft.com, or post ...
PowerTip: Find Commands Exported by PowerShell Module
Summary: Find commands that are exported by a Windows PowerShell module. How can I see what commands a Windows PowerShell module provides? There are two quick ways to find commands exported by a Windows PowerShell module. The first expands the ExportedCommands property from a module (gmo is an alias for the Get-Module cmdlet): gmo PSReadline | select -ExpandProperty exportedcommands The second uses the Get-Command cmdlet (gcm is an alias for Get-Command): gcm -Module PSreadline
Weekend Scripter: A Week's Worth of Windows 10
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks more about his first impressions of Windows 10.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I will admit that I am not a typical user—of anything, as far as that goes, but certainly not of desktop operating systems. So my thoughts about Windows 10 may or may not, be relevant.First of all, I can say that I have been "using" Windows 10 for about a year because I get the daily builds. But this is not all that true because installing Windows 10 and immediately launching Windows PowerShell hardly counts as using Windows 10. So in reality, my ...
PowerTip: Find Cmdlets with NoNewLine Parameter
Summary: Easily find Windows PowerShell 5.0 cmdlets with the NoNewLine parameter. I heard that Windows PowerShell 5.0 introduces a NoNewLine parameter for some cmdlets, but how can I find the cmdlets? Use the Get-Command cmdlet (gcm is an alias), and search for the ParameterName of NoNewLine: gcm -ParameterName nonewline
The PowerShell 5 NoNewLine Parameter
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about the NoNewLine parameter in Windows PowerShell 5.0 in Windows 10. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. In addition to new cmdlets in Windows PowerShell 5.0, there are also improvements to existing cmdlets. These improvements are often really cool because it means I can use the old cmdlets in new ways, which is just about like having a new cmdlet. These add-ons (if you will) are not as easy to find as a whole brand new cmdlet. I mean, a brand new cmdlet is pretty easy to find with Get-Command because all I need to do is type Get-Command, and search fo...
PowerTip: Find Alias for PowerShell Cmdlet
Summary: Learn how to find an alias for a specific Windows PowerShell cmdlet. How can I find is there is an alias for a specific Windows PowerShell cmdlet that I use a lot? Use the Get-Alias cmdlet, specify the –Definition parameter, and supply the name of the cmdlet, for example: Get-Alias -Definition Get-CimClass
Playing Around with Format-Hex
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about the Format-Hex cmdlet in Windows PowerShell 5.0. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things about Windows PowerShell is that it usually just works. Well of course, after you learn how, it just works. For example, it is largely self-describing, and it has standard parameters. Other cmdlets that use parameters with similar names generally take pains to ensure that those parameters work the same way. For example, the Path parameter is not a standard parameter. Yet, it is usually always called Path, and it generally points to the path t...
PowerTip: Create a GUID with PowerShell 5
Summary: Learn how to create a new GUID with Windows PowerShell 5.0. How can I use Windows PowerShell 5.0 in Windows 10 to create a new GUID? Use the New-Guid cmdlet:
Create Temporary Files with PowerShell 5
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about creating temporary files with Windows PowerShell 5.0 in Windows 10. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sipping a nice Gunpowder Green tea with hibiscus leaves and rose hips in it. I also added a bit of lemon grass for taste. I made the tea last night and chilled it. The taste is surprisingly clean and refreshing. Along with some Belgium crisp chocolate sticks, it makes a delightful mid-morning snack. I am stilling playing around with Windows 10 and Windows PowerShell 5.0. I suspect this will probably be a task that will occupy me...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell 5 to Clear Recycle Bin
Summary: Learn how to clear the recycle bin by using Windows PowerShell 5.0 in Windows 10. How can I use Windows PowerShell to clear the recycle bin in my laptop running Windows 10? Use the Clear-RecycleBin cmdlet.
Use Transcript Tool in PowerShell ISE
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using the Windows PowerShell ISE transcript in PowerShell 5.0 in Windows 10. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is not a secret that I love Windows PowerShell. It is also not a secret that Windows PowerShell keeps getting better and better. One of the things about Windows PowerShell is that if I do not like the way it does something, or if there is a functionality that is missing, I can write my own commands and make my own modifications. In this way, Windows PowerShell extensible, and it is pretty awesome. Something that is also awes...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Help Content
Summary: Learn how to find all Windows PowerShell Help content. I updated the Help files on my installation of Windows PowerShell. I can find the cmdlet Help, but how can I see the Help text files? Use the Get-Help cmdlet, search for the HelpFile category, select all of them with a wildcard character, and then pipe the output to More: Get-Help –category helpfile * | more
Cool Stuff about PowerShell 5.0 in Windows 10
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about cool stuff in Windows PowerShell 5.0 for Windows 10. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Over the weekend, I installed Windows 10. It is way cool. I love what we have done with the charms bar…it is gone. I also like the streamlined user interface, the new Edge browser, and especially Windows PowerShell 5.0. I mean, it is awesome. It rocks. By the way, the easiest way to upgrade to Windows PowerShell 5.0 right now, is to upgrade to Windows 10—which by the way, is a free upgrade from Windows 7, 8, and 8.1. For now, that is what...
PowerTip: Install PowerShell Help on PowerShell 5.0
Summary: Update Help for Windows PowerShell 5.0. I installed Windows 10 and opened Windows PowerShell, but how can I update the Help for Windows PowerShell 5.0? Open Windows PowerShell as an Administrator, type Update-Help, select all of the modules, and use the –Force parameter if you run the command more than once a day: Update-Help –module * -Force
Weekend Scripter: Exploring Windows PowerShell 5.0
Summary: Teresa Wilson, Powershell MVP, talks about exploring Windows PowerShell 5.0 on Windows 10. Teresa Wilson, AKA the Scripting Wife, is here. The Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is still missing in action. He downloaded Windows 10, and I haven’t seen him since. So I thought I would write about getting Windows PowerShell 5.0 running on Windows 10. The first thing I need to do is find Windows PowerShell 5.0. I type PowerShell in the Web and Windows search box on my task bar. Cortana comes up and locates the Windows PowerShell 5.0 executable. I click the top of the list for the Desktop...
PowerTip: Find What Version of PowerShell You Have
Summary: Easily find what version of Windows PowerShell you are running. I upgraded to Windows 10, but how can I confirm what version of Windows PowerShell I am running? Use the $psversiontable automatic variable.
Weekend Scripter: Upgrade to Windows 10
Summary: Teresa Wilson, Windows PowerShell MVP, talks about upgrading to Windows 10. Teresa Wilson, AKA the Scripting Wife, is here. I first wanted to mention that Ed and I will be in Atlanta on August 21 for TechStravaganza. At the time I am writing this there are 22 tickets remaining, so hurry and sign-up if you would like to attend. It is a free event. Ed is somewhere playing with Windows 10, and he left me on my own to upgrade my computer. He says it will be a good experience for me. I am not sure what he really means by that. But I am quite confidant that I can do this, and it will be a good experience. Step...
PowerTip: Download Links from Webpage with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to download links from a webpage. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily download links from a webpage that has a lot of links I want? Use Invoke-WebRequest and select Links and href, for example: (Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "http://www.scriptingguys.com").Links.Href
What’s My PID?
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, creates a function to capture the process ID of a Windows PowerShell host. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things I like to know is the process ID (PID) of specific processes. Often this is trivial. I can use the Get-Process cmdlet and, for example, look to see what the process ID of Notepad.exe is. But what if I have four or five instances of Notepad running? Then it becomes somewhat an exercise in trial and error. This is also true for Windows PowerShell. For example, the Windows PowerShell console process name is PowerShell. No problem. Excep...
PowerTip: Find Most Recent Event Log Entry
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the most recent event log entry. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see the most recent event log entry from my application log? Use the Get-EventLog cmdlet and select the application log and the Newest 1 entry: Get-EventLog application -Newest 1
Launch Elevated PowerShell Shell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about launching an elevated Windows PowerShell shell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I had a great talk with Steve, the Scripting Manager. One of the things we talked about was the importance of community, and how the Windows PowerShell community seems to be really engaged with the Windows PowerShell team and with other documentation efforts. One of the great things that I love about the Windows PowerShell community is the interaction I have with them at user groups, conferences, and community events (such as the Atlanta TechStravaganza that i...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Check Logon Server for Client
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to check the logon server of your clients. How can I use Windows PowerShell to verify if my users are trying to sign in to their computers with a Windows account instead of using their domain credentials? Check the value of the environmental LOGONSERVER variable: $env:LOGONSERVER If it reports \\MicrosoftAccount, they are using their Windows account to sign in instead of domain credentials. You can check this by using the IF statement as shown here: if($env:LOGONSERVER -match "MicrosoftAccount")...
Use Function to Determine Elevation of PowerShell Console
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using a function to determine if a Windows PowerShell console is elevated. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I had a friend tell me that nearly half of all the cmdlets, functions, and whatever’s in Windows PowerShell 4.0 on Windows Server 2012 R2 required elevation to Admin rights. I can neither confirm nor deny this assertion, and I have not seen any official documentation about this. But I can tell you, that there are quite a few of these things that do require elevation. For example, the Hyper-V functions (even in Windows&...
PowerTip: Read File with Backtick in Name
Summary: Read the content of a text file with a backtick ( ` ) in the name. How can I use Windows PowerShell to read the content of a file that has a backtick ( ` ) in the file name? Use single quotation marks around the name when you supply the path to Get-Content, for example: Get-Content 'c:\fso\a file with a `in the name.txt' The following examples fail: Get-Content "c:\fso\a file with a `in the name.txt" Get-Content c:\fso\a file with a `in the name.txt
One of My Favorite PowerShell Functions
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, discusses one of his favorite functions: Get-EnumValues. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am working on my presentation for Atlanta TechStravaganza 2015, which will happen on August 21. It will be a really cool event, and the Scripting Wife and I are looking forward to attending it. Unfortunately we were unable to attend last year due to a scheduling conflict, so we are really looking forward to this year. It is always a great event with top-flight speakers. Anyway, I am still messing around with my Windows PowerShell profile... One of my favor...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Variables Defined for AllScope
Summary: Find Windows PowerShell variables that are defined for all scopes. How can I find what variables are defined as AllScope in my Windows PowerShell environment? Get a list of all your variables, and filter for options that include AllScope, for example: (dir variable:).where({$_.options -match 'allscope'})
Describe Your PowerShell Variables
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about adding a description to variables. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. There is a “water feature” outside that keeps running and running and running. It is a bit strange, and to be honest, it makes me think that it is raining all the time. In central Florida in the summer, it is generally a safe bet that it will rain, but even when the sun is outside, without a cloud in the sky, the giant frog keeps spitting water into a pond. I don’t get it. It is not relaxing like a Zen pond, and it does not keep bugs at bay like a real frog wou...
PowerTip: Open Temporary Copy of PowerShell Profile
Summary: Open a temporary copy of your Windows PowerShell profile. How can I look at a temporary copy of my Windows PowerShell profile to ensure that I don’t accidentally make any changes? Copy your Windows PowerShell profile to a temporary file, and then open it in the Windows PowerShell ISE, for example: Copy-Item $PROFILE $([io.path]::GetTempFileName()) -PassThru | % { ise $_.fullname}
Weekend Scripter: Back Up Your PowerShell Profile
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about automatically backing up your Windows PowerShell profile. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. My rule for making backups is that when the loss of the item would cause me grief, it is backed up. Otherwise, there is not too much need for a backup. This includes things that are not related to computers in addition to computers, files, and Windows PowerShell profiles. For example, if I go on a trip and I only have a single battery for my camera, would I be upset if that battery dies, drains, or otherwise becomes useless? Maybe. But then again, maybe no...
PowerTip: Launch PowerShell Without a Profile
Summary: Learn how to launch Windows PowerShell without using a profile. I suspect my profile is causing issues with Windows PowerShell. How can I launch Windows PowerShell without starting the profile? Use the Run command to launch Windows PowerShell with the –noprofile switch: PowerShell -noprofile
Weekend Scripter: Replace One PowerShell Function with Another
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about replacing one Windows PowerShell function with a different one. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the problems with writing Windows PowerShell code every day is that you eventually... No, it’s not what you think. I am often asked if I run out of ideas, and the answer is, "No, I don’t." There is so much I can do with Windows PowerShell that, in fact, a new version of Windows PowerShell will be out before I ever run out of ideas of what to do with the last version. No, the problem is not that I run out of ideas, but it is that I often fo...
PowerTip: Create New PowerShell Profile for All Hosts
Summary: Learn how to create a new Windows PowerShell current user profile for all hosts. How can I easily create current user profile for all hosts that can be used in the Windows PowerShell console and the Windows PowerShell ISE? Use the New-Item cmdlet to create a new file. To find the correct path, use the $profile automatic variable and choose the CurrentUserAllHosts property, for example: New-Item -ItemType file -Force -Path $PROFILE.CurrentUserAllHosts
Two Cool PowerShell Functions
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about a pair of cool Windows PowerShell functions to add to your profile. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. At times, it seems like a Windows PowerShell profile is like a filing cabinet. Whether you have good organizational skills or you organize in a more ad-hoc, random, fashion is a matter of choice—as long as your organization is effective. Today, I want to share a pair of Windows PowerShell functions that are in my Windows PowerShell profile. I believe that I copied them when June Blender and I team-taught a Windows PowerShell class for docum...
PowerTip: Open Windows Explorer to a Location
Summary: Easily open the Windows Explorer to a specific location in Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell with the Windows Explorer graphical tool to browse through the files in my home directory or documents location? Use the Explorer program name and follow it with the location. For your home directory, use the $Home automatic variable: explorer $HOME Note To easily access your documents folder, you can use the variable that I created in I Have a PowerShell Profile—Now What?: Explorer $doc
Sorting PowerShell Transcript Files
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about creating a sortable transcript name. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the great things about Windows PowerShell is that if there is something that annoys you, you can generally fix it. Don’t get me wrong, Windows PowerShell is great, but like any program, there are things that annoy me. It is partly because I have different needs than a typical user—I have never been typical in my life. For example, I think that all of the defaults in Windows Explorer are wrong for me. For example, I want to see file extensions, I want to see ...
PowerTip: Determine if Running in PowerShell Console
Summary: Determine if you are running inside the Windows PowerShell console. How can I find if I am running inside the Windows PowerShell console for my Windows PowerShell profile? Look at the $host.name property. If it returns ConsoleHost, you are running in the Windows PowerShell console. The following code shows how to do this: if(($host.Name -match 'consolehost')) {$true}
PowerShell Profile? Which One?
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about determining which Windows PowerShell profile to use for which functions. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Living in central Florida can be a bit warm and humid in late July. Of course, I knew that before we moved here. I told one of my friends recently, when he commented on the heat and humidity, that it was truth in advertising. I told him if the Scripting Wife survived July and August here, she would know that she could handle the worst of the summer weather. Interestingly enough, on many days recently, it has actually been warmer back in Char...
PowerTip: Find Name and Location of PowerShell Profiles
Summary: Learn how to find the name and location of various Windows PowerShell profiles. How can I find the name and location of various Windows PowerShell profiles? Use the $profile automatic variable to see what profiles are available for your particular Windows PowerShell host (for example, the console host or the ISE). To find only the name and the location of the profiles, you need to return only the properties from the object and then look for names that begin with A or C, ...
I Have a PowerShell Profile—Now What?
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about the what to add into a Windows PowerShell profile. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It was a beautiful sunny weekend in central Florida. The Scripting Wife and I headed to Tampa, where we met up with various Windows PowerShell peeps. It is good to get together and talk about cool stuff with cool people. The Microsoft office in Tampa is a really cool place to hang out, and it has awesome views of the harbor. There are also lots of really good restaurants in town. Anyway, when I am around Windows PowerShell people, one of the things I tend to ask ...
PowerTip: Determine If You Have PowerShell Profile
Summary: Learn how to determine if you have a local Windows PowerShell profile. How can I find if I have a Windows PowerShell profile? Use the Test-Path cmdlet, and check for the existence of $profile, for example: test-path $PROFILE
All About PowerShell Profiles
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about Windows PowerShell profiles. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am heading back to the basics. Why? Because my hard disk drive died, and I had to order a new drive to replace it. It gave me a good chance to reinstall Windows 8.1. Now, my laptop is really fast. It is amazing how dramatically the stuff that you install slows down your laptop. Even when you uninstall stuff, most programs leave components behind, so my poor laptop bogs down like a tractor in a muddy field. I didn’t lose any data because I sync everything on a regul...
PowerTip: Find Tangent of 45-Degree Angle with PowerShell
Summary: Find the tangent of a 45-degree angle with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to obtain the tangent of a 45-degree angle? Use the Tan static method from the [math] class, for example: [math]::tan(45)
Weekend Scripter: Building Test Servers
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about building test servers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am listening to my favorite Swiss classical radio station on my computer, and I am sipping a cup of herb tea. I have a nice strawberry scone that I picked up in town at a local bakery. I am reminded of a conversation I had with a friend of mine who was a TAM in Zurich. We were talking about testing changes prior to implementation. In the old days, having a test network meant building racks of servers, restoring tapes, and trying to keep track configurations in sync with produ...
PowerTip: Set Breakpoint Based on Command
Summary: Learn to set a Windows PowerShell breakpoint based on a specific command. How can I configure the Windows PowerShell debugger to start when a script hits a specific command? Use the Set-PSBreakpoint cmdlet and specify a specific command name, for example: Set-PSBreakpoint -Command Foreach
Weekend Scripter: Break in to a Script via a Command
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using the debugger to break in to a script via a specific command. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things, when troubleshooting a specific function in Windows PowerShell, is to set a breakpoint to occur each time the command is called. Remember, Windows PowerShell functions are also Windows PowerShell commands, just as language statements and cmdlets are. To set the breakpoint in a command, you use the -command parameter. You can break on a call to a Windows PowerShell cmdlet, function, or external script. You can use aliases wh...
PowerTip: Set PowerShell Breakpoint Based on Variable
Summary: Set a Windows PowerShell breakpoint based on a variable. How can I enter the Windows PowerShell debugger when a particular variable is accessed in a specific Windows PowerShell script? Set a breakpoint and specify a particular variable and script, for example: Set-PSBreakpoint -Variable num -Mode write -Script C:\FSO\BadScript.ps1
Setting a Breakpoint on a Variable
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using variable breakpoints with the Windows PowerShell debugger. Hello Windows PowerShell scripting dudes and dudettes! Debugging Week continues, and today I am talking about using variable breakpoints with the Windows PowerShell debugger. Setting a breakpoint on line 1 of the script is useful for easily entering a debugging session. Setting a breakpoint on a variable can often make a problem with a script easy to detect. This is, of course, especially true when you have already determined that the problem is with a variable that is getting assigned a value...
PowerTip: Find All Disabled Breakpoints in PowerShell
Summary: Find all disabled breakpoints in a Windows PowerShell session. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see what breakpoints are disabled in my current session? Use the Get-PSBreakPoint cmdlet, and filter breakpoints that are not enabled, for example: Get-PSBreakpoint | where {-not ($_.enabled)}
Understanding PowerShell Script Debugging
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about understanding Windows PowerShell debugging. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am working a little bit on my presentation for the Atlanta TechStravagenza that will be held at the Georgia Tech Research Institute Conference Center in midtown Atlanta on Friday August 21, 2015. It is not going to be held at the Microsoft Office this year, because the event has simply grown too large for the facilities. It will be an absolutely awesome day, and I look forward to seeing Mark Minasi and others who will be there. As Debugging Week continues, I wan...
PowerTip: Find References to Uninitialized Variables in PowerShell
Summary: Easily find references to uninitialized variables in Windows PowerShell. My extremely long script keeps failing and I suspect it may be because of variables that are not initialized prior to being used. How can I find uninitialized variables? Use the Set-StrictMode cmdlet and set it to –version 1 to ensure that all references to initialized variables generate an error: Set-StrictMode –version 1
PowerShell Cruise announced
SUMMARY: The Windows PowerShell Cruise, PowerShell on the high seas, is announced What's better than a vacation? How's geeking out about PowerShell (and other technologies) with a bunch of MVPs and doing that, in the Bahamas? I'm Doug Finke, 7 time PowerShell MVP and author or "PowerShell for Developers". Earlier this year people in the PowerShell community asked about organizing an all PowerShell event or conference in the Northeast. In thinking about it, I hit on the idea of why not do a conference on a cruise. I told Jeff Langdon, he was one of the people I was in touch with about doing a large event around Po...
Use PowerShell Strict Mode for Debugging
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using strict mode in Windows PowerShell for debugging purposes. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things about Windows PowerShell is that it can take being ignored or being used carelessly and sloppily, and it still seems to work fine. I mean, in the old days with VBScript, it was common to use Option Explicit to force you to declare all of the variables that you were going to use in the script. In Windows PowerShell, no one seems to do this…at all. The bad thing is that if I run a script (say in the Windows PowerShell ISE)...
PowerTip: Enable Script Tracing in PowerShell Functions
Summary: Enable script tracing into and out of Windows PowerShell functions. How can I trace my script execution into and out of Windows PowerShell functions? Use the Set-PSDebug cmdlet and set a trace level of 2: Set-PSDebug -Trace 2
More PowerShell Script Tracing and Strict Mode
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks more about Windows PowerShell script tracing and enabling strict mode. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It can be somewhat painful to troubleshoot intermittent errors with Windows PowerShell. Two things that can lead to this are variables that do not get initialized properly (and therefore their values change over subsequent running of the script) and functions that do not get accessed properly. To solve both of these problems, we can use Windows PowerShell cmdlets. Yesterday in Tracing the Execution of a PowerShell Script, I introduced the tracing le...
PowerTip: Use Cmdlet to Trace Script Execution
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to trace script execution. How can I trace lines that execute in a Windows PowerShell script, without concern for variable assignments, functions, or external scripts? Use the Set-PSDebug cmdlet and set a trace level of 1: Set-PSDebug -trace 1
Tracing the Execution of a PowerShell Script
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using a cmdlet to trace the execution of a Windows PowerShell script. Hey, Scripting Guy! I am having a problem with a script. It does not generate any errors, but dude, it does not seem to work either. Can you help me debug it? —DR Hello DR, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. When I see a script that doesn’t work, I think, "Cool…it is easy to troubleshoot." Often this is the case because the error message helps locate the source of the error. But if a script simply doesn’t work, it can be more diffic...
PowerTip: Find All Breakpoints in PowerShell Session
Summary: Find all breakpoints for a Windows PowerShell script. How can I see the debugging breakpoints that are set in my current Windows PowerShell session? Use the Get-PSBreakpoint cmdlet.
Weekend Scripter: Debug, Boss…Debug
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about debugging Windows PowerShell scripts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things about central Florida is there are lots of farmers markets… especially (I am told) this time of the year. This is great, because I prefer organically grown, locally sourced food. I mean, I like my food to be simply food—not food and a whole lot of additives and other things. My simple rule is this: If I cannot read and pronounce it, then I won’t eat it. Although I have taken many science classes at the university, I have not had a che...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Disk Drive Overview
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to obtain a disk drive overview. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get a quick overview of my disk drives? Open Windows PowerShell with Admin rights, and use the Get-Disk function to retrieve the disk number, operational status, health status, friendly name, and size, for example: Get-Disk | select number, operation*, health*, friendly*, size
Weekend Scripter: The Big Decision about Scripts
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about if you should write Windows PowerShell scripts or do something else. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is the weekend, and once again, it is a beautiful sunny morning in central Florida. I am sitting outside with my Windows Surface Pro 3, and taking the time to do a little writing. I picked up some fresh bagels, and I am sipping a nice cup of English Breakfast tea with a bit of lemon in it. As I reflect back over this week’s blog posts, I think I need to clarify one thing: the whole point of scripting is to make things easier. If it is e...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Obtain Unique List of Process Names
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a list of unique process names. How can I use Windows PowerShell to obtain a list of all the unique process names running on my system? Use the Get-Process cmdlet, pipe the results to the Select-Object cmdlet, and specify the Name property and the –Unique switch: Get-Process | select name -Unique
Understanding PowerShell Modules
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about Windows PowerShell modules. Hey, Scripting Guy! I keep hearing about Windows PowerShell modules, but I do not know what they really mean. Is it something that comes with Windows PowerShell, or is it something I have to buy or download? I don’t get it. Can you shed some light? —ST Hello ST, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Things are really exciting around the Scripting Household. I have been talking to Microsoft evangelist ,Blain Barton, about doing a PowerShell Saturday in Florida. Without giving any details away, it is ...
PowerTip: Determine Name of PowerShell Host
Summary: Learn how to determine the name of the Windows PowerShell host. How can I find the name of the Windows PowerShell host (such as the Windows PowerShell console or the Windows PowerShell ISE)? Use the Get-Host cmdlet and select the Name property: (get-host).name
Understanding Advanced Functions in PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about Windows PowerShell advanced functions. Hey, Scripting Guy! I keep hearing about advanced functions, but to be honest, I am not really sure what they are talking about. I mean, I can do a function, but when does it become advanced? Only when it is really long? Or when it does complicated stuff? I don’t know if I have ever written an advanced function, do you? —BB Hello BB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Awesome day! I just received my copy of Blain Barton’s new book, Microsoft Public Cloud Services: Setting up your...
PowerTip: Find Status of Range of Services with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the status of a range of services. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the status of a range of services that have an initial letter that does not begin with V through Z? Use Get-Service with the –Exclude parameter, and supply a wildcard character set that represents the letters V through Z: Get-Service -Exclude [V-Z]*
Fun with PowerShell Functions
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about basic design considerations for Windows PowerShell functions. Hey, Scripting Guy! I keep hearing about functions, but I really do not know what they are, how to create one, or even how to use one. Can you help me with this? I am not a programmer, but it seems likely that you guys are trying to force me to become one. Help! —DS Hello DS, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is another beautiful day here in Central Florida. I am sipping a nice cup of Djareerling tea, with a bit of orange blossom local honey, and munching on a hone...
PowerTip: Pick Up User Name with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily pick up the user name. How can I easily pick up the user name from my Windows PowerShell script? Use the USERNAME environmental variable, and pick it up from the $env Windows PowerShell drive: $env:USERNAME
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Unique List of Process Names
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a list of unique process names. How can I use Windows PowerShell to obtain a list of all the unique process names running on my system? Use the Get-Process cmdlet, pipe the results to the Select-Object cmdlet, and specify the Name property and the –Unique switch: Get-Process | select name -Unique
A PowerShell Script Is…
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about creating and using a Windows PowerShell script. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This afternoon, it is raining—actually more like a thunderstorm because there is lightning and thunder. In the afternoon in central Florida, there is a really good chance that for 10 or 15 minutes, one will see an awesome thunderstorm. I think the weather people always have a standard line: "Chance of afternoon thunderstorms"—and there is a good chance they will be right. Anyway, listening to Beethoven and watching a thunderstorm is awesome. I even decid...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Time in 24-Hour Format
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display the current time in 24-hour format. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display the current time in 24-hour format? Use the Get-Date cmdlet and the –UFormat parameter with %R: Get-Date -UFormat %R
PowerShell Scripting: The Terms
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about Windows PowerShell scripting terminology. Hey, Scripting Guy! So I am confused, and I am not afraid to admit that I am confused. In the old fashioned VBScript days, I wrote scripts. I could also write subroutines or functions. And that was about it. Pretty simple, and it made sense to me. But with Windows PowerShell, it seems that there is so much more, and I do not even know where to begin. Not to mention that I have not seen a single reference about how to create a subroutine in Windows PowerShell. What gives? Can you throw me a bone? —JT &nbs...
PowerTip: Get Time with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get the current time. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get the current time? Use the Get-Date cmdlet and specify a –DisplayHint of Time: Get-Date -DisplayHint time
Weekend Scripter: When to Write a PowerShell Script
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about when to write a Windows PowerShell script. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I am enjoying a beautiful sunny morning in central Florida. The sun is shining, there is hardly a cloud in the sky, and a gentle ocean breeze tickles my skin. I am sitting outside under a beautiful, several-hundred year-old oak tree with Spanish moss that hangs to the ground from its bent branches. I mean, dude, if ZZ Top had a tree, it would look like this one. Anyway, I am sitting out here with an oversized cup of Darjeeling tea, a plate of freshly sliced locally grown...
PowerTip: Multiply Value in Variable and Store Results
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to multiply the value stored in a variable and store the results. How can I use Windows PowerShell to multiply the value of a variable and store the results in the same variable? Use the *= operator, for example:PS C:> $a = 2PS C:> $a *= 3PS C:> $a6
PowerTip: Multiply Value in Variable and Store Results
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to multiply the value stored in a variable and store the results. How can I use Windows PowerShell to multiply the value of a variable and store the results in the same variable? Use the *= operator, for example: PS C:\> $a = 2 PS C:\> $a *= 3 PS C:\> $a 6
Weekend Scripter: Welcome to the PowerShell Information Stream
Summary: Learn about the Windows PowerShell information stream in this guest post by June Blender. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have another guest blog post by Honorary Scripting Guy and Sapien technical evangelist, June Blender. Take it away June... Note This post is updated on August 3, 2015 for the Windows PowerShell 5.0.10240 preview. A previous version described the information stream features in Windows PowerShell 5.0.10018. This post introduces the new information stream in Windows PowerShell 5.0, and it explains the issue it tries to solve and its elegant solution. In M...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create OU in Active Directory
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily create an organizational unit in Active Directory. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a new organizational unit (OU) in Active Directory? Use the New-ADOrganizationalUnit cmdlet, and specify the name and path. A description is optional. If you want to easily delete the OU later, set the ProtectedFromAccidentalDeletion flag to false. Note The following command is a one-line command that accomplishes this: New-ADOrganizationalUnit -Name Charlotte -...
Use PowerShell to Find Changes to Active Directory
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find changes to Active Directory. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have this problem. It seems our company has undergone a lot of changes recently, and I need to find what changes have impacted Active Directory. Basically, I do not even know where to start. I would like to get an overview of what things have changed since a specific date. Is this even possible with Windows PowerShell? —GF Hello GF, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Hey, the weekend is nearly here—at least if you live on the eastern coast o...
PowerTip: Compare Two Objects with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to compare two objects to see differences. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see if a particular property from two objects is the same? Use the Compare-Object cmdlet, specify the reference object, the object to compare, and the property you are interested in looking at, for example: Compare-Object -ReferenceObject $d -DifferenceObject $p -Property lockout
Using PowerShell to Check Lockout Threshold for Domains
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell to check the lockout threshold for several domains. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have several domains in our forest, and it seems that some weasel got in and changed the lockout threshold in some of the child domains. I know we should have turned on auditing, but we did not. What I need right now is a way to find all of the domains that have been changed. —MB Hello MB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This weekend, there is a battle-of-the-bands going on in downtown Charlotte. I am thinking that the Scripting ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Domain Password Policy
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get the domain password policy. How can I use Windows PowerShell to retrieve the default password policy for my domain? Use the Get-ADDefaultDomainPasswordPolicy cmdlet.
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Domain Password Policy
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get the domain password policy. How can I use Windows PowerShell to retrieve the default password policy for my domain? Use the Get-ADDefaultDomainPasswordPolicy cmdlet.
Use Windows PowerShell to Configure Domain Password Policy
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell to configure the default domain password policy. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need some help. I need to get the default domain password policy, but I do not want to mess around with the Group Policy MMC. Instead, I would like to have objects I can use, and then make some decisions based on what I find. Can you help? —JB Hello JB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The good news is that the temperature today is only 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The bad news is that dew point is about 78, so the resultant relative humid...
PowerTip: Determine What Character a String Starts With
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to determine what character a string starts with. How can I use Windows PowerShell to show me if a string starts with a particular letter (this also needs to be case sensitive)? Use the StartsWith method from the String class, and supply the character to the method. It will return a True or False Boolean value, for example: PS C:\> "string".StartsWith("s") True PS C:\> "string".StartsWith("S") False
Working with Users in Active Directory
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about using Windows PowerShell to work with users in Active Directory Domain Services. Hey, Scripting Guy! We are a rather diversified IT shop, but we have a heavy investment in Microsoft, and particularly in Active Directory. We use it for everything. I need to be able to update user information, but I cannot install anything on my computer. I need something that is basically in the box. How can I do this? —OF Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is becoming rather warm here in central Florida. The other day, the Scripting Wife and I...
PowerTip: Convert All Uppercase String to Lowercase
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to convert a string to all lowercase characters. How can I use Windows PowerShell to convert a string that is in all uppercase to all lowercase characters? Use the ToLower method from the String class: "STRING".ToLower()
Create Users in Active Directory Without Using Module
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about creating users in Active Directory Domain Services without using a module. Hey, Scripting Guy! In my company, we do a lot of work with Active Directory, and my team is responsible for this. But not all of the administrators have the Active Directory module, so I cannot assume that it will be available when we need to run a script. I need to be able to create users from a script (like I did with VBScript) without having to do anything special. Can this still be done by using Windows PowerShell? —GF Hello GF, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here....
PowerTip: Select Two Random Numbers from 20 Possibilities
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to select two random numbers from twenty possible numbers. How can I use Windows PowerShell to select two of twenty attendees at user group to receive prizes? Create a range of input numbers with the Get-Random cmdlet, then use the –Count parameter to retrieve two random numbers: Get-Random -InputObject (1..20) -Count 2
Weekend Scripter: Fun with Number Ranges and PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to split arrays of numbers into contiguous ranges. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I have a cool post from guest blogger, Zachary Loeber. Here is a little bit about Zachary: Zachary Loeber is a solution architect with PSC Group. Zachary is a seasoned network and systems architect and an administrator with hands-on experience for a wide range of technologies including Cisco/Juniper/HP networking, Exchange 2003/2007/2010/2013, Lync 2010/2013, Skype for Business, Active Directory, VMware, Linux, SAN technologies, and Windows PowerShell scripting. Zachary holds seve...
PowerTip: Load All PowerShell Modules at Startup
Summary: Learn how to load all Windows PowerShell modules at startup. How can I load all of my Windows PowerShell modules when I start the Windows PowerShell console? In your Windows PowerShell profile, use the Get-Module cmdlet and pipe the results to the Import-Module cmdlet, for example: Get-Module -ListAvailable | Import-Module
PowerShell Spotlight: Yeah! It’s the Scripting Games
Summary: Teresa Wilson, Microsoft PowerShell MVP, introduces the new Scripting Games for 2015. Hello everyone. Teresa Wilson (aka The Scripting Wife) here with this month's PowerShell Spotlight. I am going to spill the beans about the Scripting Games with a little help from Don Jones, Windows PowerShell MVP and president of PowerShell.org. Because I am the treasurer for PowerShell.org, I get to have input occasionally, and I am always ears to the ground when something is going on in the Windows PowerShell community so I can offer assistance as I am able. I am not into reinventing the wheel, so most of this post i...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Licensed Users in Office 365
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a list of users who are licensed in Office 365. How can I get a list of all users that are licensed in Office 365? Use the Get-Msoluser cmdlet from the MSOnline module and filter on the IsLicensed property: Get-Msoluser | Where { $_.Islicensed }
Using Windows PowerShell with Staged Migrations: Part 5
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to license users and correct the login ID for Office 365. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here, and we're finishing up our week with Windows PowerShell and staged migrations in Office 365. By this point you’ve done all the dirty work. The user email accounts are up in Office 365 and the on-premise staff is still able to communicate via email while the migration is ongoing. Ah, yes…excellent. A job well done. Well, almost. The Office 365 mailboxes still need t...
PowerTip: Provide Alternate Name to Nouns in Module
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to provide alternate names to nouns in modules to avoid conflicts. How can I use Windows PowerShell to avoid the problem of having conflicting cmdlet names in different modules? Use the Prefix parameter with Import-Module. Prefix will take whatever letter segment you provide and add that before the noun in all the cmdlets for a module you load. For example, if I want to make sure all the cmdlets in the UEV module have HSG before the noun, I would type: Import-Modu...
Using Windows PowerShell with Staged Migrations: Part 4
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to convert mailboxes to mail-enabled users in Office 365. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney is here. When last we left, you had been shown how to access the reports and statistics from your staged migration from Windows PowerShell. By that point, you would have some mailboxes completed with their data in the cloud. What next? Today we’re stepping into the bits and bytes in Windows PowerShell. For a moment, let’s think about what we really have: two separate and foreign Exchang...
PowerTip: Use Windows PowerShell to Get Migration Statistics
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to pull statistics about user migrations. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily display a report with the time and amount of data transferred with my staged migrations? Use the Get-MigrationUser and Get-MigrationUserStatistics cmdlets and access some key properties, for example: Get-MigrationUser | Get-MigrationUserStatistics | Select-Object SyncedItemCount,TotalInprogressDuration,BytesTransferred,AverageBytesTransferredPerHour
Using Windows PowerShell with Staged Migrations: Part 3
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to obtain the status and statistics from staged migrations. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here. Today we’re going to look into using Windows PowerShell on a deeper level with our staged migrations. That is, we’re going to pull down not only the results of said migrations, but also statistics. When you examine your staged migrations you’ll see simple results such as Synched or Failed. In the following image, you can see the four batches we have done. All of these ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get List of Migration Batches in Office 365
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to identify all migration batches and their status in Office 365. Rather than navigating the Office 365 console to check the status of a migration, is there an easy way to do it with Windows PowerShell? To get list of all migration batches in Office 365 and their status, simply run Get-MigrationBatch.
Using Windows PowerShell with Staged Migrations: Part 2
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to upload and start staged migrations. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to get you up and running with staged migrations in Office 365. There are some prerequisites you’ll need, of course: With these in place, you can perform a staged migration. The staged migration builds content in Office 365 by synchronizing selected user mailboxes via Outlook Anywhere. When the synchronization process is complete, it establishes forwarding email from the on-premise Exchange server...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to List All Domains in Office 365 Subscription
Summary: Use Windows Powershell and the MSOnline cmdlets to identify all Internet domains attached to an Office 365 subscription. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily audit an Office 365 subscription for domains that are attached to it? Use the Get-MSolDomain cmdlet, and if you want a list in a CSV file for auditing purposes, add the Export parameter, for example: Get-MsolDomain | Export-CSV o365domains.csv
Using Windows PowerShell with Staged Migrations: Part 1
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to add and verify email domains in Office 365. Note This is a five-part series that includes the following posts: Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here. This week we’re going to touch on something that should be useful to many IT professionals who are trying to get themselves on to Office 365—that is a staged migration. When you are moving to Office 365, a staged migration is the preferable option if you’re starting from an Exchange Server 2007 or 2003 environment. It allows you to build out mailboxes in Office 365 without really needin...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Generate Tenant Site Report
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to generate a report about Office 365 tenant sites. How can I use Windows PowerShell to generate a report about my Office 365 tenant sites? Install the SharePoint Online Management Shell and install the cmdlet library for SharePoint Online (provided by MVP, Gary LaPointe). This will give you 82 cmdlets.
Weekend Scripter: Start PowerShell Scripting for Office 365 Sites
Summary: Guest blogger, Michael Blumenthal shows how to findWindows PowerShell cmdlets that are available for Office 365 sites. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a new guest blogger, Michael Blumenthal, who we met in Chicago in May at Microsoft Ignite. Here is a little bit about Michael: Michael Blumenthal is a technical solution evangelist with PSC Group and a Microsoft Office 365 MVP. As such, he is an experienced architect for SharePoint, and business technology advisor. Michael has deep SharePoint expertise, with two decades of development, infrastructure, and administratio...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Computer Name
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get your computer name. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily retrieve my computer name? Use the environmental variable ComputerName: $env:computername
Weekend Scripter: Understanding Quotation Marks in PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Don Walker, explores using single and double quotation marks in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome new guest blogger, Don Walker. Don is a coworker of guest blogger, Tim Bolton, and he worked with Tim on a project that Tim blogged about on June 18, 2015, Using PowerShell Grid View for User Info. Here's Don's contact information: Twitter: @EngineeringDon LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/EngineeringDon A while back, I was asked to explain the difference between using single quotation marks ( ‘ ) and double quotation marks ( “ ) to...
PowerTip: Line Continuation in PowerShell
Summary: Ensure a line continuation in Windows PowerShell. What the line continuation character should use to ensure my Windows PowerShell code continues to the next line? The line continuation character in Windows PowerShell is the backtick. Type a <space>, the backtick, and then press ENTER, for example: Get-Process -Name ` "Powershell_ISE"
PowerShell Code Breaks: Break Line, Not Code
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about line continuation without breaking Windows PowerShell code. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a problem sometimes when I copy code from the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog. It does not seem to work. I try to take out spaces, but it still doesn’t work. I am at my wits end because the code should do exactly what I want it to do, but I cannot get it to work. Can you help me? —BG Hello BG, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is definitely summer here in Charlotte, North Carolina. When the sun comes up, it is already hot, and when the sun g...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell Grid View to Display Logon Info
Summary: Learn how to display user logon information. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display user logon information in an easy graphical manner? Create two hash tables using environmental variables, and pipe the input to the Out-Gridview cmdlet, for example: @{"username" = $env:USERNAME}, @{"Computername"=$env:COMPUTERNAME} |Out-GridView -Title "user logon info" Note This is a single-line command broken at the pipeline character for display on the blog.
Using PowerShell Grid View for User Info
Summary: Learn how to use the Windows PowerShell grid view to display user information in this guest post by Tim Bolton and Don Walker. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger, Tim Bolton... Hi all, This project was a joint effort with my coworker, Don Walker (@EngineeringDon). In my current work environment, the character set used for user IDs that are stored in Active Directory can be a mixed bag of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, or a mix of both. This is due in part to a large Active Directory merger project that is currently underway. Due to that condition and the numero...
PowerTip: Return Specific Number of PowerShell Cmdlets
Summary: Learn how to return only a specific number of Windows PowerShell cmdlets. How can I find only four Windows PowerShell cmdlets that use the verb Get, without seeing a long scrolling list of found cmdlets? Use the TotalCount parameter of the Get-Command cmdlet, for example: Get-Command -Verb get -TotalCount 4
PowerShell and the Active Directory Schema: Part 2
Summary: Guest blogger, Andy Schneider, continues his discussion about extending the Active Directory schema. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger, Andy Schneider, for Part 2 of his series. If you missed yesterday's post, see PowerShell and the Active Directory Schema: Part 1. Yesterday, we looked at what the Active Directory schema is and how to access details of the schema by using Windows PowerShell. In this post, we are going to look at how we can look at the schema, and also update the schema. If you didn’t get a chance to read Extending the Active Directory Sche...
PowerTip: Find Specific PowerShell Cmdlet Help
Summary: Learn how to find help for a specific Windows PowerShell cmdlet parameter. How can I find more information about a specific Windows PowerShell parameter that I saw a presenter use? Use the Get-Help cmdlet, and specify the Windows PowerShell cmdlet and parameter names. This example returns help about the Raw parameter for the Get-Content cmdlet: get-help get-content -Parameter raw
PowerShell and the Active Directory Schema: Part 1
Summary: Guest blogger, Andy Schneider, discusses extending the Active Directory schema. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. We welcome back guest blogger, Andy Schneider. Andy has a two-part blog series that will conclude tomorrow. Andy Schneider is the Identity and Access Management Architect for IT Services at Avanade. His team’s job is to ensure that the right people can access the right things at the right time. Andy is very passionate about automation and the DevOps movement. He is a huge fan of Windows PowerShell, and he has been using it since it was first released as Monad. Andy’s pe...
PowerTip: Read Text File in Raw Mode with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to read a text file in raw mode. How can I use Windows PowerShell to read a text file as a single line of text, not as an array of strings created by end-of-line returns? Use the –Raw parameter with Get-Content. This forces Windows PowerShell to ignore new line characters and end-of-line returns, and instead, return the contents of the file as one string. Here is an example: Get-Content C:\fso\AnEmptyFile.txt -Raw
PowerShell Custom Type Module
Summary: Create custom types in Windows PowerShell with a free module by Jon Newman. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blogger who was with us in 2011, when he wrote Automate Facebook with a Free PowerShell Module. My name is Jon Newman, and I’m an old hand at Windows PowerShell. I was on the Windows PowerShell 1.0 team, with Bruce, Jim, and all the rest. My primary responsibility was for pipeline execution and error handling. I started at Microsoft in September 1989 (25 years ago!). I wrote management UI and infrastruc...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Parse Delimiters in File
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to parse file delimiters in a file. How can I use Windows PowerShell to break out lines in a text file that are delimited by “\”? Here is the file content: PS C:> Get-Content C:fsoAnEmptyFile.txt This is content \mydata\more stuff \addmydata\addmore stuff\evenmore Use the –Delimiter parameter of the Get-Content cmdlet. Here is an example with the associated output: PS C:> Get-Content C:fsoAnEmptyFile.txt -Delimiter \ This is content \ mydata\ more stuff \ addmydata\ addmore stuff\ evenmore
Weekend Scripter: Deciphering Windows PowerShell Shorthand
Summary: Learn how to decipher Windows PowerShell shorthand notation in this guest post written by Tim Warner. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome a new guest blogger today, Timothy Warner. Tim is an author and evangelist for Pluralsight, a premier online IT pro and development training company. Tim is the author of Sams Teach Yourself Windows PowerShell in 24 Hours, a contributor at PowerShell.org, and a member of the Nashville PowerShell User Group. Hi everyone. When I attended the Microsoft Ignite Conference in Chicago last week, I was somewhat surprised by the amount of Windows PowerShell sho...
PowerTip: Find All PowerShell Cmdlets Except…
Summary: Learn how to find all Windows PowerShell cmdlets except those from a specific module. How can I find all Windows PowerShell cmdlets that begin with the verb "get" but are not contained in the Windows PowerShell module named “PowerShellCookbook”? Use the Get-Command cmdlet, and use the Where method to filter that the module name does not equal “PowerShellCookbook”: (Get-Command -Verb get).where({$_.modulename -ne 'powershellcookbook'})
Weekend Scripter: Jacksonville IT Pro Camp Is Here
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about the Jacksonville IT Pro Camp. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This is a day I have been looking forward to for some time—and now it is here. It is time for the Jacksonville IT Pro Camp. Teresa (aka The Scripting Wife) and I are keynoting the event. That is right. You will get a chance to hear her speak for a change. We will be talking about the importance of community and getting involved in community. It will be awesome. I am also presenting two sessions. I will be doing the Data Grooming session that I presented at the Windows PowerShel...
PowerTip: Display Graphical PowerShell Help
Summary: Learn how to display graphical Windows PowerShell Help. How can I see Windows PowerShell Help in a graphical way so I can float the Help? Use the –ShowWindow parameter from the Get-Help cmdlet, for example: Get-Help Get-Process -ShowWindow
Five Best PowerShell Cmdlets
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about the five best Windows PowerShell cmdlets. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. OK, I will admit that this post is completely arbitrary. What do I mean when I talk about the five best Windows PowerShell cmdlets (commands)? Well, I am thinking about the cmdlets I use on a daily basis and the cmdlets that make my life really easy. The best cmdlet: Get-Command For me, the best Windows PowerShell cmdlet is probably Get-Command. I use this cmdlet every single day. In fact, I often use it multiple times a day. Why? Because I simply cannot remember thousand...
PowerTip: Read NTFS File System Stream with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to read a specific NTFS file system stream. How can I use Windows PowerShell to read a specific NTFS file system stream? Use the Get-Content cmdlet and specify the name of the file and the name of the stream. This example reads a stream named Data: Get-Content C:\fso\AnEmptyFile.txt -Stream data
Table of Basic PowerShell Commands
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Add Content to File Stream
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to add content to the file system stream of a file. How can I use Windows PowerShell to add data to an alternate NTFS file system stream of a file? Use the Add-Content cmdlet and specify the name of the stream for the Stream parameter, then specify the data in the –Value parameter, for example: Add-Content C:\fso\AnEmptyFile.txt -Stream Data -Value "datastream" Note If the stream does not exist, Windows PowerShell creates it.
Help: It Says Run a PowerShell Script
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about running a Windows PowerShell script. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Ninety two degrees Fahrenheit and sunny—that is what the weather is supposed to be this Saturday in Jacksonville when Teresa and I will be speaking at the Jacksonville IT Pro Camp. I can’t think of a better way to spend a sunny day in Jacksonville, Florida than in a building with the air conditioning on high, and talking about the way cool stuff in Windows PowerShell. Well, maybe I could think of one or two other things to do, but certainly, IT Pro Camp is at the t...
PowerTip: Convert to Decimals and Display Unicode Characters
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to convert hexadecimal values to decimal and display Unicode characters. I found a cool Unicode table on the Internet, but all of the values are displayed as hexadecimal values. How can I use Windows PowerShell to translate them to integers and display the Unicode characters? Use the [Convert] class, call the ToInt32 method, specify the value and 16, and call the [char] class so you can convert the character to its Unicode character, for example: PS C:\> [c...
Help! It Says PowerShell…Now What?
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about how to run a Windows PowerShell command. Hey, Scripting Guy! Help! I am reading through TechNet, and I found this command that seems like it will solve my problem, but I do not know how to do it. It says something about Windows PowerShell, but I do not know what that is, or how to run the command. I opened the command prompt, but all it did was give me errors. So where do I type the command? —WB Hello WB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the bad things about working at Microsoft, is that time sort of becomes skewed. By t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Add Content to File
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to add content to a file. How can I use Windows PowerShell to add content to a file? Use the Add-Content cmdlet, and specify the path to the file and the value of the content, for example: Add-Content C:\fso\AnEmptyFile.txt -Value "This is content"
Find PowerShell Reference Documentation
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about where to find Windows PowerShell reference documentation. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I am eagerly anticipating Saturday because Saturday is the Jacksonville IT Pro Camp, and the Scripting Wife and I will be speaking. I believe there are still tickets available, so if you are in the area, you should definitely check it out. It will be an awesome time. In addition to giving the Keynote, I think I am doing two additional sessions. It will be tremendous fun. The last time we were down there (a couple of years ago), we got to see some friends w...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create New File
Summary: Create a new file with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a new text file that will be empty until I add content? Use the New-Item cmdlet and specify a path, name, and type, for example: New-Item c:\fso\AnEmptyFile.txt -ItemType file
Weekend Scripter: Best PowerShell Resources on the Web
Summary: Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy, talks about the best fundamental resources on the web for Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the great things about the Microsoft Ignite conference in Chicago was getting to see and talk with so many people. Previously, there was a core group of people who went to TechEd and a core group of people who went to MEC, but there were not many people who went to both. As a result, groups were pigeon-holed. By combining the conferences into one giant conference, we were able to see, talk to, and meet people that otherwise would not be in o...
PowerTip: Find Which PowerShell Cmdlets Contain Specific Parameter
Summary: Find which Windows PowerShell cmdlets contain a specific parameter. How can I find which cmdlets contain the –Force parameter? Use the Get-Command cmdlet and specify the parameter name, for example: Get-Command -ParameterName force
Weekend Scripter: Find Coolest PowerShell Parameter Names
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about finding the coolest Windows PowerShell parameter names. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, my friend and colleague, Dr. Thomas Shinder, posted on Facebook that his favorite Windows PowerShell parameter name is –NoClobber. Interestingly enough, when I was writing my Windows PowerShell Step by Step book, one of the editors suggested that I change –NoClobber to something else. I had to tell her that I could not change it because it was actually part of the code. So what are the parameters that are used by Windows PowerShell ...
PowerTip: Get List of Scheduled Job Results in Azure Automation
Summary: Use Azure cmdlets to audit for scheduled job results in Azure Automation. How can I use Windows PowerShell to view the results of my scheduled runbooks in Azure Automation? Use the Get-AzureAutomationJob cmdlet from the Azure PowerShell module. For example, to see the results of all jobs in the 'HSG-AzureAutomation' instance, type: Get-AzureAutomationJob –automationAccountname 'HSG-AzureAutomation'
Using Azure Automation: Part 5
Summary: Schedule an Azure Automation runbook to get Azure to work for you. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to show you the most importance piece of Azure Automation: the actual scheduling of runbooks to allow you to let Azure do all the automation for you! This is the final post in a five-part series. To catch up, read: Yesterday, we finished our script to power down the virtual machines in Microsoft Azure, including sending some output to indicate the status of the shutdown. If we go back into our runbook, things look a little different now. Instead of defaulting to the draft editing w...
PowerTip: Start Azure Automation Job from PowerShell
Summary: Use Azure PowerShell cmdlets to launch a remote Azure Automation job. How can I trigger an Azure Automation job from a regular computer? Use the Start-AzureAutomationRunbook cmdlet. For example, to trigger the runbook called HSG-StopAzureVM that is attached to the HSG-AzureAutomation instance, run: Start-AzureAutomationRunbook -Name HSG-ShutdownAzureVM -AutomationAccountName HSG-AzureAutomation
Using Azure Automation: Part 4
Summary: Learn how to report output from Azure Automation and publish to production. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here again to show you more about Azure Automation and to empower you in automating your assets in Azure. This is the fourth post in a five-part series. To catch up, read: Our current task is trying to see what is happening in the magic genie bottle that contains our Azure Automation runbook. I say "magic genie bottle" because up to this point, we really can't see what's going on, can we? There's no Windows Powershell console, no ISE. Nothing… Not a sau...
PowerTip: Show Runbooks in Azure Automation Instance
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to show available runbooks in an Azure Automation instance. How can I use Windows PowerShell to show which runbooks are available in an Azure Automation instance? Use the Get-AzureAutomationRunbook cmdlet from the Azure module. For example, to get the runbooks in the 'HSG-AzureAutomation' instance, type: Get-AzureAutomationRunbook –AutomationAccountName 'HSG-AzureAutomation'
Using Azure Automation: Part 3
Summary: Learn how to access Azure Automation assets within a runbook. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to battle robots, aliens, and… …No, wait, sorry. My brain lapsed from watching an old rerun of Lost in Space. This is the third post in a five-part series. To catch up, read: Today I will continue showing you how to get up and running with Azure Automation with a simple project of having a runbook to shutdown virtual machines in Azure. Our previous runbook with the fully exposed credentials and a clear-text password looked like this (I sense far too many security specialists...
PowerTip: Show Available Credentials for Azure Automation
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a list of available assets of the Credential type in Azure Automation. How can I use Windows PowerShell to quickly audit an Azure Automation instance for any credentials that might be there? Use the Get-AzureAutomationCredential cmdlet and provide the name of the Azure Automation account, for example: Get-AzureAutomationCredential –AutomationAccountName 'HSG-AzureAutomation'
Using Azure Automation: Part 2
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney discusses how to get started and test a basic runbook with Azure Automation. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here. Today I'm going to show you the basics you're going to need to make a useful runbook (or Windows PowerShell workflow, if that makes it easier to remember) in Microsoft Azure. This is the second post in a five-part series. Be sure to read Using Azure Automation: Part 1 first. I've started a very basic script block to get a list of virtual machines in Azure and stop them all. Nothing fancy. If I want to, I can click the Test bu...
PowerTip: Show Available Azure Automation Accounts
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a list of available Azure Automation accounts. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see my Azure Automation accounts? You can get this information with one simple cmdlet: Get-AzureAutomationAccount
Using Azure Automation: Part 1
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney discusses how to get started with Windows PowerShell and Azure Automation. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here, and for the next five days we're going to touch on Azure Automation, which is a great way to automate control of your Azure resources without Internet access. Azure Automation is, when you get right down to it, a way to schedule Windows PowerShell workflows in the cloud. "But wait!" you'll say. "If I want to do that, I can just as easily spin up a virtual machine in Azure and use the scheduled tasks in Windows Server 2...
Weekend Scripter: What to Include in a PowerShell Comment Block
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about what to include in a Windows PowerShell comment block. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Something that tends to confuse new scripters, regardless of the language, is what to include in a comment block at the beginning of a script. I have reviewed thousands of scripts for various scripters, and I have seen lots of variation. This variation ranges from nothing at all, no comments, not a thing to nearly complete books that describe everything a script should do, might do, and even ways to improve the script should it come time for revision. In real...
PowerTip: Maintain PowerShell Objects
Summary: Maintain Windows PowerShell objects in the pipeline. How can I send output to the Windows PowerShell pipeline without changing the formatting or objects, plus insure that the output go to the Windows PowerShell console if there is nothing else in the pipeline? The Write-Output cmdlet sends output to the pipeline or to the console if it is the last command in the pipeline: Get-Process | Write-Output
PowerShell Spotlight: Two PowerShell Events
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about two upcoming Windows PowerShell community events. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is the last Saturday of May, and therefore, it is PowerShell Spotlight day with MVP, Teresa Wilson... Happy scripting Saturday, everyone. Today our Windows PowerShell Spotlight is on two events coming up in the next two weeks. First is the Cincinnati PowerShell User Group meeting on June 3. Ed will be the guest speaker at this event. I will be in the audience. For signup, time, and place information (and lots more, see at CincyPowerShell. The main informa...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Current Time
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to display the current time. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display the current time on my computer? Use the Get-Date cmdlet and tell it to show only the time, for example: Get-Date -DisplayHint Time
PowerShell Time Sync: Orchestrate Monitoring of Remote Servers
Summary: Guest blogger, Rudolf Vesely discusses how to monitor remote servers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is Part 3 of a 3-part series by guest blogger, Rudolf Vesely. To read the first 2 posts in this series, please see: In previous posts, I described my Time Sync module. I explained how to handle exceptions in parallel operations and how the Start-VSystemTimeSynchronization and Wait-VSystemTimeSynchronization workflows work. Those who have followed along may realize that there are two more workflows in the module. Get current time from the Internet The f...
PowerTip: Force Time Resync with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to force a time resynchronization. How can I use Windows PowerShell to force a time resynchronization? Use the W32tm /resync /force command. Note This command requires elevated rights.
PowerShell Time Sync: Error Handling in Parallel in Workflows
Summary: Guest blogger, Rudolf Vesely talks about error handling in workflows and repair actions. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is Part 2 of a 3-part series written by guest blogger Rudolf Vesely. Read yesterday’s post to catch up and to learn more about Rudolf: PowerShell Time Sync: Get and Evaluate Synchronization State. Take it away, Rudolf... Yesterday, I described the Time Sync module and I explained how the main inline script works. Those of you who checked my source code may realize that I used special error handling for the whole inline script (I do not mean error handling insid...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Time Service Status
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the status of the time service. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the status of the time service on my local computer? If all you are looking for is the status, use the W32tm command with the /query and /status switches: w32tm /query /status
PowerShell Time Sync: Get and Evaluate Synchronization State
Summary: Guest blogger, Rudolf Vesely, shows how to evaluate time synchronization. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is day 1 of a 3-part series by Rudolf Vesely. Here, Rudolf tells us about himself: I work as a lead cloud architect in Tieto Productivity Cloud (TPC) at Tieto Corporation. I am a blogger on the Technology Stronghold blog, and I am the author of large series of articles called How to Build Microsoft Private Cloud. I started my career in IT as a developer (assembler, object-oriented programming, C++, C#, .NET, and ASP.NET). However, I moved to operations many years ago. Program...
PowerTip: Pad String to Left with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to pad a string to the left. How can I use a specific Unicode character with Windows PowerShell to pad a string to the left so that the entire string is a certain length? Use the PadLeft method from the String class. Specify the length of the newly created string and the Unicode character as the second parameter. Here is an example that uses a triangle as the pad character. The string is 6 characters long, and the newly created s...
PowerShell and BitLocker: Part 2
Summary: Guest blogger, Stephane van Gulick, continues his series about using Windows PowerShell and BitLocker together. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back Stephane van Gulick for the final part of his two-part series. Be sure you read PowerShell and BitLocker: Part 1 first. Encryption operations A lot of the following script examples come from a function I wrote called BitLockerSAK. It is a tool written in Windows PowerShell that makes BitLocker tasks easier to automate. Finally, we arrive at the interesting part: the encryption of the drive. Don’t get me wrong—the Trusted Plat...
PowerTip: Determine Letter a String Begins With
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to determine the letter that a string begins with. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find if a particular string begins with the letter “s”? Use the StartsWith method from the string, for example: PS C:\> "string".StartsWith("S") False PS C:\> "string".StartsWith("s") True Note The StartsWith method is case sensitive. Therefore “S” does not match the example, but “s” does.
PowerShell and BitLocker: Part 1
Summary: Guest blogger, Stephane van Gulick, presents a practical hands-on post that shows how to use Windows PowerShell and BitLocker together. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a new guest blogger, Stephane van Gulick. Stephane was introduced to me by The Scripting Wife, she was browsing the Internet and found his blog. She thought he would be an excellent guest for the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog, and I totally agreed. This is be a two-part blog series and there is a lot of information to share. Here is where you can find Stephane: Website: PowerShell DistrictTwitter : @Stephane...
PowerTip: Find Formatting Information for List Views
Summary: Find Windows PowerShell formatting information for list views. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find information about format data for types for list views? Use the Get-FormatData cmdlet and pipe the output to Where-Object., for example: Get-FormatData | ? FormatViewDefinition -Match 'list view'
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell for JIT Administration and PAM – Part 2
Summary: Guest blogger, and Microsoft PFE Ian Farr, continues his series about JIT administration with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, welcome back Ian Farr for the conclusion of his two-part blog. Before you dig into today's post, please read Use PowerShell for JIT Administration and PAM – Part 1. To read more of Ian's previous guest posts, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. Yesterday, I discussed an advanced function that was written with my teammate, Phil Lane. The function grants membership of a high-privileged group for a defined period of time. ...
PowerTip: Identify Regions in Azure
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a current list of regions in Azure. How can I use Windows PowerShell to show me a list of the regions in Microsoft Azure? Use the Get-AzureLocation cmdlet to output the list to your screen, then you can filter with the DisplayName parameter. This example lists all of the U.S. regions: Get-AzureLocation | Where { $_.Displayname –match 'US' } | Format-Table
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell for JIT Administration and PAM – Part 1
Summary: Guest blogger, Microsoft PFE, Ian Farr, talks about JIT administration with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger Ian Farr. To read more of Ian's previous guest posts, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. This weekend is a two-part blog, with today being Part 1. Here's Ian... You may be asking yourself, "What’s JIT administration, and who’s PAM?" Let me explain… The JIT stands for "just-in-time"—and not Just-in-Timberlake, as my colleague, Phil Lane, likes to insist! With Ed’s permissio...
PowerTip: See Data in Azure Storage
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to show the files in an Azure Storage blob. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see files that are in my subscription and stored in Azure blobs? Use a combination of the Get-AzureStorageContainer and Get-AzureStorageBlob cmdlets. For example, to see all of the data stored within the VHDs container in an Azure Storage blob, use: Get-AzureStorageContainer vhds | Get-AzureStorageBlob
Use PowerShell to Create Virtual Machine in Azure – Part 5
Summary: Learn how to create a virtual machine in Azure by using your own VHD template. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney is here with the last bit of coolness about creating virtual machines in Azure—using a customized template. This post is part of a series. To catch up, read: Your first challenge is to create a custom virtual machine, which really isn't a challenge. Let's imagine you've got a machine that's set up just the way you want it. Life is good and you're ready to rock. The first thing you'll want to do is make a backup copy of the operating system VHD. If the virtual machine name i...
PowerTip: Identify Extensions in Azure
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a current list of virtual machine extensions in Azure. How can I find all the extensions that are available for virtual machines in Azure? To see all the extensions for a virtual machine in Azure, type: Get-AzureVMAvailableExtension | Format-Table
Use PowerShell to Create Virtual Machine in Azure – Part 4
Summary: Learn how to leverage Desired State Configuration with a virtual machine in Microsoft Azure. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here today filling in for my buddy Ed. Today I'll show you how to leverage Desired State Configuration (DSC) with a virtual machine in Microsoft Azure. This post is part of a series. To catch up, read: If you didn't already know, Windows PowerShell 4.0 introduced a great new feature called Desired State Configuration, which allows you to define and enforce the features that a server requires. Here is a simple example we will be using to define a very basic web s...
PowerTip: Identify Azure Subscriptions
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a current list of Azure subscriptions. How can I use Windows PowerShell to show me a list of the subscriptions that are attached to my Azure account? Use the Get-AzureSubscription cmdlet.
Use PowerShell to Create Virtual Machine in Azure – Part 3
Summary: Learn how to spin up a virtual machine in Microsoft Azure. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney is here. Ed is still resting nicely, so today, I'll show you how to spin up a virtual machine in Microsoft Azure! If you add Get-Help against the New-AzureVM cmdlet, you'll have an example like this one: New-AzureVMConfig -Name "MyNewVM" -InstanceSize ExtraSmall -ImageName (Get-AzureVMImage)[4].ImageName | Add-AzureProvisioningConfig -Windows -Password $adminPassword -AdminUsername PsTestAdmin | New-AzureVM -ServiceName "MySvc2" -AffinityGroup "Contoso" -WaitForBoot Let's break this down. The first part is the...
PowerTip: Identify Azure Services in Subscription
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a current list of Azure services in a subscription. How can I use Windows PowerShell to show me a list of the Azure services in a subscription? Run the Get-AzureService cmdlet.
Use PowerShell to Create Virtual Machine in Azure – Part 2
Summary: Learn how to work with sizing names in Microsoft Azure. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is back again to show more really cool stuff in Microsoft Azure. Be sure to also read Use PowerShell to Create Virtual Machine in Azure – Part 1. When you're creating a virtual machine, you need to specify its size. In Hyper-V or other virtualization solutions, you would normally specify parameters such as: In Microsoft Azure, when you're creating a virtual machine, you actually have a series of prepackaged configurations. These are accessed with the Get-AzureRoleSize cmdlet. If you'd l...
PowerTip: Find the PowerShell Version
Summary: Easily find your Windows PowerShell version. How can I find information about my Windows PowerShell version? Use the $psversionTable automatic variable with the PSVersion property, for example: $PSVersionTable.PSVersion.Major
Use PowerShell to Create Virtual Machine in Azure – Part 1
Summary: Learn how to use the Azure PowerShell cmdlets to identify built-in virtual machine templates. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to help out and give Ed a break (enjoy some tea and rest your fingers, my friend). In November, I touched on how to use Windows PowerShell for some overall setup and management of the Azure infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS). (If you'd like to read more, see this series of Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts: Manage Azure IaaS with Windows PowerShell.) Today, I'm going to specifically focus on creating those virtual machines and all you'll need to kno...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Aliases by Module
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find aliases by module. How can I easily find which modules expose aliases? Use the Get-Alias cmdlet and pipe the results to the Sort-Object cmdlet (Sort is an alias), for example: Get-Alias | sort modulename -Descending
Weekend Scripter: Manage SQL Server Virtual Log File with PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Microsoft PFE, Jonathan Yong, talks about using Windows PowerShell to manage the SQL Server virtual log file. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This is the week of new guest bloggers it seems. Today, please welcome Microsoft PFE, Jonathan Yong... Some time back, I was discussing a SQL Server administration use case with another engineer. The customer’s DBA wanted to get a list of all virtual log files for each database in the instance to decide which database’s log file needed tuning. The easy part is that DBCC LOGINFO will provide this information. The tricky part i...
PowerTip: Find Aliases for PowerShell Cmdlets
Summary: Learn how to find aliases for Windows PowerShell cmdlets. How can I easily find all the aliases defined for a given Windows PowerShell cmdlet? Use the –Definition parameter of the Get-Alias cmdlet, for example: Get-Alias -Definition Get-ChildItem
Weekend Scripter: Get Started with PowerShell for Amazon Web Services
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Mike F Robbins, walks through a setup to manage an Amazon Web Services environment with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back Mike F Robbins to talk about Windows PowerShell for Amazon Web Services. Mike F Robbins is a Microsoft MVP for Windows PowerShell and for SAPIEN Technologies. He is a co-author of Windows PowerShell TFM 4th Edition, and he is the contributing author of a chapter in PowerShell Deep Dives. Mike has written guest posts for PowerShell Magazine, PowerShell.org, and the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog (to read more of Mike...
PowerTip: Update Windows PowerShell Help Files
Summary: Learn to easily update Windows PowerShell Help files. I try to use Get-Help, but I am unable to retrieve any information. What do I need to do? Open the Windows PowerShell console (or the Windows PowerShell ISE) with admin rights, and type Update-Help.
Let Sleeping VBScript Scripts Lie
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about when to replace a VBScript script and when not to. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the really awesome things about the Microsoft Ignite conference in Chicago this year was the chance to talk to literally thousands of people who stopped by the Scripting Guys booth on the Expo floor. One of the things that surprised me was the number of people who apologized—actually apologized—for still running VBScript. They would say something like, “We still run lots of VBScript in our environment.” OK… Let me make this o...
PowerTip: Find Approved Verbs in PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find approved verbs. How can find a list of approved verbs for a function I am writing in Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-Verb function.
Use PowerShell to Check In for Flight
Summary: Guest blogger, Microsoft PFE, Bill Grauer, talks about using Windows PowerShell to check in for a flight. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a new guest blogger—Bill Grauer, a Microsoft PFE... As a Windows PowerShell instructor, I try to drive home a simple point to my students, whether they are absolute beginners or more seasoned scripters. Becoming proficient in a language, whether it be Spanish or Windows PowerShell, requires practice. This means finding every opportunity you can to accomplish some task you're currently doing manually, and automating it. These ...
PowerTip: Test URI with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to test a URI. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily test if I can reach a URI? Use the Test-Uri function from the Windows PowerShell Cookbook module, for example: Test-Uri -Uri http://www.microsoft.com
Use Windows PowerShell to Parse RSS Feeds
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Will Anderson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to parse RSS feeds. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I welcome recent Windows PowerShell MVP and new guest blogger, Will Anderson... Hi there fellow scripters! Last week as I took my seat on a connecting flight in New York from beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina, my thoughts drifted to the wonderful experiences and memories that I took with me from the Windows PowerShell Summit. One thought in particular crossed my mind. It was a challenge posed to me by a member of the Windows PowerShell team. “Will,&r...
PowerTip: Convert PowerShell Path to Standard Path
Summary: Convert a Windows PowerShell path to a standard path. How can I convert a Windows PowerShell registry provider path to a standard registry path? Use the Convert-Path cmdlet, for example: Convert-Path HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft
Write TargetResource Functions for PowerShell DSC
Summary: Guest blogger and Microsoft PFE, Jason Walker, talks about writing Get, Set, and Test TargetResource functions for DSC. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Microsoft PFE and Honorary Scripting Guy, Jason Walker, is back with us today for Part 2 of his two-part series. Yesterday in Anatomy of a PowerShell DSC Resource, I gave an overview of the anatomy of a DSC resource and explained how to use the xDscResourceDesigner module to lay down the foundation of a DSC resource. Today I will explain what is involved in writing your Get, Set, and Test TargetResource functions. I’m going to start wit...
PowerTip: Identify Location of PowerShell Providers
Summary: Identify the location of Windows PowerShell providers. How can I find where the Windows PowerShell providers on my system come from? Use the Get-PSProvider Windows PowerShell cmdlet, and select the Name and the ModuleName properties: Get-PSProvider | select name, modulename
Anatomy of a PowerShell DSC Resource
Summary: Guest blogger and Microsoft PFE, Jason Walker, talks about the anatomy of a Windows PowerShell DSC resource. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is Part 1 of a two-part series written by Microsoft PFE and Honorary Scripting Guy, Jason Walker. The majority of my "PowerShelling" lately has been around Desired State Configuration (DSC). However, the gotcha with DSC is if there isn’t a resource for the configuration area that you want to configure, you can’t use DSC for that task. Now let’s not jump to conclusions and eliminate DSC as a solution. If you can write a ...
Dude, PowerShell Changed My Life
Summary: Ed Wilson relates conversations from the Microsoft Ignite 2015 conference in Chicago. One of the great things about being at Ignite in Chicago is the opportunity to talk to so many people. I mean, with 23,000 attendees, most of whom it seems stopped by the Scripting Guys booth, the conversations are varied, and at times, downright inspirational. I had one person who was from Nigeria stop by to say “thank you.” Of, course, I should have, and I did, say thank you right back. Anyway, he said he began reading the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog several years ago, and he taught himself Windows PowerShell...
Popcorn, Peanuts, and PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about day two of Microsoft Ignite 2015 in Chicago. When I was a kid, my brother and I could not wait for spring. In fact, during the winter, we carefully perused the schedule…THE schedule of the Cincinnati Reds games at Riverfront Stadium. Every year, our family would take two or three trips to Cincinnati to see the Reds play. It was a great time to be a fan, with Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Tony Perez, and the rest of the “big red machine.” Of course, we would always pick double-headers, because if you make the trip, you want as much baseball act...
How Do You Use PowerShell?
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about conversations with visitors to the Scripting Guys booth at Ignite 2015. It is Tuesday morning, and the expo is already at a dull roar of excitement. Microsoft PFEs Brian Wilhite, Jason Walker, and the Scripting Wife found a relatively quiet corner to check email, write blog posts, and generally play with our Surfaces. Jeffery Snover was here a few minutes ago asking how things are going at the Scripting Guys booth and confirming with Teresa that he will be at the Scripting Guys booth on Wednesday at 2:00 pm. One of the questions I asked people yesterday i...
Cool PowerShell Conversations at Ignite
Summary: Ed Wilson talks about some Windows PowerShell conversations at the Scripting Guys booth. One of the cool things about getting together with a bunch of people at the Scripting Guys booth is that I learn stuff. The conversations are great. Here is a case in point: Windows PowerShell MVP, Steve Murawski, stopped by the booth this morning. At the same time Microsoft PFEs, Gary Siepser, Brian Wilhite, and Jason Walker were here. Here is a picture: Ayway, while I was talking to Steve, I mentioned a conversation I had yesterday with a guy at lunch. I was talking about the importance of using –Whatif on a...
First Morning of Ignite in Chicago
Summary: Ed Wilson talks about the first morning of Ignite conference in Chicago. It is 6:00 in the morning. I would say, "Oh dark thirty"—except it is earlier than that. The Scripting Wife and I headed downstairs from our conference hotel for the ride to the convention center. I expected it would take longer than the 15-minute ride yesterday due to the fact that it is, well, Chicago on a Monday morning. Actually, the ride, although longer, was not bad. Not bad at all. I also expected the first bus, which left at 6:30, would be rather empty. Again I was wrong. It was packed, so Teresa and I had to...
Ignite: T-1: Scripting Guys Booth Setup Day
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about setting up the booth at Ignite 2015. The Scripting Wife and I arrived in Chicago last night for Microsoft Ignite 2015. As it turned out, it is an absolutely beautiful day. We herded onto the bus in front of our hotel, and headed to the conference center. It was a quick 15-minute trip. When we arrived at the conference center, we immediately met up with Rick Claus and Joey Snow. Teresa and I went into the Expo Hall, and found the Scripting Guys booth. It is right next to the Lumia area in the center of the Expo Hall. Our booth is part of the Microsoft are...
PowerTip: Keep Up with Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog
Summary: Easily keep up with Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. How can I easily keep up with Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts? Install the Scripting Guys app on your Windows Smart Phone. It is in the store, and it works great.
Weekend Scripter: An Ideal PowerShell Schedule for Ignite
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP and Scripting Wife, Teresa Wilson, creates her ideal schedule for Ignite 2015 in Chicago. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I decided to turn over the keyboard to the Scripting Wife, who is bouncing off of the walls in anticipation of Ignite starting… Greetings fellow PowerShellers! I am so excited! We just finished the Windows PowerShell Summit, and now we are on the road to Chicago for Microsoft Ignite. Tomorrow, we head to the conference center to check out our booth. Ed and I will be at the Scripting Guys booth in the Microsoft area during the hours the ...
PowerTip: Examine Default PowerShell Parameter Values
Summary: Examine default Windows PowerShell parameter values. How can I check to see if I have enabled any default Windows PowerShell parameter values? Check the value of the $PSDefaultParameterValues variable.
PowerShell Tips and Tricks: Using Default Parameter Values
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using default Windows PowerShell parameter values. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The last thing I want to talk about from the tips and tricks session of the Charlotte Windows PowerShell User Group with Lee Holmes is using default Windows PowerShell parameter values. To effectively use Windows PowerShell default parameter values, I need to first evaluate how I work. For example, if I routinely add –Wrap when I am using the Format-Table cmdlet, it might make sense for me to set that as my default. To do this, I simply need to assign a val...
It’s Not Too Late to Learn PowerShell
Summary: Ed Wilson talks about learning Windows PowerShell. It seems that there are always new technologies. It is hard to keep up with them, and it is hard to predict which ones are even worth the time and effort to learn. As with agile development, it seems there are also agile computing technologies. Over the years, I have been to many, many technology related conventions, conferences, and training classes. The world of IT is one of endless learning. One of the big reasons for going to conferences, is to see what is on the horizon, to see what is coming up next, and to see where I will need to focus my efforts...
PowerTip: Better Way to View PowerShell Help
Summary: Learn a better way to view Windows PowerShell Help. I like the Windows PowerShell Help files, but I do not like trying to read them in the Windows PowerShell console window. What is a better way to read the content? Use the –ShowWindow parameter from Get-Help. This example displays the About_Automatic_Variables Help: Get-Help -Category helpfile automatic -ShowWindow
Select History Via PowerShell Out-Gridview
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, continues his tips and tricks series by talking about select Windows PowerShell commands via Out-GridView. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the great things about getting a bunch of Windows PowerShell people together is that they begin to share tips and tricks they have figured out. One reason for this is that Windows PowerShell is highly discoverable. Another reason is that there is a whole lot of Windows PowerShell, and therefore, there is a whole bunch of stuff to discover. Many times (at least for me), the coolest tips and tricks are not somethin...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Profiles
Summary: Learn how to easily find Windows PowerShell profiles. How can I Question: You want to find the path to Windows PowerShell profiles? Use the $Profile automatic variable, but pipe the output to the Format-List cmdlet and use the –Force parameter. Here is an example that uses the FL alias for Format-List): $profile | fl * -Force
PowerShell Tips and Tricks: Extended History
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about a module that provides extended command history. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things that came up during the Charlotte Windows PowerShell User Group meeting was the HistoryPx module that was written by Windows PowerShell MVP, Kirk Munro. This module adds additional history information to the Windows PowerShell console. For example, he adds information about the duration of a command, the output of the command, and errors generated by the command. Installing HistoryPx Installing the HistoryPx module is really easy because it ...
PowerTip: Retrieve Last Token Received by PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to retrieve the last token that was received by Windows PowerShell. How can I retrieve the last token received by Windows PowerShell? Use the $$ automatic variable: PS C:\> notepad C:\fso\AMoreComplete.txt PS C:\> $$ C:\fso\AMoreComplete.txt
Use PSReadLine for More Efficient PowerShell Console
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, presents a tip from the Charlotte User Group meeting about using PSReadLine. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One really big tip that came out during the Charlotte User Group meeting was to use the PSReadLine module. It provides is syntax highlighting, which makes it easier to understand commands and spot errors because I can see how Windows PowerShell is interpreting something. For example, in the following image, the cmdlet is colored yellow, parameters are gray, variables are green, and the output is white. If I am trying to run a command...
PowerTip: Find User's Home Directory in PowerShell
Summary: Find the path to the current user's home directory in Windows PowerShell. How can I easily find the current user's home directory for a script I am writing? Use the $home automatic variable: PS C:\> $HOME
Favorite PowerShell Tips and Tricks
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about Windows PowerShell tips and tricks from the Charlotte User Group meeting. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Last week was a special meeting at the Charlotte Windows PowerShell User Group. It followed immediately after the Windows PowerShell Summit, and as a result, the user group included five members of the Windows PowerShell team, nearly a dozen MVPs, and at least that many Microsoft employees. All in all, there were nearly a hundred people in the room, and that, I believe, makes it the largest Windows PowerShell User Group meeting so far in Ch...
PowerTip: Find Current Directory in PowerShell
Summary: Easily find the current directory in Windows PowerShell. How can I return a path object that contains information about the current working directory in Windows PowerShell? Use the $pwd automatic variable: PS C:\> $pwd
Weekend Scripter: My First PowerShell Summit
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Will Anderson, talks about his first Windows PowerShell Summit. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Wow! What a week...or part of a week. Windows PowerShell Summit North America 2015 was here in Charlotte, NC this past week. The Scripting Wife and I met a lot of new people and made new friends. One of these friends is a brand new Windows PowerShell MVP, Will Anderson. Will wrote a blog post about his time here in Charlotte. First a little about Will... Will Anderson is a thirteen-year infrastructure veteran with a specialization in patch management, compliance, and Sys...
PowerTip: Determine if Property is Member of Object
Summary: Determine if a property is a member of an object in Windows PowerShell. How can I determine if a specific property is actually a member of an object in my Windows PowerShell script? Use the Get-Member cmdlet, and cast the response into a Boolean data type by using the [bool] type accelerator, for example: [bool](Get-member -Name time -InputObject (get-date) -MemberType Property) Note I got this idea from Microsoft PFE, Clint Huffman. He uses it in his PAL data collector. He has a note in that script that says he got the ...
Weekend Scripter: Scripting Guys Ignite Booth Schedule
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about the Scripting Guys booth schedule. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is that time of year again. Conference time. TechEd North America is no more, but Microsoft Ignite is on the horizon. May 4-8, 2015 in Chicago! It is already sold out, but you can see the presentations as they are being recorded. Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson (aka The Scripting Wife) is with us today to share the schedule of special guests you can meet at the Scripting Guys booth. Take it away, Teresa... I have a working schedule to share with you regarding who y...
PowerTip: Roll Back Active PowerShell Transaction
Summary: Learn how to roll back an active Windows PowerShell transaction. I started a transaction to modify the registry on my computer running Windows 8.1, but something failed, and I want to roll back the transaction. How can I do this? Use the Undo-Transaction cmdlet to roll back the active transaction.
Use PowerShell to Move User Files and Update Registry
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to move user files and update the registry. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need to move a bunch of user files from their local computer to a network share so we can back up the user's data prior to migrating their desktops. I know there are various tools I can use to do this, but our scenario is pretty simple because the user profile data is all located in specific folders. After I have moved their data, I need to update a registry key. That key will be read by another app, and the machines will be wiped before we drop a new image...
PowerTip: Set Default Location Stack with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to set your default location stack. How can I use Windows PowerShell to set the default for some named location stacks that I created? Use the Set-Location cmdlet and specify the stack name, for example: Set-Location -StackName REG
Using Transactions with PowerShell Registry Provider
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using transactions with the Windows PowerShell Registry provider. Hey, Scripting Guy! I was looking at the various providers and their capabilities (see Find and Use Windows PowerShell Providers). I see that the Registry provider says it does transactions. What’s that all about? —JS Hello JS, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sipping a cup of tea from some tea that Windows PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, brought me from Ottawa. There just happens to be an awesome tea shop there, and Sean volunteered to brin...
PowerTip: Display Locations Stored on Stack
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display locations stored on the default stack. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see the locations that are stored on my default location stack? Use the –Stack parameter of Get-Location: Get-Location -Stack
Using Named Location Stacks in PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using named location stacks in Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! If I need to move around in two types of locations, how would I do it? Suppose I need to look in various places in my profile, and then I need to do some work in data locations elsewhere on my hard drive. How would I be able to keep track of the different locations? —AK Hello AK, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is the last day of the Windows PowerShell Summit in Charlotte. In fact, tonight the Charlotte Windows PowerShell User Group is having a specia...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Cmdlets and Synopsis
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find cmdlets and their associated synopsis. How can I easily find a list of specific Windows PowerShell cmdlets and their associated meanings? Use the Get-Command cmdlet, pipe the results to the Foreach-Object and Get-Help cmdlets, then select the name and synopsis, for example: gcm -Noun item* | % {get-help $_} | ft name, synopsis
Location, Location, Location in PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about managing locations in Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I don’t understand what is the big deal with Get-Location. I mean, I can look and see where I am at, so why do I need Get-Location? For that matter, what are a PushD and a PopD? It says it has something to do with a stack, but I don’t know where that stack is, or even what a stack is. Can you help? —DW Hello DW, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The weather in Charlotte finally cleared up. It has been rather cold and wet the past couple days. This is kind ...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Providers
Summary: Learn how to find Windows PowerShell providers and their capabilities. How can I find what Windows PowerShell providers I have on my system? Use the Get-PSProvider cmdlet. Note Beginning with Windows PowerShell 3.0, some providers load on-demand, and therefore, they do not appear unless they have been accessed at least once. The WSMAN provider is an example of such a provider.
Find and Use Windows PowerShell Providers
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about finding and using Windows PowerShell providers. Hey, Scripting Guy! I recently heard a Windows PowerShell MVP say that understanding the Windows PowerShell provider system is fundamental to understanding Windows PowerShell. I think I am in trouble because I have no idea what he is talking about. Can you throw a fella a bone? —DP Hello DP, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I am sipping a rather bland cup of tea, but I don’t care because it is a great day. In fact, the weather in Charlotte, North Carolina was rather cold and...
PowerTip: Return Specific Number of Letters from String
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to return a specific number of letters from a string. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily to retrieve the first two letters from a string? Use the SubString method from a string, and then specify the starting the position and the number of letters to return, for example: PS C:\> ("string").Substring(0,2) st
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Create Users in Active Directory
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to read a CSV file and create users in Active Directory. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Yesterday in Oh No! Oh Wait...PowerShell for the Win!, I created a CSV file from a Word document that I had been given. Today, I take the next logical step and create the users. When I have a working CSV file, I can begin the process of writing a script that will create the users in Active Directory. Note The CSV file that I was given had more than 1,200 lines in it. Although I gave it a quick “once over glance,” I...
PowerTip: Save CSV Data and Maintain Unicode Encoding
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to save data as a CSV file and maintain the Unicode encoding. How can I use Windows PowerShell to save my data as a CSV file but ensure that it is saved as Unicode? Make sure you specify the –Encoding parameter when you call the Export-CSV cmdlet, for example: Export-Csv -Path C:\Data\Names.CSV -Encoding Unicode -NoTypeInformation
Weekend Scripter: Oh No! Oh Wait…PowerShell for the Win!
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to clean up an impossible document. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Sometimes I just cringe. It is a reflex reaction born from many long (and at times, torturous) years in the IT field. I know, I should be able to get over it, and sometimes I actually think I am getting better. And then things like the following crop up in my email... I recently received a panic email from an IT admin. He was tasked with creating over 1,200 new user accounts. Hey, no problem. Give me a properly formatted CSV file or Excel spreadsheet, a...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Remove All CIM Sessions
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to remove all CIM sessions. How can I use Windows PowerShell to delete all the CIM sessions I have created? Use the Get-CIMSession cmdlet to retrieve all CIM sessions, and pipe the results to the Remove-CIMSession cmdlet: Get-CimSession | Remove-CimSession
Combine PowerShell Remoting and CIM
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about combining Windows PowerShell remoting and CIM. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things about Windows PowerShell is remoting. It is not a new feature. In fact, it was introduced in Windows PowerShell 2.0—a time that seems like eons ago. Really. That was back in Windows Server 2008 R2, so that was in 2009. Anyway, it is turned on by default in Windows Server 2012 and later. Windows PowerShell remoting lets me connect to remote servers or workstations, over a single port, and in a secure manner. In addition, it ...
PowerTip: Find WMI Parent Class with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily find a WMI parent class. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find what parent class a particular WMI class derives from? Use the Get-CimClass cmdlet, and select the CimSuperClassName property, for example: (Get-Cimclass win32_bios).CimSuperClassName
Look at Schema of WMI Class with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to look at the schema of a WMI class. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things about WMI is that it is largely self-describing. This means that I can use WMI and look at WMI. With the CIM cmdlets, this goes even a step further. For example, if I want to look at the Win32_Desktop WMI class, I can use the Get-CimClass cmdlet, and examine it: PS C:> Get-CimClass win32_desktop NameSpace: ROOT/cimv2 CimClassName CimClassMethods CimClassPr...
PowerTip: Remove Type Data with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to remove type data by using Windows PowerShell. How can I remove a custom type data that is producing an error message when I try to update it in my Windows PowerShell session? Use the Get-TypeData cmdlet to retrieve an instance of the type data, and pipe it to the Remove-TypeData cmdlet, for example: "Microsoft.Management.Infrastructure.CimInstance#root/cimv2/Win32_Volume" |Get-TypeData | Remove-TypeData Note This is a long single-line command that is broken a...
Create Custom Type Data in PowerShell to Format WMI Display
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about creating custom type data to control the way a WMI class displays. Hey, Scripting Guy! Yesterday, you said you could create custom type data to control the way the Win32_Volume WMI class reports back. How would one go about doing that? I looked on the Internet, and to be honest, it looks like it is basically impossible. —AT Hello AT, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I love this time of the year. All the windows are open, the azaleas are in bloom, and I am upstairs with my Surface Pro 3, a cup of orange-cream green tea, and...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Cmdlets that Use CIM
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find cmdlets that use CIM. I want to see what Windows PowerShell cmdlets will use a CIM session, but when I use Get-Command, only a couple things return. How can I fix this? Windows PowerShell automatically loads modules, but when looking for parameters, it does not load modules. Therefore, if you want to see all the commands that use a CIM session, first load the modules, then search for commands that accept the CIMSession pa...
Comparing CIM and WMI in PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about comparing CIM and Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! When I query using a CIM function, I get back different stuff than when I query WMI. I don’t get it. Can you help? —BW Hello BW, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Yesterday in Working with Volumes in CIM, I began talking about WMI and CIM. Let’s continue by looking more in depth at what happens with Get-Volume and Win32_Volume. Anyone who has done a lot of work with WMI and with Windows PowerShell knows about types and type data. For example, when I query the ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find File or Folder
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find a file or a folder. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine if a variable contains a path that leads to a file or folder? Use the Test-Path cmdlet to test the path stored in the variable, and then specify the PathType parameter, for example: PS C:\> $fso = "c:\fso" PS C:\> $file = "C:\fso\backup.ps1" PS C:\> Test-Path $fso -PathType leaf False PS C:\> Test-Path $file -PathType leaf True
Working with Volumes in CIM
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about working with volumes with Windows PowerShell and CIM. Hey, Scripting Guy! I don’t understand CIM at all. I mean, I thought it was basically WMI, but when I use WMI to look at volumes, I see different stuff. Can you help me? —AB Hello AB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. There are some questions that seem to be rather easy to answer, and then become confusing. So I am going to jump in and introduce CIM Week. The Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) is Microsoft’s implementation of the Common Information Model (CI...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Files in Wrong Folder
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily find files that are in the wrong folder. I have a folder for documents and another folder for images. But at times, I discover images in the documents folder. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily detect this situation? Use the Test-Path cmdlet, and specify the file extension to exclude, for example: PS C:\> test-path c:\fso -Exclude *.bmp True PS C:\> dir c:\fso -Include *.bmp PS C:\>
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Work with Embedded Objects
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to work with embedded objects. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I have my Zune 1.0 cranked up, and I am listening to some tunes. I have a nice cup of English Breakfast tea, and a warm croissant beside me. I also was able to score some homemade orange marmalade. Anyway, a few years ago, the Scripting Wife and I were in Maui, Hawaii, and we took an early morning drive up a winding road. We entered clouds, and it seemed like it was raining. I thought about turning back because of the rain, but there was no good...
PowerTip: Find Stats with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find stats of objects. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see the minimum, maximum, and average values of a specific property in a series of objects? Pipe the objects to the Measure-Object cmdlet, specify the property you seek, and use the Average, Maximum, Sum, and Minimum switches, for example: $objects | Measure-Object -Property numberofwords -Sum -Average -Maximum -Minimum
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Analyze Custom Objects
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to analyze custom objects. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Last week, I talked about using a Windows PowerShell script to collect the number of words and documents for each of several years. To this, I wrote a Windows PowerShell script that trolled a number of folders, opened the Word documents, and gathered the word count. (See Use PowerShell to Count Words and Display Progress Bar.) The real power of the script comes not in simply emiting the objects to the Windows PowerShell console, but in collecting the objects, an...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Shared Folders
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display shared folders. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display shared folders that I set up on a local computer? Use the Get-SMBShare cmdlet and no parameters.
Meet the PowerShell Summit 2015 Speakers #5
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about the Windows PowerShell Summit 2015 speakers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is the final day for guest blogger, Teresa Wilson, to tell you about some of the speakers and sessions for the upcoming North America PowerShell Summit 2015 in Charlotte, NC. Thanks Ed. It has been my pleasure to write this week about some of the speakers and sessions coming up at the Summit. I made a deliberate effort to not include all the sessions and speakers—can’t spill all the beans. There will be sessions by members of the Windows PowerShe...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Verify Syntax of Path
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to verify the syntax of a path. How can I use Windows PowerShell to verify that a path that accepts user input is using the correct syntax? Use the –IsValid parameter of the Test-Path cmdlet, for example: PS C:\> $a = "c:\myfolder\nonexistentfile.txt" PS C:\> Test-Path $a -IsValid True PS C:\> $b = "c:\my()(*&^%\afile.txt" PS C:\> Test-Path $b -IsValid False Note This command verifies if the syntax is correct for the provider, but it does not verify if the file exists.
Meet the PowerShell Summit 2015 Speakers #4
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about the Windows PowerShell Summit 2015 speakers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. We continue with guest blogger, Teresa Wilson, as she shares some of the speakers and their sessions for the North America PowerShell Summit 2015. Let’s kick off today with Jeffery Hicks. Jeff is a Windows PowerShell MVP, and he is on the Board of Directors for PowerShell.org. He has been a guest blogger on this site, and he is being an Honorary Scripting Guy. I can go on for pages about the other things he is involved in, but I won’t do that today. Jeff's s...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Files Newer than a Date
Summary: Use the Windows PowerShell to see if a file exists more recent than a certain date. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see if a file more recent than a specific date exists in a folder? Use the Test-Path cmdlet, specify the folder, and use the –NewerThan parameter. The cmdlet expects a date in accordance with regional settings, for example: PS C:\> Test-Path c:\fso -NewerThan 3/30/15 True PS C:\> Test-Path c:\fso -NewerThan 4/3/15 False
Meet the PowerShell Summit 2015 Speakers #3
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about the Windows PowerShell Summit speakers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Scripting Wife, Teresa Wilson, is my guest blogger all week. She is bringing you information about the speakers for the North America PowerShell Summit 2015 and their sessions. Don’t worry if you cannot attend the Summit. The sessions will be recorded and shared on You Tube. Happy Wednesday everyone! I am back to share with you again. Today, I am starting with Windows PowerShell MVP, Jason Helmick. Jason is the CFO for PowerShell.org and the person I work clo...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to See Hidden and Non-Hidden Files
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to see hidden and non-hidden files. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see all hidden and non-hidden files in a folder? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet and specify the –File and the –Force switches. Here is an example that uses the GCI alias: gci -Force -File
Meet the PowerShell Summit 2015 Speakers #2
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about the Windows PowerShell Summit speakers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger, Teresa Wilson, as she continues introducing you to the speakers for the PowerShell Summit and their sessions. Thanks Ed. I'm glad to have this opportunity to tell you a little bit about some of the speakers for the North America PowerShell Summit 2015 in Charlotte, NC. What would the PowerShell Summit be without PowerShell.org and our fearless leader, Don Jones? Don is a Windows PowerShell MVP and Honorary Scripting Guy. In his ses...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Only Hidden Files
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display only hidden files. How can I use Windows PowerShell to locate only hidden files? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet and specify the Not Directory and the Hidden attributes (abbreviate as !d+h): gci -Att !d+h
Meet the PowerShell Summit 2015 Speakers #1
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about the Windows PowerShell Summit 2015 speakers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week we will be talking about the PowerShell Summit. So who better to write some guest blog posts but the treasurer for PowerShell.org—my very special Scripting Wife and Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson. Take it away Teresa... Hello everyone! Thanks for stopping by and reading the blog today. I am all excited. It is April, which means I just returned from the US Open Days inaugural event in Malvern, PA for US MVPs, and I was renewed as a PowerShell...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Folders that Match Pattern
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find folders with names that match a specific pattern. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the path to folders that have names that match a specific pattern? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet and the –Filter parameter with a pattern that matches the name, and then specify the –Directory parameter. Here is an example that matches folders that have a four-letter name: Get-ChildItem E:\Data\ScriptingGuys -filter "????" -Directory | % { $_.fullname }
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Count Words and Display Progress Bar
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to display a progress bar while counting the number of words in Word documents. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things that a writer does is keep track of words. This is not so much because one gets paid by the word (although in the past that was actually true, and it is still true for some magazines). It is more because publishers need to know how many words will be in a book for planning purposes. It goes to the production budget, it goes to planning for shelf space in bookstores, and it influences the cost...
PowerTip: Use Filter Parameter with Get-ChildItem in PowerShell
Summary: Use the –Filter parameter with the Get-ChildItem Windows PowerShell cmdlet. Why can't I get the –Filter parameter to work with the Get-ChildItem cmdlet? Try using the FileSystem provider. The –Filter parameter will accept two wildcard characters ( ? and * ) and a single string as a filter (not an array of strings like the –Include parameter uses). Here is an example of using –Filter&nb...
Weekend Scripter: Using PowerShell to Look for Documents
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about different approaches to find documents with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is a lovely weekend down here in the deep south USA. I am sipping a nice cup of English Breakfast tea with lemon, lime, orange pith, and Hibiscus flower added. I decided to leave out the cinnamon stick this morning to see what would happen. What happened is that the resulting tea is mellow and tangy at the same time. I have the Rolling Stones cranked up on my Zune 2.0, and I am hanging out enjoying the beautiful weather. I also...
PowerTip: Look at Most Recent Error in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to see the most recent error in Windows PowerShell. I ran a script that fails. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the most recent error? Use $error, and to see the most recent error, look at error 0: $error[0]
Catch PowerShell Errors Related to Reading the Registry
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Try, Catch, Finally blocks to catch Windows PowerShell errors related to reading the registry. Hey, Scripting Guy! Yesterday you posted Update or Add Registry Key Value with PowerShell. Would it be easy to use Try, Catch, Finally blocks to know if I need to create the registry key or the registry key property? How can I do that? It doesn't seem very simple to me. —AP Hello AP, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The biggest challenge to using structured error handling in a Windows PowerShell script (beyond the most simp...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Read Registry Key Property Value
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to read a registry key property value. How can I use Windows PowerShell to read a registry key property value so I can find the version of a particular software package? Use the Get-ItemProperty cmdlet, for example: Get-ItemProperty -Path HKCU:\Software\ScriptingGuys\Scripts -Name version
Update or Add Registry Key Value with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to update or add a registry key value. Hey, Scripting Guy! I am having a problem trying to update the registry. I am using the New-ItemProperty cmdlet, but it fails if the registry key does not exist. I added the –Force parameter, but it still will not create the registry key. The error message says that it cannot find the path because it does not exist. Is there something I am not doing? I am including my script so you can see what is going on. Help me please. —DC Hello DC, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get File Hash
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to get a file hash. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get a hash of a file? Use the Get-FileHash cmdlet, for example: (Get-FileHash C:\fso\myfile.txt).hash
Use PowerShell to Compare Two Files
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to compare two files. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a script that I wrote to compare two files, but it seems really slow. I am wondering what I can do to speed things up a bit. —JW Hello JW, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I looked at the script you supplied, where you use Compare-Object to compare two files. Here is your script: $fileA = "C:\fso\myfile.txt" $fileB = "C:\fso\CopyOfmyfile.txt" $fileC = "C:\fso\changedMyFile.txt" if(Compare-Object -ReferenceObject $(Get-Content...
PowerTip: Create Array in PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily create an array. Can I use Windows PowerShell to create an array of strings and avoid typing quotation marks around all the strings? Instead of creating an array, such as this: $array = “a”,”b”,”c”,”d”,”e”,”f”,”g”,”h”, use a single string, and split it at the comma. It will be much less typing, and a whole lot faster. Here is an example: $array = 'a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h'.Split('...
Help Comparing Objects in PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, helps a reader compare two objects in Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I am having a problem with a script. I wrote a function to compare virtual machines with virtual drives that I have on my hard drive, and it works just fine. But when I try to put the thing into a larger script, and get the path from those drives, well, it just won’t work. In fact, all I get is gibberish. I am pasting my code into a different email. I hope you can help me. —RL Hello RL, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sipping a wonderful ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to See if Media Center is Installed
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to determine if a Windows 8.1 has Media Center installed. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine if a version of Windows 8.1 has Media Center installed? Use WMI and look at the Caption property of the Win32_OperatingSystem WMI class, for example: (Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystem).caption Note You can also use the alias GCIM, or use Get-WmiObject (alias GWMI).
Use PowerShell to Detect if Hypervisor is Present
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to determine if a hypervisor is present Hey, Scripting Guy! I have been trying to use WMI to determine if a server has the hypervisor present. I found the WMI class, and even the properties I need. But alas, the WMI class seems to be broken, and it is causing my Windows PowerShell script to fail. For your information, I have been using the Win32_Processor WMI class because it seems to have the properties I need. I know there are various tools I can download that provide this information, but I prefer to use something native if...
PowerTip: How to Find PowerShell User Groups
Summary: Learn how to find Windows PowerShell user groups. Where do I begin a search to find if there is a Windows PowerShell user group in my area? There are two primary places for finding Windows PowerShell user group information:
Weekend Scripter: Special Charlotte PowerShell User Group Meeting
Summary: On April 22, the Charlotte Windows PowerShell User Group will host Lee Holmes and Paul Higginbotham. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Sometimes things just work out. The other day, I received an email from Lee Holmes. He is speaking at the Windows PowerShell Summit, which will be hosted in Charlotte, NC, on April 20 – 22. This event sold out in just a few days, and when additional tickets were added, it sold out again. It would probably be easier to get tickets to the NCAA basketball tournament, than it is to get tickets to this event. After all, after basketball teams lose, many people...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Sessions at Ignite
Summary: See the scheduled Windows PowerShell sessions for Microsoft Ignite. I am planning to attend the Microsoft Ignite conference in Chicago this year! How can I find what Windows PowerShell sessions are on the schedule? Go to the Microsoft Ignite page, and filter on Windows PowerShell: Windows PowerShell Sessions. Also keep in mind that many other sessions may have a heavy Windows PowerShell content, but they are not specifically keyed as Windows PowerShell sessions.
PowerShell Spotlight: Scripting Guys at Ignite
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about plans for the Scripting Guys booth at Ignite in Chicago. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson (aka The Scripting Wife) with another edition of PowerShell Spotlight... It is almost April which means conference season is about to begin. I am so excited. The first conference is the PowerShell Summit in Charlotte April 20-22. This event is sold out. It is going to be an awesome three days. If you are in the Charlotte area and did not get tickets to the Summit (or even if you did and are going to b...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Installed Optional Features
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find installed optional features in Windows. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see what optional features are installed in a copy of Windows? Use the Get-WindowsOptionalFeature cmdlet, and if you are looking at a version of Windows that is running, use the –Online switch: Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online
Use PowerShell to Remove Optional Features from Windows VHD
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to remove optional features from Windows virtual hard disks. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a number of virtual machines that have optional features that they do not need, such as Windows Media Player. In fact, the virtual machines are set up with no audio, so having Windows Media Player is sort of a waste. How can I easily remove this feature? —CG Hello CG, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning started off early. IIS MVP, Teri Donahue, stopped by to pick up Teresa’s Surface Pro 2. T...
PowerTip: Find DISM-Related PowerShell Cmdlets
Summary: Learn how to find all Windows PowerShell cmdlets that work with DISM. How can I find all Windows PowerShell cmdlets that work with Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)? Use the Get-Command cmdlet and specify the DISM module: Get-Command -Module dism
Use PowerShell to Add Files to Offline Windows Image
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to add files to an offline Windows image. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a number of VHDs that I need to add files to. I know that I can use File Manager to mount the VHD and then copy the files, but I am hoping that I can use Windows PowerShell to do this. The VHDs are for virtual machines that I run in my lab. Can you help? —AM Hello AM, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am a bit sore. I finally made it back into the gym yesterday, and my trainer seemed to have it in for me. Anyway, I am listening ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Virtual Hard Disks
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find virtual hard disks on your system. I notice that my disk space appears to be disappearing at a rapid rate, and I suspect someone is creating virtual hard disks (VHDs) and forgetting about them. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find all the VHDs on my system? Use the Get-ChildItem (LS, Dir, gci are aliases), use a filter like *.vhd*, and specify the Recurse switched parameter. To simply report on the...
Use PowerShell to Explore Old Windows VHDs
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to explore old Windows VHDs. Hey, Scripting Guy! It is time for spring clean-up around our datacenter. I am not talking about chasing out dust bunnies, although that is part of it. What I am talking about is trying to determine what can be safely deleted without annoying the users too badly. We have a lot of virtual machines that could have data on them, but I do not know the passwords, and I do not want to go to the trouble of creating virtual machines, mounting the drives, and launching the things to see if there is any user...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to See Who Can Access Folder
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to see who has access to a folder. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see who has access rights to a folder? Use the Get-Acl cmdlet, specify the folder, and look at the access property, for example: (Get-Acl c:\fso).Access
Use PowerShell to Disable Wi-Fi
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to disable Wi-Fi if Ethernet is connected. Hey, Scripting Guy! When I have an Ethernet cable plugged in to my laptop and I am connected to a network, I want to ensure that everything else is disabled. How can I do that by using Windows PowerShell? —DH Hello DH, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning is a bit cool, and definitely moist outside. It is not raining, but it seems like it could easily do so. It sort of reminds me of winter mornings in Florida, when it was cool and damp. I have not seen...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Disable All Network Adapters
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to disable all network adapters on your system. I often work in offline situations, and I would like to disable all network adapters on my laptop for security reasons and to help to extend battery life. How can I use Windows PowerShell to do this easily? Use the Get-NetAdapter cmdlet to retrieve all network adapters and pipe the results to the Disable-NetAdapter cmdlet. To suppress confirmation messages use the –Confirm parameter &nb...
Use PowerShell to Enable Wi-Fi
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to enable Wi-Fi if Ethernet is not connected. Hey, Scripting Guy! Most of the time when I use my laptop running Windows 8.1, I am plugged in to the Ethernet network at work. Occasionally, I unplug the laptop and take it to meetings. I keep the Wi-Fi disabled when I am plugged in to the Ethernet because if I have it enabled, it seems that at random times, my laptop connects to Wi-Fi. I only notice this when Outlook becomes really slow or I am trying to download something that ends up taking forever. I also think this is a ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Verify Hotfix
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to verify if a hotfix is installed. How can I use Windows PowerShell to verify that my workstation running Windows 8.1 has the November DSC rollup installed? Use the Get-Hotfix cmdlet and search for ID KB3000850: Get-HotFix -Id kb3000850
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Find Longest Cmdlet Name
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find the longest cmdlet name. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This is an exciting time of the year, as we get ready for the PowerShell Summit in Charlotte and for the Microsoft Ignite conference in Chicago. I have been having numerous email conversations with various individuals the past week. One of the fun exchanges took place with Windows PowerShell MVP and Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney. We are planning something cool for Ignite, and we were bouncing ideas around, for example, "I wonder which Windows P...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Count Types of Images
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to count different types of image files. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see a count of the different types of image files on my computer? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet to find the image files and then pipe the results to the Group-Object cmdlet, for example: dir -Recurse -ea 0 -File -path e:\data -include "*.gif","*.jpg", "*.png", "*.bmp" | group extension -NoElement Note Dir is an alias for Get-ChildItem and Group is an alias...
PSImaging Part 3: Group-ImageFile
Summary: Guest blogger, Ben Vierck, talks about grouping similar images with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have Ben Vierck back for Part 3 in his series about images. Before you begin, you might like to read: In first two blog posts of this series, we wrote the Windows PowerShell functions Test-Image and Export-Text into a new Windows PowerShell module named PSImaging. The purpose of this exercise is to give us a set of common atomic tools that we can use to automate some of day-to-day document management tasks that require manual human intervention. Today we'r...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Count Images
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to count images. How can I use Windows PowerShell to count images on a drive? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet, specify the path, and send the results to the Measure-Object cmdlet, for example: dir -Recurse -ea 0 -File -path e:\data -include "*.gif","*.jpg", "*.png", "*.bmp" | measure Note Dir is an alias for Get-ChildItem and Measure is an alias for Measure-Object.
PSImaging Part 2: Export-Text from Images
Summary: Guest blogger, Ben Vierck, talks about using Windows PowerShell to export text from an image. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger Ben Vierck, for Part 2 of PSImaging. Read Part 1 before diving into today’s post: PSImaging Part 1: Test-Image. Now, here’s Ben... In first blog post of this series, we wrote the Windows PowerShell function Test-Image to definitively detect whether a file is a known image type by analyzing the first 8 bits of its header. In this post, we're going to write a Windows PowerShell command with a cmdlet called Export-ImageText tha...
PowerTip: Read .exe Magic Number with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to see an .exe magic number. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see the "magic number" associated with an executable file in Windows? The term magic number refers to the bytes that occur at the beginning of every file and identify the format of file. Use this command to read a Windows executable file header with Windows PowerShell: [char[]](gc $env:windir\notepad.exe -Encoding Byte -ReadCount 1 -TotalCount 2)
PSImaging Part 1: Test-Image
Summary: Guest blogger, Ben Vierck, talks about using Windows PowerShell to determine if a file is an image. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I am happy to introduce a new guest blogger here at the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog: Ben Vierck. Ben has been around for a while, using and supporting Windows PowerShell, and he certainly is not a noob by any stretch of the imagination. I had not previously talked to him about writing a guest blog, and then Teresa mentioned it to me. What would I do without the Scripting Wife? Let’s hope I don’t have to find out! Ben is presenting a three-part series ab...
PowerTip: Shut Down Virtual Machine with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to shut down a virtual machine by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to perform an orderly shutdown of a virtual machine? When the Stop-VM cmdlet is used with no parameters, it conducts an orderly shutdown. Here is an example: Stop-VM –name C1
Update Offline Virtual Machine with PowerShell and WSUS Offline Update: Part 2
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, talks about updating an offline virtual machine with Windows PowerShell and WSUS Offline Update. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here. Yesterday, I introduced you to a tool you can use to updating offline virtual machines: Update Offline Virtual Machine with PowerShell and WSUS Offline Update: Part 1. Today, we'll learn how to conclude our process. Within the folder structure is a folder called Client. This is the structure we need to expose to our offline virtual machines. The process we’re going to follow will be very simple: The followin...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Mount ISO
Summary: Easily mount ISO files by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to mount ISO files in Windows 8? Use the Mount-Disk cmdlet and specify the exact path of the ISO file, for example: Mount-DiskImage C:\Media\Filename.ISO
Update Offline Virtual Machine with PowerShell and WSUS Offline Update: Part 1
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney introduces a cool tool for updating virtual machines. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have some virtual machines that are normally offline. They need to be updated on a regular basis, but these machines have no access to the Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) server. Is there an easy answer to this problem? —WT Hello WT, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to show a little magic with Windows PowerShell and the Windows update system. Updating an offline virtual machine really isn’t that difficult. Just power it up, wait for the updates to dow...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Network Adapters
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find network adapters associated with running virtual machines. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see the network adapters that are associated with all running virtual machines on my Windows 8.1 laptop that runs Hyper-V? Use the Get-VM cmdlet to look for running virtual machines. Then pipe the results to the Get-VMNetworkAdapter cmdlet, for example: (Get-VM).where({$_.state -eq 'running'}) | Get-VMNetworkAdapter Note This command must be run wi...
Updating Virtual Machines
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the problem of updating virtual machines. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This afternoon I am sipping a nice cup of red berry tea. I also have a bowl of grapes and a bit of brie. The berry tea, grapes, and brie are a nice combination, and light enough that it makes a nice afternoon snack. One of the great things I love about Windows 8.1 is that it has real Hyper-V built-in to it, and it has Windows PowerShell cmdlet support for managing those virtual machines. The performance is really good, and it means that I can create a virtual machine...
PowerTip: Display the Value of Pi by Using PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily display the value of pi. How can I use Windows PowerShell to obtain the value for pi? Use the Pi static property from the System.Math class: [math]::pi
Weekend Scripter: Approximate the Value of Pi from a Polygon
Summary: Microsoft senior software engineer, Firaz Samet, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to approximate the value of pi from a polygon. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blog post from Firaz Samet in honor of Pi (π) Day. I will turn the blog over… The Scripting Guy ran across my PowerShell Math Module on CodePlex, and he asked me if I would be interested in writing a blog post for Pi Day. I was also incidentally thinking about Pi Day, so this came at the right time. I hope you enjoy reading it. First a little bit about me... I am a senior software engineer at Micros...
PowerTip: Find Day of the Week with PowerShell
Summary: Find the day of the week by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find what day of the week a particular date falls on? Access the DayOfWeek property from the DateTime object: (get-date).dayofweek
Optimize PowerShell Code?
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about optimizing Windows PowerShell code. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I was looking at my Windows Phone this morning and I noticed that today is Friday the 13th. What seemed a bit strange to me is that I thought there was also a Friday the 13th last month. I then became curious. Exactly how often does the 13th of the month fall on a Friday? Or put another way, how many Friday the 13th’s are there in a year—or at least for this year? Perhaps I could have opened the Internet and used a Bing search to find out, But I was fairly certain t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Check for Snapshots
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to check for virtual machine snapshots. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see if a particular virtual machine has snapshots? Use the Get-VMSnapshot cmdlet, for example: Get-VMSnapshot dc1_nwt Note This cmdlet requires running an account that has admin rights.
Use PowerShell to Create Archive and Send Email
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to create a .zip archive and email it. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a number of files that I would like to archive on a regular basis to a .zip file. I need to email that .zip file as an attachment. I do this every week, and it takes me like nearly 15 minutes to create the .zip file, open Outlook, squirrel around and find the file, write the email, send the thing, and then delete the .zip archive from disk. If I could run a script, it would save me over an hour a month—that is nearly two days of free labor. Can you do it? &...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Copy Source to Multiple Destinations
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to copy a source directory to multiple destinations. How can I use Windows PowerShell to make multiple backup copies of a source directory without wasting a lot of time mousing around? Copying a single source directory to multiple destinations can be a single line command, for example: "c:\fso1","c:\fso2","c:\fso3" | % {Copy-Item c:\fso -Recurse -Destination $_} Note The % symbol is an alias for the Foreach-Object cmdlet.
Use PowerShell to Extract Zipped Files
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to extract zipped files. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need to be able to work with zipped files from time-to-time. Often I store files in a zip archive so they are portable. I know how to copy the .zip archive from one place to another with Windows PowerShell, but I cannot seem to figure out how to unzip the archive. Can you help me? I would be ever so grateful. —SK Hello SK, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I got out my bag of espresso beans and set up my rotary bean grinder. I am thinking I will make some espre...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Map a Drive
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to map a drive. How can I use Windows PowerShell to map a drive to a server from a client running Windows 8.1? Use the New-SmbMapping cmdlet and specify the local path and the remote path, for example: New-SmbMapping -LocalPath h: -RemotePath \\dc1\Share
Use PowerShell to Zip Multiple Folders
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a .zip archive of multiple folders. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need to compress multiple folders before I attempt to archive them. I would like to do this without having to install additional software. Can you help? —DR Hello DR, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This afternoon I am sipping a red berry tea and munching on a chocolate biscotti. Maybe it is not too exciting, but it is relaxing. I am looking over my email sent to scripter@microsoft.com on my Surface 3 Pro, and things are good. One of the cool things about the free update to Windows 8....
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find ODBC Drivers
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find installed ODBC drivers. How can I use Windows PowerShell to check installed ODBC drivers so that I can investigate if a missing driver might be the cause of a database application that appears to be failing? Use the Get-OdbcDriver function from the WDAC module, for example: Get-OdbcDriver | Format-Table name, platform -AutoSize
Use PowerShell to Create ZIP Archive of Folder
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create a .zip archive of a folder. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need a way to create a .zip archive of a folder. I would like to do this on my laptop running Windows 8.1, and I do not want to install any other software. Can I do this? —TR Hello TR, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The weed eater dude is outside. The guy is really dedicated to his job. I mean, the snow has barely cleared, and he is out there chopping away with his weed eater. I really enjoy hearing him, because it fills me with hope tha...
PowerTip: Find if Folder Exists
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to see if a folder exists. How can I easily find if a folder exists for a Windows PowerShell script that I am writing? Use the Test-Path cmdlet and the PathType parameter, for example: Test-Path c:\fso -PathType Container
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Create Folder
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create folders. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I am not a huge fan of using a mouse. In fact, the more things I can do from Windows PowerShell the better. It is a huge waste of time for me when I have to remove my hands from the keyboard, chase down a mouse, mouse around for a while, and then return my fingers to the home row on the keyboard. One cool thing is that Microsoft Word has a number of keyboard shortcuts—of course, it also has an API. I also do quite a bit of scripting for that. Another place where I...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Read the Content of a ZIP File
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to read the content of a .zip file. How can I read the content of a .zip file from within Windows PowerShell? Use the OpenRead static method from the IO.Compression.ZipFile .NET Framework class. First, you will need to load the assembly that contains the class. Here is an example: Add-Type -assembly "system.io.compression.filesystem" [io.compression.zipfile]::OpenRead("E:\Ch10.zip").Entries.Name
Weekend Scripter: Avoid PowerShell Scripting—Use GUI Tools
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about exporting queries from the event log tool. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It has long been a truism (at least with things related to computers): powerful is opposite of simple. I can have a tool that is powerful, but with that power comes complexity. When that complexity is so complex as to render the tool ridiculously hard to use, the tool rapidly becomes useless. What is awesome is when a tool is extremely powerful and also very easy to use. Of course, this usually means that the tool makes lots of default choices for me. If those default ch...
PowerTip: Encrypt Files with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to easily encrypt files by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily encrypt files? Use the Encrypt static method from the System.IO.File .NET Framework class, for example: [io.file]::Encrypt("C:\fso\FileWithOutExtension")
Don’t Script: Create PowerShell Snippets
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about creating custom Windows PowerShell snippets. Hey, Scripting Guy! Thank you for yesterday's blog post, Don’t Write Scripts: Use Snippets. I like the idea of having access to Windows PowerShell script snippets. But I used to create my own snippets. It made it easier for me to work, and I could create a custom script based on my snippets in less than 30 seconds. I don’t see anything like that these days. Am I missing something? Please help me understand. —JT Hello JT, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, it is raining. It looks like...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Identify Files Without an Extension
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to identify files that do not have an extension. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily identify files that do not have an extension? Use the HasExtension static method from the System.IO.Path .NET Framework class, for example: [System.IO.Path]::hasExtension("C:\fso\FileWithOutExtension")
Don’t Write Scripts: Use Snippets
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell snippets to avoid scripting demands. Hey, Scripting Guy! One of the things that I find myself having to do from time-to-time is write scripts. I really don’t like to write scripts, but sometimes I cannot find what I need to, and I cannot avoid it. I really wish that when I do have to write a script, I could make it as painless as possible. Is painless possible? —RA Hello RA, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well tonight is the Charlotte PowerShell Users Group meeting. We will be having a guest pre...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Temp User Directory
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the temporary user directory. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find location of my temporary user directory? Use the GetTempPath static method from the System.IO.Path .NET Framework class: [System.IO.Path]::GetTempPath()
Don’t Script: Edit PowerShell Command History
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about editing the Windows PowerShell command history. Hey, Scripting Guy! I liked your ideas in Avoid Scripting: Use PowerShell Command History. My problem is that I seldom (if ever) type commands perfectly the first time—often, not even the second time. This means that I end up with a lot of junk in my command history. I wish there was a way to clean up the command history so it would be more usable. Is there? —AP Hello AP, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This afternoon, I am listening to a Canadian rock group and sipping som...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Generate Random File Name
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to generate a random file name. How can I use Windows PowerShell to generate a random file name so I can ensure that a file I create does not have a naming conflict? Use the GetRandomFileName static method from the System.IO.Path .NET Framework class, for example: [System.IO.Path]::GetRandomFileName()
Avoid Scripting: Use PowerShell Command History
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about avoiding Windows PowerShell scripting by using command history. Hey, Scripting Guy! I used to have a program that I could use to keep track of commands I typed at the command prompt. It permitted me to use macros to replay those commands or to select which commands I wanted to run. It was simple, elegant, and not complicated. It is a shame that “modern” programs are not that easy to use. I really don’t relish the thought of having to learning scripting to be able to run a few commands. I wish I could go back to my old command prompt....
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Show Illegal File Name Characters
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display illegal characters for a file name. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily obtain a list of characters that are not permitted in file names? Use the GetInvalidFileNameChars static method from the System.IO.Path .NET Framework class: [System.IO.Path]::GetInvalidFileNameChars()
Write and Run PowerShell Script Without Scripting
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about writing and running a Windows PowerShell script without scripting. Hey, Scripting Guy! I like using the Windows PowerShell ISE, but I do not have rights to run a script. I am stuck using a twenty year-old command prompt with Windows PowerShell inside. What’s up with that? —DM Hello DM, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This afternoon I am sipping a cup of Gunpowder green tea, with a bit of fresh lemon juice in it. It is a nice refreshing treat for a midafternoon slump. Of course, the biscotti also helps. Anyway... DM, welc...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Return Directory Information
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to return directory information. How can I use Windows PowerShell to provide information about directories in a specific location? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet, specific the path and use the –Directory switch, for example: Get-ChildItem e:\data -Directory
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Update SSL Bindings
Summary: Microsoft IIS MVP, Terri Donahue, talks about using Windows PowerShell to update SSL bindings. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, please welcome back IIS MVP, Terri Donahue. Terri is an IIS MVP, but she also attends the Charlotte PowerShell User Group meetings and events. Take it away, Terri... I recently spoke about IIS at the Charlotte PowerShell User Group monthly meeting. One of the questions that I was asked related to updating SSL bindings after a certificate is renewed. As anyone that manages SSL certificates across multiple servers knows, this can be a time consuming task. I foun...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Decrypt Files
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to decrypt files. How can I use Windows PowerShell to decrypt a file that it previously encrypted? Use the Decrypt static method from System.IO.File .NET Framework class, for example: [io.file]::Decrypt("C:\fso\FileWithOutExtension")
PowerShell Spotlight: Windows PowerShell User Groups
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about Windows PowerShell user groups in this edition of PowerShell Spotlight. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is the last Saturday of the month, and that means it is PowerShell Spotlight time. Here is our guest blogger for the day, Teresa Wilson, with information about user groups... Greetings everyone, I hope you are off to a great start with your weekend, and thank-you for allowing me to be part of your day. I would like to shine the spotlight on user groups today. I realize that there are many places where attending a local user group mee...
PowerTip: Fix Network Connection Profile with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to fix the network connection profile on your laptop running Windows 8.1. How can I use Windows PowerShell to fix the connection profile for my home network on my laptop running Windows 8.1? Use the Get-NetAdapter cmdlet to verify the interface index, and then use the Set-NetConnectionProfile cmdlet to specify the network category, for example: Set-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceIndex 9 -NetworkCategory Private
Get Process Owner and Other Info with WMI and PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell and WMI to retrieve process owner and other information. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. We were supposed to receive seven inches of snow the other day. They closed schools and businesses, and the roads were swamped with people rushing to various stores in preparation for the snowstorm of the century. Of course, the century is still not all that old, and the storm was not that big of a deal. In fact, as it turned out, it really was not a big deal at all. We received less than a half-inch of snow, and even that did not s...
PowerTip: Compare Processes with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to compare two processes with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the differences between two instances of the same process running on my system? Use the Compare-Object cmdlet and specify specific properties to examine, such as cpu, id, vm, and ws. Here is an example that uses two instances of Notepad: $a = Get-Process -Id 6208 $b = Get-Process -Id 10744 Compare-Object -ReferenceObject $a -DifferenceObject $b -Property cpu, ws, vm, id
Use WMI and PowerShell to Work with Services
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell and WMI to work with services. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is that time of the year. I just spent the last couple of hours uninstalling useless software from my laptop. This includes stuff that I intentionally installed and junk that becomes installed with other programs. I also spent a decent amount of time reviewing start-up programs and services. This is pretty much a stop gap measure – it is only a matter of time before I FDISK my machine and perform a complete reinstall. It still seems necessary to rei...
PowerTip: Find “Hidden” Property Values in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to find some missing property values in Windows PowerShell. How can I find missing property values in the process information I am looking at in Windows PowerShell? Launch Windows PowerShell with Admin rights (hold down the Shift key, right-click the Windows PowerShell icon, select Run as Administrator or Run as different user, and then enter credentials for an account with Admin rights). Note Windows PowerShell runs in user mode; therefore, it only grants access to information to w...
Comparing WMI and Native PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about comparing WMI and using native Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. When Windows PowerShell was still in beta, there was a saying (song?) that said there must be 50 ways to stop a process. Actually, I am not certain it was ever turned into a Windows PowerShell song, but it probably could have been. Anyway, the conversation was a reflection of the many ways of doing things that are available in Windows PowerShell…and that was back in the Windows PowerShell 1.0 days. Today, there are even more ways of doing things. So w...
PowerTip: Find WMI Classes with a CIM Cmdlet
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell CIM cmdlet to find WMI classes. How can I find Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) classes that are related to a particular technology? Use the Get-CimClass cmdlet and use a wildcard character for the name, then specify the Dynamic parameter to help filter classes, for example: Get-CimClass -ClassName *bios* -QualifierName dynamic
When to Use WMI and PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about when to use WMI. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things that Windows PowerShell has done is make WMI very easy to use. Beginning with Windows PowerShell 1.0 and the Get-WmiObject cmdlet, WMI information has become much easier to access. Whereas a simple VBScript script or Perl script would require a minimum of seven lines of rather complicated code to access WMI information, Windows PowerShell made the same information available as a one-liner. Truly a marvelous win for IT pros! But one problem remains. WMI (even in Windows Powe...
PowerTip: Troubleshoot a Word Automation Script
Summary: Learn to troubleshoot a Windows PowerShell script for Microsoft Word automation. I have been struggling with a Windows PowerShell script that automates Word. Every time I run the script, I get an error message that says the Word document is locked. What can I do? When you test or develop your Windows PowerShell script for Word automation, make sure that you quit the Word.Application object and close the Word document. Otherwise, the document will be locked. This is  ...
Use PowerShell to Count Comments in Word Docs
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to count comments in Microsoft Word documents. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The process of writing often includes rewriting. In fact, I imagine that I spend more time rewriting stuff than I spent writing the original document—especially when I write a book. The book process goes something like this: I write a chapter, I send it to my editor. She looks it over for style and consistency within the series, and then she forwards it to the technical reviewer. The technical reviewer sends it back to the editor, who f...
PowerTip: Check Syntax Options for PowerShell Cmdlet
Summary: Use the Get-Command cmdlet to check syntax options for a Windows PowerShell cmdlet. How can I easily find syntax options (parameter sets) that exist for a particular Windows PowerShell cmdlet? Use the Get-Command cmdlet and check the Definition property, for example: (Get-Command Stop-Process).Definition
Weekend Scripter: Fun Things to Do with PowerShell
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about fun things to do with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blog post from Microsoft Honorary Scripting Guy and Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, who shares some fun things to do with Windows PowerShell. Take it away, Teresa… Hello everyone, Sometimes when I am out and about, people will ask me what I do and where I work. It is easy to explain when you are talking to an IT professional, but to explain it to the general public is not so easy. I usually give a pretty simple explanation of ho...
PowerTip: Easy Way to Troubleshoot PowerShell Script
Summary: Learn the easy way to troubleshoot a Windows PowerShell script. I receive an error message every time I run my Windows PowerShell script. What is an easy way to troubleshoot the script in the Windows PowerShell ISE? Highlight the line of code in the script to select it (use the mouse or keyboard shortcuts), and then press F-8 to run only the selected line of code. If no errors arise, select the next line of code and repeat the process until an error arises.
Weekend Scripter: Add Comment to Word Doc
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to add a comment to a Microsoft Word document. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I spend a lot of time using Microsoft Word. In fact, I spend more time using Word than Microsoft Outlook—and that is saying something. Actually, it is saying a lot. Word is open on my computer nearly every day of the year, and from time-to-time, at all hours of the day. Because I deal with editors, I also have to read comments that they add to Word documents. On the other hand, when I provide peer review for other writers, I also h...
PowerTip: Release COM Object in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to release a COM object in Windows PowerShell. How can I make sure that a COM object in my Windows PowerShell automation script releases? Use the ReleaseCOMObject static method from the Marshal class, and then pass it to the variable that holds the COM object, for example: [System.Runtime.Interopservices.Marshal]::ReleaseComObject($doc) | Out-Null
Use PowerShell to Add Table to Word Doc and Email as Attachment
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create a document in Microsoft Word, add a table, and email the document as an attachment. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things I like to do with Windows PowerShell is to combine multiple tasks so that it makes life easier for me. I use what I call the “annoyance meter” quite often to determine whether to write a script or not. Today’s script is one of those things that rates pretty high on my annoyance meter. Here is the scenario: I need to supply my professor in my Shakespeare cl...
PowerTip: Get Row from CSV File Based On Value
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a row from a CSV file based on a specific value. How can I use Windows PowerShell 4.0 to look up a specific row from a CSV file I imported into a variable? Use the Where method, and use a match pattern to search on a specific column and value, for example: $topics = import-csv -Path C:\lit\Shakespeare.txt $topics.Where({$PSItem.play -eq 'hamlet'}).topic
Add Custom Headers to Folder Full of Word Documents
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about reading a CSV file and adding custom headers to a folder full of Word documents. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The snow continues to befuddle the drivers around here, and as a result, the Scripting Wife and I are staying home. This has given me a lot of time to sit, look at the giant slip-and-slide outside (also called a road), and write Windows PowerShell scripts. When I combine Word and Windows PowerShell, it is guaranteed to produce a lot of fun. Begin with my CSV file The other day, I created a CSV file with the titles of various plays th...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell ISE for Standard Enumerations
Summary: Use the Windows PowerShell ISE to use enumeration values. How can I use the Windows PowerShell ISE to use the standard enumeration types to write a Word automation script? Cast the string as a type, and store the returned value in a variable. Each enumeration value will be available as a static property. Here is an example: $HeaderFooterIndex = "microsoft.office.interop.word.WdHeaderFooterIndex" -as [type] $HeaderFooterIndex::wdHeaderFooterFirstPage
Use PowerShell to Add Headers to Word Documents
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to add headers to Microsoft Word documents. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It snowed in Charlotte yesterday. It was not really a surprise because the weather service did a good job of warning that it would happen. Although the Scripting Wife and I were a bit worried that the power would go off, it turned out to be a huge non-event—at least for us. For the thousands of people who lost their power...well, that was a different story. It seems that these sorts of things always pile up—we lose the power, it is c...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to List Word Autocorrect Entries
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to list autocorrect entries for Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word keeps messing up what I type, and I suspect it could be an autocorrect issue. How can I use Windows PowerShell to list all the entries in Microsoft Word autocorrect? Use the New-Object cmdlet to create an instance of the Word.Application object. Look at autocorrect and Entries, then pipe the results to the Format-Table cmdlet, and look at Name and Value properties: (New-Object -C...
Use PowerShell to Create Documents from Template
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create Word documents from a template. Hey, Scripting Guy! I often need to create a bunch of Word documents. These documents have a number of standard features. Right now, I basically paste the last document I was working on into the folder, rename the file, open the file, delete all of the custom stuff, and leave the boilerplate stuff. I know there should be an easier way to do this, but to be honest I am doing the work of three people, and I simply do not have time to figure out an easier way to do this. Now the process t...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Help for Specific Parameter
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell Help to assist with a specific parameter. I know I can use Get-Help –full to see the complete Help for a Windows PowerShell cmdlet, but how can I see the Help for only a specific parameter? Use the Get-Help cmdlet, specify the cmdlet name, and then specify the specific parameter, for example: get-help Start-Process -Parameter wait
Use PowerShell to Back Up Word Docs
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to make a backup of all Word documents. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need some help. I routinely edit Microsoft Word documents, but because of the changes I make to the file, I like to keep the original file intact. So what I do is open a Word document, then I use the Save As feature in Word to save a copy of the file into a different folder. I am wondering if I can have Windows PowerShell use the Word automation feature to do a Save As for me. Can you help me? —GB Hello GB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I ...
PowerTip: Open Fonts Dialog Box with PowerShell
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to open the Fonts dialog box. How can I use Windows PowerShell to open the Fonts dialog box so I don't have to mouse around trying to find it? Use the Show-ControlPanelItem cmdlet: Show-ControlPanelItem fonts
Weekend Scripter: German PowerShell Community Conference
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Tobias Weltner, talks about the Windows PowerShell Community Conference in Germany. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I'm drooling today because of the information in this blog post. Teresa and I love to go to Germany. Our last two major vacations have started and ended there. Tobias Weltner is our guest blogger today, and I won’t share his news. I will give you a sneak peak though. This photo was taken in 2006 in Essen, Germany. If you have a chance to go, you will love Essen. It is a beautiful city, and it is easy to get to via the trains. Turning the keyb...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Start a Bunch of Processes
Summary: Learn how to start a bunch of processes by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to start a whole bunch of processes for testing purposes on one of my systems? Use a Windows PowerShell range operator, such as 1..10, to specify how many processes you want to create. Then pipe the results to the Foreach-Object cmdlet, and in the script block, use Start-Process to create the commands you need. Here is an example:1..10 | Foreach {St...
Weekend Scripter: Control Processes with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to control processes. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am made a pot of Masala Chai. I found a pretty good recipe when I was doing a Bing search: Indian Masala Chai. One of my pet peeves is when people refer to it as Chai tea, which is rather silly because the word chai simply means tea, so they are literally saying "tea tea." Anyway, I spent a decent amount of time heating milk, finding spices, and making a nice pot of black Assam tea for the starter. It was a nice relaxing way to start a morning, an...
PowerTip: Find Assigned Virtual Machine Network Adapters
Summary: Learn how to find network adapters that are assigned to virtual machines. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find what network adapters are assigned to my virtual machines? Use the Get-VM cmdlet and pipe the results to the Get-VMNetworkAdapter cmdlet, for example: Get-VM | Get-VMNetworkAdapter Note You must run this command with elevated permissions.
Use PowerShell to View and Filter Information
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to view and filter information. Hey, Scripting Guy! I am not a scripter—never have been, never will be. But over the years I have used lots of people's scripts to do different things. I actually got some of my favorite scripts from the Scripting Guys—scripts that create an HTA that allows me to filter and manipulate data. The cool thing about this is that all I need to do is to double-click, and boom! It pops up and does what it needs to do. I would love to be able to use Windows PowerShell to do something lik...
PowerTip: Run Part of PowerShell Command
Summary: Learn how to run part of a command in the Windows PowerShell ISE. I am having problems with a small part of a script that I am working on in the Windows PowerShell ISE— how can I test only that code? Highlight only the portion of the script you want to test, and press the F-8 key or the small green triangle on the toolbar (or select Run Selection from the File menu). Only the section of code that you highlighted will run.
Don’t Learn PowerShell: Reaching Out
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about running commands on remote servers. Hey, Scripting Guy! One of the things I really don’t understand is why Windows PowerShell is broken. I look at commands like you suggest, but they don’t work. Specifically, I wanted to see the status of services on my servers, but the commands just don’t work. What’s up with that? —BB Hello BB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning it is cold and raining, which would not be unusual winter weather for Charlotte, North Carolina—except the weather app on Bin...
Dia's Test Post
Summary: Guest blogger, Tim Warner, talks about using Windows PowerShell conceptual Help. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back Timothy Warner as our guest blogger today. Let’s say you need to identify and extract all email addresses from a huge text file. To solve the issue, you decide to employ the Select-String cmdlet with regular expression (regex) syntax. Like the good PowerSheller you are, you update your local Help and examine the full Select-String documentation in a separate window: Get-Help –Name Select-String –ShowWindow Now browse to the bottom of the file to the Related Links se...
PowerTip: Automatically Find Options in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to see available options in the Windows PowerShell ISE. How can I easily see what options are available when I type in a cmdlet name in the Windows PowerShell ISE? Use IntelliSense. There are two ways to display IntelliSense: 1. From the Edit menu, select Start Intellisense. 2. Use the Ctrl-Space keyboard shortcut as follows:
Don’t Learn PowerShell: Use Cmdlets
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell cmdlets to do IT ops work. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have been an IT pro for many years, and to be honest, I am really good at my job. Now it seems you guys are abandoning me. I have been a loyal Microsoft supporter for many years, and I even got my MCSE back on Windows 2000. Now it seems like you want me to learn command-line stuff like AS400 or VAX. I learned Windows because I like graphical tools. I am good with a mouse, but I hate to type. What gives? —BV Hello BV, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One o...
PowerTip: Find What a PowerShell Command Does
Summary: Learn how to find out what a Windows PowerShell command does before it does it. I found a Windows PowerShell command on the Internet that might be what I need, but how can I see what it does before it messes something up? You can add the –WhatIf parameter to all Windows PowerShell cmdlets that make changes automatically, for example: Stop-Process –name MYPROCESS -WhatIf
Predict the Future with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, discusses using Windows PowerShell to see what a command will do before it does it. Hey, Scripting Guy! My football coach always said, “If you’re scared, admit you’re scared.” Well, Scripting Guy, in honor of my old coach, I am admitting I am scared. I do not know Windows PowerShell, but it seems that so many of the new products from Microsoft use it. It seems that there are some things that I have to use Windows PowerShell for—like I have no option. Maybe there is an option, but I can’t find it. So what do it do? I am afraid I...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Commands
Summary: Learn how to easily find Windows PowerShell commands. How can I use Windows PowerShell if I do not know the appropriate command to use or the available options? In the Windows PowerShell console, type Show-Command. In the dialog box that appears, type what you need— such as process or service name. The appropriate Windows PowerShell commands appear, and you can select and run the command you need.
Don’t Learn PowerShell, Use PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about getting started with Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I get it. I need to learn Windows PowerShell—I see it mentioned everywhere. The problem is that I don’t have five years to learn the stuff. And besides that, by the time that five years has passed, you guys will probably come out with at least two new versions of Windows PowerShell. So if I spend five years trying to learn Windows PowerShell 4.0, by the time I am done learning it, I will still be three or four versions behind. I feel like I can never catch up—like a ha...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Routing
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display networking routing information. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display information about network connectivity issues related to the routing table on my server and permit me to sort the output? Use the Get-NetRoute Windows PowerShell function, and sort by interface index, nexthop, or other properties, for example: Get-NetRoute | sort ifindex
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Synchronize Delegated Admin Passwords
Summary: Microsoft PFE and Honorary Scripting Guy, Ian Farr, discusses using Windows PowerShell to synchronize delegated administrator passwords. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Guest blogger and Honorary Scripting Guy, Ian Farr, is back with us today for the conclusion of his series about read-only domain controllers (RODCs)... Welcome to the final post in my semi-spontaneous series about managing and securing RODCs. The first post discussed a function that analyses RODC authentication. The function reports on accounts that are authenticated by an RODC that aren’t revealed (that is, the accoun...
PowerTip: Find Network Adapters Not Bound to TCP/IP
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find network adapters that are not bound to TCP/IP. I am troubleshooting a computer that will not connect to the network, and I suspect the protocol bindings. How can I find network adapters that are not bound to TCP/IP? Use the Get-NetAdapterBinding Windows PowerShell function, filter on a display name of TCP, and see if the protocol is enabled, for example: Get-NetAdapterBinding -DisplayName *tcp* | where {!($_.enabled)}
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Delegate Administrator of RODCs
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Ian Farr, discusses using Windows PowerShell to delegate administrator of RODC. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have Honorary Scripting Guy and Microsoft PFE, Ian Farr, back for more words of wisdom... Welcome to the third post in a four part series about securing and managing read-only domain controllers (RODCs). I like to think of this collection of posts as "organic"—they only became a series after the green shoots of the first two posts were already well established! The first post discussed a function that analyses RODC authentication. The function reports ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Registry Keys
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to display registry keys. How can I use Windows PowerShell to provide a list of registry keys that I can filter, instead of using Regedit to search? Use the Get-ItemProperty cmdlet and point it to a specific registry hive. The following command looks for software and Microsoft on the HKLM drive. It uses the psChildName property to display the registry key names. Get-ItemProperty -Path HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\* | select pschildname
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Install Modules on Your System
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to install modules on your system. How can I use Windows PowerShell to roll out a new set of modules that are used extensively in my organization? When Windows PowerShell 5.0 is available, you can use PowerShellGet against an internal repository to install your modules. For systems running Windows PowerShell 4.0 or earlier, create a central repository of modules on a network share and use a scheduled task to check for updated modules. Then copy any new or updated modules to your system.
Registry Cmdlets: Complete the Registry CDXML Module
Summary: Richard Siddaway shows how to complete the registry CDXML module. Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the final post in a series. To catch up, read: So far, you’ve seen how to create a CDXML module with a single cmdlet based on the GetStringValue method of the StdRegProv CIM class. In this post, I’ll show you how to add the other methods that are available in the class to create a complete module of easy-to-use cmdlets for working with the registry. I’ll also show you how to work with some of the more aw...
PowerTip: Override Modules in PowerShell Session
Summary: Learn how to override the modules you have imported into your Windows PowerShell session. How can I re-load the Windows PowerShell module that I am developing so I can test the changes at each stage of development? By default, if you have a module loaded into to your Windows PowerShell session and you attempt to re-load it, nothing happens because Import-Module discovers it is already loaded. Use the –Force parameter to ensure that a fresh copy o...
Registry Cmdlets: Advanced CDXML
Summary: Richard Siddaway shows some advanced features in CDXML. Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the third post in a series. To catch up, read: Yesterday, you saw that you can create a Windows PowerShell cmdlet from the StdRegProv CIM class by using CDXML, which enables you to read a string value from the registry. Today, I want to show you some of the advanced features of CDXML. These enable you to make your CDXML cmdlet act like any other Windows PowerShell cmdlet. For instance, you can make parameters mandatory and validate t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Parameters for CIM Class Method
Summary: Learn how to discover the parameters for a method in a CIM class. How can I find the parameters of a CIM class method, such as GetStringValue in the StdRegprov class? Use Get-CimClass to get the class:$class = Get-CimClass -ClassName StdRegProvTo view the methods:$class.CimClassMethodsTo view the parameters of a particular method:$class.CimClassMethods["GetStringValue"].ParametersYou will see the parameter name and data type. The qualifiers will tell you if it’s an input or output parameter.
Registry Cmdlets: First Steps with CDXML
Summary: Richard Siddaway shows how to start creating CDXML cmdlets. Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the second post in a series. Yesterday, in Registry Cmdlets: Working with the Registry, I explained that there aren’t any cmdlets for working directly with the registry. I showed some examples of using cmdlets that I’ve created to access the registry. The cmdlets are created from the WMI registry class, StdRegProv, by using CDXML. In this post, I’ll show you how to get started with CDXML. Before that, though, I’d...
PowerTip: Use PoweShell to Search for CIM Classes
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to search for CIM classes. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find a CIM class on my machine? Use Get-WmiObject in List mode. For instance, to find the class for working with the registry, use: Get-WmiObject -Namespace root -Class StdRegProv -List –Recurse Note If you don’t know where a class can be found, always start at the root. If you want to find the classes for working with disks: Get-WmiObject -Namespace root -Class *disk* -List -Recurse If you know the namespace, you can simplify the search: ...
Registry Cmdlets: Working with the Registry
Summary: Richard Siddaway investigates how to use CIM to manage the registry. Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here filling in for my good friend The Scripting Guy. Today, I'm starting a series about registry cmdlets by investigating how to work with the registry. The bad news is that there aren’t any cmdlets for working with the registry. There’s a Registry provider, which means you can use the Item and ItemProperty cmdlets to manage the local registry—but there aren’t any specific registry cmdlets associated with the provider. The good news is that we can adopt the approach that many teams at Microsoft...
PowerTip: Back up GPOs with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to back up all GPOs in a domain. How can I use Windows PowerShell to generate a backup of all Group Policy Objects in a domain? Use the Backup-GPO cmdlet from the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT). Specify a name, path, domain, and server, for example: Backup-GPO -All -Path \\share\backups -Comment "weekly Backup" -Domain nwtraders.com -Server dc1
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Troubleshoot Group Policy Part 2
Summary: Guest blogger, Alex Verboon, continues his series about using Windows PowerShell to troubleshoot Group Policy. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger, Alex Verboon. Today Alex adds to his previous blog about using Windows PowerShell to troubleshoot Group Policy. He provides a script that automates this process. You can read his blog at Anything about IT. Take it away Alex… In my previous post, Use PowerShell to Troubleshoot Group Policy, I shared a script that retrieves the Group Policy processing time. As shown here, when specifying the optional –ShowDetails...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Network Adapter Power Settings
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display network adapter power settings. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see if my laptop is going to sleep—it keeps dropping off of the wireless network. Use the Get-NetAdapterPowerManagement Windows PowerShell command to display the power management settings for your network adapter.
PowerShell Spotlight: Three Upcoming Spotlight Events
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, spotlights three Windows PowerShell events. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I was talking with Teresa (The Scripting Wife) about some ideas she had for sharing information with IT professionals. We came up with the idea for her to write a blog post once a month called PowerShell Spotlight. You can look for it the last Saturday of each month right here until she runs out of useful things to share. Without further ado, here is Microsoft MVP and Honorary Scripting Guy, Teresa Wilson. Hello everyone, As Ed mentioned, we were talking about the av...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Round to Specific Decimal Place
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to round numbers to a specific decimal place. How can I use Windows PowerShell to round a number to a specific number of decimal places, and continue to have a number instead of converting it to a string. Use the Round static method from the System.Math class. By default, it does not display decimal places, but you can easily change that behavior. The following code illustrates this procedure: PS C:\> $a = 111.2226 PS C:\> [math]::Round($a) 111 PS C:\> [math]::Round($a,2) 111.22 P...
Rounding Numbers—PowerShell Style
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to round numbers. Hey, Scripting Guy! I think your series about formatting numbers has been pretty interesting. However, everything you have shown has a major problem—and that is that you convert numbers into strings. I would love to be able to display a Windows PowerShell number with a specific number of decimal places, but not have it be a string. Instead, I want it to be a number type. Can you do this? Or am I stuck with storing numbers and then converting them into strings before I display the results? —GS...
PowerTip: Express Percentage in PowerShell
Summary: Learn an easy method to express a percentage in Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to express a two-decimal place percentage? For example, I have multiple calculations in a Windows PowerShell script, and I am tired of always dividing two numbers, multiplying by a hundred, and trimming the results to two decimal places. Use the special “P” format specifier as an overload to the ToString method, for example: PS C:\> (5/21).tostring("P") 23.81 %
Using PowerShell and Standard Number Formats
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using standard number formats. Hey, Scripting Guy! I love using Windows PowerShell. I use it for everything. My problem is that it does not do everything automatically. For example, I use the Get-Volume cmdlet a lot to check on disk space, but I need to do a manual calculation to see the percentage of free space. This involves basically writing a script and dividing the numbers, multiplying by a hundred, and then trimming all the excess decimal places. Is there anything you can do to help me? —AV Hello AV, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilso...
PowerTip: Round a Number with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to round numbers to a specific decimal place. How can I use Windows PowerShell to round a number to a specific number of decimal places, and continue to have a number instead of converting it to a string. Use the Round static method from the System.Math class. By default, it does not display decimal places, but you can easily change that behavior. The following code illustrates this procedure: PS C:\> $a = 111.2226 PS C:\> [math]::Round($a) 111 PS C:\> [math]::Round($a,2...
PowerTip: Format Decimal Numbers in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to display a specific number of decimal points in Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display only one decimal place on a number that currently has two? Use a custom number format string with the ToString method from the number, for example: PS C:\> (1.11).tostring("#.#") 1.1
Formatting PowerShell Decimal Places
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using strings to format the display of decimal places in Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! One of the things I have a problem with is when I get numbers that have a lot of decimal places. I mean, how do I really get rid of them—at least properly? I have done things like convert them to integers, but that loses me all of the decimal places. I have also tried using Trim or other string techniques with mixed success. I would love to see how a real pro does it. Can you help me? —PA Hello PA, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is h...
PowerTip: Use Parentheses to Override Operator Precedence
Summary: Use parentheses to override operator precedence in Windows PowerShell. How can I ensure that a math expression that keeps returning incorrect information will work properly in Windows PowerShell? In Windows PowerShell (as in other languages), math operators have a precedence....
Working with Fixed Number Sizes in PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about working with fixed number sizes in Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a script that returns a specific type of number, so I added a type constraint on the variable that holds the number. The problem is that sometimes when I run the script, I get errors. I cannot figure this out. Can you help me? —BG Hello BG, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. We have not had any snow this year here in Charlotte, North Carolina. This is good news, and of course, bad news. The good news is that because the city is rarely prepared for s...
PowerTip: Round Number Up or Down with PowerShell
Summary: Easily use Windows PowerShell to round a number up or down. I want only a whole number returned, so I want the number rounded up or down as appropriate. How can I do this with Windows PowerShell? Cast the number as an integer, and Windows PowerShell will round the number up or down as appropriate, for example: PS C:\> [int]22.4 22 PS C:\> [int]22.5 22 PS C:\> [int]22.6 23
Understanding Numbers in PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about numbers in Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! One of the things that is frustrating to me with Windows PowerShell is the way that it handles numbers. For example, I want to know the percent of processor utilization for something, and it displays a number that is like fifty million numbers long. What is up with that? Why can’t Windows PowerShell just tell me something useful? —SP Hello SP, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today it is cold and raining outside. I decided to make a cup of red berry tea. It does not have ...
PowerTip: Windows PowerShell Survival Guide
Summary: Find the Windows PowerShell Survival Guide. Where can I find a community-based resource that links to all the essentials? Check out the Windows PowerShell Survival Guide on the TechNet Wiki. It contains links to dozens of Windows PowerShell resources.
2014 Honorary Scripting Guys Announced
Summary: The Honorary Scripting Guys for 2014 are announced. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I have been pretty busy, with missing work because of my ear surgery and the holidays and all, so I enlisted the help of the Scripting Wife, Teresa, to write the latest Honorary Scripting Guys post. I gave her the names and she did the rest. So here's Teresa... Hello everyone, You know that I do not try to hide things about myself nor do I try to embellish my qualities—I am what I am. I have strong points and weak points. Writing is not one of my strong points and repetition is one of the most usel...
PowerTip: View PowerShell Help Online
Summary: View Windows PowerShell cmdlet Help online. How can I view Windows PowerShell Help in my web browser? The –Online parameter with the Get-Help cmdlet opens the latest online Windows PowerShell Help in your web browser, for example: Get-Help Get-Command -Online
Weekend Scripter: The Changing Nature of Documentation
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the changing nature of documentation. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week, we announced Microsoft HoloLens during the Windows 10: The Next Chapter webcast. I mean, I want one—badly. This is going to be an incredible year. The excitement of holographic computing has me thinking about Star Trek. Of course last year, we introduced a holodeck—so the future is now, so to speak. But then I was thinking, "Does one ship a stack of books along with the HoloLens?" It doesn’t make sense, I suppose. Back when we shipped Wi...
PowerTip: Pipe String to Get-Date
Summary: Pipe a string to the Windows PowerShell Get-Date cmdlet to convert it to a DateTime object. How can I use Windows PowerShell to convert a date that is in a string format to a DateTime object? Create a pipeline, for example: "11/14/2015" | get-date
Create Custom Date Formats with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about creating custom date formats with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things about working with Windows PowerShell is that it is highly configurable. In short, if there is something that I do not like, I can change it. Most of the time, that change is relatively simple to make. So when working with dates and times, there are lots of standardized ways of displaying the information. Note Also see Formatting Date Strings with PowerShell. But i...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display date Format for Specific Culture
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to display date formatting for a specific culture. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see the short date pattern for a specific culture without changing my UI culture settings? Use the CultureInfo class from System.Globalization, call the GetCultureInfo static method while passing a culture number, and choose the ShortDatePattern property from the DateTime format object, for example: [S...
Formatting Date Strings with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about formatting date strings with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It seems that different ways to display dates and times are in great supply. In fact, there are dozens of ways to do this. If I decide that I do not like the way a date or time displays, I can change it. In addition, the way a particular date style displays in one country is different than the way it displays in another country. These differences are part of the culture settings. For example, the output from the Get-Date cmdlet appears differently depending on the ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Format for Short Date
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display the culture-specific format for a short date. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display the format of a short date that is specific to the culture settings of my system? Use the Get-Culture cmdlet and select the DateTimeFormat and ShortDatePattern properties: (Get-Culture).DateTimeFormat.ShortDatePattern
Adding and Subtracting Dates with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about adding and subtracting dates with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things I really like about Windows PowerShell is the way it simplifies adding and subtracting from dates. For example, if I want to find users who haven’t logged in to the domain for 120 days, I need to be able to create a date that was 120 days ago. Then I need to get the date of their last log-in, and see if that date is more recent than 120 days ago. I may need to do the same thing with the last time that files were accessed or to examine t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Day of Week
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find the day of the week. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find which day of the week a specific date will occur? Use the Get-Date cmdlet, and specify day, month, and year parameters, for example: Get-Date -Month 2 -Day 14 -Year 2015
Use PowerShell to Work with Individual Dates
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to work with dates. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I don’t know about you, but one thing about my life as the Scripting Guy is that it keeps me busy. "Keeping busy" is a slang expression that means, "Dude, you are swamped." The Scripting Wife and I just spent most of last week planning events for the remainder of 2015. Yep, my year is pretty well planned out. Not because I love being super organized. In fact, my default behavior is rather the opposite—I prefer a more natural, organic schedule. But the only ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Show Time
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to show the current time. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily display only the current time? Use the Get-Date cmdlet and choose the Time display hint: Get-Date -DisplayHint Time
Working with Dates in PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the fundamentals of working with dates in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. For as long as I can remember, I have pretty much always hated working with dates and times. Back on my Osborne One, it was no fun. The Atari did not make it any better; neither did my first IBM-compatible PCs. But you know, I am probably not the only one who dislikes working with dates and times—that must be one reasons there are so many ways of formatting the silly things. I mean, there must be nearly a hundred different ways (I am not exaggera...
PowerTip: Test Connection to Remote Server
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to test the connection to a remote server. How can I test the connection in my server to see if I can run a remote Windows PowerShell command? Use the Test-WsMan cmdlet, for example: Test-WsMan –computername s1
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Remotely Create Scheduled Task and Folder
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to remotely create a scheduled task and folder. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. On Friday in Use PowerShell to Create Scheduled Task in New Folder, I created a pretty long Windows PowerShell script that creates a folder for scheduled tasks, and creates, enables, and configures a scheduled task. Over the weekend, I received several emails to scripter@microsoft.com that said basically, “That is all good, but I need to create the same scheduled task on a hundred servers. I cannot run around to run this script on all ...
PowerTip: Create XML Representation of Scheduled Task
Summary: Learn how to export a scheduled task to XML by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create an XML representation of a scheduled task? Use the Get-ScheduledTask function and pipe the results to the Export-ScheduledTask function, for example: Get-ScheduledTask applog | Export-ScheduledTask
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Document Scheduled Tasks
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to document scheduled tasks. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the really cool things about Windows PowerShell is the way that it builds on itself. When I learn a little bit about Windows PowerShell, I can apply those principles to accomplish other things. It does not matter what I am working with, Windows PowerShell works the same. Today, I have a great example. I have seen several comments, and even received a few emails to scripter@microsoft.com asking about documenting scheduled tasks. People generally want to ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Delete Scheduled Task
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to delete a scheduled task. How can I use Windows PowerShell to delete a scheduled task? Use the Unregister-ScheduledTask function. By default, this command will prompt for confirmation. Therefore, if you want to use a Windows PowerShell script to remotely delete the scheduled task, you will need to supply confirmation in the command. Here is an example: Unregister-ScheduledTask -TaskName applog -Confirm:$false Note This command was introduced in Windows 8 and Windows ...
Use PowerShell to Create Scheduled Task in New Folder
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create a new scheduled task in a specific folder. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to combine several of the scripts I have discussed this week based on scheduled tasks. Specifically, I am going to do the following: To do this, I am going to combine the various pieces of script I have used this week. To make the script a bit easier to read, I am putting the script into functions. These are not advanced functions, and they do not have good function names. The value of today’s exercise is to sho...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Enable Scheduled Task
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to enable a scheduled task. How can I use Windows PowerShell to enable a scheduled task? Use the Enable-ScheduledTask function from the Scheduled Task module, for example: Enable-ScheduledTask -TaskName applog Note This command uses the Scheduled Task module (which was introduced in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012), and it requires admin rights.
Use PowerShell to Create Scheduled Tasks Folders
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create a folder for scheduled tasks. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I have several meetings, and I am really looking forward to them. One of my meetings is with the Windows PowerShell team. I have a meeting with them every other week, and it is always a lot of fun. They are great people! My other meeting is with the team working with the Microsoft Ignite Conference in Chicago. That is probably all I can say right now. But suffice it to say, that I get to attend fun and exciting meetings. That is why I, as oppo...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Disable Scheduled Task
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to disable a scheduled task. How can I use Windows PowerShell to disable a scheduled task? Use the Disable-ScheduledTask cmdlet from the Scheduled Task module, for example: Disable-ScheduledTask -TaskName applog Note This cmdlet was introduced in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, and it requires admin rights.
Use PowerShell to Configure Scheduled Task
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to configure a scheduled task. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning is a coffee morning. I don’t have a lot of coffee mornings, but occasionally I break down and desire a raw coffee jolt. When I do, I use my French press, some spring water, my rotary bean grinder, and usually some sort of special beans. Usually, that translates into a nice Kona bean. It seems to take me nearly a half hour to make a decent cup of coffee. Luckily, I can almost do it in my sleep—which is a good thing. Because I do not m...
PowerTip: Find Scheduled Tasks with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the location of scheduled tasks. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily look for scheduled tasks in the graphical tool? Use the Get-ScheduledTask cmdlet and search on the TaskPath property. Related scheduled tasks are grouped together and TaskPath provides that location. Here is an example: Get-ScheduledTask | where taskpath -match 'powershell'
Use PowerShell to Create Scheduled Tasks
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create a scheduled task. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, it is cold, wet, and rainy—not exactly my favorite combination. In fact, I would rather have snow. At least then there would be an excuse for the dreariness. Oh well. Snow in the deep south is about as rare as—well...as rare as people who enjoy manually creating scheduled tasks. Dude, creating scheduled tasks is boring. Not only that, it is easy to make a mistake. And when I am done creating a scheduled task, I am not really sure what it is g...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Show "Ready" Scheduled Tasks
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to show all scheduled tasks that are ready to run. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find what scheduled tasks are ready to run on my system? Use the Get-ScheduledTask cmdlet, pipe the results to the Where-Object cmdlet, and filter on the state being ready, for example: Get-ScheduledTask | where state -EQ 'ready'
Use PowerShell to Show Results of Scheduled Tasks
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to see the results of scheduled tasks. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is snack time. For me, a perfect snack is a piece of biscotti and a cup of tea. Today, I am having such a snack—the tea is a nice green tea with a bit of jasmine flower in it. Lovely. Something else that is lovely is using the cmdlets from Scheduled Tasks module. This module contains a number of very helpful cmdlets. Note For a great overview of the Scheduled Tasks module, see Windows 8.1 and the Land of Forgotten Modules: Part 5....
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Status of Scheduled Tasks
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the status of scheduled tasks. My laptop is acting strangely. Task Manager shows lots of processes running, but I have disabled everything I can see. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine what scheduled tasks are running in the background? Use the Get-ScheduledTask cmdlet and sort by the state: Get-ScheduledTask | sort state
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Unblock Files in Folder
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to unblock files downloaded from the Internet. I downloaded a module from the Script Center Repository, and when I expanded and copied the files to my modules folder, I forgot to unblock them. Now every time I start Windows PowerShell, I get error messages and the modules don’t work. How can I easily fix this situation? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet to return a list of all files in your modules directory, and pipe them to the Unblo...
PowerTip: Find Restore Points with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find restore points. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find a list of restore points on my computers running Windows 8.1 or Windows 8? Use the Get-ComputerRestorePoint cmdlet. Notes
PowerTip: Find Related PowerShell Commands
Summary: Learn how to find related Windows PowerShell commands. How can I find related commands in Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-Command cmdlet and sort by the ModuleName property. For example, to find commands that use the Get verb, use the following command: Get-Command –Verb get | Sort modulename
PowerTip: Find Time Zone Names with PowerShell
Summary: Find time zone enumeration names with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to enumerate the names of time zones that are configured on my computer? Use the System.TimeZoneInfo .NET Framework class, and use the GetSystemTimeZones static method to obtain the list. You want the ID property for enumeration values and the DisplayName property to see the standard display name values. Here is an example: [timezoneinfo]::GetSystemTimeZones() | select displayname, id
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get All Computer Names
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily retrieve a list of all computer names on the network. How can I use Windows PowerShell to obtain a list of all the servers on the network so I can run a script against them without typing a bunch of names? Use the Get-ADComputer cmdlet from the Active Directory module (available via the Remote Server Administration Tools), for example: (Get-ADComputer -Filter *).name
PowerTip: List Folders Containing PowerShell Modules
Summary: Learn how to list all folders that contain Windows PowerShell modules. How can I see a list of all folders that contain Windows PowerShell modules? Use the PSModulePath environmental variable, and split it to form paths to the modules. Then use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet (dir is an alias) and specify only directories while using a wildcard character for a filter. Here is an example: Dir ($env:PSModulePath -split ";") -Filter * -directory
PowerTip: Find Tickets to PowerShell Summit
Summary: Learn how to get tickets to PowerShell Summit 2015. I tried to get a ticket to the Windows PowerShell Summit 2015 in in Charlotte, North Carolina, but it was sold out. How can I find a ticket? Additional tickets will be made available on a first come, first served basis via PowerShell.org on January 11. Be ready, though, because these seats will go fast. Here is the link: PowerShell Summit N.A. 2015 – Additional Capacity
Weekend Scripter: The Best Ways to Learn PowerShell
Summary: PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about the best ways to learn Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest post by Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, aka The Scripting Wife. I asked her to talk a little bit about how one goes about learning Windows PowerShell. Take it away, Scripting Wife… Hello everyone, Teresa Wilson here. From time-to-time, whether at TechEd, at a user group meeting, or even online, people ask me how to go about learning Windows PowerShell. In general, my answer it the same. So here goes… Everyone learns in a differ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get DVD Drive Attached to Virtual Machine
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get information about the DVD drive attached to a virtual machine. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find information about a DVD drive that is attached to a running virtual machine? Use the Get-VMDVDDrive cmdlet, for example: Get-VMDvdDrive –VMName VM1
Weekend Scripter: Why Should I Learn PowerShell?
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about why you should learn Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The other day, I ran into an IT pro at the mall. He recognized me and started talking to me. It was like, dude, I was trapped. It turned out that he was cool, and yapping with him was much more fun than walking around a boring mall. Although, this particular mall happens to have a Microsoft Store in it (which incidentally is why the Scripting Wife and I made the trek downtown). Hmm, come to think of it, that might also be why there happened to be an IT pro hanging around. ...
PowerTip: Open PowerShell ISE and a Script
Summary: Learn how to open the Windows PowerShell ISE and a script at the same time. How can I open a specific script and the Windows PowerShell ISE at the same time? Use the Windows PowerShell_ISE command from the Windows PowerShell console, a command prompt or the Start/Run command. Specify the –File option and supply one or more scripts to the command. The following command opens two scripts, Bios.ps1 and Bogus.ps1 from the current directory: PowerShell_ISE &...
What Is PowerShell?
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, explains Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I keep hearing this term...all over...everywhere. But I do not know what it is. Can you tell me, "What is Windows PowerShell?" —DB Hello DB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning it is cold. At least, it is Charlotte, North Carolina—it is nearly freezing. That is enough to keep me inside with a nice cup of English Breakfast tea, and a freshly made Blueberry Scone. I decided to check the email sent to scripter@microsoft.com on my Surface Pro 3. Today is one of tho...
PowerShell Predictions for 2015
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Don Jones, provides predictions for 2015. Don Jones here. from PowerShell.org and Pluralsight. The Scripting Guy asked me to have another stab at predicting what’s in store for Windows PowerShell in 2015, so without further ado… Folks will realize how fast Windows is moving We’re going to see a lot of people asking, “I installed Windows PowerShell 5.0, but I don’t have (insert name of feature). What’s wrong?” Their problem will be that they’re running on an older version of Windows that doesn’t include that feature—...
PowerTip: What Should You Learn in 2015?
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Richard Siddaway, makes a recommendation for 2015. What Windows PowerShell topic should I learn in 2015? Desired State Configuration (DSC). Note Today's PowerTip was supplied by Windows PowerShell MVP, Richard Siddaway.
2014: A PowerShell Year in Perspective
Summary: Richard Siddaway discusses the growth of Windows PowerShell in 2014. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, Honorary Scripting Guy and Windows PowerShell MVP, Richard Siddaway looks at the world of Windows PowerShell in 2014... The Scripting Guy asked me if I’d like to review 2014 from a Windows PowerShell perspective. This is a look at the changes in Windows PowerShell and the Windows PowerShell community over the last 12 months. If I don’t mention a particular activity that you were involved with, I apologize—but in reality, the Windows PowerShell community is so huge and...
PowerTip: Resources for Learning PowerShell
Summary: Learn about resources to help you learn about Windows PowerShell. What do you recommend for online resources to learn about Windows PowerShell and find answers and help for script issues. The Script Center is the landing page to start. From there, you can go to the Script Center Repository, the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog, and the Official Scripting Guys Forum. There is also a tab on that page for Learn. This will take you to some webcasts that the Scripting Guy (Ed Wilson) made to hel...
Top Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog Posts for 2014
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about the top Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts for 2014. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we feature Honorary Scripting Guy and Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, aka The Scripting Wife. Hello everyone, I did a little research and came up with the top five Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts for 2014 (based on number of views). The results are sort of interesting. The top post is a basic article dealing with files and folders. The second most popular post talks about network adapters. The third is another basic article about looping, and the las...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell User Groups
Summary: Learn how to easily find Windows PowerShell user groups. Where can I find information about which cities have Windows PowerShell user groups? There are two locations: Also feel free to contact me directly at ScriptingWife@hotmail.com. Sometimes I know of cities with people who would like to meet-up for an informal chat about Windows PowerShell. Note This tip was supplied by Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson.
Top PowerShell Scripts of 2014
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about the top Windows PowerShell scripts of 2014 in the Script Center Script Repository. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, also known as "The Scripting Wife" is here today to tell us the five most popular scripts that were downloaded from the Script Center Repository in 2014. Take it away Teresa... Hello all. I have gathered some stats for you. Here are the top five most popular scripts that were downloaded from the Script Center Repository in 2014: 1. File System Security PowerShell Module 3.2.2 by Raimun...
Weekend Scripter: Playing with PowerShell Prompt
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about playing with the Windows PowerShell prompt. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is time to round up all of those end-of-the-year kinds of things. This is, in fact, the last weekend Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog post of 2014. Not sure what that means; but it is true, this is the last weekend post of the year. Not that I am going to do anything special, or make a big deal of it, but I just was thinking about it. One thing I like to do from time-to-time, is override my Windows PowerShell prompt. The cool thing is that I can do it on the fly. This is bec...
PowerTip: Explore PowerShell Help
Summary: Use Out-GridView to easily explore Windows PowerShell Help. How can I easily explore Windows PowerShell cmdlets and then see the cmdlet Help from them? Use the Get-Command cmdlet, pipe the output to Out-GridView with the -Wait parameter, and then pipe the results to Get-Help with the –Full parameter. This example finds all cmdlets that begin with the verb Set: Get-Command -Verb set | Out-GridView -PassThru | get-help -Full Note For...
PowerTip: Round Numbers with PowerShell
Summary: Easily use Windows PowerShell to round numbers. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily round numbers? Use the Round static method from the System.Math class, for example: PS C:\> 22/7 3.14285714285714 PS C:\> [math]::Round(22/7) 3 PS C:\>
Weekend Scripter: Exploring IP Address Functions
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell with TCP/IP. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, I decided to make a cup of orange spice tea. I did not even do it manually. I used a tea bag. I know, I know, I know. But hey, sometimes I like the convenience of opening a tea bag and filling the cup with hot water. Boom! I am done. This is especially true when I have a good bag of tea—not some of the cheaper tea that one might purchase at a big-box discount store that sells everything from car batteries to peanut butter. Indeed, over the years, I have fo...
PowerTrivia: Scripting Guys Holiday Special Trivia #7
Summary: Remember the name of the first holiday tune on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog? What was the very first holiday tune done on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog? You'll find the answer at the bottom of this post... And here is the answer for the PowerTrivia #6 question: What is the title of the fourth Scripting Guys holiday special, which seemed to last an incredibly long night? ‘Twas the Night of Before Scripting The answer to today's question is: Theme from A PowerShell Carol – Mr. Script Remember to listen to th...
Oliver Script: A Holiday Tale–Part 7
Summary: The future shapes up for Oliver, and he plays with a new string feature in Windows PowerShell. Note This is the final post in a series. To catch up, read: When we left Oliver, he was experiencing some health issues, but after several weeks of rest, he was ready to get back to work. It turned out that his illness would always be with him, but it was controllable. No more triple sugar-triple caffeine coffees for him! He was happy to be back working with technology again. He was working on a few new projects when a co-worker came up to him with a problem. Charley had been tasked with sp...
PowerTrivia: Scripting Guys Holiday Special Trivia #6
Summary: Simmer your minds with thoughts of past Scripting Guys holiday specials. What is the title of the fourth Scripting Guys holiday special, which seemed to last an incredibly long night? Think you know the answer? Verify by looking at this surprise post...or stay tuned. The answer will be posted in tomorrow's PowerTrivia! And here is the answer for the PowerTrivia #5 question: What was the name of the song written for the second Scripting Guys holiday special that suspiciously sounded like gerbils singing...
Oliver Script: A Holiday Tale–Part 6
Summary: Oliver manages Azure and Office 365 with Windows PowerShell and discovers how to store credentials securely. Note This is the sixth post in a series. To catch up, read: When we last left Oliver, he was heading out to begin his new job for a Microsoft Gold Partner in a wintery hell. All he could remember after arriving in his new home was that he had never seen so much snow in his entire life. A simple four hour drive turned into a twenty hour crawl through a blizzard. He could see trucks flipped over everywhere along the side of the road. He also neglected to take care of some small, ...
PowerTrivia: Scripting Guys Holiday Special Trivia #5
Summary: Remember this silly song from the second Scripting Guys holiday special? What was the name of the song written for the second Scripting Guys holiday special that suspiciously sounded like gerbils singing? Think you know the answer? Verify by listening to this little parody...or stay tuned. The answer will be posted in tomorrow's PowerTrivia! And here is the answer for the PowerTrivia #4 question: Who were the two main characters in the third Scripting Guys holiday special, It’s a Wonde...
Oliver Script: A Holiday Tale–Part 5
Summary: Oliver joins an enterprise environment and introduces Windows PowerShell to DevOps. Note This is the fifth post in a series. To catch up, read: It is Oliver's first day in an enterprise-class environment…a day full of excitement, and…co-op students? Only moments after walking in, he found himself surround by a batch a young interns asking which machine they should reimage next. “Who sent you to me? This is my first day.” “Fagin.” One of the youngest ones (probably not even in grade 10) piped up. “We’re Fagin’s interns. We spe...
PowerTrivia: Scripting Guys Holiday Special Trivia #4
Summary: Remember those wonderful people from the third Scripting Guys holiday special? Who were the two main characters in the third Scripting Guys holiday special, It’s a Wonderful Shell? Think you know the answer? Verify by reading It’s a Wonderful Shell—Chapter 1 ...or stay tuned. The answer will be posted in tomorrow's PowerTrivia! And here is the answer for the PowerTrivia #3 question: Who were the characters who handled the IT infrastructure in the second Hey, Scripting Guys holiday ...
Oliver Script: A Holiday Tale–Part 4
Summary: Oliver’s true challenges begin and he discovers built-in Windows PowerShell scripts. Note This is the fourth post in a series. To catch up, read: If you will remember, our friend had taken on a new and terrifyingly amazing challenge. He was about to take on the venture of starting a new company from the ground up with a good friend. For everyone else, this could be considered “flying over a canyon full of crocodiles without a safety net, and armed with only a propeller.” On your worst days, you think you may be eaten alive—on your best days, you're inches from being eate...
PowerTrivia: Scripting Guys Holiday Special Trivia #3
Summary: Remember the characters from previous Hey, Scripting Guys! holiday specials? Who were the characters who handled the IT infrastructure in the second Scripting Guys holiday special, How Mr. Finch Learned Scripting? Think you know the answer? Verify by reading Use PowerShell to Find and Unlock Users in Active Directory ...or stay tuned. The answer will be posted in tomorrow's PowerTrivia! And here is the answer for the PowerTrivia #2 question: From the third Scripting Guys! holiday special, can you n...
Oliver Script: A Holiday Tale–Part 3
Summary: Oliver finishes computer school, gets his first real job, and uses Windows PowerShell remoting. Note This is the third post in a series. To catch up, read: It is the beginning of a new day for Oliver: computer school! Learning actual higher-end technology. Oliver was about to fall over as he walked into the institute. He could actually smell the ozone of the technology burning in the air. As it turns out, it was actually a power cord burning behind a terminal. Oliver quickly reported the incident to his instructor, Mr. Beadle, who quickly dispatched Oliver with a roll of electrical tape to repair the...
PowerTrivia: Scripting Guys Holiday Special Trivia #2
Summary: Remember a holiday tune that entertained us? From the third Scripting Guys! holiday special, can you name the theme song that was sung most horribly off-key by a certain unnamed Windows PowerShell MVP? Think you know the answer? Verify by watching this surprise video...or stay tuned. The answer will be posted in tomorrow's PowerTrivia! And here is the answer for the PowerTrivia #1 question: In the very first Scripting Guys holiday special, A PowerShell Carol, who was the ...
Oliver Script: A Holiday Tale–Part 2
Summary: Oliver discovers how to easily find data with Windows PowerShell. Note This is the second post in a series. To get started, read Oliver Script: A Holiday Tale–Part 1. “Would you like fries with that?” How Oliver hated uttering those words daily. He hated going home, smelling of rancid grease and old soda pop. But he found contentment because it did pay the bills and he was grateful to have work when so many others didn’t. He also got an occasional free lunch—even though it was food expired from the heat chute at the restaurant. But food is food, and the small bles...
PowerTrivia: Scripting Guys Holiday Special Trivia #1
Summary: Have some fun remembering holiday specials from the past five years. In the very first Scripting Guys holiday special, A PowerShell Carol, who was the poor unhappy fellow who lost his way and would only use VBScript? Think you know the answer? Verify by reading Holiday PowerShell Carol, Part One...or stay tuned. The answer will be posted in tomorrow's PowerTrivia!
Oliver Script: A Holiday Tale–Part 1
Summary: We are introduced to our friend, Oliver Script, who discovers the magic of Get-Help in Windows PowerShell. There are times when dreams wander away... when the magic fades because we forget to believe in the possible... when we let the whispers of the possibilities of tomorrow silently wander off and disappear into the night. Often we call this “adulthood.” Then there are more commonly the times where the dreams are simply those magical adventures we embark upon during the midnight hours. However, there are the rare and wonderful exceptions where the dreamer and the d...
PowerTip: Convert String into DateTime Object
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to convert a string into a DateTime object. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily create a System.DateTime object from a string? Use the [DateTime] type accelerator to convert the string, for example: [datetime]"1/2/14"
Access Objects Inside Other Objects in PowerShell Pipeline
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about accessing objects inside other objects in the Windows PowerShell pipeline. Hey, Scripting Guy! Yesterday in Create Custom PowerShell Objects, you talked about writing a script to access embedded objects. That seems like a lot of trouble. Is there a better or easier way to do that, for example, when working in the Windows PowerShell console? —BZ Hello BZ, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is nearly here! The fifth annual Scripting Guys holiday special! Windows PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, has been hard at work on this series ...
PowerTip: Create Custom PowerShell Objects
Summary: Learn about the easiest way to create a custom Windows PowerShell object. How can I easily create a custom object that contains only a few of the existing properties of a Windows PowerShell cmdlet? Use the Select-Object cmdlet in the pipeline and choose the properties you want to add to the object: Get-Process | Select-Object name, id
Create Custom PowerShell Objects
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about creating custom objects via Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! Yesterday in Understand Embedded Objects in PowerShell, you said the easy way to expand a Windows PowerShell object was to use the –ExpandProperty parameter from the Select-Object cmdlet. That works OK, but I cannot also select other properties. So I end up with a bunch of extra stuff, and I have no idea what it is related to. Is there something you can do to help with this? —SB Hello SB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The other day, I received an email...
PowerTip: Expand Objects in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to easily expand objects in Windows PowerShell. How can I expand an object that was returned by my Windows PowerShell expression? Use the –ExpandProperty parameter from Select-Object to expand objects in Windows PowerShell. This example expands the System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo object returned by the Get-Process cmdlet: Get-Process | Select-Object -ExpandProperty startinfo
Understand Embedded Objects in PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about understanding embedded objects in Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I don’t get it. Some things in Windows PowerShell are so easy, and others are so complicated. It seems to go from ridiculously easy to ridiculously hard all at once. Take for instance, the Get-Process cmdlet. I mean, a moron can use that cmdlet. It is not too hard to type Get-Process—in fact, the hardest part is remembering to use a hypen in the middle. But after I do that, now what? There are things that just do not make sense, and things that are impossible to find...
PowerTip: Programmatically Open Script in PowerShell ISE
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to open a script in the Windows PowerShell ISE. How can I use Windows PowerShell to run a script that will open another script in a new tab in the Windows PowerShell ISE? Use the CurrentPowerShellTab Files Add method from the $psISE object, for example: $psISE.CurrentPowerShellTab.Files.Add("C:\fso\Get-Battery.ps1")
Use PowerShell to Find Hotfixes Installed in Time Range
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find hotfixes that were installed during a certain time range. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a problem at work. It seems there was a hotfix that was installed in the last couple of months that is causing problems with the video driver on a certain model of computer. Unfortunately, the problem has been somewhat erratic, and due to holidays, the users have been slow to report the issue. So I do not have exact information as to when the hotfix was installed. I only have a time frame, so to speak. I know that the update occurred s...
PowerTip: Require Specific Module in PowerShell Script
Summary: Learn how to require a specific module in a Windows PowerShell script. How can I prevent a Windows PowerShell script from running if it requires the Active Directory module and the module is not available? At first line of the script, use the #Requires statement to require the Active Directory module: #Requires –Modules ActiveDirectory
Start Virtual Machines in Order and Wait for Stabilization
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using a Windows PowerShell workflow to ensure that virtual machines start in order and stabilize. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Last month, I wrote the following blog post: Use PowerShell to Start or Stop Virtual Machines in Order. The workflow worked great. The problem is that some of the virtual machines take a while to stabilize after they are running. This means that when I start virtual machines in a specific order, there needs to be a bit of a delay from the time the virtual machine is running to the time that I can sign in or connect t...
PowerTip: Cause Out-GridView Cmdlet to Pause
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to pause the script while the Out-GridView displays. How can I pause the execution of my Windows PowerShell script while the Out-GridView cmdlet displays a grid view? (I do not need to pass information from the grid to the script.) The –Wait parameter from the Out-GridView cmdlet will pause script execution while the grid displays. Here is an example: Get-Process | select name, id | Out-GridView -Wait
Weekend Scripter: Create PowerShell Graphical Help Function
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about creating a graphical Help function in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, I should have known. In yesterday’s post, A Graphical Tool to Explore PowerShell Help, I said it would not take too long to convert my Windows PowerShell script (that I used to display Help) into a function. All of a sudden, I get a dozen emails to scripter@microsoft.com asking how to do that—not to mention a few tweets. As it turned out, I spent more than a few seconds converting the script into a function. Of course, I decided if I am g...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell Out-GridView to Explore Cmdlets
Summary: Use the Windows PowerShell Out-GridView cmdlet to aid in exploring cmdlets. How can I use Windows PowerShell to graphically explore cmdlets provided by the Hyper-V module and filter by verb? Use the Get-Command cmdlet and specify the Hyper-V module. Select the name, verb, noun, and definition properties and pipe the results to the Out-GridView cmdlet: Get-Command -Module Hyper-V | Select name, verb, noun, definition | Out-GridView
Weekend Scripter: A Graphical Tool to Explore PowerShell Help
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to explore Help topics. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. With the drops of the Windows Management Framework 5.0 (also known as Windows PowerShell 5.0), now is a good time to begin exploring modules, new cmdlets, and so on. It is way cool that Windows PowerShell is largely self-documenting and that it has tools that make it easy to discover features and use them. Note The script today works in Windows PowerShell 4.0 and Windows PowerShell 3.0. It does not take advantage of any new features of Win...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Cmdlets Supplied by Module
Summary: Find Windows PowerShell cmdlets that are supplied by a specific module. How can I easily see all the cmdlets that ship with the Hyper-V module.? Use the Get-Command cmdlet, and specify the Hyper-V module. (Tab expansion works for module names, which is great because who can remember if Hyper-V has a hyphen?) Get-Command -Module Hyper-V
Use PowerShell for an Easy Shutdown
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to perform an easy shutdown. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things I do with Windows PowerShell is to automate repetitive tasks. It may sound rather obvious, but I can assure you it is not. The reason? I become a creature of habit. I finally wrote this script, which I use on a regular basis: Use PowerShell to Start or Stop Virtual Machines in Order. I could have written that script a long time ago, but I didn’t. I blindly went on...clicking every day to start the same four or five virtual machines over...
PowerTip: Replace Multiple Words in String with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to replace multiple words in a string. How can I use Windows PowerShell to replace misspelled words in a string? Use the –Replace operator, for example: $s = "The calander says there are five calendar days left in the callander" $s -replace "calander|callander","Calendar"
Use a PowerShell Function to Determine Miles to Go
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about a Windows PowerShell function to determine miles remaining to meet challenge. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you are friends with me on Facebook, you know that in October I accepted a challenge to run a hundred miles before January 31, 2015. I was doing really well until I was knocked out of the action by surgery. The other day the doctor gave me a clearance to begin exercising again. Now, I need to know how many miles I need to do, per day, to complete the 100-mile challenge. When I was on the treadmill this morning, I decided that this wa...
PowerTip: Use CIM and PowerShell to Find WMI Classes
Summary: Use CIM and Windows PowerShell to find WMI classes related to threads. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily find WMI classes that are related to threads? Use the Get-CimClass cmdlet, and specify a wildcard character for threads: Get-CimClass *thread*
Use PowerShell and WMI to Explore Threads
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell and WMI to explore processes and threads. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need to find information about threads that are related to a specific process. I am wondering how I can do this by using Windows PowerShell. Can you help me? —CP Hello CP, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I have a couple of meetings. I like meetings because it is a great chance to interact with other people from Microsoft—and that is always a good thing when one works from home. It is one of the things I miss most about w...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Determine Weeks Between Dates
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to determine the number of weeks between two dates. I have a project that is broken into several major components of work. I know the start date of the project and the end date of the project. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine the number of weeks between these dates so I can determine how many weeks to allocate for each milestone? Use the New-TimeSpan cmdlet to create a timespan object that represents the amount of time between  ...
Use PowerShell to Get BIOS Information on Remote Servers
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to retrieve BIOS information from remote servers. Hey, Scripting Guy! I really hope you can help me. I need to get a list of basic BIOS information from our servers. All of the servers that I need are listed in a single organizational unit (OU) in Active Directory. I am wondering if I can query that OU to get my servers, and then use Windows PowerShell to connect to those servers and query for BIOS information. I tried using the Get-WmiObject cmdlet to query for the Win32_BIOS class in a few test scripts, but that did not work...
PowerTip: Zoom the PowerShell ISE
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell command to increase zoom in the Windows PowerShell ISE. How can I increase the zoom level in a script that I use to set up the Windows PowerShell ISE before presentations? Use the $host object and the PrivateData object, and set the zoom size to greater than 100. Here is an example that sets the zoom to 150 percent: $Host.PrivateData.Zoom = 150
Pre- and Post-Incrementing Do…While Loop in PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about pre- and post-incrementing the Do...While loop in Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I think that I found a bug in Windows PowerShell. In fact, I am pretty sure that I have. It involves using the ++ increment operator. For example, I know that $a = $a + 1 is the same as using $a++ because the ++ operator adds one to the value stored in the $a variable. With this understanding, here is the command to reproduce the bug I found. First, my command that uses $a = $a + 1: #Loop #1 $a=0 Do { $a } While (($a = $a + 1) -le 5) The output...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to See if String Has Wildcard Character
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to determine if a string contains a wildcard character. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine if a string contains a wildcard character? Use the static ContainsWildcardCharacters method from the System.Management.Automation.WildcardPattern .NET Framework class, for example: PS C:\> $wc = '*' PS C:\> $wc * PS C:\> [System.Management.Automation.WildcardPattern]::ContainsWildcardCharacters($wc) True
Weekend Scripter: Count Images with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, counts the images he used in Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts through the years. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I have been writing the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog for a while…actually, quite a while. It is the best job I have ever had—and at Microsoft, I have had some really cool jobs. I have previously mentioned the file structure that I use on my laptop, but here is a synopsis: I have all of my data in a folder called, surprisingly enough, Data. Inside my Data folder, I have a folder called ScriptingGuys. It contains all of my Hey, Scripting Gu...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Replace Characters in String
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to replace non-alphabetic and non-number characters in a string. How can I use Windows PowerShell to replace every non-alphabetic and non-number character in a string with a hyphen? Use the Windows PowerShell –Replace operator and the \w regular expression character class. The \w character class includes the letters a-z, A-Z, and numbers. Here is an example: PS C:\> $s = 'abc.123,DEF&ghi' PS C:\> $s -replace "\w", '...
Weekend Scripter: Remove Non-Alphabetic Characters from String
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to remove all non-alphabetic characters from a string. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am drinking a nice up of English Breakfast tea and munching on a Biscotti. I know...Biscotti is not a very good breakfast. Oh well. I went to my favorite bakery yesterday looking for some nice scones (which do make a good breakfast). For some reason, all of the scones they had were covered with a half-inch thick gunky sugar icing. I mean, DUDE! There was not enough time to talk the Scripting Wife into making some nice s...
PowerTip: Create Self-Updating Variable
Summary: Learn how to create a self-updating variable. How can I create a variable that will automatically update when I call it? Use Set-PSBreakPoint to set a variable that will always have the current date and time (or only time): Set-PSBreakpoint -Variable Time -Mode Read -Action {$Global:Time=(Get-Date).ToShortTimeString();$Global:Time} $Time Set-PSBreakpoint -Variable Date -Mode Read -Action {$Global:Date=Get-Date;$Global:Date} $Date Note You need to call the variable to kick off the PSBreakPoint action script block the first time. ...
Use the PowerShell Debugger
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to debug scripts in Windows PowerShell. Honorary Scripting Guy and Windows PowerShell MVP, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the final part in a series of five posts about troubleshooting Windows PowerShell scripts and functions. The series includes: Over the course of the week, I have been showing you various approaches to troubleshoot your code (or someone else’s code). Today I wrap things up by talking about the Windows PowerShell debugger. I'll look at the console and the ISE to help troubleshoot different parts of the code. D...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to View Trace Sources
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to view all trace sources. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see all available trace sources? Use Get-TraceSource cmdlet: Get-TraceSource | Select Name, Description PS C:> get-tracesource | Select Name, Description Name Description----...
Trace Your Commands by Using Trace-Command
Summary: Boe Prox uses Trace-Command to understand commands. Honorary Scripting Guy and Windows PowerShell MVP, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the fourth part in a series of five posts about troubleshooting PowerShell scripts/functions. The series includes: Today I am talking about using Trace-Command to look at your commands and to help better understand how they are working behind the scenes. Have you ever noticed that you can type Get without the actual verb and get cmdlets? And what is really happening when you pipe objects into a cmdlet and the cmdle...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Hide Parameter From IntelliSense
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to hide a parameter from IntelliSense. How can I use Windows PowerShell to hide a parameter from IntelliSense? Introduced in Windows PowerShell 4.0, you can specify the DontShow attribute for the [parameter()] type to hide that parameter from IntelliSense: Function Test-Something { [cmdletbinding()] Param ( [parameter(DontShow)] $HiddenParameter, ...
Enforce Better Script Practices by Using Set-StrictMode
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to use Set-StrictMode to write better scripts. Honorary Scripting Guy and Windows PowerShell MVP, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the third part in a series of five posts about troubleshooting Windows PowerShell scripts and functions. The series includes: If you remember back in the VBScript days, if you wanted to enforce better practices with the handling of undeclared variables in your code, you would use Option Explicit. If you tried to throw in a variable that wasn’t defined at the top of the script, it would throw a...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Remove an Item from an Array
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell remove an item from an array. How can I remove an item from an array?Use the ArrayList class, which has the Remove() method (instead of using System.Array, which does not have this method):PS > $ArrayList = New-Object System.Collections.ArrayListPS > [void]$ArrayList.AddRange((1..10))PS > $ArrayList12345678910PS > 1..10 | % {If ($_%2){[void]$ArrayList.Remove($_)}}PS > $ArrayList246810
Troubleshoot by Using Set-PSDebug
Summary: Boe Prox uses the Set-PSDebug cmdlet to assist in troubleshooting. Honorary Scripting Guy and Windows PowerShell MVP, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the second part in a series of five posts about troubleshooting Windows PowerShell scripts and functions. The series includes: Today I am going to talk about using the Set-PSDebug cmdlet to assist in troubleshooting a script or function. This cmdlet provides some basic debugging capabilities and allows you to set up trace levels, depending on how you want to view the execution of a script or function....
PowerTip: Avoid Prompt When Using –Debug
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to avoid being prompted when using –Debug. I love using –Debug in functions to figure out what is going on, but how can I avoid being prompted each time I run into Write-Debug in my code? After you declare your parameters, check for –Debug, and set the $DebugPreference value to ‘Continue’ instead of ‘Inquire’: If ($PSBoundParameters[‘Debug’]) { $DebugPreference='...
Provide Support by Using Verbose and Debug Streams
Summary: Provide code support by using Verbose and Debug streams. Honorary Scripting Guy and Windows PowerShell MVP, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the first part in a series of five posts about troubleshooting Windows PowerShell scripts and functions. The series includes: When you write a script or function, you want to make sure that things work correctly and that you have provided enough information for the individuals who will be using the code in their day-to-day activities. Although you have Get-Help and inline comments in the code, sometimes they ...
Networking Ideas for PowerShell Scripters
Summary: The Scripting Wife presents networking ideas for Windows PowerShell scripters. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today the Scripting Wife is going to write the blog post... Hello fellow scripters! The Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is not feeling so great, so I thought I would be nice to him on this Sunday morning and write this blog post. If you are new to this blog, I am Ed’s real-life wife and a Microsoft MVP. To read more of my posts, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. November has been an exciting and busy month for me personally. It started with the MVP Summit and ended wit...
PowerTip: Find Module Information from Cmdlet
Summary: Find Windows PowerShell module information from a cmdlet. How can I find more information about the module that provides a Windows PowerShell cmdlet? Use the Get-Command cmdlet, pipe the results to the Foreach-Object cmdlet, then inside the script block, use Get-Module. Here is an example using the Get-Process cmdlet: Get-Command get-process | foreach {Get-Module -name $_.modulename}
Weekend Scripter: Latitude, Longitude, and PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to retrieve latitude and longitude information. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today it is cold and dreary, so I thought it would be a nice time to play around with Windows PowerShell. One of the things I have always wanted to do is use Windows PowerShell to find the latitude and longitude for a specific address. I know there are webpages where I can look up this information—but if I ever want to do anything with latitude and longitude in a Windows PowerShell script, I had better know how to do the lookup. So, I ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get List of FSMO Role Holders
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a list of FSMO role holders in Active Directory. I use NETDOM QUERY FSMO to list my domain controllers that hold the FSMO roles, but can I do it with Windows PowerShell? As usual, there is more than one way to do most things in Windows PowerShell, but here are some syntax examples to meet your needs: Get-ADDomain | Select-Object InfrastructureMaster, RIDMaster, PDCEmulator Get-ADForest | Select-Object DomainNamingMaster, SchemaMaster Get-ADDomainController -Filter * | Select-Object Name, Domain, Forest, OperationMasterRoles | ...
Active Directory Week: Essential Steps for PowerShell when Upgrading
Summary: Learn three essential steps for Windows PowerShell when upgrading from Windows Server 2003. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have the final post in the series about Active Directory PowerShell by Ashley McGlone. Before you begin, you might enjoy reading these posts from the series: Over the years Microsoft has released a number of new features to enhance Active Directory functionality. (For more information, see Active Directory Features in Different Versions of Windows Server.) If you are just now upgrading from Windows Server 2003, you have much to be thankful for. You wil...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Work with Active Directory Date Fields
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to work with Active Directory date fields. How can I Use Windows PowerShell to work with date fields in Active Directory? Try the following techniques: # Password last set within the last 30 days? $pwdLastSet = Get-ADUser Administrator -Properties pwdLastSet | Select-Object -ExpandProperty pwdLastSet # Option A $pwdLastSet -gt (Get-Date).AddDays(-30).ToFileTimeUTC() # Option B [datetime]::fromFileTimeUTC($pwdLastSet) -gt (Get-Date).AddDays(-30)
Active Directory Week: Stale Object Cleanup Guidance—Part 2
Summary: Scripting tips for cleaning up stale Active Directory accounts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we continue our series about Active Directory PowerShell by Ashley McGlone. Before you begin, you might enjoy reading these posts from the series: See yesterday’s post for a discussion and guidance about stale-object cleanup. You really need to read it for context. Continuing from yesterday… I have been doing Active Directory scripting for well over a decade. You need to know that there is no fail-safe way to identify stale users and groups with 100% accuracy. We can have a high...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Inactive Active Directory Accounts
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a report of inactive Active Directory accounts.How can I use Windows PowerShell to get a report of inactive Active Directory accounts?The Search-ADAccount cmdlet has a number of parameters and switches to help identify stale accounts: You can also use the -UsersOnly or -ComputersOnly switch to narrow the results:
Active Directory Week: Stale Object Cleanup Guidance—Part 1
Summary: Learn about how to clean up stale Active Directory accounts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we continue our series about Active Directory PowerShell by Ashley McGlone. Before you begin, you might enjoy reading his first two posts: Here's Ashley... In the United States, this week we celebrate Thanksgiving. I’ve made the joke before that you can give thanks for Windows PowerShell, but your family really will not understand the significance. Nevertheless, I am thankful for family, friends, and Windows PowerShell. Clean your room much? In my work with Microsoft, I have foun...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find if User Is Nested Group Member
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find if a user is a nested member of a particular group. How can I use Windows PowerShell to quickly find if a user is a nested member of a particular group, for example, Domain Admins? Use the -RecursiveMatch LDAP filter operator: Get-ADUser -Filter 'memberOf ‑RecursiveMatch "CN=Administrators,CN=Builtin,DC=Fabrikam,DC=com"' ‑SearchBase "CN=Administrator,CN=Users,DC=Fabrikam,DC=com" If the user is a member of the group, the query returns an AD object representing the user. If not a member of the group, t...
Active Directory Week: Explore Group Membership with PowerShell
Summary: Learn about the nuances involved in reporting group memberships with Active Directory PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we continue our series about Active Directory PowerShell by Ashley McGlone. If you missed it, you may enjoy reading Get Started with Active Directory PowerShell first. Now, here's Ashley... Security priority In our world today, security is getting more focus with every headline about data breaches. One key strategy to keep your environment secure is regular audits of group memberships. Hopefully, you or your company’s information security team are...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Help Topics for Active Directory
Summary: Find the Windows PowerShell help_about topics for Active Directory. Where are the Windows PowerShell help_about topics for Active Directory? If you have Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 with the Active Directory Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) installed, you also have the Active Directory Help topics. If you have Windows PowerShell 4.0 or Windows PowerShell 3.0 installed, you can run the following command from an elevated Windows PowerShell console to install them:Update-Help -Module ActiveDirectory -VerboseTo view th...
Active Directory Week: Get Started with Active Directory PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft premier field engineer (PFE), Ashley McGlone, discusses the Active Directory PowerShell cmdlets. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we start a series about Active Directory PowerShell, written by Ashley McGlone... Ashley is a Microsoft premier field engineer (PFE) and a frequent speaker at events like PowerShell Saturday, Windows PowerShell Summit, and TechMentor. He has been working with Active Directory since the release candidate of Windows 2000. Today he specializes in Active Directory and Windows PowerShell, and he helps Microsoft premier customers reach their full pot...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find If Folder Inherits from Parent
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to determine if an NTFS folder inherits from its parent folder. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine if an NTFS folder inherits from its parent folder? Use the Get-NTFSAccessInheritance cmdlet provided by the NTFSSecurity module, for example: Get-NTFSAccessInheritance -Path C:\Windows Or if you want to query multiple folders: dir -Recurse | Get-NTFSAccessInheritance | Where-Object { -not $_.InheritanceEnabled }
Weekend Scripter: Manage NTFS Inheritance and Use Privileges
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Raimund Andree, talks about using Windows PowerShell to disable inheritance on folders. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today Raimund Andree, talks about using Windows PowerShell to disable inheritance on folders. Take it away, Raimund... In my previous post, Use PowerShell to Get, Add, and Remove NTFS Permissions, I talked about NTFS inheritance. Inheritance is a fundamental feature of NTFS to keep permissions consistent and easy to manage. However, there are some scenarios where you want to disable inheritance on folders or find out where it has been disabled. This post expl...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Show Hidden Files
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display only hidden files. How can I see hidden files by using Windows PowerShell 4.0? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet, and add the –Hidden and the –File switches: Get-ChildItem -Hidden -File
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Get, Add, and Remove NTFS Permissions
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Raimund Andree, talks about using Windows PowerShell to get, add, and remove permissions. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have Microsoft Premier Field Engineer, Raimund Andree, back to talk about using Windows PowerShell to work with permissions... Managing file and folder permissions in Windows PowerShell is not that easy, and there are numerous articles and blog posts describing how it works by using the .NET classes. This is far from being comfortable, and there is one major and one minor restriction: This post introduces the NTFSSecurity module, which prov...
PowerTip: Identify All Stopped Azure Virtual Machines with PowerShell
Summary: Identify virtual machines that are shut down, but are consuming billing time. How can I use Windows PowerShell to track virtual machines that are not shut down from the management portal in Azure? Use the Get-AzureVM cmdlet, and filter on 'StoppedVM' status: Get-AzureVM | Where { $_.Status –eq 'StoppedVM' } You can then properly shut down all of them with the Stop-AzureVM cmdlet: Get-AzureVM | Where { $_.Status –eq 'StoppedVM' } | Stop-AzureVM
Managing Azure IaaS with Windows PowerShell: Part 5
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to manage virtual machines in Azure. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here flying through the digital stratosphere on our final day with Windows PowerShell and Azure! We started by creating a virtual network for our Azure workstations and escalated to spinning up some virtual machines. To read more, see the previous topics in this series: Pretty cool! But we're dealing with the fun stuff today... Normally in Azure, if you were to initiate a shutdown in Windows or Linux, the operating system shuts down, but the Azure resources remain live in the service. The answe...
PowerTip: Set Default Storage Account for PowerShell Cmdlets in Azure
Summary: Learn how to define the default storage account to be used with the Azure PowerShell cmdlets. How do I tell Azure which media or storage account I'd like to use when I create a virtual machine? Use Get-AzureStorageAccount to access the names of your storage accounts, and then use Set-AzureSubscription to define your current default for the cmdlets. The following example sets the first account as the default in the subscription called 'HSG Azure Subscription': $StorageAccount=(Get-AzureStorageAccount)[0].label Set...
Managing Azure IaaS with Windows PowerShell: Part 4
Summary: Create a simple virtual machine from a predefined template in Azure. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here with my head still stuck in the clouds! Yesterday we created a network in Microsoft Azure for our resources to leverage—much like Hyper-V leverages a virtual network switch for its resources. Today we'll create a simple virtual machine from a predefined template in Azure. Creating a virtual machine from a template in Azure is pretty simple. We select Virtual Machines in the left pane of the management portal, and then click the +NEW button at the bottom. From here, we choose Quic...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Identify Services in Azure by Location
Summary: Use Azure PowerShell cmdlets to identify which services a datacenter will contain. How can I use Windows PowerShell to identify which services a particular datacenter in Azure contains? Access the AvailableServices property from the Get-AzureLocation cmdlet, for example: (Get-AzureLocation | where { $_.DisplayName -eq 'Brazil South' }).AvailableServices
Manage Azure IaaS with Windows PowerShell: Part 3
Summary: Access some information you need to easily automate virtual machine creation in Azure. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to rain the Power of PowerShell and Azure down onto you! Note This is the third post in a series. You might also enjoy reading: Yesterday we saw how to create storage in Azure. Today we're going to examine how to access some of the information you'll need to easily automate virtual machine creation in Azure. Normally when I create a virtual machine (or any other resource in Azure), I will be asked for locations where the service is to be hosted. W...
PowerTip: Get Azure Subscription Names with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get the name of cmdlets referring to your Azure subscription. Is there an easy way to obtain the Azure cmdlets referring to my subscription name? Use the Get-AzureSubscription cmdlet and access the SubscriptionName property: (Get-AzureSubscription).subscriptionname If you have multiple subscriptions, you can access them individually: (Get-AzureSubscription)[0].subscriptionname (Get-AzureSubscription)[1].subscriptionname
Manage Azure IaaS with Windows PowerShell: Part 2
Summary: Attend to prep work to get virtual machine cmdlets working. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney is here with some scribbly notes to help you out with Azure scripts for your virtual machines. Note This is the second post in a series. You might also enjoy reading Manage Azure IaaS with Windows PowerShell: Part 1. Before you can create virtual machines in Azure, you need to do some prep work to get those virtual machine cmdlets working. The first thing you need is storage; that is, a place to put your little pile of stuff, because everybody needs a place for their stuff. Just imagine ...
PowerTip: Connect to Azure to Leverage PowerShell Cmdlets
Summary: Learn how to use the Microsoft Azure cmdlets to connect to an Azure subscription. I downloaded the Azure PowerShell cmdlets, and I when I run them, they produce an error. How do I authenticate to Microsoft Azure from the cmdlets? Use a combination of two cmdlets (Get-AzurePublishSettingsFile and Import-AzurePublishSettingsFile) your first time:Get-AzurePublishSettingsFileThis prompts for authentication to Azure and prompts you to save a file on your local drive. The file extension is .publishsettings.Then run...
Manage Azure IaaS with Windows PowerShell: Part 1
Summary: Establish a connection to Azure through Windows PowerShell. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here. I'm back from the MVP Summit with my head in the clouds! More specifically, the Azure sky! Yes, my head is truly in the clouds. About a month ago, I got some training in Microsoft Azure and I got to meet the fellow who created the Windows PowerShell cmdlets for Azure, Michael Washam. I looked up at him and began blubbering, "…I'm not worthy….I'm not worthy… I'm not worthy…" Of course, Michael looked at me and was thinking, "Uh…OK&...
PowerTip: Continue a Windows PowerShell Script After Restart
Summary: Learn how to continue a script after a remote system restart by using Windows PowerShell. I am configuring MPIO to automatically claim the iSCSI Bus Type, which requires a restart. However, I want to continue automating afterward, so how do I continue my script from that point? Introduced in Windows PowerShell 4.0, you can use Restart-Computer with the Wait and For parameters. By default the Restart-Computer cmdlet uses DCOM as the protocol to perform the restart, so if ...
Weekend Scripter: Scriptify—A New PowerShell Learning Tool
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Steve Jeffery, talks about a new Windows PowerShell learning tool: Scriptify. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I have a guest blog post by premier field engineer, Steve Jeffery. He talks about a new tool he created to help you learn Windows PowerShell. Now, here's Steve... I started using Windows PowerShell several years ago as a SharePoint administrator. I quickly realized what a powerful language it is when I started automating my daily tasks with it. Eventually, I was automating complete builds. Since then, I’ve become a Windows PowerShell fanatic, and I try...
PowerTip: Using PowerShell to Search Text Files for Letter Pattern
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to search the contents of all text files in a folder for a specific letter pattern. How can I use Windows PowerShell to search the contents of a lot of files in a folder for the occurrence of a specific letter pattern? Use the Select-String cmdlet, and specify the pattern and the path to the files. Windows PowerShell automatically reads the contents of the text files, and it will show the path and the line number of the file that contains ...
Use PowerShell to Search Active Directory for High-Privileged Accounts
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Ian Farr, provides a Windows PowerShell function that searches for Active Directory users with high-privileged memberships. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have another guest blog post from Microsoft premier field engineer (PFE), Ian Farr. Take it away, Ian… As a youngster, I loved watching Columbo, the bumbling, disheveled, and tenacious LAPD detective. At the end of each episode, almost as an afterthought, he’d outwit the murderer with an investigative coup de grace. Televisual gold! A few months ago, I discussed a function that analyzes the authentica...
PowerTip: Find WSMAN Settings by Using PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the WSMAN service settings on a local computer. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily verify the WSMAN settings on my local computer? Open the Windows PowerShell ISE or console with admin rights, and then use the WSMAN provider to display the LocalHost\Service folder as shown here: dir WSMan:\localhost\Service
Final Comments about PowerShell Comments
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, concludes the series of posts about adding comments to Windows PowerShell scripts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, I am sipping a cup of Assam tea. It is rich, robust, and has a very nice flavor. I add a bit of lemon juice and a cinnamon stick to balance out the flavor. I also have a piece of dark chocolate that seems to go exceptionally well with the tea. With tea, it is all about balance. In a way, it is the same with adding comments to a Windows PowerShell script. Five Ws and an H Comments help make the script easy to understand. I like to...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Event Viewer
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to display the Event Viewer tool. I often use the Event Viewer, but I have a hard time finding it or remembering its name. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see the Event Viewer? Use the Show-EventLog cmdlet—Tab expansion works so you do not have to type much, and it is easier to remember and type than EventVwr: Show-EventLog
More Comments about PowerShell Commenting
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, continues the discussion about Windows PowerShell comments. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, I was up early because I had to take the Scripting Wife to the airport. Luckily, it was really early, so Charlotte’s world class traffic had not yet had a chance to accumulate. She is heading to Long Beach, California to help with registration for Bouchercon 2014. Bouchercon is a huge conference (sort of like TechEd) devoted to mystery writers and mystery readers. More than likely, she will come back home with a suitcase full of mystery books fro...
PowerTip: Check UI Culture and Current Culture
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to compare the UI culture and the current culture. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily check if the UI culture and the current culture on my computer are the same.? Use the Compare-Object, Get-Culture, and Get-UiCulture cmdlets: Compare-Object (Get-Culture) (Get-UICulture)
Use Regions for PowerShell Comments
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about combining regions and Windows PowerShell comments in the ISE. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I want to talk about an idea I had the other day when I was on the treadmill. First of all, I will say that walking on a treadmill for an hour is a great way to get some time to think. I often have great ideas when I am walking on the treadmill. At other times, I have some pretty whacky ideas. I think that today’s idea probably falls somewhere in-between. I have been talking about adding comments to scripts, and yesterday I talked ab...
PowerTip: Examine PowerShell Cmdlet Coverage
Summary: Learn how to examine where Windows PowerShell cmdlets come from. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find which modules supply the most cmdlets of a particular type? Use the Get-Command cmdlet and specify a particular verb (such as Get), pipe the resulting objects to the Group-Object cmdlet to group by the ModuleName property, then sort the results in a descending fashion, for example: get-command -verb get | group ModuleName | sort count -Descending
Top Four Suggestions for Effective PowerShell Comments
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, lists his top four ideas to include in comments in Windows PowerShell scripts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is a new week. This one is filled with potential for unlimited new explorations, beginnings of wonderful friendships, and delving into the mysteries of long forgotten books. Well OK, I actually began the new week yesterday—but still, there is lots to discover about Windows PowerShell. The weather continues to be absolutely fabulous here in Charlotte, North Carolina. The days are almost perfect. In fact, the weather is so glorious that I h...
PowerTip: Add Multiple-line Comments in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to add multiple-line comments in Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to add a comment that will wrap over several lines if I do not want to use a hash tag for each line? Begin the comment with <# and end the comment with #>, for example: <# this is a multiple line comment #>
Six Comments about PowerShell Commenting
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about adding comments to Windows PowerShell scripts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning brings another cool fall day in Charlotte, North Carolina. I am sipping a cup of English Breakfast tea with a cinnamon stick and a bit of orange peel in it. I am also munching on a Biscotti. It goes really well with the tea. One of the most common questions I get from people who are learning Windows PowerShell, is in regards to adding comments to their scripts. I have found lots of people who add lots of comments and even more people who add no comments ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Windows Version
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find what version of Windows you are running. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the version of Windows that is installed on a group of computers? To be safe, I need the command to be compatible with Windows PowerShell 2.0. Use the Get-WmiObject cmdlet and query the Win32_OperatingSystem WMI class: (Get-WmiObject win32_operatingsystem).version
Weekend Scripter: Install PowerShell 4.0 in Windows 7
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about upgrading Windows PowerShell 2.0 to Windows PowerShell 4.0 in Windows 7. Hello everyone. The Scripting Wife, here. The Scripting Guy is off reading a book—I think it may be Rob Roy by Walter Scott, but I am not sure. He seems to be on a Walter Scott kick lately. I have little interest in a book that has to come in two or more volumes, so I was looking over the recent Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts about upgrading to Windows PowerShell 4.0. I realized that the Scripting Guy had forgotten to say exactly how to upgrade. I mean, really. Like every...
PowerTip: Save Offline Version of PowerShell Help
Summary: Learn how to save Windows PowerShell Help into offline files. How can I get the files to update Windows PowerShell Help on my servers that are inside a screened subnet and do not have direct access to the Internet? Use the Save-Help Windows PowerShell cmdlet, and specify a shared location for the downloaded files on a computer that does have access to the Internet, for example: Save-Help -Module * -DestinationPath C:\Shared\UpdateHelp
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Update Help on Remote Servers
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to update Windows PowerShell Help on remote servers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the great things about any version of Windows PowerShell is the Help that comes with the product. Having access to Get-Help is great whether I am working on a server or a workstation. I will admit that even having worked with Windows PowerShell as long as I have, I do not remember every cmdlet, every nuance, every switch and parameter available. I don’t think anyone does. This greatness is actually a double-edged sword. Beg...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find MAC Address
Summary: Easily find your MAC address with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the MAC address on my computer? Use the Getmac command-line reference. -or- Use WMI, for example: Get-WmiObject win32_networkadapterconfiguration | select description, macaddress Get-CimInstance win32_networkadapterconfiguration | select description, macaddress
What It Means to Be a PowerShell MVP
Summary: Four Windows PowerShell MVPs share what the title means to them. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The MVP Summit is over. Many MVPs began their long trek home last night. Others decided to remain overnight or even over the weekend before heading home. From the feedback I have received, one thing is for sure, this year's MVP Summit was one of the best ever. The big question is, "Why?" Why do the MVPs do what they do? I mean, they have to pay for their own travel to come to the Summit. They have to share a room (or pay for their half of a room). And to be honest, it is a long, brutal schedule o...
PowerTip: Find All PowerShell MVPs
Summary: Learn how to find all of the Windows PowerShell MVPs. How can I find a list of all of the Windows PowerShell MVPs? Use the search engine on the MVP site with the PowerShell Technical expertise filter: Find an MVP.
A Day in the Life of MVPs at the Summit
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVPs, Sean Kearney, Steve Murawski, and Shane Hoey, talk more about the MVP Summit. An update from Sean... The last day of the MVP Summit is upon us. Aside from of all of the NDA goodie events, many really cool things happen outside of the MVP Summit sessions. Evening events and exploring downtown Bellevue—sure, there’s fun there. But I truly look forward to this Summit every year. First I get to spend a whole week at Microsoft’s head office (which, if you’re a complete nerd like me, is way too cool—it is truly “Disneyland for Nerds”). I notic...
PowerTip: Wait for PowerShell Job to Complete
Summary: Learn how to wait for a Windows PowerShell job to complete. How can I use Windows PowerShell to wait for a job that I have run to complete? Use the Wait-Job cmdlet, and specify the job ID, for example: Wait-Job –ID 5
Remotely Run a PowerShell Workflow
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about running a Windows PowerShell workflow on a remote computer. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning it is beautiful outside. I am sitting on the porch sipping a cup of English Breakfast tea. I made a pot this morning, and I added some orange peel, Meyer lemon, and a bit of hibiscus flower to give it a nice tangy flavor. The Scripting Wife is still at the MVP Summit in Seattle, so I had to head to a local bakery to score some scones for breakfast. I found some really nice cinnamon scones, but they also had cinnamon sugar drizzled over the t...
PowerTip: Find Help about Specific PowerShell Parameter
Summary: Learn how to find Help about a specific Windows PowerShell parameter. How can I easily find what values a specific Windows PowerShell cmdlet accepts? Use the Get-Help cmdlet and specify the cmdlet name and parameter, for example: get-help Restart-Computer -Parameter for
MVP Summit–First Day Reports
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVPs share their Summit experiences. Here is a report Windows PowerShell MVP, Steve Murawski The MVP Summit is one of my favorite times of the year despite the fact that [MVP.Summit] -notcontains 'Sleep'. Why is the Summit one of my favorite times? Well, I'll tell you. First, you have a thousand or two zealous community members (more on that in a second) descend on Bellevue, Washington. It is almost guaranteed that you'll spend time talking to MVPs in other product areas and start learning bits and pieces about what is happening in their area of focus. The differen...
Uninstalling the PowerShell ISE by Using a Workflow
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about removing a Windows feature by using a Windows PowerShell workflow. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sipping a cup of Sencha green tea. I happened to have some lying around and I decided I would go ahead and drink it this morning. I added a bit of fresh lemon and half a stick of cinnamon to the cup. It is quite good, if a bit understated. Normally, I would have green tea in the afternoon, but like I said, this morning I happened to have some lying around, so I thought, "Why not?" There are, in fact, several times when I say, "W...
PowerTip: Find Information about Started Virtual Machine
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find detailed information about a started virtual machine. I use the Start-VM cmdlet on my computer running Hyper-V, but how can I use Windows PowerShell to find more information about the virtual machine that actually starts? Use the –PassThru parameter to return a virtual machine information object. Store the returned object in a variable, and then use Windows PowerShell to parse that variable. Here is an example: $vm = Start-VM –name c1 –passthru...
The MVP Summit–Posting 1
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVPs, Teresa Wilson and Richard Siddaway, provide initial impressions fromthe MVP Summit. Hello everyone. This is Teresa. My flight was uneventful. Actually, it was better than uneventful because I was able to get upgraded. At least, my flight was only about five hours—and not like the 28 hours reported by some MVPs on Facebook. Well, I have been here in Seattle for a couple of days. I came a bit early so I could spend some time with friends. My flight in was largely uneventful, except that Dr. Scripto, who is traveling with me, got stopped at the airport. It happens to him a lot...
Use PowerShell to Start or Stop Virtual Machines in Order
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using a Windows PowerShell workflow to start or stop virtual machines in a specific order. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sitting outside enjoying a beautiful fall day. I found a little coffee and tea shop nearby, so I am sitting outside sipping a nice cup of English Breakfast tea and munching an apple cinnamon scone. It is not too bad actually. Of course, the little coffee and tea shop has WiFi, so I have my Surface 3 Pro with me, and I am checking email sent to scripter@microsoft.com. I ran across an email from a perso...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Query Cluster Shared Volumes' Free Space
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to query for free space in Cluster Shared Volumes. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the free space in all my Cluster Shared Volumes for Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows Server 2012? Use the Get-ClusterSharedVolume cmdlet with the –Cluster parameter and your Hyper-V cluster name. Loop through each cluster shared volume and output a Windows PowerShell custom object to the pipeline. The foll...
Weekend Scripter: Simplify to Troubleshoot PowerShell Script
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, helps an old friend fix his script. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I am a big believer in simplicity. I enjoy simple things: a nice cup of hot tea, reading a good book, watching a sunset on the beach, taking a train ride through the Alps, or spending an evening conversing with friends. Simplicity is one of the things I like about Windows PowerShell. It can take a complex operation and make it simple. Desire State Configuration (DSC) is one such tool. When I see a Windows PowerShell script that is complex, I naturally begin to look at it to see if there ar...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Module to Import
Summary: Use Tab expansion in Windows PowerShell to find a module to import. I know I need the full name of a specific Windows PowerShell module to import it, but I am not sure of the complete name, and I do not want to do a lot of typing. The module exists in a known Windows PowerShell module location. How can I quickly find the module name? Use Tab expansion with the Import-Module cmdlet. You only need to know the first letter of the module, then you can tab through th...
Weekend Scripter: Announcing WMI Explorer 2.0
Summary: Microsoft senior support escalation engineer, Vinay Pamnani, talks about WMI Explorer 2.0. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am pleased to invite back Microsoft senior support escalation engineer, Vinay Pamnani, who supports Configuration Manager. He's here to talk about the latest edition of his WMI Explorer tool. Take it away Vinay... I’m excited to announce that WMI Explorer 2.0 is now available for download from CodePlex: WMI Explorer. Special thanks to Tim Helton for his guidance and support. Requirements: New features include: ...
PowerTip: Export Certificate by Using PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to export a certificate. How can I use Windows PowerShell to export a certificate? Use the Export-Certificate cmdlet and specify the file output destination. By default it will export a file of the type Cert. Here is an example: Export-Certificate -Cert (Get-Item Cert:\CurrentUser\My\3EF2) -FilePath c:\fso\mycert.cert
AutomatedLab Tutorial Series Part 6: Install Software and Run Custom Activities
Summary: Microsoft PFEs, Raimund Andree and Per Pedersen, explain how to customize your existing environment and install software to some or all machines in your lab. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is Part 6 of a series written by Microsoft PFEs Raimund Andree and Per Pedersen. Read their previous posts here: In the previous blog posts, you learned how easy it is to create complex lab environments by using AutomatedLab. This post explains how to customize your existing environment and install software to some or all machines in the lab. Installation If you have a version of A...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Import Certificate
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to import a certificate. How can I use Windows PowerShell to automate the installation of a certificate? Use the Import-Certificate cmdlet, and specify the certificate store location and the path to the certificate file, for example: Import-Certificate –filepath c:\fso\mycert.cert –certStorelocation cert:\currentuser\my
AutomatedLab Tutorial Series Part 5: Install CA Two-Tier Hierarchy for PKI
Summary: Microsoft PFEs, Raimund Andree and Per Pedersen, talk about using Windows PowerShell to automate the deployment of a PKI environment as it would typically be deployed in a production environment. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is Part 5 of a series by Microsoft PFEs, Raimund Andree and Per Pedersen. Read their previous posts here: Following up on Part 4, this post explains how to deploy a public key infrastructure (PKI) environment as it would typically be deployed in a production environment. The PKI environment will be deployed using two servers. One server will be a root...
PowerTip: Troubleshoot Get-VM Cmdlet
Summary: Learn about a quick troubleshooting tip for the Get-VM cmdlet. I am using the Get-VM cmdlet to find information about virtual machines on my local laptop, but it does not appear to do anything. What could be the matter? The Get-VM cmdlet must be run with Admin permissions. But unfortunately, it does not tell you that when run in a non-elevated Windows PowerShell console. To launch the Windows PowerShell console with Admin permissions, right-c...
AutomatedLab Tutorial Series Part 4: Install a Simple PKI Environment
Summary: Learn how to easily deploy a PKI environment by using AutomatedLab. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back Microsoft PFEs, Raimund Andree and Per Pedersen, and their series about AutomatedLab. Read their previous posts here: This blog post shows how to use AutomatedLab to easily deploy a public key infrastructure (PKI) environment. The PKI environment will be a single server, which is installed with the certification authority (CA) role. Subsequently, you will be able to request and issue certificates to all computers and users in your lab. Also, if you want to sign Windows Pow...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Take Snapshot of Virtual Machine
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to take a snapshot of a virtual machine prior to making changes. How can I use Windows PowerShell to take a snapshot of a virtual machine prior to making changes to it? Use the CheckPoint-VM cmdlet, for example: Checkpoint-VM -Name DC1 -SnapshotName BeforeUpdate
AutomatedLab Tutorial Part 3: Working with Predefined Server Roles
Summary: Learn how to predefine server roles and switch the operating system to Windows 10 Technical Preview in your AutomatedLab environment. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today brings us Part 3 in a series by Microsoft PFEs, Raimund Andree and Per Pedersen. The last blog post explained how to create a small lab environment using AutomatedLab. This post explains how to extend the lab you created by predefining server roles and switching the operating system to Windows 10 Technical Preview. To catch up, read: Installation If you have a version of AutomatedLab that is earlier than Automated...
PowerTip: Create System Restore Point by using PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to quickly create a system restore point. How can I use Windows PowerShell to roll back the settings if the changes I make mess up my computer? Open the Windows PowerShell console with Admin rights, and use the Checkpoint-Computer cmdlet. Specify a good description of the checkpoint and the restore point type, for example: Checkpoint-Computer -Description 'everything fine' -RestorePointType modify_settings
AutomatedLab Tutorial Part 2: Create a Simple Lab
Summary: Learn how to create a small lab environment by using AutomatedLab. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have Part 2 of the series by Microsoft PFEs, Raimund Andree and Per Pedersen. Today they talk about installing the Windows PowerShell modules to use with AutomatedLab, and the steps required to create a simple lab. If you follow along, you will have AutomatedLab installed on your Hyper-V host and a lab set up with two machines. Note Before you read this post, you might benefit from reading AutomatedLab Tutorial Part 1: Introduction to AutomatedLab. Installation The install...
PowerTip: Find Syntax of PowerShell Cmdlet
Summary: Easily find the syntax of a Windows PowerShell cmdlet. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see the syntax of a cmdlet I want to use? Use the Get-Command cmdlet (gcm is an alias) with the –Syntax switch, for example: gcm Checkpoint-Computer -Syntax
AutomatedLab Tutorial Part 1: Introduction to AutomatedLab
Summary: Microsoft PFEs, Raimund Andree and Per Pedersen, present a multipart series about using Windows PowerShell to deploy a solution called AutomatedLab. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we kick off a multiple part series about automated lab deployment by using Windows PowerShell. Written by two Microsoft premier field engineers, Raimund Andree and Per Pedersen, this series focuses on lots of good stuff, and it culminates with a way cool Windows PowerShell script. This is a series you do not want to miss. Raimund Andree I am a premier field engineer working for Microsoft Customer Services a...
PowerTip: Test Connectivity to Remote Servers without Ping
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to test connectivity to remote servers without using Ping. How can I test connectivity to remote servers to ensure my Windows PowerShell scripts will work if I have the Packet Internet Grouper (PING) blocked at the firewall? Use Test-WsMan, for example: 's1','s2' | % {Test-Wsman $_}
Weekend Scripter: Team Talk About Why to Upgrade to PowerShell 4.0
Summary: Windows PowerShell program manager, John Slack, talks about upgrading to Windows PowerShell 4.0. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have John Slack, a program manager in the Windows PowerShell team as our guest blogger... Do you use the version of Windows PowerShell that ships with your operating system? Do you wonder if you should make the jump and install Windows PowerShell 4.0 or try out Windows PowerShell 5.0 Preview? Here’s the short answer: I think you should. Want more of an explanation? At a high level, I see the following benefits to updating: New feat...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Keep Servers Correctly Configured
Summary: How do I keep my servers configured correctly? I can write Windows PowerShell scripts to configure my machines, but how do I enforce these configurations after the script has finished? This situation is called "configuration drift." You’ve set up your server properly, and then over time, little changes are made that lead to an unknown production state. To manage configuration drift, use Desired State Configuration (DSC). ...
Number 1 Reason to Upgrade to PowerShell 4.0: Desired State Configuration
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Dave Wyatt, says the number 1 reason to upgrade to Windows PowerShell 4.0 is Desired State Configuration. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, Dave Wyatt, is back to share his ideas about upgrading to Windows PowerShell 4.0. Dave is a Microsoft MVP (Windows PowerShell) and a member of the board of directors at PowerShell.org. He works in IT, mainly focusing on automation, configuration management, and production support of Windows Server and point-of-sale systems for a large retail company. Blog: Dave Wyatt's BlogTwitter: @MSH_Dave When I got an email...
My Path to a PowerShell 4.0 Upgrade
Summary: Microsoft IIS MVP, Terri Donahue, talks about her path to upgrading to Windows PowerShell 4.0. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome new guest blogger, Terri Donahue. Microsoft IIS MVP, Terri Donahue is a systems administrator who has been supporting Internet Information Services (IIS) since version 4.0. Through the years, she has had extensive hands-on experience with many web servers including Lotus Domino, Apache, and of course, IIS. She has a passion for helping people solve technology-related problems. She is focusing on improving her Windows PowerShell skills. She regularly...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell 4.0 Where Operator to Filter
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 4.0 Where operator to filter results. How can I use a Where operator in Windows PowerShell (without using the pipeline or Where-Object) to filter through processes? Use Get-Process to group the processes into a collection, then use the Where operator and filter on the process name, for example: (Get-process).Where({$_.ProcessName -eq 'winlogon'})
Practical Reasons for Upgrading to PowerShell 4.0
Summary: Guest blogger and Windows PowerShell MVP, Jeff Wouters, provides several practical reasons for upgrading to Windows PowerShell 4.0. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we continue our “Why Upgrade to Windows PowerShell 4.0” series with a guest blog post written by Jeff Wouters. Jeff is a Windows PowerShell MVP in the Netherlands, and he is a cofounder of the Dutch PowerShell User Group. Not only that, he is a great guy and a good friend to the Scripting Wife and me. Take it away Jeff... When you are considering upgrading to a new version of Windows PowerShell and remaining on t...
PowerTip: Replace Characters in String that Is Not Part of Group
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to replace all characters in a string that is not part of a group. How can I use Windows PowerShell to remove all the non-alphabetic characters in the following string? (The single quotation marks are not part of the string.)'({Abcde})' Create a regular expression pattern (character group) that includes the alphabetic characters a – z and A – Z, and use the "not in character group" operator (^) at the beginning of the pattern. Use the Windows PowerShell &...
Upgrade to PowerShell 4.0 Because It Is Easier to Use
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson (aka Scripting Wife), talks about upgrading to Windows PowerShell 4.0 because it is easier to use. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I continue my series of posts about upgrading to Windows PowerShell 4.0 by turning over the keyboard to Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson. Teresa is also known as the Scripting Wife, and she is active in the Windows PowerShell community with events such as PowerShell Saturday, PowerShell User Groups, and PowerShell.org. Take it away Teresa... Hi everyone. Teresa, aka Scripting Wife, is here. I know that ...
PowerTip: Determine PowerShell Version on Your System
Summary: Learn how to determine the version of Windows PowerShell installed on your system. How can I discover the version of Windows PowerShell that is installed on a particular system? Use the $psversiontable built-in variable to get a display such as this:Name Value---- -----PS...
Should I Upgrade to Latest Windows PowerShell Version?
Summary: Richard Siddaway discusses the issues around upgrading your version of Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today's post is provided by Richard Siddaway... Richard is based out of the UK and spends his time automating anything, and everything, for Kelway, Ltd. A 7-year Windows PowerShell MVP, Richard is a prolific blogger, mainly about Windows PowerShell, (Richard Siddaway's Blog: A PowerShell MVPs site) and a frequent speaker at user groups and Windows PowerShell conferences. He has written a number of Windows PowerShell books: Windows PowerShell in Practice, Windows PowerShe...
PowerTip: Get PowerShell Module by Using –FullyQualifiedName Parameter
Summary: Learn how to get a specific Windows PowerShell module by using the –FullyQualifiedName parameter. How can I look at the specific version of a Windows PowerShell module? In Windows PowerShell 4.0, you can do this by using the –FullyQualifiedName parameter of the Get-Module cmdlet. You specify a hash table that contains the name and version of the module (you can also use the GUID). Here is an example using my Windows PowerShell ISE module: Get-Module –FullyQualifiedName ...
Weekend Scripter: Why Upgrade to PowerShell 4.0?
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson talks about why to upgrade to Windows PowerShell 4.0 Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I am kicking off a week of posts that are written by Windows PowerShell MVPs, a member of the product group, and myself, in which we are going to talk about upgrading to Windows PowerShell 4.0. For each of us, the reasons vary a bit. Why is this important? The short answer is that Windows PowerShell is a crucial technology from Microsoft, and it is central to our management strategy. With the shift to the cloud, Windows PowerShell takes on an even greater role in manage...
PowerTip: Find Errors Related to Update-Help
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find errors related to Update-Help. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find if Update-Help is completing successfully on my computer? Use the Get-WinEvent cmdlet and search Windows PowerShell logs for event 4103 and a status level of 2 (error). You can narrow the results by adding a start time. When you find the events, use Select-Object and the –ExpandProperty parameter to expand the message field. Here is a command that looks for err...
Weekend Scripter: Why Learn PowerShell?
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about why to learn Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Every once in a while, I am asked, “Why should I learn Windows PowerShell?” To be honest, that is always a bit of a troublesome question. Not because I cannot answer it, but because to me the question is nearly irrelevant. I will confess that I love using Windows PowerShell. I use it every day, and when I am not using it, I am actually thinking about it. Recently, I was getting dressed to head out to the gym, and a Windows PowerShell command popped into my head. I call...
PowerTip: Change the PowerShell Prompt
Summary: Learn how to shorten the Windows PowerShell prompt. I am concerned that the Windows PowerShell prompt is becoming too long when working with the registry or the file system, and I would like to shorten it. Change the prompt with the following one-liner (remember to add a space at the end of the prompt for reading ease):Function prompt {“My Prompt “}When you close Windows PowerShell, the prompt returns to the original configuration.Note Today's PowerTip is supplied by Windows PowerShell MVP, ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Remove Characters in a String
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to remove specific characters in a string. I have a string that includes braces:$a = '{Abcde}' I want to remove the braces, but keep the text string inside the braces. How can I do this by using Windows PowerShell? Use the –Replace operator, create a regular expression pattern that includes only the braces you want to remove, and then write the results back to the variable, for example:PS C:> $a = '{Abcde}'PS C:> $a -replace '[{}]',''abcdePS C:> $a = $a -replace '[{}]',...
PowerTip: Check Status of PowerShell Help Files on Remote Computers
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to check the status of Help file updates on remote computers. How can I easily see if the Windows PowerShell Help files are up-to-date on my remote computers? Use the Invoke-Command cmdlet, target the remote computers, use Get-Help to look for help, and then use the Select-String cmdlet to search for “Cannot find the Help files” in the output. Here is an example (this is a single-line command broken at the pipeline character for readability): Invok...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to See If WinRM Is Running on Remote Computer
Summary: Learn how to easily use Windows PowerShell to check if WinRM is running on a remote computer. How can I use Windows PowerShell to ensure that WinRM is running and configured on my three remote computers? Create an array of computer names, and pipe them to the Test-WsMan cmdlet, for example: "s1","s2","dc1" | % { Test-WSMan $_ } Note % is an alias for the Foreach-Object cmdlet.
PowerTip: Check Version of PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to check your version of Windows PowerShell. How can I find what version of Windows PowerShell my computer is running? Use the automatic $PSVersionTable variable, and check the PSVersion property, for example: $PSVersionTable.PSVersion
PowerTip: Find Name of PowerShell Host
Summary: Learn to find the name of the Windows PowerShell host. How can I determine if I am running a Windows PowerShell script in the Windows PowerShell console? Use the Get-Host cmdlet. Here is how to check: if((Get-Host).name -ne "consolehost") {"Take appropriate action here"}
Weekend Scripter: Glimpse into the PowerShell Future
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the future of Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I don’t know about you, but I “got into IT” because I am easily bored. I don’t mean that I have a short attention span, because I don’t. I can be laser focused when I am working on a problem—and that focus can remain for days, even weeks or months, if need be. But when I have solved a problem, well, then I am no longer interested. That is one reason I loved being a consultant. I was always faced with more problems to solve—larger challeng...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Number Grouping and Control Decimal Places
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display number grouping and control the number of displayed decimal places. How can I use Windows PowerShell to group digits and control the number of decimal places in a large number? Use the Numeric Format Specifier, and specify the number of required decimal places. Here are a few examples: PS C:\> (1000*1000).tostring("N") 1,000,000.00 PS C:\> (1000*1000).tostring("N1") 1,000,000.0 PS C:\> (1000*1000).tostring("N3") 1,000,000.000
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Calculate and Display Percentages
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to calculate and display percentages. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, I am sipping a cup of red berry tea. It is tangy and refreshing. I will admit that I cheated. I used our machine. Boom! 90 seconds later it was done. I guess I could actually do that in my sleep. Of course, I do not make tea in my sleep, but I do sometimes write Windows PowerShell script while I am dozing. When this happens, I need to get to work quickly—before I forget what I was thinking about. In Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Win...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get SSL Certificate
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to get an SSL certificate from an internal certification authority. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get an SSL certificate from an internal certification authority (CA) and import it to my web server's local certificate store? Use the Get-Certificate cmdlet, specify the template, the DNS name, subject, and store location, for example (this is a one-line command broken to fit on the webpage): Get-Certificate -Template WebServer -DnsName "webserver.contoso...
Use PowerShell to Identify When Hotfixes Are Installed
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to list when hotfixes are installed. Hey, Scripting Guy! Our corporate security person has tasked my manager with finding out about the number of hotfixes released by Microsoft each month. My manager, of course, passed the buck to me. I think I could probably find the information on the Internet—but dude, I really do not believe everything I read on the Web. Instead, I was wondering if I could find this information from my local system by using Windows PowerShell. By the way, I am running Windows 8.1 with all of the...
PowerTip: Empty Hash Table with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to easily empty a hash table by using Windows PowerShell. I want to write new values to a hash table, and I want to ensure that it contains none of the original keys or values. How can I accomplish this task without deleting and re-creating the hash table? Use the Clear method from the hash table object, for example: PS C:\> $a = @{a=1;b=2;c=3} PS C:\> $a.Clear()
Convert a Script to a PowerShell Function
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about converting a script to a Windows PowerShell function. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. When I have a script that I think I will use more than once or twice, it often makes sense for me to convert it to a function. If it is something I will use on a regular basis, I might add that function to my Windows PowerShell profile, or I might put it into a module so that it is easily accessible. In fact, one of my major challenges (having written nearly 1,500 Windows PowerShell scripts) is finding and reusing scripts I wrote several years ago. Funct...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Information about Object Properties
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find information about object properties. How can I use Windows PowerShell to look at information about the properties of an object stored in a variable? Use the PSObject property, and look at the Properties collection, for example: $a = @{} $a.psobject.properties
Extend the Encode/Decode PowerShell Script
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about extending his ASCII encode/decode Windows PowerShell script. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I am a huge advocate of learning by playing around. Maybe that is why I did such a good job back when I was in kindergarten—and why I had such a tough time in high school. Who knows... Anyway, what have I learned from playing around with hash tables and doing a simple ASCII lookup and replace? Note This is an extension of my previous posts on the subject. Before you read today's post, you should read Automatically Create Hash Table...
PowerTip: Put Array of Letters Back into a Word with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to put an array of letters back together to form a word. I split a word by converting it to a chararray, and now I want to put it back together. How can I use Windows PowerShell to do this? Use the –Join operator to put the characters back together. To convert it back to a string, add the ToString method, for example: $a = "dog".ToCharArray() ($a -join '').tostring()
Converting Words to ASCII Numbers and Back with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to convert words to ASCII numbers and back again. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, I am sipping a nice cup of Earl Grey tea with just a little jasmine in it. Along with a cinnamon stick, it is a nice mellow cup. I am checking my email sent to scripter@microsoft.com on my Surface Pro 3, and playing around with Windows PowerShell. I thought it would be fun to open the project I started yesterday when I created a couple of hash tables. Note Today’s post continues yesterday's post: Automatically Create Hash Tables and Reverse Value with PowerShe...
PowerTip: Break a Word into Letters with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to break a word into letters. How can I use Windows PowerShell to break a word into letters? Use the tochararray method, for example: “dog”.tochararray()
Automatically Create Hash Tables and Reverse Values
Summary: Learn how to automatically create hash tables and reverse keys and values. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The other day, I was playing around with Windows PowerShell, and thought I would create a couple of hash tables automatically. One hash table would contain all of the lowercase ASCII letters in the order of ASCII value, then lowercase letter. The other would reverse the order, and contain the lowercase letters first, and then the ASCII value. I could then use the hash tables as look-up tables for making automatic conversions. As I said, I was playing around with these things, and I real...
PowerTip: View All Values of an Enum
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to view all values of an enum. How can I view all of the available values of an enum? Use the [Enum]::GetNames() method, for example:PS C: > [Enum]::GetNames([System.ConsoleColor])BlackDarkBlueDarkGreenDarkCyanDarkRedDarkMagentaDarkYellowGrayDarkGrayBlueGreenCyanRedMagentaYellowWhite
Weekend Scripter: Give Your PowerShell Console a Glassy Theme
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to give the Windows PowerShell console a glass-like look. Honorary Scripting Guy, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. Have you ever sat at your desk while working in the Windows PowerShell console and thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if this console had a more unique look? Perhaps something like a glassy look?” Well, if that is the case, then you are in luck! I am going to take you through the process of turning your Windows PowerShell console into a glassy console. It may not improve your scripting, but at least it will make others ta...
PowerTip: Find How Many Scripts Use Write-Host
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find how many scripts use the Write-Host cmdlet. I am trying to improve how I write Windows PowerShell scripts, and I want to reduce the number of times I use Write-Host. How can I find how many times I used this cmdlet in my scripts? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet to retrieve all .ps1 files from your script directory. Then pipe the FileInfo objects to the Select-String cmdlet and look for the pattern Write-Host. Use the Quiet sw...
Weekend Scripter: Change PowerShell Get-Help to Display Examples
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about changing the Get-Help cmdlet so it always displays examples. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. For the last several weeks, I have been working on a project at work. The documentation team talked to customers to see how they were using Windows PowerShell, and to see how and when they used Help. The project has been a lot of fun, and it has been very interesting. The other day, we were discussing the results of the survey we conducted, and one of the managers mentioned that one customer said that he wished when he typed Get-Help, it would always di...
PowerTip: Change Color of PowerShell Errors
Summary: Learn how to change the color of Windows PowerShell errors. How can I change the color of Windows PowerShell errors in the Windows PowerShell console? Use $host.PrivateData and supply a new value for ErrorForegroundColor, for example: $Host.PrivateData.ErrorForegroundColor = 'white'
Adding Local Users to Local Groups
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to add local users to local groups. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Creating local user objects and local group objects is fine, but to be useful, I need to be able to add users to groups. When working with local accounts, I need to use the ADSI type accelerator to facilitate the way things work. Note This is the third in a series of three posts. If you haven't read them already, you might benefit from reading the first two posts before you read this: Today I add the users to the group. Connect to the actual group Adding a user to a group is ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Reverse Array
Summary: Easily use Windows PowerShell to reverse an array. How can I use Windows PowerShell to reverse an array? Pipe the array to the Sort-Object cmdlet and use the –Descending switch, for example: $a = 1,2,3,4,5 $b = $a | sort -Descending
Use PowerShell to Create Local Groups
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about creating local groups. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Creating a local group works exactly the same way as creating a local user account (see Use PowerShell to Create Local User Accounts). The process involves the following steps: Notes At this point, there are no Windows PowerShell cmdlets from Microsoft that make it easy to create a local user account or a local group. Although it is possible to use the Desired State Configuration (DSC ) provider and the local account provider, this requires Windows Powe...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create Hash Table to Hold Lowercase Letters
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a hash table that holds all ASCII lowercase letters. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a hash table that holds all lowercase ASCII letters? Create an empty ordered dictionary, and then use the add method to add the numbers 97-122 as keys and the [char] associated with the number as the value, for example: $a = [ordered]@{} 97..122 | foreach-object {$a.Add($_,[char]$_)}
PowerTip: Retrieving Specific Items from Hash Table
Summary: Retrieve specific items from a Windows PowerShell hash table. How can I use Windows PowerShell t retrieve specific values associated with specific keys in a hash table? Suppose you have a hash table such as this: $d = @{a=28;b=29;c=30} The keys and values associated with the hash table are: PS C:> $d Name Value &...
Use PowerShell to Create Ordered Dictionary
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create an ordered dictionary. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the really cool things that was introduced in Windows PowerShell 3.0, is that I can create an ordered dictionary. Basically, an ordered dictionary works like a Windows PowerShell hash table. The difference is that it maintains its order. Note For a good overview of the ordered dictionary in Windows PowerShell, refer to this Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog post by June Blender: ConvertTo-OrderedDictionary. Dude, it is frustrating… One of ...
PowerTip: Find Syntax for Related PowerShell Cmdlets
Summary: Easily find the syntax for related Windows PowerShell cmdlets. How can I easily find the syntax for related Windows PowerShell cmdlets with the least effort? Use the Get-Command cmdlet, select the noun, and use the –syntax switch, for example: Get-Command -Noun csv -Syntax
PowerShell and Active Directory Recycle Bin
Summary: Guest blogger, Alan Kaplan, talks about using Windows PowerShell with the Active Directory Recycle Bin. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blog post written by Alan Kaplan. I met Alan several years ago when the Scripting Wife and Jim Christopher started the Windows PowerShell User Group in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since then, our path continue to cross when I see him at various regional IT group meetings (and at PowerShell Saturday). He is a real Windows PowerShell enthusiast, and he has grown his skills significantly since I first met him. Now he is a guest blogger. Tak...
PowerTip: Display Keys from Hash Table
Summary: Learn how to display keys from a hash table. How can I display only the keys in a Windows PowerShell hash table? Store the hash table in a variable, and then use the Keys property, for example: $a = @{a=1;b=2;c=3;d=4} $a.Keys
Weekend Scripter: Sorting PowerShell Hash Tables
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about sorting hash tables. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is part of the Scripting Wife’s birthday weekend, and so we are heading out to see the Friesian horse keuring. She has watched the event via live streaming on the Internet, but never attended one in person…so off we go. This means I am up a bit early, sipping extra strong English Breakfast tea, and munching on a kiwi. I do not have enough time to make my usual bowl of Irish steel-cut oats this morning. While I wait for my tea to steep, I thought I would answer a question th...
PowerTip: Find all Format*xml Files Referencing WMI Class
Summary: Find all Format*xml files that contain references to specific WMI class. I am trying to find why a particular WMI class returns a subset of properties. I suspect output is controlled by an entry in one of the Format*xml files, so how can I use Windows PowerShell to easily find which file contains the formatting information? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet to list the files in $pshome. Then use Select-String to search for the WMI class name. To clean ...
Weekend Scripter: Why Does PowerShell Hide Stuff?
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about how Windows PowerShell decides what to display. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I received an email from a friend with whom I used to work a long time ago. (He was one of the reviewers on the WMI book I wrote in the VBScript days.) Here is his email: Hey, Mr. Ed! How are you and the Scripting Wife? Hope you are well! I enjoy seeing your Facebook posts about your antics with your personal trainer. I have a quick Windows PowerShell question for you that has been nagging me for a while. I have a simple script that runs via ...
PowerTip: Find Current Working Directory in PowerShell
Summary: Easily find your current working directory in Windows PowerShell. I saved a file to my current working directory while I was working in the Windows PowerShell console, but I am not sure how to find where the file is. Use the Convert-Path cmdlet and specify a period ( . ). It displays a file system path to your current working directory: Convert-Path.
What's Up with the Crazy PowerShell Formatting?
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about calculating properties in output. Hey, Scripting Guy! Dude, I’ve got a question. I read your Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog every day. In fact, most times, I read it twice a day. One thing you do all the time, and I don’t understand, is that you send something to, like, Format-Table. I get it when you put in a property name—hey, that’s easy. What I don’t understand is when you add the curly braces, the ampersands, and all that, and then the output is magically changed into what you want. How does that work? I can’t seem t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Assess Memory Requirements
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to assess memory requirements. How can I use Windows PowerShell to figure out the minimum, maximum, and average working set requirements for processes on my workstation? Use the Get-Process cmdlet to return the working set information. Select the working set and pipe the results to Measure-Object. Here is an example: Get-Process | measure ws -Maximum -Minimum -Average
Analyzing PowerShell Script Files
Summary: Learn how to analyze Windows PowerShell script files. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sitting around sipping a cup of English Breakfast tea. I added some peppermint, spearmint, lemon grass, licorice root, and a cinnamon stick to the pot. The result is a very refreshing cup of tea. I am sitting on the back porch with my Surface 3 Pro and playing around with Windows PowerShell. I have a folder that I use to store miscellaneous Windows PowerShell scripts. I call the folder PSExtras and it contains scripts that I wrote for no apparent reason—I was just playing around...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell and Graphical Tool to View Files
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell and a graphical tool to view large files. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily see what files in a folder are the largest so I can clean up my file system? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet to return the contents of a folder, select the name and length of the files, then pipe the results to the Out-GridView cmdlet for easy viewing. This example uses a folder named C:\fso: Get-ChildItem c:\fso | Select name, length | Out-GridView
Use Select-String Cmdlet in PowerShell to View Contents of Log File
Summary: Use the Windows PowerShell cmdlet, Select-String, to view the contents of a log file. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a log file that I created by dumping process information from Get-Process. It is quite long, and I am trying to use Select-String to find the number of instances of a certain process. The problem is that when I find the instance, I do not know what the columns mean. I am wondering what I can do to get the column headers in addition to the process information to show up in my output. I know I can do this with a script, but I don’t want to write a script to accomplish this task. Can ...
PowerTip: Read First Line of File with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to read only the first line of a file by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to read only the first line of a file? Introduced in Windows PowerShell 3.0, you can use the -First parameter, for example: Get-Content C:\fso\batteryReport.txt -First 1
Fun Formatting Ones—Part 2: The Method
Summary: June Blender explains Doug Finke's multiplication and formatting trick. Today...the method. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This is the second part of a two-part series written by June Blender, Honorary Scripting Guy. In the first part, Fun Formatting Ones—Part 1: The Task, we discussed the task of printing Doug's multiplication table. In this part, we'll talk about the techniques that he used, including formatting the table. Note If you already understand an element of the method, such as Ranges, you can skip that section. The sections are independent. Here's June... Today, I'll ...
PowerTip: Display Hidden Properties from Object
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to display hidden properties from an object. How can I see if there are any hidden properties on an object I have returned from Windows PowerShell? Use the -Force parameter with either Format-List or Format-Table, for example: Get-ChildItem C: | Format-List * -Force
Fun Formatting Ones—Part 1: The Task
Summary: June Blender explains Doug Finke's multiplication and formatting trick. Today...the task. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, Honorary Scripting Guy, June Blender, examines a multiplication and formatting trick that Doug Finke posted on the PowerShell Facebook page. I've broken this article into two parts: Part 1: The Task Explains what Doug was trying to do and how to do it in Windows PowerShell. Part 2: The Method Explains the techniques that Doug used. If you already understand The Task, you can wait for Part 2: The Method. Now, here's June... Win...
PowerTip: Remove Leading and Trailing Spaces with PowerShell
Summary: Use the Trim() method to remove extraneous space from a String object. Is there an easy way to drop all spaces that are before or after a string in Windows PowerShell? Use the Trim() method to remove all spaces before and after a string from the output, for example: $Something=' I love PowerShell ' $Something.trim()
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Connect to GoToMeeting
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to provide a GUI input and build a custom URL for Internet Explorer. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here to share a little fun that I have enjoyed on the client site. I say it was fun because, to be quite honest, the problem really wasn't that challenging, but to make the solution seamless to an end user was. Our challenge is to try to get a computer to connect to GoToMeeting without installing the client software. The problem was that the application would try to force a user through a complete download of the client application, then attempt an installation. Only afte...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Object Events
Summary: Find events from objects by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find what events are offered by a process? Use Get-Process to retrieve an instance of the process, pipe the results to Get-Member, and specify a MemberType Event: notepad Get-Process notepad | Get-Member -MemberType Event
Weekend Scripter: Playing with PowerShell Processes and Events
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about playing with processes and events in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I woke up and I had an idea. This happens to me sometimes. Not often. But occasionally. And here it was. I could not get it out of my mind... Can I use an event from a specific process? I wonder. I should be able to do this, but hmmmm. I know a process that I retrieve by using the Get-Process cmdlet is really an instance of System.Diagnostics.Process. I also know that in addition to having methods and properties, it has events. Here are the eve...
PowerTip: Display Message in 16 Colors
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display a message in 16 colors. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily display a message in 16 different colors to start my presentation with something a little different? Use the range operator to create 16 numbers. Pipe the numbers to the Foreach-Object cmdlet. In the script block, use Write-Host, and specify the foreground color as the number. Here is the command (using aliases for conciseness): 0..15 | %{write-host -f $_ �...
Use PowerShell to Repeatedly Terminate Specific Processes
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to terminate processes that start at random times. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a question that I hope you can answer. It seems that there are several processes that keep starting on my computer running Windows 8.1. That eat up lots of resources, and I cannot seem to find where they are coming from. I have used the Sysinternals autoruns command, and yet they keep coming and consuming. What I would really love is to have a script that detects when these bogus processes start, and then terminate them. Can you help with that? ...
PowerTip: Cause PowerShell to Wait for Specific Event
Summary: Cause Windows PowerShell to wait for a specific event to be generated. How can I make my Windows PowerShell console halt until an event that I registered by using the Register-CimIndicationEvent cmdlet occurs? Use the Wait-Event cmdlet and specifiy the source identifier. For example, if you registered for an event named nq, use the following command: Wait-Event -SourceIdentifier nq
Use PowerShell to Monitor Specific Process Creation
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to monitor for the creation of specific processes. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning it is beginning to look like autumn. Who knows, it may become really hot and humid over the weekend, but today I can delude myself into hearing the rustling of leaves, imagine cool breezes blowing across the yard, and think of squirrels as they quickly gather supplies for a long winter. All of these things are really quite simple, routine, and ordinary. And yet they demand a certain amount of preparation. If I don’t clean t...
PowerTip: Find Extended Type Data in PowerShell Session
Summary: Find extended type data in your current Windows PowerShell session. How can I find out what extended type data exists in my current Windows PowerShell session? Use the Get-TypeData cmdlet.
Use PowerShell to Monitor for Process Startup
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to monitor for process startup. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, I spent a decent amount of time answering an email from a former colleague. I will actually share his email and my reply this coming weekend. In the meantime, I was playing around Register-CimIndicationEvent. This is not really a new Windows PowerShell cmdlet—I mean, it has been around for a while (since Windows PowerShell 3.0), but not much has been written about it. There is little useful documentation for the cmdlet either. In to...
PowerTip: Change Value of Element in Array with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to change the value of an element in an array. How can I use Windows PowerShell to update one of the values in one of the elements of an array? Use the Item method to retrieve the element and assign a new value. Here is an example of updating the value of the first element in an array: $a = 1,2,3,4,5 $a.Item(0) = 12 $a Note Remember that in Windows PowerShell, all arrays are zero-based. This means that the first element is actually element 0.
Use PowerShell to Start Random Processes at Random Times
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create random processes at random times. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need to start a process that I pick randomly from a list. I would like these processes to start at random times so I can test my monitoring application. Is this something Windows PowerShell can do? —JD Hello JD, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, I am sipping a cup of Darjeeling tea that I made with spearmint, licorice root, and a cinnamon stick. The taste is understated, and quite nice. It goes well with the Irish steel-cut o...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Path for Processes
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the path of the executable for running processes. I noticed a process and I am unsure of what it does. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find more information? Look at the path to the executable to find information about a process. If it is legitimate, often the folder provides decent information. Here is an example: (Get-Process -Name snagit32).path
Use PowerShell to Start a Process at Random Times
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to start a process at random intervals. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a rather unusual request. I am testing a new monitoring application, and I need a script that will start processes at random intervals so I can check the effectiveness of the solution. Is this something you can help me with? —BB Hello BB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sitting on the porch, sipping a nice cup of green tea with orange flavorings in it. The tea is called Orange Cream, and it tastes exactly like the old ...
PowerTip: Use Windows PowerShell to Open Word Document
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to open a Microsoft Word document. How can I open a Word document with Windows PowerShell? Use the New-Object cmdlet: $Filename='C:\HappyBirthdayEd.docx' $Word=NEW-Object –comobject Word.Application $Document=$Word.documents.open($Filename) You can now programmatically access methods and properties to edit the Word document.
Weekend Scripter: Manipulating Word and Excel with PowerShell
Summary: Leverage the Office API to manipulate data in Word and Excel with Windows PowerShell. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to give Ed the day off. Why? Well, it's his birthday, of course! People worldwide have been sending Ed Happy Birthday wishes. His inbox almost went offline with so many "Happy Birthdays" coming his way! Today Ed is relaxing, but he has one task. The Scripting Wife is standing over him, "Ed, you should send thank-you notes to all of your friends." The Scripting Guy looked at his inbox, "I'd love to, dear, but there are almost 87,561 p...
PowerTip: Find Array Members with Get-Member in PowerShell
Summary: Learn to find members of an array with the Get-Member cmdlet in Windows PowerShell. I have an array of numbers: 1,2,3,4,5 that I assigned to variable $a. When I pipe it to Get-Member: $a | gm, all I see are members for int32. How can I find the members of an array by using Get-Member? There are two ways to do this: 1. Use the uniary operator ( , ) in front of the array prior to piping it to Get-Member: PS C:\> $a = 1,2,3,4,5 PS C:\> ,$a | get-member 2. Use the –InputObject parameter with Get...
Weekend Scripter: The WMI Explorer Tool
Summary: Guest blogger, Vinay Pamnani, talks about a cool new WMI tool. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the absolutely greatest things about working for Microsoft is the chance to meet (even virtually) and interact with really smart people who absolutely love technology. I recently ran across a post by Vinay (todays guest blogger) in an internal mailing where he was describing his new WMI Explorer tool. I downloaded the tool, played around with it a bit, and thought about writing a post about it—the tool is that good. But then, I decided it would be better if I could persuade the person ...
PowerTip: Find WMI Classes Related to Services
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find WMI classes related to services that reveal start mode. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find a WMI class that will help me identify how services are starting? Use the Get-CimClass cmdlet, use a wildcard character for the name, and specify StartMode as the property, for example: Get-CimClass *service* -PropertyName startmode
Why Are All These Services Starting?
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using WMI to find out how services start. Hey, Scripting Guy! I was looking at the processes on my workstation, and I see lots of things running. I suspect many of these are actually services. But I am wondering how I can use Windows PowerShell to find services that start automatically. For example, the great cmdlet Get-Service does not display this information. Any thoughts? —TL Hello TL, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Yes, I have some thoughts. My main thought is that tomorrow begins the weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Cast to WMI UInt Value Type
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to cast to the WMI UInt value type. I am comparing data from WMI, and it seems strange. I found the value type is a UInt32, and when I looked it up, I found that it is an unsigned 32-bit integer. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create one of these? Use [uint32] and cast your normal integer to this type, for example: PS C:\> [uint32]$a = 3 PS C:\> $a.GetType() IsPublic IsSerial Name ...
Use PowerShell and WMI to Glean Basic Operating System Information
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell and WMI to obtain basic operating system information. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need to check on computers on my network to find out the operating system, service pack level, and whether the computer has been rebooted in the last 30 days. Can you help with this? —DD Hello DD, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Scripting Wife is starting to get excited about the MVP Summit in Redmond. She was out there a few years ago with me, and she loved the chance to meet so many MVPs from all over the world. This is h...
PowerTip: Find Value from PowerShell Hash Table
Summary: Look up values from a Windows PowerShell hash table. How can I look up a specific value that is associated with a specific key in a Windows PowerShell hash table? Use the Item method and supply the key, for example: $hash = @{ 2 = "Removable disk" 3="Fixed local disk" 4="Network disk" 5 = "Compact disk"} $hash.Item(3)
Inventory Drive Types by Using PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to detect drive types. Hey, Scripting Guy! We have a number of workstations in our network. Many of the users bring USB keys from home to transfer their files. Others have large external USB drives attached to their machines, and others have portable CD/DVD devices attached. I need to come up with some kind of inventory so I see how prevalent this situation really is. Can Windows PowerShell help? —OG Hello OG, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sitting on the porch sipping a nice cup of ...
PowerTip: Find WMI Classes by Using PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find WMI classes. I am searching for a WMI class to help me find information about Windows startup configuration. I am unsure of the class name. How can I use Windows PowerShell to help me find the class (assuming it exists)? Use the Get-CimClass CIM cmdlet that was introduced in Windows PowerShell 3.0. Here is an example of using the Get-CimClass cmdlet to find Windows startup information. Get-Cimclass win32_st*
Use PowerShell to Provide Startup Information
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find startup information. Hey, Scripting Guy! It seems that my laptop running Windows 8.1 takes forever to start lately. I don’t really even know where to begin with this. I haven’t added anything that I know of, but still it is dog slow. I don’t want to reinstall Windows because…well, for one thing, if I don’t solve the issue, it might come back again. Can Windows PowerShell help me with this? —OB Hello OB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The weather is still a b...
PowerTip: Use Tab to Complete WMI Class Names
Summary: Use Tab completion to type WMI class names in Windows PowerShell. I am using WMI in the Windows PowerShell console and in the Windows PowerShell ISE, and I am having a hard time correctly typing the long convoluted class names. How can I simplify the process and be more accurate? Use the Get-CimInstance cmdlet instead of the Get-WmiObject cmdlet. One advantage (among many) of the Get-CimInstance cmdlet is that it will do Tab completion on WMI class names.  ...
Use PowerShell to Detect Activation Status
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell and WMI to display Windows activation status. Hey, Scripting Guy! The previous network administrator at my company was not attentive to his work. I am not sure what he actually did for a living, but it certainly was not network administration. I think he was a professional Internet surfer. I suspect that many of our desktop operating systems are not activated properly. I want to produce a list of desktop systems, get the names and versions of the operating systems, and find out if the system is activated properly. Can I do thi...
PowerTip: New Lines with PowerShell
Summary: Create new lines with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to add a new line between lines for my text output? Use the `n character, for example: PS C:\> "string with new line `n in it" string with new line in it Note If you need a carriage return, use `r. For a carriage return and a new line, use `r`n.
Weekend Scripter: Don’t Break PowerShell Script with Line Breaks
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about line breaks in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, the weather is cool for a change. It was a great morning to get up and take a walk through a peach grove. There is actually a sidewalk through the peach grove here. Peach season is nearly over, so the peach trees still have leaves, but no peaches on them now. One of the problems with writing books, blogs, and papers about Windows PowerShell is that the line length is pretty much limited to 80 characters. With modern monitors and the Windows PowerShell ISE, I can ha...
PowerTip: PowerShell Tabs
Summary: Understand Windows PowerShell tabs. How can I use Windows PowerShell to efficiently add 1, 2, or 3 tabs to a string? Use the `t character for a single tab. Use `t`t for two tabs, and multiply them for three or more (such as “`t”*3). Here are examples: PS C:\> "this has a `t in it" this has a in it PS C:\> "this has 2 `t`t in it" this has 2 in it PS C:\> "this has 3...
Weekend Scripter: Space: Not the Final Frontier in PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about spacing in Windows PowerShell scripts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sipping a cup of English Breakfast tea. I added some orange peel and fresh squeezed Meyer lemon juice to it. I also added a cinnamon stick. The result is nice and tangy—great to help one to wake up in the morning. I was at an international market the other day, and I picked up a bag of instant scone mix. I thought I would give it a try. They are not bad is the final mark...not too bad at all. Certainly not on par with a freshly made scone from scratch...
PowerTip: Find How Many Days until PowerShell Summit Europe 2014
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find how many days until Windows PowerShell Summit Europe in Amsterdam. How can I use Windows PowerShell to help me find how many days until the Windows PowerShell Summit Europe 2014 in Amsterdam? Use the New-TimeSpan cmdlet, and use Get-Date to specify the start time and Sept. 29, 2014 as the end time: New-TimeSpan -Start (get-date) -End 9/29/14
PowerShell Summit Europe 2014 in Amsterdam
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the Windows PowerShell Summit Europe in Amsterdam. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is nearly here...just a few weeks actually. And unbelievably, there are still a few tickets left. I am talking about the Windows PowerShell Summit Europe 2014 in Amsterdam. This is an awesome event, and it is being held in an awesome city. The Scripting Wife and I have been to the Netherlands twice in the past couple years. Each time was to talk to the Dutch PowerShell User Group (which is one of the world’s best Windows PowerShell user groups...
PowerTip: Use Complete Name for PowerShell Cmdlet
Summary: Use the complete name for a Windows PowerShell cmdlet. How can I ensure that I use the correct cmdlet in my Windows PowerShell session if I think there might be more than one with the same name? Use the complete name of the cmdlet—this includes the module name and the cmdlet name. Here is an example of using the standard Get-Process cmdlet: Microsoft.PowerShell.Management\get-process
PowerShell Naming Conflicts
Summary: Learn how to handle naming conflicts for Windows PowerShell cmdlets. Hey, Scripting Guy! My Windows PowerShell installation is completely hosted on my laptop. In fact, I tried to uninstall and reinstall Windows PowerShell, but that did not work. I really do not want to have to pave my laptop. I download this module from the Internet. It works really well, but the issue is that one of the cmdlets replaced one of the standard cmdlets on my computer. I really need to be able to use the standard cmdlet, and I do not know what to do. Help! —DV Hello DV, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Copy Array
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to copy an array. How can I use Windows PowerShell to copy the contents of one array over another array? One way to do this is to use the Copy static method from the System.Array .NET Framework class, for example: PS C:> $a = 1,2,3,4,5 PS C:> $b = 6,7,8,9,10 PS C:> [array]::copy($a,$b,5) PS C:> $b 1 2 3 4 5
Using and Understanding Tuples in PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Windows PowerShell MVP, Joel Bennett talks about using tuples in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have a guest blog post by Windows PowerShell MVP, Joel Bennett. Joel has been a MVP for a while, and he created the infrastructure that is used by the Scripting Games before they were turned over to PowerShell.org. In addition, he was instrumental in creating PoshCode, which was the first Windows PowerShell repository on the Internet. So, without further ado, here is Joel… When Ed asked me to write a post explaining tuples and comparing them to ...
PowerTip: Reverse Array with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to reverse an array. How can I use Windows PowerShell to sort an array that is going in the wrong direction? Call the Reverse static method from the [array] class, for example: PS C:\> $a = 1,2,3,4,5 PS C:\> [array]::Reverse($a)
Using a Tuple in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use a Tuple in Windows PowerShell Hey, Scripting Guy! I read your article from yesterday, so I know about Tuples. How do I actually use one? —HD Hello HD, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I just got back from working out with my trainer. I am not nearly as sore today, but then there is always tomorrow. Anyway, I decided to drink a protein shake and a glass of water now. I will have tea later with my mid-morning snack. I grabbed my Surface Pro 3, and I am quickly checking my email to scripter@microsof&#x...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Sort Array
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to sort an array. How can I use Windows PowerShell to sort an array? Use the static Sort method from the [array] class, for example: $a = 1,2,4,5,3,6 [array]::sort($a)
What’s a Tuple, and Why Would I Want to Use It?
Summary: Learn about using tuples with Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! What is a tuple, and why would I want to use one? —RT Hello RT, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I just got back from the gymnasium, and I am sitting on the back porch sipping a glass of water, trying to cool down. I decided last week to begin an exercise regime. I know exercise is supposed to make one feel better and all that, but so far, I feel worse—much worse. I am so sore that even my eyelids hurt. Oh well, I am sure it gets easier. Hmmm, I wonder if my trainer will take it easy on me if I bring...
PowerTip: Using PowerShell to Determine if Path Is to File or Folder
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to determine if a path is to a file or a folder. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine if a path is to a file or a folder? Use the Get-Item cmdlet to get the object represented by the path. Then use the –Is operator to see if the object is a [system.io.directoryinfo] object or a [system.io.fileinfo] object. Here is an example: PS C:\> (Get-Item c:\fso) -is [System.IO.DirectoryInfo] True PS C:\> (Get-Item C:\fso\csidl.txt) -is [System.IO.DirectoryInfo] False
Weekend Scripter: Parse Folder of Data with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to parse a folder that contains data dumps. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I got up, and headed to the Farmers Market in town. I picked up a fresh melon for breakfast and some locally made cheese. Melon and cheese with a nice up of English Breakfast tea…not a bad meal. I am sitting on the back porch, munching melon, sipping tea, and checking my email on my Surface Pro 3. (The cheese was pretty much gone as soon as I sliced it—not saying what happened to it, just that it did not make it to the porch.) I decided that I need to do one more ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Set Primary and Secondary DNS Server Addresses
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to set the primary and secondary DNS server addresses for a client. I recently changed the IP address scheme for an entire subnet. How can I use Windows PowerShell to set the primary and secondary DNS server addresses for the client workstations? Use the Set-DNSClientServerAddress cmdlet, and specify the primary and the secondary DNS servers as an array, for example: Set-DNSClientServerAddress –interfaceIndex 12 –ServerAddresses (“10.0.0.1”,”10.0.0.2...
Weekend Scripter: A Function to Clean Up Data Import
Summary: Learn about a Windows PowerShell function you can use to clean up data prior to import. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. We are entering the Labor Day weekend in the United States today. Labor Day is a sad holiday, but it is also a happy time. It is sad because it traditionally marks the end of summer. It is happy because if you live in Charlotte, North Carolina, it means that the time of high temperatures and high humidity are nearing an end. Autumn (September through November) is definitely the best time of the year to visit Charlotte. The temperatures during the day are warm enough to perm...
PowerTip: Hide Common Code in PowerShell ISE
Summary: Learn how to hide common code in the Windows PowerShell ISE. How can I hide related code in the Windows PowerShell ISE to make it easier to troubleshoot and to read? Open the ISE, and in the script pane, begin a section with the #Region tag and a name. Then end the section with the #EndRegion tag. Now everything between the two tags can be collapsed and hidden when desired. Here is an example:#region Name If($d.name -match ',') { &...
Creating Custom PowerShell Objects
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create custom objects prior to data export. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is nice and cool this morning so I decided to walk over to the neighborhood coffee and tea shop to have a cup of tea. I can sit outside and enjoy the day. There is free wireless Internet, so I brought my Surface Pro 3 to check my email sent to scripter@microsoft.com, hang out on Facebook and Twitter, and generally do all the things I do in my day-to-day life as the Scripting Guy. Today, I want to look at creating custom objects from Windows PowerShell as a way of outputting the data ...
PowerTip: Use Graphical Tool to Create PowerShell Commands
Summary: Learn how to use a graphical tool to create Windows PowerShell commands. How can I use Windows PowerShell so that I can point-and-click at options that are available for a using a particular cmdlet? Use the Show-Command cmdlet and select the parameters you need, for example: Show-Command -Name Get-Process
Use PowerShell to Fix Address Issues Prior to Export
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to fix address issues prior to exporting the data to another database. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am listening to The Doors on my Zune HD, and sipping a very nice cup of tea. I used three spoons of Darjeeling tea, one spoon of lemon grass, one spoon of marshmallow root, one spoon of licorice root, and one cinnamon stick. I steeped it in my pot for four minutes. The water is 208 degrees (and of course, I preheated the pot by filling the pot half full of hot water and letting it sit for a minute). The tea is naturally sweet, with the cinnamon, licoric...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Change System Time
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to change the system time. The clock on my computer (running Windows 8.1) is 30 minutes slow. How can I use Windows PowerShell to move the system time up 30 minutes? Use the Set-Date cmdlet, create a TimeSpan object equal to 30 minutes, and supply it to the –adjust parameter:Set-Date -Adjust (New-TimeSpan -Minutes 30)To alter the clock back 30 minutes, create a negative TimeSpan, for example:Set-Date -Adjust (New-TimeSpan -Min...
Use PowerShell to Normalize Names Before Data Import
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to normalize names before importing data. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I have been reading Jane Austen Northanger Abbey this week in the evenings. I really love the way Jane Austen develops her characters. I also like some of the ways the characters express themselves. For example, “Give me but a little cheerful company…” Indeed. I like to hang out with people who are cheerful, and who have a good attitude. It rubs off. This is also how Windows PowerShell is. For example, rather than complaining about the person who designed a poor database&...
PowerTip: Create Custom Names for CSV File
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create custom column headings. How can I use Windows PowerShell to generate custom heading for a CSV file when I import it? Specify the –Header parameter as an array of names in the order of the fields, for example: Import-CSV c:\fso\myfile.csv –delimiter “:” –header ‘FName’, ‘LName’, ‘Street’, ‘City’, ‘State’, ‘Zip’
Use PowerShell to Fix Date from CSV File
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to fix the date in a CSV file prior to data export. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sipping a cup of English Breakfast tea. I added a cinnamon stick and a bit of lemon grass to the pot. Of course before I did anything, I primed my pot—that is, I filled the pot half full with hot water and let the pot sit for a couple of minutes. This has two benefits: it warms the pot and it helps ensure that there is no leftover tastes or smells in the pot to ruin the pot of tea. I am sitting at the bar in our k...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Read Tab Delimited File
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to read a Tab delimited file. How can I use Windows PowerShell to read a Tab delimited file? Use the Import-CSV cmdlet and specify a delimiter of `t, for example: $a = Import-Csv -Delimiter "`t" -Path c:\fso\mytabfile.tsv
Use PowerShell to Read Munged Data
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell with munged data. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Last week, the Scripting Wife and I had the opportunity to attend the Charlotte SQL Users Group. This is always a highlight, because that user group is one of the largest SQL User Groups around. I was speaking, and I decided to come up with something a little different. In the past when I have spoken, I have talked about using Windows PowerShell to manage SQL Server, or about best practices for SQL Server admins, and those sorts of things. This time, I wanted to do somet...
PowerTip: Find Cmdlets that Need TimeSpan Object
Summary: Use Get-Command to find cmdlets that need a TimeSpan object for input. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find which cmdlets will accept a TimeSpan object for input? Use the ParameterType parameter from the Get-Command cmdlet, for example: Get-Command -ParameterType timespan
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Troubleshoot Group Policy
Summary: Guest blogger, Alex Verboon, talks about using Windows PowerShell to troubleshoot delays in Group Policy performance. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a new guest blogger, Alex Verboon. I was reading Alex’s blog page. I liked what he had to say and I invited him to contribute a guest blog post here. You can read his blog at Anything about IT. Now, here is Alex... For years, I have been reading and consuming content from the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog, so it's a big pleasure to give something back. Today I want to share with you a Windows PowerShell script I put together...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Install Sysinternals
Summary: Learn to use Windows PowerShell to easily install Sysinternals utilities. How do I find a Chocolatey package that installs Sysinternals? Use the Find-Package cmdlet: Find-Package –Name Sysinternals Note This command requires the OneGet module in Windows PowerShell 5.0.
Weekend Scripter: PowerShell and Chocolatey
Summary: Guest blogger and Honorary Scripting Guy, June Blender, talks about using Windows PowerShell and Chocolatey. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, I welcome back guest blogger, June Blender. I’m probably one of five people on earth who really do not like chocolate, so I wasn’t too keen to learn about something called “Chocolatey.” But I kept hearing about Chocolatey and other “package installers,” such as NuGet, and I wanted to know what all of the fuss was about. Then along comes Windows PowerShell 5.0 Preview with a module called OneGet that works ...
PowerTip: Mini-Scripting Games 2014 Answer 5
Summary: Here is the answer to the final question in Mini-Scripting Games 2014. You created a constant variable in your Windows PowerShell console. Now, when you attempt to delete the variable, you get an error message. How can you remove a constant variable? A constant variable is created by using the New-Variable cmdlet, for example: New-Variable c "c" -Option Constant After a variable is created as a constant, it cannot be removed until the console (or ISE) is closed and reopened.
PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014: Answer 5
Summary: Here is the answer to Problem 5 in Windows PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is time for the answer to Problem 5 in Mini-Scripting Games 2014. Last week, I posted the complete Problem 5 description and task outline. Problem 5 synopsis Your manager has tasked you to help a junior admin with a script. It appears that the junior admin wants to solicit input from the user when the script is running. Then based on the input from the user, the script will do something else. Answer There are many ways of obtaining input from the user. One way to do it is to cr...
PowerTip: Mini-Scripting Games 2014 Answer 4
Summary: Here is the answer to the fourth question in Mini-Scripting Games 2014. You are attempting to use Try/Catch/Finally in your script. No matter what you try, the script never seems to catch it. What is the most likely cause of the problem? The most likely cause of the problem is that your Try statement does not generate a terminating error, and therefore, there is nothing for Catch to catch. One easy way to fix this is to change your $ErrorActionPreference variable from&n...
PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014: Answer 4
Summary: Here is the answer to Problem 4 in Windows PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is time for the answer to Problem 4 in Mini-Scripting Games 2014. Last week, I posted the complete Problem 4 description and task outline. Problem 4 synopsis Your manager tasked you with what he considers to be a really important issue. The people at the Help Desk want a tool that will permit them to easily stop processes. Your manager doesn’t want to give them permission to use Task Manager because it carries too much power. He decided that he wants you to write a script...
PowerTip: Mini-Scripting Games 2014 Answer 3
Summary: Here is the answer to the third question in Mini-Scripting Games 2014. You are writing a script, and when it runs, you receive an error message that states: “You cannot call a method on a null-valued expression." What is the first thing you should check? Check the code that creates the object that you stored in the variable. It is probable that there is a problem with that code. For example, let's say I read from a database and store th...
PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014: Answer 3
Summary: Here is the answer to Problem 3 in Windows PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today it is time to look at Problem 3. Last week, I posted the complete Problem 3 description and task outline. Problem 3 synopsis One of your teammates wrote a script that runs against a select subgroup of users once a week. This script takes a rather long time to complete (upwards of five minutes in some cases). Therefore, the sign-in appears to hang when it is their turn for processing. Users have done everything (called the Help Desk, rebooted the computers, booted up with the...
PowerTip: Mini-Scripting Games 2014 Answer 2
Summary: Here is the answer to the second question in Mini-Scripting Games 2014. On your laptop running Windows 8.1, you are running Hyper-V. You have heard that there are cmdlets that let you manage this. You open Windows PowerShell and type the following command: Get-VM Absolutely nothing comes back. But you know you have several virtual machines on your computer. Why does nothing return? The Hyper-V cmdlets require Admin rights. Therefore, you need to open the Windows PowerShell console  ...
PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014: Answer 2
Summary: Here is the answer to Problem 2 in Windows PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Problem 2 could be a bear to solve. After all, it involves text manipulation. Last week, I posted the complete Problem 2 description and task outline. Problem 2 synopsis You have a CSV file that contains five columns. It comes from the HR department and it contains information that you do not need. You only need to work with three of the columns. Moving forward As I said, it could be a bear to solve this problem, unless you remember that when imported, a CSV file produces objects....
PowerTip: Mini-Scripting Games 2014 Answer 1
Summary: Here is the answer to the first question in Mini-Scripting Games 2014. On your laptop running Windows 8.1, you opened the Windows PowerShell console and typed Get-Disk. You were greeted with an error message that says: “Get-Disk: Access to a CIM resource was not available to the client." What is the issue? You need to open the Windows PowerShell console with Admin rights. Right-click the icon for the &...
PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014: Answer 1
Summary: Here is the answer to Problem 1 in Windows PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Here is an answer to Problem 1 in Windows PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014. Last week, I posted the complete Problem 1 description and task outline. Problem one synopsis You are reading a CSV file that was created from another source. The CSV file has four fields that are to be read and then used to update four attributes in Active Directory. The problem is that the CSV file does not have all four fields filled out. In some cases, there is a space in the field, in others a tab...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Canonical Aliases
Summary: Find Windows PowerShell aliases that are read-only and available in all scopes. How can I produce a list of Windows PowerShell aliases that are read-only and are available in all Windows PowerShell scopes? Use the Get-Alias cmdlet to produce a list of aliases, filter on aliases that have an option of read-only, and select the name, definition, and options: Get-Alias | Where options -match 'readonly' | select name, definition, options
Weekend Scripter: Many Paths to a PowerShell Command
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson talks about using different types of commands in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. A while ago, someone said there must be 50 ways to stop a process in Windows PowerShell. Although I am not certain that number is entirely accurate, it probably comes close. The great thing about all the different ways of doing things in Windows PowerShell is that it permits us to meet Windows PowerShell from our current backgrounds. This enables us to leverage as much previous knowledge as possible. For example, suppose you spent years as a .NET developer, a...
PowerTip: Change Value of Element in PowerShell Array
Summary: Learn how to change the value of an element in a Windows PowerShell array. How can I use Windows PowerShell to change the value of the first element in an array? Use the Set method and specify the element number and the new value, for example: PS C:\> $a = 1,2,3,4,5 PS C:\> $a.Set(0,50)
The Scripting Editor Tells All
Summary: Dia Reeves, aka the Scripting Editor, has some fun talking about working on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blog post from my editor, Dia Reeves... Hello to all you Windows PowerShell scripters and fans of the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog! I have been editing and publishing this blog since 2011, and I thought it would be fun to write a post that helps you understand my part in our process and share some stats about our blog. Maybe I will let Ed edit and publish my post! Well, maybe not... Although I have been a technical editor for 14 years, I...
PowerTip: Mini-Scripting Games 2014 Question 5
Summary: Here is the fifth short-answer question for Mini-Scripting Games 2014. You created a constant variable in your Windows PowerShell console. Now when you attempt to delete the variable, you get an error message. How can you remove a constant variable? Answer to be posted next week!
PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014: Problem 5
Summary: Here is the final problem in Windows PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This is it. It is day five of the Mini-Scripting Games. Next week, I will share solutions to the questions (PowerTips) and problems from this week. Problem 5 description Your manager has tasked you to help a junior admin with a script. It appears that the junior admin wants to solicit input from the user when the script is running. Then based on the input from the user, the script will do something else. Task You only have to write a piece of sample code that will solicit input fr...
PowerTip: Mini-Scripting Games 2014 Question 4
Summary: Here is the fourth short-answer question for Mini-Scripting Games 2014. You are attempting to use Try/Catch/Finally in your script. No matter what you try, the script never seems to catch it. What is the most likely cause of the problem? Answer to be posted next week!
PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014: Problem 4
Summary: Here is Problem 4 in Windows PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have problem four in the Windows PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games. Remember: Please do not post any answers to these problems until next week. Please do not spoil the fun for your fellow scripters! Problem 4 description Your manager tasked you with what he considers to be a really important issue. The people at the Help Desk want a tool that will permit them to easily stop processes. Your manager doesn’t want to give them permission to use Task Manager because it carries too much ...
PowerTip: Mini-Scripting Games 2014 Question 3
Summary: Here is the third short-answer question for Mini-Scripting Games 2014. You are writing a script, and when it runs, you receive an error message that states: “You cannot call a method on a null-valued expression." What is the first thing you should check? Answer to be posted next week!
PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014: Problem 3
Summary: Here is Problem 3 in Windows PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is the middle of the Windows PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games, so we are ready for Problem 3. Remember: Please do not post any answers to these problems until next week. Please do not spoil the fun for your fellow scripters! Problem 3 description One of your teammates wrote a script that runs against a select subgroup of users once a week. This script takes a rather long time to complete (upwards of five minutes in some cases). Therefore, the sign-in appears to hang when it is their turn f...
PowerTip: Mini-Scripting Games 2014 Question 2
Summary: Here is the second short-answer question for Mini-Scripting Games 2014. On your laptop running Windows 8.1, you are running Hyper-V. You have heard that there are cmdlets that let you manage this. You open Windows PowerShell and type the following command: Get-VM Absolutely nothing comes back. But you know you have several virtual machines on your computer. Why does nothing return? Answer to be posted next week!
PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014: Problem 2
Summary: Here is Problem 2 in Windows PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is time for the second problem of the Windows PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games. Remember: Please do not post any answers to these problems until next week. Please do not spoil the fun for your fellow scripters! Problem 2 description You have a CSV file that contains five columns. It comes from the HR department and it contains information that you do not need. You only need to work with three of the columns. Tasks Hint: Create a very simple CSV file by using Notepad (or another feature...
PowerTip: Mini-Scripting Games 2014 Question 1
Summary: Here is the Mini-Scripting Games 2014 first short-answer question. On your laptop running Windows 8.1, you opened the Windows PowerShell console and typed Get-Disk. You were greeted with an error message that says: “Get-Disk: Access to a CIM resource was not available to the client." What is the issue? Answer to be posted next week!
PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014: Problem 1
Summary: Introducing Problem 1 in the Windows PowerShell Mini-Scripting Games 2014. Hey, Scripting Guy! You know, the Scripting Games are tons of fun, and I always learn a lot. I wish you would post problems from time-to-time, instead of me having to wait for the official Scripting Games. You don’t have to have prizes, judging, or even guest commentators. I would just like the practice. Is it even possible to do something like that? —EB Hello EB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Sure it is possible. In fact, I like that idea. So here goes…a Mini-Scripting Games Week! I w...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Printer Configuration
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8.1 to easily find the configuration of printers. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see the configuration of all printers defined on my Windows 8.1 system? Use the Get-Printer cmdlet and pipe the results to the Get-PrintConfiguration cmdlet: get-printer | Get-PrintConfiguration
Mini-PowerShell Scripting Games 2014: Questions, Problems, and Answers
Summary: Use these Mini-PowerShell Scripting Games questions, problems, and answers for practice or in User Group meetings. Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson is here. On August 11, 2014, we kicked off a five day Mini-PowerShell Scripting Games. This was in response to a number of requests I have received in person, via email, via Twitter, and even from the Scripting Wife herself. All these queries have one thing in common—they all start like this, "I really enjoy the Scripting Games, but I wish we could do it more often." To which I thought, "Dude, that is impossible. There is too much work involved." ...
Weekend Scripter: Add Security Groups to Print Servers by Using PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Alan Morris, talks about using Windows PowerShell to add security groups to print servers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blog from Alan Morris. Here is a little about Alan: Alan Morris has been involved with testing the Windows print system since Windows 2000. Active on Microsoft forums, he has been helping people worldwide with print-related issues for over 10 years. Working with Microsoft IT, he has been instrumental in rolling out prerelease versions of Windows Server for use as production print servers. Getting started Suppose I have a print server ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Identify Users Without a Photo
Summary: List all users who do not have a photo assigned in Active Directory. Is there a simple way that I can use Windows PowerShell to identify users who do not have a photo assigned in Active Directory? Target the ThumbnailPhoto property, and filter the users for Null: GET-ADUSER –filter * -properties ThumbnailPhoto | Where { $_.ThumbnailPhoto –eq $NULL }
Weekend Scripter: Exporting and Importing Photos in Active Directory
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to import and export photos in Active Directory. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here. I was playing about with Active Directory this week. I wanted to be able to get photos to automatically populate on my workstations running Windows 7. By doing some online reading, I found that you can store this in the ThumbnailPhoto attribute within Active Directory. In truth this that is not a hidden feature. If you're running Exchange Server 2013, Exchange Server 2010, or Lync, there are already cmdlets to do this. But I wanted to play. I actually wanted two optio...
PowerTip: Find How Many Days Are in a Month
Summary: Figure out how many days are in a month by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find how many days are in a particular month? Use the DaysInMonth static method from the System.DateTime object. It expects the year and then the month as arguments. Here are a couple examples: Days in October 2014: [datetime]::DaysInMonth(14,10) Days in February 2015: [datetime]::DaysInMonth(2015,2)
Use PowerShell to Report on Exchange Online
Summary: Use the Windows PowerShell cmdlets to generate Exchange Online information. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, I have a meeting with my manager, and this afternoon, I am meeting with a couple of teammates. The meetings will bookend another wonderful day of Windows PowerShell coolness. In honor of the meeting this morning, I made a nice pot of Darjeeling tea, and I put in a bit of peppermint and spearmint and cinnamon stick. A little bit of orange peel rounds out the flavor. It almost feels extravagant to use a very nice Darjeeling tea and add in the spices, but hey, some people ad...
PowerTip: Find Syntax for PowerShell Method
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the syntax for a method. I am trying to figure out how to use a .NET Framework method, but it is not working. How can I get a better idea of what to do? Call the method with no parenthesis or parameters, for example: [DateTime]::DaysInMonth
Use PowerShell to Produce Mailbox Activity Report
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to produce a mailbox activity report for Office 365. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sipping a cup of pomegranate black tea, and nibbling on a fresh blueberry scone. I am using my Windows Surface Pro 2 to check my email, and to make sure the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posted properly overnight. Everything is groovy. I am looking for the Scripting Wife’s phone. No, she hasn’t lost it. She ordered a new one. To be fair, it will be her birthday present, although she may not know that yet. She is turning out to be a huge gadget geek, and sh...
PowerTip: Determine if PowerShell is a 64-Bit Version
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily find out if the shell is a 64-bit version. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine if I am currently running a 64-bit version? Use the Is64BitProcess static method from the System.Environment class: [System.Environment]::Is64BitProcess
Use PowerShell for Office 365 Reporting
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to query the Office 365 Reporting web service. Hey, Scripting Guy! There are a lot of reports available via various buttons on the Office 365 Admin page, but only a few seem to have a cmdlet to back them up. Is there a way that I can use Windows PowerShell to automate creation, and maybe even to customize the results from those reports? —GB Hello GB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I thought I would play some Alice Cooper on my Zune. I decided to have a bagel and a cup of coffee for breakfast. Teresa scored some organic Peruvian bean...
PowerTip: Expand Environmental Variables with PowerShell
Summary: Learn to expand the value of environmental variables by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the value of a common environmental variable such as %username% or %computername%? Use the ExpandEnvornmentalVariables static method from the System.Environment .NET Framework class, for example: [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables("%username%") [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables("%computername%")
Use PowerShell to Force Office 365 Online Users to Change Passwords
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to force Office 365 online users to change their passwords. Hey, Scripting Guy! I used your technique from yesterday to create a bunch of Office 365 users online, and now I want to force them to change their passwords. If I could also make them use a complex password, that would be great. Can you help me out Oh, Scripting One? —SW Hello SW, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Things are becoming interesting around the Scripting House this week. This is because yours truly, the Scripting Guy, has a birthday coming up in a few weeks. It is always fun trying...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to List Time Zones Defined on System
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to list time zones that are defined on a system. How can I use Windows PowerShell to produce a list of all the time zones that are defined on my system? Use the System.TimeZone .NET Framework class, and call the GetTimeZones static method: [System.TimeZoneInfo]::GetSystemTimeZones()
Use PowerShell to Create Bulk Users for Office 365
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about creating bulk users in Office 365. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I spent a bit of time talking to my mentee. It is really cool, because yesterday I spent some time talking to my mentor. So it is sort of like the circle completing itself. I have been getting quite a few questions about Office 365 and Windows PowerShell here lately, so I thought I would spend a bit of time talking about that. Note I have written many Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts about this topic, including Getting Started with the Office 365 PowerShell, Us...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Square Root of Number
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display the square root of a number. How can I figure out the square root of a number when I am writing a Windows PowerShell script? Use the Sqrt static method from the System.Math class. This example obtains the square root of the number 9: [math]::Sqrt(9)
Weekend Scripter: A Hidden Gem in the PowerShell Ocean: Get-PSCallStack
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Jeff Wouters, talks about using the Get-PSCallStack Windows PowerShell cmdlet. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today Windows PowerShell MVP, Jeff Wouters, is back with another guest blog post. To read more of Jeff's previous guest posts, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. And now, Jeff... I once tweeted the following: This blog post is all about that quote. Some time ago, I found myself in a situation where I needed to create a generic function that knew what other function or script called it. Let me explain... I wanted to write a function to log infor...
PowerTip: Wire Up PowerShell GUI Buttons
Summary: Learn to use the OK and Cancel buttons in a Windows PowerShell GUI. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get my GUI’s OK and Cancel buttons to trigger when the user presses ENTER or Escape? Assign the OK and Cancel button objects to your form’s AcceptButton and CancelButton properties: $form.AcceptButton = $OKButton$form.CancelButton = $CancelButton
Weekend Scripter: Fixing PowerShell GUI Examples
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Dave Wyatt, talks about using Windows PowerShell GUI example code. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger, Dave Wyatt. To read more of Dave’s previous guest posts, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. Dave is a Windows PowerShell MVP and a member of the board of directors at PowerShell.org. He works in IT, and he mainly focuses on automation, configuration management, and production support of computers running the Windows Server operating system and point-of-sale systems for a large retail company. Blog: http://davewyatt.wordpress.com...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create Temporary File Name
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a temporary file name. I need to output data to a file, but I do not need a permanent file name and location because the file will be later deleted. How can I easily use Windows PowerShell to create a temporary file name? Use the GetTempFileName static method from the System.IO.Path .NET Framework class: [System.IO.Path]::GetTempFileName()
I've Got a PowerShell Secret: Adding a GUI to Scripts
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Chris Conte, talks about adding a GUI for Windows PowerShell scripts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today Chris Conte is our guest blogger. Chris Conte is a premier field engineer at Microsoft who grew up with a passion for computers and the creative arts. At age 12, he started programming by copying assembly game code on his dad's Commodore 64. Eventually, he parlayed that experience into learning about Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), ASP.NET, C#, and a variety of client scripting languages and frameworks. You can learn more about Chris via LinkedIn or Twitter @Cr...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Invalid File Names
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display invalid file name characters. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display information about invalid file name characters? Use the System.IO.Path class and call the GetInvalidFileNameChars static method: [System.IO.Path]::GetInvalidFileNameChars()
Exclude Delayed Start Services when Checking Status with PowerShell
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Mike Robbins, shows us how to use Windows PowerShell to check the status of Windows services and improve the accuracy of results. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger, Mike Robbins. Mike F Robbins is a senior systems engineer with 20 years of professional experience as an IT pro. Mike has provided enterprise computing solutions for educational, financial, health care, and manufacturing customers. He’s a Windows PowerShell MVP and self-proclaimed evangelist who uses Windows PowerShell on a daily basis to administer and manage Windows Server...
PowerTip: Check Status of PowerShell Preference Variables
Summary: Learn to easily check the value assignments of Windows PowerShell preference variables. How can I use Windows PowerShell to quickly check the value of Windows PowerShell preference variables? You can use the Windows PowerShell variable drive and look for variables that end with the word preference. In this example, dir is an alias for Get-Content: dir variable:*preference
Use PowerShell to Write Verbose Output
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to write verbose output. Hey, Scripting Guy! The other day, you said that I should not use Write-Host. I even read that such usage is dangerous to the health of small canines in 2012 Scripting Games Commentary: STOP USING WRITE-HOST!. —BP Hello BP, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sipping a cup of English Breakfast tea with a cinnamon stick and a squeeze of lemon. I am using my Surface Pro 2 to check my scripter@microsoft.com email, and I saw another email from you. I decid...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create Two Column Output
Summary: Create a two column output of data by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create output that has two columns? Use the Format-Wide cmdlet, and then use the –Column parameter to specify a number of columns, for example: Get-Process | Format-Wide name -Column 2
Troubleshoot PowerShell Script Output
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about troubleshooting output from a Windows PowerShell script. Hey, Scripting Guy! First, I want to say that you guys absolutely rock! I mean, I never miss a single day reading your posts. They are always right on, and it is like somehow you read my mind. I cannot tell you how many times I have read your post in the morning, and then needed to do that very thing in the afternoon. I also know that you probably get hundreds of emails every day, so I don’t really expect an answer, but I thought that maybe...what the heck. So here goes: I wrote a script t...
PowerTip: Start PowerShell with No Profile
Summary: Start Windows PowerShell with no profile to troubleshoot scripts. How can I use Windows PowerShell to troubleshoot a script that sometimes works and sometimes does not? Look for any external dependencies by starting Windows PowerShell with no profile. Use Start/Run, and in the dialog box, type: PowerShell –noprofile
Troubleshooting a PowerShell SQL Server Script
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, helps a reader with a Windows PowerShell and SQL Server scripting issue. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sipping a nice cup of Darjeeling tea. I added a bit of peppermint leaves, spearmint leaves, orange peel, licorice root, and a cinnamon stick. The result is very refreshing, with just a little bit of a kick to help jump start one's scripting. I was reviewing my scripter@microsoft.com email this morning, and I ran across the following question: Hey, Scripting Guy! Is there good training content available for Windows PowerShell...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find WMI Classes for Creating
Summary: Learn to find WMI classes that permit creating stuff. How can I use Windows PowerShell to help me find WMI classes that will permit me to create stuff? Use the Get-CimClass cmdlet, and specify the MethodName of create: Get-CimClass -MethodName create
Weekend Scripter: Authentication Silos Part 2
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Ian Farr, continues his series about using Windows PowerShell to work with Authentication Policy Silos. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back today, guest blogger, Ian Farr. If you missed yesterday's post I suggest that you read it before reading todays post: Authentication Silos: Part 1. Yesterday, I left you by saying that we would explore a bit in my lab today. From my lab: Notice that both the msDS-AuthNPolicySiloMembersBL and msDS-AssignedAuthNPolicySilo attributes are populated with the distinguished name of the new Authentication Policy Silo for e...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find WMI Classes
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find WMI classes. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find WMI classes related to the BIOS on my computer. Use the Get-CimClass cmdlet and search for the wildcard term *bios*: Get-CimClass *bios*
Weekend Scripter: Authentication Silos Part 1
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Ian Farr, talks about using Windows PowerShell to handle Authentication Policy Silos. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This weekend we have a two-part series from Ian Farr. To read more of Ian's previous guest posts, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. Legend has it that there exists a great, gilded tome of Active Directory wisdom, maintained by learned elders with long, white beards and silver sandals… Rumour has it that I might have just made that up! If such a book were to exist, it should contain the following advice: And it’s the last point tha...
PowerTip: List All Parameters for a Cmdlet
Summary: Learn to provide a parameter list for a cmdlet in a viewable table. I am trying to work with cmdlets with so many parameters that I am having a hard time reading them in Get-Help. Is there a way to list them in a single table? Access the Parameters property by using Get-Command and the cmdlet name, for example: (GET-Command GET-Childitem).parameters
Transforming the Active Directory Cmdlets: Part 5
Summary: Learn how to translate between ADSI, Quest, and Windows PowerShell cmdlets for creating users. Hey, Scripting Guy! Today I'm translating a script for modifying user properties and I could really use some help. There are so many parameters to work with. Where do I start? —LC Hello LC, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here. I'm finishing up this week where I have been discussing switching between the various forms of Active Directory cmdlets.** ** Note This is the final post in a series. For more, see: Funny enough, LC, Kevin had the same issue. He actually had an older ADSI script tha...
PowerTip: Identify All Properties for Active Directory User
Summary: Use the –Properties parameter to find all properties attached to an Active Directory user. How can I use Windows PowerShell rather than digging through the ADSI editor to find the available properties for a user in our Active Directory? Leverage the –Properties parameter on a single user to see all available property names: GET-Aduser Jubal.Harshaw –properties * | Get-Member
Transforming the Active Directory Cmdlets: Part 4
Summary: Learn how to translate between ADSI, Quest, and Windows PowerShell cmdlets to read additional user properties. Hey, Scripting Guy! I'm trying figure something out. I can get some properties with the Quest cmdlets without even asking, but when I go to use the Windows PowerShell cmdlets, they aren't there. How can I get these properties from the system? —RM Hello RM, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here. Today you can peek in as I guide my old buddy, Kevin, through converting some of his newer Windows PowerShell goodies for Active Directory to some older things. Note This is the fourth post i...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Determine ASCII Value
Summary: Learn to use Windows PowerShell to determine the ASCII numeric value of a character. How can I use Windows PowerShell to tell the ASCII value of a character? You can get the numeric value of an ASCII character quite easily, for example, to get the value of the lowercase letter a, type: [byte][char]'a'
Transforming the Active Directory Cmdlets: Part 3
Summary: Learn how to translate between ADSI, Quest, and Windows PowerShell cmdlets for creating users. Hey, Scripting Guy! I downloaded a script from the Internet to remove users, but it's designed to use the newer Windows PowerShell cmdlets. My server environment doesn't have them available yet. Can you help me convert to them? —RD Hello RD, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here. I'm working with my old friend, Kevin. This is the third post in a series. For more, see: Kevin discovered the power of Bing, and he found a really cool script for purging users. He found a snag though. "I...
PowerTip: Convert Plain Text to Secure String
Summary: Learn to convert a plain text password to a secure string for cmdlet parameters. I'm trying to convert some scripts to work with the Active Directory modules, but they need a secure string for the password. How do I create one of these? Use the ConvertTo-SecureString cmdlet, capture the output, then supply the new variable as SecureString for the password: $SecurePassword=ConvertTo-SecureString 'MySuperSecretP@ssw0rd!' –asplaintext –force
Transforming the Active Directory Cmdlets: Part 2
Summary: Learn how to transcribe between ADSI, Quest, and Windows PowerShell cmdlets for creating users. Hey, Scripting Guy! I used to use the Quest cmdlets to create new users, but I need to rewrite some of my scripts to work with a legacy environment that can't use the .NET Framework. Can you help me? —SH Hello SH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here again. We're going to go into a bit more about translating between the various ways of working with Active Directory and Windows PowerShell. This is the second post in a series. You might also enjoy reading Transforming to Acti...
PowerTip: Find List of Users in Active Directory
Summary: Use the Filter parameter in the Active Directory module. I was playing with the Active Directory cmdlets and noticed that they seem to need the Distinguished Name. Is there any way to find users instead of supplying this very explicit object each time? Use the –Filter parameter to pull the information. For example, to find all users with the last name Smith, specify the Surname attribute with the –Filter parameter: GET-ADUser –filter 'Surname &n...
Transforming the Active Directory Cmdlets: Part 1
Summary: Learn how to translate between ADSI, Quest, and Windows PowerShell cmdlets for creating users in Active Directory. Hey, Scripting Guy! I've got some older scripts that create users by using the [ADSI] accelerator. Can you show me how they might be rewritten to work with the more modern cmdlets in Windows Server 2012 R2? —DM Hello DM, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here, and I'm just "primed" to show you how to "transform" from one style of scripting to another! Windows PowerShell is truly a technology that is more than meets the eye. It can be a simple management con...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Last Boot Time
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to display last boot up time. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the last time a workstation booted up? Use the WMI Class Win32_OperatingSystem and select the LastBootupTime property. Using the Get-CimInstance cmdlet returns a properly formatted DateTime object, for example: (Get-CimInstance Win32_operatingSystem).lastbootuptime
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Fix Broken Printer
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to fix a printer that keeps losing its duplexer. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things about Windows PowerShell is that if I want to, I can generally use it to solve all of my issues. Sometimes the issue is not sufficient that I want to invest the time. However, if it is a persistent issue, and if it occurs often enough, at some point, it might very well tip the scale. The issue I have today is just such a case. Why can't I use my duplexer? I believe in printing on both sides of the paper when I ha...
PowerTip: Find All PowerShell Profile Locations
Summary: Use the hidden properties of $profile to find Windows PowerShell profile locations. How can I find the path to Windows PowerShell profile locations on my computer? Use the –Force parameter from Format-List to display the hidden properties and values: $PROFILE | Format-List -Force
Weekend Scripter: Exploring Powershell Profiles
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, explores Windows PowerShell profiles and locations. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things about the weekend is that it provides two entire days with no meetings, no specific obligations, and it gives me time to think and reflect. This is also a time to play with Windows PowerShell. Since Windows PowerShell 1.0 came out, the $profile automatic variable points to the CurrerentUserCurrentHost Windows PowerShell profile. This is extremely helpful because otherwise it would be a heck of a lot of typing, even when using tab expansion. Here ...
PowerTip: Remove Spaces from Both Ends of String
Summary: Learn to use Windows PowerShell to remove spaces from both ends of a string. How can I use Windows PowerShell to remove spaces at both ends of a string? Use the Trim method from the System.String .NET Framework class. In this example, I create a string with a space at each end of the word, then I call the Trim method to remove both spaces: $string = " a String " $string.Trim() Note The Trim method exists on strings, so to use it, simply call it directly from t...
Trim Your Strings with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to trim strings and clean up data. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Scripting Wife heads out today to spend time with her other passion at the Blue Ridge Classic Horse Show. Unfortunately, I will not get to attend much of that event due to a week of training that my group is doing. But I will have the chance to see at least one day of the events. PowerShell Summit Europe Speaking of the Scripting Wife’s passions, registration is open now for the Windows PowerShell Summit in Europe. The event will be held Sept 2...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell Split Operator to Break Strings
Summary: Learn how to use the Windows PowerShell Split operator to break up strings. How can I use Windows PowerShell to break a string at a specific character? Use the Split operator and specify the character to split on, for example: PS C:\> "this,is,a,string" -split ","
Using the Split Method in PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the Split method in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Dude, dude, dude, (or dudette, as the case may be) I still cannot find my teapot after our move. At least I found my kettle to heat water so I can make tea, but unfortunately, without a teapot, I am stuck drinking “bagged” tea leaves. It is not a major crisis yet, but I do miss blending my own teas with my own herbs. And of course, my various tins of teas and herbs are sitting here, just waiting for me to locate the teapot. On the bright side, I did pick u...
PowerTip: Create Empty String with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to create an empty string by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create an empty string? Use the static Empty field from the System.String class: [string]::Empty
Join Me in a Few String Methods Using PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the String class of the Join method in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning while I was eating breakfast and reviewing my email on my Surface 2 Pro, I noticed that I have meetings all afternoon. Luckily, I was up early, and so I can get my writing done before the meetings start. The good thing is that I love meetings. Or, perhaps, I should say, that I love good meetings. Useless meetings are, well, useless. But a good meeting is great because it lets me collaborate with brilliant people, and I always leave...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Hash Code of Tuple
Summary: Learn how to get the hash code of a tuple by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get the hash code for a tuple? Call the GetHashCode method from your Tuple object—for example, this command creates a tuple and obtains the hash code of it: $t = [tuple]::Create(1,2) $t.GetHashCode() This can also be accomplished in a single line: [tuple]::Create(1,2).gethashcode()
Keep Your Hands Clean: Use PowerShell to Glue Strings Together
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about several approaches for concatenating strings by using Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This weekend, I was speaking about blogging and technical writing at the South Carolina Writers Workshop in Rock Hill, South Carolina. One of the cool things is a couple of people drove from Atlanta and from Raleigh, North Carolina to attend my sessions. It was great to see them. If you hang out with The Scripting Wife on Facebook, you know that we also moved over the weekend. It is just across town, but still it is a major disruption. This...
PowerTip: Remove First Two Letters of String
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell remove the first two letters from a string. How can I use Windows PowerShell to remove the first two letters from a string? Use the SubString method, for example: $a = “String” $a.substring(2)
PowerShell String Theory
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to work with strings. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This has been an exciting week around the Scripting Household. From our lanai, we can see several little rabbits hopping around—they seem to like the clover. We have seen some butterflies (which in past years, we have not seen), and the hummingbirds are back. It is a great time to be out and about. Sitting in a swing, observing nature is a fundamental that helps me keep a positive mental outlook. Another fundamental is working with strings in Windows PowerShell...
PowerTip: Generate Random Beeps with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to generate random beeps. How can I generate random beeps by using Windows PowerShell? Create a range of numbers between 190 and 8500 that will determine the tone. Use the Get-Random cmdlet to choose a random number of tones. Pipe the results to the ForEach-Object cmdlet, and call the Beep static method from the system.console class. The first number determines the tone, and the second number determines the length of the tone. ...
Weekend Scripter: Hurrah for Curah
Summary: Teresa Wilson (aka Scripting Wife) talks about how Microsoft Curah solved her search issue. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson is back with us today to share information about Curah. One of the problems with trying to find technical information is...well...trying to find it in the first place. It seems that I can spend hours trying to find just the right article to solve an issue. Search engines are helpful at times, but if I do not know the right thing to search for, I am doomed. Going to a specific page, or set of pages, such as TechNet or MSDN, is OK&mda...
PowerTip: PowerShell Summit Europe 2014
Summary: The Scripting Wife shares information about Windows PowerShell Summit Europe 2014. Do you have any information about the Windows PowerShell Summit Europe 2014? Windows PowerShell Summit 2014 is Sept 29–October 1, 2014 in Amsterdam. One nice thing about this smaller event is that there is only one track, so you don’t have to choose between sessions that you want to attend and what you will miss.
Weekend Scripter: Top Ten PowerScripting PodCasts
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, talks about the top ten PowerScripting podcasts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This weekend we have a very special guest blogger. You guessed it. Teresa Wilson, aka The Scripting Wife, will share her thoughts with you. Take it away Teresa... Happy Saturday everyone. Things have been pretty busy here in the Scripting house. I feel like I have not been in touch with you for a while. My apologies. Today's topic is my career as the scheduler for the PowerScripting podcasts, and I want to share my top ten most memorable guests, subjects, or episodes. As so...
PowerTip: How Long Has My Computer Been Running?
Summary: Learn a one-liner Windows PowerShell command to see how long a computer has run. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find out how long my computer has been running since last boot up without writing a script? Use the Win32_OperatingSystem WMI class and the LastBootupTime property, and then subtract the value of the current date/time that comes from Get-Date: (Get-Date) - (Get-CimInstance Win32_operatingSystem).lastbootuptime
An End of Week Treat: Mini-Scripting Games
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Jim Christopher, shares a mini-Scripting Games event from the Charlotte Windows PowerShell User Group. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome today, guest blogger, Jim Christopher. Jim is a Windows PowerShell MVP and the leader of the Charlotte Windows PowerShell User Group. He was instrumental in creating and hosting two Windows PowerShell Saturdays in Charlotte, and he is also an all-around nice guy. Let’s see what Jim has to say about himself… I am a four-time Windows PowerShell MVP, and I help run the Charlotte PowerShell Users Group. I currently own...
PowerTip: Count a Range of Seconds with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to count a range of seconds. How can I use Windows PowerShell to count a range of seconds of increasing duration? Use the range operator to create a range of numbers, then pipe the results to the ForEach-Object cmdlet inside a script block call Start-Sleep: 1..5 | ForEach {Start-Sleep -Seconds $_ ; "$_ seconds"}
Use Windows PowerShell to Prepare for Migration from SharePoint 2007
Summary: Marc Adam Carter talks about using Windows PowerShell to smooth the way for a large SharePoint 2007 migration. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today our guest blogger is Marc Adam Carter... If you’re responsible for administering a SharePoint 2013 or SharePoint 2010 farm, I’d have to say that things are looking pretty good right now with the availability of management tools. The SharePoint administration lawn is seriously greener on these farms. Let’s face it, even if you haven’t yet migrated from an older platform, such as Microsoft Office SharePoint Server...
PowerTip: Find Information About ErrorActionPreference
Summary: Find information, beyond the basics, for the Windows PowerShell variable ErrorActionPreference. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see information, beyond only the value, for the variable ErrorActionPreference? Use the Get-Variable cmdlet and pipe the results to the Format-List cmdlet: Get-Variable ErrorActionPreference | Format-List * Note When you use the *variable cmdlets, you do not specify the initial dollar sign. So it is represented as ErrorActionPreference not $ErrorActionPreference.
Handling Errors the PowerShell Way
Summary: Trevor Sullivan talks about handling errors in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have guest blogger and Windows PowerShell MVP, Trevor Sullivan... also find Trevor on Twitter (https://twitter.com/pcgeek86) and his blog (http://trevorsullivan.net) Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, just wrote a post about how to use the Try-Catch-Finally blocks in Windows PowerShell. But have you ever wondered if that was the only way to handle errors? It turns out that although it’s a great way to handle errors, there are still other options! If you’re coming to Windo...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Locate the Help File You Need
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find the Help file you need. How can I figure out the exact name of the Help file that I am looking for about sessions? Use a wildcard character with Get-Help to narrow down the scope of the Help files: Get-Help about_*session* Name Category Module ...
Getting to Know ForEach and ForEach-Object
Summary: Learn the differences between ForEach and ForEach-Object in Windows PowerShell. Honorary Scripting Guy and Windows PowerShell MVP, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. Today I am going to talk about some differences between using ForEach and using ForEach-Object in day-to-day scripting activities. There are times when you are unable to make use of a cmdlet that has built-in pipeline support, such as something like this: Get-ChildItem –File –Filter “*.TMP” | Remove-Item –Verbose To get around this, we can make use of some other capabilities o...
PowerTip: Find Information About PowerShell Cmdlet Parameter Sets
Summary: Learn how to find information about Windows PowerShell cmdlet parameter sets. How can I find information about the various parameter sets for a specific Windows PowerShell cmdlet? Use Get-Command to return cmdlet information, pipe the results to the Select-Object cmdlet, and expand the ParameterSets property: Get-Command Stop-Process | select -expand parametersets
Piping Results from One PowerShell Cmdlet to Another
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about piping the results from one cmdlet to another. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a problem. When I pipe information from one Windows PowerShell cmdlet to anther (for example, when I use Get-Process and pipe it to Stop-Process ), sometimes it works, and sometimes it does not. This is not great. What is the deal? Can you help? —LR Hello LR, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The nice thing about a hurricane is when it is gone. In Charlotte, we got some pretty heavy rain as a result of Hurricane Arthur, but nothing serious. Now we are enjo...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Variables in Various Scopes
Summary: Learn how to find Windows PowerShell variables in various scopes. How can I see what Windows PowerShell variables exist in various scopes? Use the Get-Variable cmdlet and use the –Scope modifier (this can be global, local, or script), for example: Get-Variable -Scope global
Weekend Scripter: From Zero to PowerShell Hero
Summary: Microsoft MVP and winner of the Scripting Games, Taylor Gibb, talks about his experience with Windows PowerShell and IT in general. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the great things about TechEd is getting to talk to the various people that I meet virtually. One person who was both fun and inspirational to talk to was Taylor Gibb, who is the winner of this year's Scripting Games. I asked Taylor if he would be willing to share his story. So today we have a new guest blogger, Taylor Gibb. I will let Taylor tell you about himself... I was born and raised in Durban, South Africa. I am a so...
PowerTip: Examine the Most Recent PowerShell Error
Summary: Learn how to examine the most recent error in Windows PowerShell. My Windows PowerShell command failed with an error. How can I look at the error record? Use the $error automatic variable to it displays the last error. You can see more details by piping it to the Format-List cmdlet and using –Force: $error | Format-List * -Force
Weekend Scripter: Using Try, Catch, Finally Blocks for PowerShell Error Handling
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Ashley McGlone, talks about using Try, Catch, Finally blocks for error handling in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today’s guest blogger is Ashley McGlone, a Microsoft premier field engineer. Ashley is a popular speaker at our Windows PowerShell Saturday events. He regularly blogs about Active Directory and Windows PowerShell at Goatee PFE. You can follow him on Twitter as @GoateePFE. Take it away, Ashley... Why do scripts have errors? That is a long philosophical debate, and there is more than one correct answer. The generally accepted answer is that...
PowerTip: Difference Between XML PowerShell Cmdlets
Summary: Understand the difference between XML cmdlets in Windows PowerShell. What is the difference between the Windows PowerShell cmdlets, Export-CliXML and ConvertTo-XML? The Help file for ConvertTo-XML says:"This cmdlet is similar to Export-CliXML, except that Export-CliXML stores the resulting XML in a file. ConvertTo-XML returns the XML, so you can continue to process it in Windows PowerShell."The Export verb encapsulates your objects in a persistent data store (such as a file) or into an interchange format. The ConvertTo verb simply changes the objects...
Back to Basics Part 5: Outputting Data
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Gary Siepser, talks about outputting data via the pipeline in this exciting conclusion to a five part series. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today brings an end to a week of guest blog posts by Gary Siepser. You can read the following posts to catch up with the previous days: In Parts 3 and 4 of this series, we talked about a number of different things you can do with data coming down the pipeline. In Part 5, we are going to talk about what you do at the end of a pipeline. This can often be to output or present your data in some way. We’ll focus on formatting your ob...
PowerTip: Looking for Folders and Files in PowerShell
Summary: Learn about looking for folders and files in Windows PowerShell. Why does this command show me folders instead of files?Dir | Where PSIsContainer -eq False In Windows PowerShell, use the automatic variables $True and $False to refer to Boolean values instead of the string True and False. To perform the comparison, Windows PowerShell converts the object on the right into the same type as on the left, so the string False is evaluated as a Boolean True.In this case, you are converting a string in...
Back to Basics Part 4: More Ways to Manipulate Data
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Gary Siepser, talks more about the basics of the Windows PowerShell pipeline. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today Gary Siepser delivers his Part 4 of his five part series. To follow along, you can read: In Part 3, we introduced several cool things you can do with your data. In this post, we will continue that investigation by looking at even cooler techniques. We’ll focus on: Grouping data Sometimes when you are working with typical IT admin-type information, it’s useful to get counts of various things. Often there are common values on objects. For example, ...
PowerTip: Sorting More than One Column
Summary: Learn to sort by more than one column in Windows PowerShell. Can I use Windows PowerShell to sort by more than one column, and have the primary column be ascending and secondary column be descending? In the Help examples, you'll see that the Property parameter accepts a hash table in place of a real property name. In this hash table, you can specify the property to sort by and the order per property. Copy Example 5 from the Help file and edit to suit your needs.
Back to the Basics Part 3: Do Something with Your Data
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Gary Siepser, further investigates the basics of the Windows PowerShell pipeline. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It's midweek already! Time sure flies, especially when you have a guest blogger for the week. Welcome back Gary Siepser for the third part in a series. To catch up, read: In Part 2 of this series, we looked at how you start a pipeline. In this part, we’ll see some basic and easy-to-use commands that let us manipulate that data to suit our needs. First, let’s do a quick review of cmdlets. They are single-purpose commands that can be used together in a pipel...
PowerTip: Use Custom Delimiter with CSV File
Summary: Use a custom delimiter with Windows PowerShell when reading a CSV file. Can I use a delimiter other than the comma ( , ) when reading from a CSV file? Import-CSV has a parameter dedicated for this purpose called -Delimiter: Get-Help Import-Csv -ShowWindow You can easily use this during the import:
Back to the Basics Part 2: Learn about the Pipeline and “Getters”
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Gary Siepser, talks about the basics of using the Windows PowerShell pipeline and "getters." Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week, Gary Siepser, a Microsoft PFE is our guest blogger. Yesterday, we posted the first part of his series: Back to the Basics Part 1: Learn About the PowerShell Pipeline. In in first post of this series, we looked at what the pipeline is and why you want to use it. We also outlined the common parts of the pipeline by introducing the “getters, doing something with your data, and outputting your data somewhere. In this post, we’ll focus on the fir...
PowerTip: Learn to Start the PowerShell Pipeline
Summary: Find cmdlets that permit starting the pipeline in Windows PowerShell. How do I find all the Get commands that allow me to start a pipeline? Although there are a number of ways, the Get-Command cmdlet has a parameter called -Verb for this purpose: PS > Get-Command -Verb Get CommandType Name ModuleName ----------- ---- ---------- Alias Get-ProvisionedAppxPack...
Back to the Basics Part 1: Learn About the PowerShell Pipeline
Summary: Guest blogger and Microsoft PFE, Gary Siepser, talks about the basics of the Windows PowerShell pipeline. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week we have a series of five posts that are written by PFE Gary Siepser as we head back to the basics with the Windows PowerShell pipeline. Gary Siepser here (@PowerShellPFE). For Microsoft, I am a senior premier field engineer specializing in everything PowerShell. These days I find myself mostly teaching several Windows PowerShell classes to Microsoft customers. Check out Support: Premier Support Services to learn more. Windows PowerShell has been ...
PowerTip: Document Server's IP Addresses by Using PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to document the IP addresses on a server. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily go through my server environment and document the IP addresses in use on each machine? We can do this with a wee bit o' magic from the new Get-NetIPConfiguration cmdlet in Windows Server 2012 R2: Get-NetIPConfiguration | Select-object InterfaceDescription -ExpandProperty AllIPAddresses If you'd like to save it in a file, use the Export-CSV cmdlet: Get-NetIPConfiguration | Select...
Weekend Scripter: Basic Lync Server 2013 Backup and Restore—Part 2
Summary: Use native automation and Windows PowerShell cmdlets to back up Lync Server 2013. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to finish up my crazy weekend fun automating Lync backup. So we've already gone through probably the trickiest part, which is getting the bulk of the Lync server infrastructure backed up. To read about that, see Basic Lync Server 2013 Backup and Restore—Part 1. Now what else could be backed up? How about the firewall settings? Obtaining the firewall configuration of your servers is incredibly easy within Windows Server 2012 R2. One single cmdlet gets us everythin...
PowerTip: Export Lync Topology with PowerShell
Summary: Use the Lync cmdlets to obtain a copy of the Lync topology. Instead of going through the GUI wizard, can I use Windows PowerShell to schedule a fresh copy of my Lync topology as a regular nightly task so I can compare deltas? Run the following Windows PowerShell cmdlet to create a file called Topology.zip with all of your topology: Export-CsConfiguration -FileName C:\Backup\Config.zip
Weekend Scripter: Basic Lync Server 2013 Backup and Restore—Part 1
Summary: Learn how to make a rudimentary backup for a simple Lync Server environment. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here. Today we're going to play a game of "Let's Pretend." Let's pretend you got hired in a new company or are taking over from someone who had to deploy a simple Lync infrastructure. This will be a bit more complex than last week when we talked about simple management techniques for Lync Server 2013. Be sure to read this series of Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts: Managing Lync Server 2013 with Windows PowerShell. This time, our configuration will be: So the question is, "How do...
PowerTip: List All Lync Enterprise Voice Users with PowerShell
Summary: Get a list of users and phone numbers from your Lync infrastructure. How can I use Windows PowerShell to pull a weekly list of all our Lync Telephone numbers? Use the Get-CSUser cmdlet, and in your Lync Server management shell, type: GET-CSUser | Where { $_.EnterpriseVoiceEnabled } If you'd like a list of only the names and phone numbers, use: GET-CSUser | Where { $_.EnterpriseVoiceEnabled } | Select-Object DisplayName,LineURI
Managing Lync Server 2013 with Windows PowerShell—Part 5
Summary: Learn about basic Lync auditing. Hey, Scripting Guy! I go sites and need to work on various Lync servers. Often my first challenge is getting their configuration. Where do I start? —RD Hello RD, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to help you out with a little basic Lync auditing. Note This is the fifth part in a series. You might also enjoy reading: Now my good friend, Lync MVP, Pat Richard, is probably nodding on this one. The first place you go to get your Lync configuration is (do not stop, do pass Go…. MOVE IT, MOVE IT, MOVE IT!) the Lync...
PowerTip: Get List of Blocked Domains on Lync with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a list of all domains that are blocked from federating with Lync. I am auditing a client's Lync server and need to pull up a list of all the Domains that are presently blocked or not blocked with Lync. How can I easily do that with PowerShell? Run the Get-CSBlockedDomain cmdlet: GET-CSBlockedDomain If you'd like to export that information, pipe it to Export-CSV: GET-CSBlockedDomain | EXPORT-CSV BlockedList.csv
Managing Lync Server 2013 with Windows PowerShell—Part 4
Summary: Have a rollback plan for disabling a user in Lync. Hey, Scripting Guy! Before I shut down all of these Lync accounts on our environment, my boss would like to see what my rollback plan is. Other than restoring from backup, is there a quicker "undo" I can leverage by using Windows PowerShell? —LN Hello again LN! Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to show you how Windows PowerShell can give you a rollback in Lync (well sort of)! Note This is the fourth part in a series. You might also enjoy reading: One of the interesting things I had to deal with on my last job was implementi...
PowerTip: Remove User from Lync Server 2013 with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use -whatif to safely remove a user from Lync Server 2013. I need to remove users from Lync by using PowerShell, but I'm a bit nervous. Is there some kind of built-in test mode in Lync? Use the -whatif parameter when you disable the user to show what will happen without actually changing the system, for example: Disable-CSUser –identity 'Zaphod Beeblebrox' –whatif
Managing Lync Server 2013 with Windows PowerShell—Part 3
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to remove Active Directory users for Lync. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here. Note This is the third part in a series. You might also enjoy reading: Yesterday, we learned that in Lync, you can "disable" a user or you can "remove" a user. We actually disabled the Lync user in that post, which meant that the attributes and information were still in Lync, but the user was unable to access and use Lync. This is like when you disable a user in Active Directory. Today we're going to see how to remove that user, or many users if you need to. Let's keep one key p...
PowerTip: Add a Federation Domain to Lync with PowerShell
Summary: Use the Lync cmdlets to add an additional domain to Lync for federation access. I'm working with a client to set up a federation, and I am trying to easily add their list of domains. How can I do this with Windows PowerShell? In Lync, use the New-CSAllowedDomain cmdlet: NEW-CSAllowedDomain –identity 'fabrikam.com' NEW-CSAllowedDomain –identity 'contoso.ca'
Managing Lync Server 2013 with Windows PowerShell—Part 2
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to disable Active Directory users for Lync. Hey, Scripting Guy! I was so happy yesterday! I spun up thousands of users in Lync, and it worked beautifully. But now management has come back and indicated that it should not be enabled for our temporary staff. How can I quickly disable Lync users? —LN Hello LN, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here with more Lync cheer and cmdlets to save the day! Note This is the second part in a series. You might also enjoy reading Managing Lync Server 2013 with Windows PowerShell—Part 1. First let me explain that in Lync, you h...
PowerTip: Convert to Upper Case with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to easily capitalize a string. How can I use Window PowerShell to make all the text upper case so it is all in the same form prior to writing to a database? Use the ToUpper method from the String class: "string".ToUpper()
Managing Lync Server 2013 with Windows PowerShell—Part 1
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to enable Active Directory users for Lync. Hey, Scripting Guy! We just spun up our Lync server, and I need to know a very easy way to enable groups of users. I have over 10,000 records to enable and not quite enough coffee to click the mouse button all that fast! —LN Hello LN, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to show you a way to get all those users enabled without burning out the left mouse button! If you're new to managing Lync Server 2013, your first experience probably has been your visit to the Lync Server Control Panel. You found it well e...
PowerTip: Create an SRV Record in DNS with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell cmdlets to create a server resource record. Is there was a way to script the creation of my internal server resource records for my Lync deployments? If you're running Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows Server 2012, use the Add-NewDNSServerResourceRecord cmdlet (the following is a one-line command that is broken for the webpage): Add-DnsServerResourceRecord –zone Contoso.local –name _sip –domainname sip.contoso.local –weight 0 –priority 0 –port 506...
Weekend Scripter: Automating the Preparation of Lync Server 2013—Part 2
Summary: Automate the installation of SQL Server Express and complete the installation of Lync Server 2013. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here. Today, we're getting a little nerdy by automating the rest of our Lync server...on a Sunday. Yesterday, we finished with a Windows Server 2012 R2 box with all the features and the Visual C++ 2012 x64 Minimum Runtime package installed. We also have our schema for Active Directory extended. Note This is the second post in a series about Lync. Before you continue, you might enjoy reading Automating the Preparation of Lync Server 2013—Par...
PowerTip: Extend Active Directory Schema for Lync with PowerShell
Summary: Learn to use the Lync module for Windows PowerShell to extend the Active Directory schema. Is there an easy way to use Windows PowerShell to install a new Lync server? After you have the Lync core installed on the server (even if you haven't installed Lync itself), you can use the Windows PowerShell cmdlets! To extend the forest: Enable-CSAdForest To extend the domain: Enable-CSAdDomain
Weekend Scripter: Automating the Preparation of Lync Server 2013—Part 1
Summary: Prep Windows Server 2012 R2 for a Lync Server 2013 installation. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here, and today I'm doing something I've been itching to do for a while...Automate the creation of a Lync server! You see, a while back, our Lync guy left the company. My boss looked at me and said, "You know anything about Lync?" Ever been in one of those situations? Fortunately for me, I had spun up and managed OCS 2007 in the past, so it wasn’t completely scary. One of our biggest challenges was disaster recovery. It appeared somewhere between "Spin up a Lync Se...
PowerTip: Determine PSReadLine Option Configuration
Summary: Use a cmdlet to find the way PSReadLine options are configured. I recently started using PSReadLine, and I would like to see the way options are configured. How can I report the options settings? Use the Get-PSReadLineOption cmdlet.
A Better PowerShell Console with Custom PSReadLine Functions
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about a better Windows PowerShell console experience by using custom PSReadLine functions. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I was reading an interesting article the other day. The author was talking about movies and history. The author said that in reality it does not matter if a historical movie has any basis in reality at all. The reason is that we really cannot know what things were like—say a thousand years ago. We have glimpses, slivers of light, but by-and-large, a lot of what we perceive is subject to interpretation. We do not even need t...
PowerTip: Unload All Non-Microsoft Modules
Summary: Learn to unload all non-Microsoft Windows PowerShell modules. Windows PowerShell is acting funny and I want to unload all modules that are not written by Microsoft. How can I easily do this? Use Get-Module to find all loaded modules, use the Where-Object cmdlet to filter for authors that do not match Microsoft, and then pipe the results to the Remove-Module cmdlet: Get-Module | where Author -notmatch 'microsoft' | Remove-Module
Useful Shortcuts from PSReadLine PowerShell Module
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson talks about useful shortcuts from the PSReadLine Windows PowerShell module. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This is PSReadLine Week. You might also be interested in reading the following posts: One of the really cool things about the PSReadLine Windows PowerShell module is all of the cool shortcut functions that become available. Here is a table of miscellaneous functions that are available. One of the key combinations that I use often is the ShowKeyBindings function, which I access via Ctrl+Alt+?. Note When using the previous sequence,...
PowerTip: Add Days, Hours, and Minutes to Current Time
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily add days, hours, and minutes to the current time. How can I use Windows PowerShell to add one day, two hours, and thirty minutes to the current date and time? Create a TimeSpan object that represents one day, two hours, and thirty minutes, then add it to the current date and time that Get-Date retrieves: $ts = New-TimeSpan -Days 1 -Hours 2 -Minutes 30 (get-date) + $ts
Better PowerShell History Management with PSReadLine
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using PSReadLine to gain better history support in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Someone might have said that those PowerShellers who do not learn how to use command history are doomed to retype the same commands, but I do not recall ever hearing it. In Windows PowerShell there are five *history cmdlets. Of these, I routinely use Get-History (the alias is h) and Invoke-History (alias is r). To be honest, I do not even use these all that often. One reason, is that the history eventually gets jumbled. Although it is possible...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Round Numbers
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to round numbers. Is there an easy way to use Windows PowerShell to round numbers up or down in a computation that produces a large amount of numbers after the decimal point? Use the static Round method from the [math] class:PS C:> $a = 22/7PS C:> $a3.14285714285714PS C:> [math]::Round($a)3PS C:>
A Better PowerShell Command-Line Edit
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using PSReadLine to improve command-line editing in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I thought I would try something a bit different. It is hard to show command-line editing with screenshots and tables of shortcuts. So today’s post is basically two parts. The first part includes two tables that I built, which are basically reference material for the PSReadLine command-line enhancements. The second part is a short (less than two minutes) video. I recorded it to illustrate a simple command-line edit. My video is not...
PowerTip: Load PowerShell Modules and See What’s Imported
Summary: Learn to parse load information about modules to see what’s imported. How can I analyze what is imported when a Windows PowerShell module loads? Use the –Verbose switch when importing the module, and redirect the verbose stream to a text file so you can use Windows PowerShell cmdlets to parse the file. In the following example, all modules are loaded, verbose output is redirected to a file, and Select-String is used to parse the file (gmo is an alias ...
The Search for a Better PowerShell Console Experience
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the search for a better Windows PowerShell console experience. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sipping a cup of English Breakfast tea. I added bits of spearmint, peppermint, and licorice root, along with a cinnamon stick and some lemon peel, lime peel, and orange peel. It is quite refreshing and has a bit of a bite to it. I picked up some Biscotti yesterday when I made a food run, so I am trying to be careful to not get crumbs in my keyboard. You know I love drinking tea. In particular, I love mixing and blending my own tea ex...
PowerTip: Send Output to Clipboard with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily send output to the clipboard. How can I easily capture output from the Windows PowerShell console and send it to the Windows Clipboard so I can paste it into another program? The standard Windows utility clip.exe accepts pipeline output, for example: Get-EventLog application -Newest 1 | clip
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Explore Dates
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to explore dates in the future. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This afternoon, I am sipping a nice cup of Kwai Flower Organic Oolong tea. It is a slightly sweet, mild tea that goes well with jasmine blossoms. It makes for a nice relaxing afternoon, and the slightly woody flavor goes well with Macadamia nuts. Now contrast a nice relaxing afternoon with Friday the 13th. If I want to be prepared for the next Friday the 13th, how can I use Windows PowerShell to get that information for me? Well, it literally took me less th...
PowerTip: Get Unique Numbers by Using PowerShell
Summary: Easily get unique numbers from a list by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get unique numbers from a list of numbers? Use the Get-Unique cmdlet, for example: PS C:\> 1,2,2,3,4,4,5 | Get-Unique 1 2 3 4 5
Weekend Scripter: Non-PowerShell Books for PowerShell People
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, collects a list of cool book recommendations. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things I constantly find myself doing is reading. I try to read a lot of different things, fiction, non-fiction, classic literature, and technical. I am always cycling back and reading technical books. I find that I need to know more these days, and I have less time to come up to speed on various topics. Although my primary focus is on Windows PowerShell, I see the need to constantly be learning and reading about various technical topics. In this way, I guess I am a ho...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create DateTime Object for Any Date
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily create a DateTime object X days in the future. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a DateTime object for a date at some point in the future? Use the AddDays method from the DateTime object, for example: (get-date).AddDays(8)
Calling XMLDocument Methods in PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about calling XMLDocument methods in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is Friday the 13th. Cool. Luckily, I do not have to go anywhere tonight around midnight, by the light of a full moon. But I am going to use Windows PowerShell methods to slice and dice some XML. Luckily, this is a very neat technique, and it will not leave any wayward bits of data laying around. Besides, I am listening to Scripting Cmdlet Style, and that should scare off anything that is non-PowerShell related. Note This is the fifth in a series of p...
PowerTip: Find Other Ways to Use Split Method
Summary: Find other ways to use the Windows PowerShell Split method. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find if there are other ways to use the Split method from a String object? Use the PSMethod object that returns from the method when not calling it with parenthesis, and then call the OverLoadDefinitions property, for example:PS C:> "string".split.OverloadDefinitionsstring[] Split(Params char[] separator)string[] Split(char[] separator, int count)string[] Split(char[] separator, System.StringSplitOptions options)s...
Calling XML Document Properties from Within PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about calling XML document properties from within Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Craig Liebendorfer is back. No, he is not working on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog, but he is working on the Script Center as a whole. My old collaborator brings a lot to the table when it comes to bouncing ideas around, taking chances, and thinking outside the box. In fact, in our first recent meeting, we both came up with (about the same time) an idea for a new Script Center Home page. I think it looks really cool, let me know what you think. By t...
PowerTip: Split String with PowerShell
Summary: Easily split a string on multiple characters with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to split a string that contains multiple separator characters (for example, a comma and a semicolon)? Specify a string with the characters in it to the Split method: PS C:\> $string = "This,is;a;string" PS C:\> $string.Split(',;') This is a string
Using PowerShell to Explore Structure of an XML Document
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to explore the structure of an XML document. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I don’t know about you, but when I decide to script, I often do a cost/benefit analysis. I am not talking about anything extensive or anything that is even formalized. But I do estimate how long it will take to do something manually, and then I estimate how long it will take to do the same thing with Windows PowerShell. As you may well know, quite often Windows PowerShell wins. But not always. The not always areas are often because I may not k...
PowerTip: Validate XML Document with PowerShell
Summary: Learn to use Windows PowerShell to validate that an XML document is well formed. How can I use Windows PowerShell to test that anXML document is well formed? Use the Test-XML cmdlet from the PSCX: test-xml C:\fso\users.xml Note PSCX is a community-produced project that is available for free from CodePlex. I have written quite a bit about downloading, installing, and using this great resource. For more information, see this collection of Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts.
Exploring XML Document by Using the [XML] Type Accelerator
Summary: Learn how to use the [XML] type accelerator to explore XML documents. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Scripting Wife bought me a pound of English Breakfast tea that she found online somewhere. It is long leaf, robust, and has a hint of earth tones in the bouquet. It makes a wonderfully rich pot of tea. It was a complete surprise when the box showed up on the door step. I added a cinnamon stick, like I normally do, but I thought I would try this tea basically unaltered to get a sense of what it has to offer. In a way, the tea is similar to today’s excursion into XML. Note This is th...
PowerTip: Display Formatted XML with PowerShell
Summary: Use a free cmdlet to display formatted XML with Windows PowerShell. How can I display formatted XML from within Windows PowerShell? Use the Format-XML cmdlet from the PSCX project: Format-Xml C:\fso\users.xml Note For information about the PSCX project, this collection of Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts.
Creating an XML Document for Admins
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about creating XML files. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I will be the first to admit that I am not a huge fan of XML. I mean, if I can use a CSV file to store and retrieve the information I need, why do I need XML? Well, there are many times when the nested structure of XML is a more robust option. When dealing with objects inside of objects, a CSV file breaks down. In addition, reading a CSV file is a bit cumbersome when I need to look at the actual CSV file in something like Notepad. For XML, there is Notepad and XML Notepad. XML Notepad XML Note...
PowerTip: Does PowerShell Array Contain a Value?
Summary: Learn how to verify if a Windows PowerShell array contains a value. I have an array that contains various numbers and I want to see if one of the array elements contains a specific number. Is there an easy way to use Windows PowerShell so I don't have to iterate through the array and compare each element to the specific number? Use the Contains method from an array. In the following example, the $array variable contains an array. The next line checks to see if the number ...
Weekend Scripter: Develop Minimal Footprint with PowerShell and Features on Demand
Summary: Guest blogger, Yung Chou, talks about using Windows PowerShell to develop a minimal footprint with Features on Demand. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I have another guest blog post from my fellow Microsoftee, Yung Chou. Yung is a developer experience evangelist; and therefore, he spends a decent amount of time talking to developers who are using Windows PowerShell. He maintains a blog on WordPress that contains some very useful information: YungChou: Witnessing a Clear Cloudy Day. Take it away Yung... Since Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, IT has the capability to not only...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Windows Path
Summary: Learn to use Windows PowerShell to display your Windows path. How can I use Windows PowerShell to inspect my Windows path to see what folders are there and in what order they appear? Use the $env PS Drive and retrieve the value of the Path variable. By default, it displays as a continuous string, and it can be a bit difficult to read. Here is the command: $env:path But if you use the –split operator to break the strings at the semicolon, it is more readable: $env:path -split ";"
Weekend Scripter: Cool PowerShell Profile Functions from Bruce Payette
Summary: Windows PowerShell principal SDE, Bruce Payette, shares a couple of cool profile functions. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The week of May 19, we had Profile Week. (To read about some great ideas that you can use for your Windows PowerShell profile, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts.) I saved one individual's profile for a special post. Today we will look inside Bruce Payette’s profile. For anyone who may not know, Bruce is a principal software development engineer (SDE) on the Windows PowerShell team. Now you know why this is a special post. Bruce supplied three way cool ...
PowerTip: View Directory List as Tree by Using PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to view a directory in a tree view by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily view a directory list as a tree view? Use the Show-Tree cmdlet from the PowerShell Community Extension Project: Show-Tree e:\data –depth 2 Note For information about obtaining and installiing the free PSCX modules, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts.
Understanding XML and XPath
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, explores XML and XPath. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things that confused me for a long time about using the Get-WinEvent cmdlet is the difference between the –FilterXPath parameter and the –FilterXml parameters. Part of the problem is that there are nearly no examples to be found that illustrate using –FilterXPath. A close look at the syntax of the Get-WinEvent cmdlet, however, does provide a bit of a clue. I include two examples here: Get-WinEvent [[-LogName] <String[]>] [-ComputerName <String>] [-Credential &l...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Open Event Log
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to open the event log viewer. How can I use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to open the event log viewer? Use the Show-EventLog cmdlet.
Using PowerShell to Parse System Log for Windows Updates
Summary: Learn how to use XML and Windows PowerShell to parse the Windows system event log for Windows updates. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Sometimes I come up with a solution, and then I go looking for a problem to fix. Not often, but sometimes. This is usually the result of playing around with Windows PowerShell on the weekend, and trying different things until I come up with something I think is cool. This is not one of those occasions. In fact, today’s blog post is pretty important for several reasons. The first reason is that I show how to use an XML filter to retrieve Windows event lo...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to See Latest Log Entry
Summary: Easily see the newest log entry by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to quickly check the most recent entry from a classic event log, such as the application, system, or security log? Use the Get-EventLog cmdlet and specify the –newest parameter, for example: Get-EventLog application -new 1 Or use the Get-WinEvent cmdlet: Get-WinEvent application -max 1
Data Mine the Windows Event Log by Using PowerShell and XML
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Get-WinEvent in Windows PowerShell with FilterXML to parse event logs. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am sipping a cup of English Breakfast tea. In my pot, I decided to add a bit of spearmint, peppermint, licorice root, lemon peel, orange peel, and lime peel to the tea. The result is a very refreshing cup of tea with a little added zing. XML adds zing to event log queries The other day when I opened the event log on my laptop, I noticed all the red stop signs, and I thought, "Dude, I really need to investigate this." I ...
PowerTip: Find Permissible Event Log Keywords with PowerShell
Summary: Learn to find permissible event log keywords values with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find examples of keywords when I use a FilterHashTable value with Get-WinEvent? Create an instance of the StandardEventKeywords enumeration, and then look at the Static properties: [System.Diagnostics.Eventing.Reader.StandardEventKeywords] | gm -s -MemberType property
Use FilterHashTable to Filter Event Log with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using a filter hash table to filter the event log with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The weather here in Charlotte, North Carolina has turned hot and humid. As a result, the Scripting Wife decided to migrate north for a while. Actually, she is attending a conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. This has given me a bit of extra time to play around with Windows PowerShell and to work on my laptop. The most powerful way to filter event and diagnostic logs by using Windows PowerShell is to use the Get-WinEvent cmdlet. Introduced in Wi...
PowerTip: Open Printer Dialog Box from PowerShell
Summary: Open Printer and Devices in Control Panel from within Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to open Printer and Devices in Control Panel so I don't have to use the mouse? Windows 8 introduced the Show-ControlPanelItem cmdlet, which you can use with a wildcard character: Show-ControlPanelItem -Name *print*
Use PowerShell to Troubleshoot Defrag Issues
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to troubleshoot defrag issues in Windows 8.1. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week, I begin a week-long series about looking at the Windows event and diagnostic logs via Windows PowerShell. I have previously written about this, and you may want to look at some of the previous posts. With the operating system becoming more complicated, and with more demands placed on it, it is inevitable that things will go wrong. However, Windows (especially Windows 8.1) is very robust. This means that a computer may appear to...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Test Virtual Hard Disks
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to test your virtual hard disks. How can I easily test the virtual hard disks on my Windows 8.1 laptop to ensure that they will work? Get a collection of all .vhd and .vhdx disks, then pipe the resulting objects to the Test-VHD cmdlet: Get-ChildItem -Path E:\vms\ -Recurse -Include *.vh* | Test-VHD You can shorten the command to: gci E:\vms\ -r -in *.vh* | Test-VHD
Weekend Scripter: Predicting the Future of PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about Windows PowerShell and the future of the technology. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Ahhh…the weekend. This morning, I decided (actually, I decided last night by not setting my alarm clock) to sleep in until the sun gently woke me with it’s warm embrace streaming in the window. It is a much more pleasant way to awaken than the jarring, blaring, ANK ANK ANK sound of my electronic alarm clock. I seriously believe that the engineer who designed this thing laughed heartily as he imagined the effect it would have on a slumbering Scripti...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Report Daylight Savings Time
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to report if it is daylight savings time. How can I use Windows PowerShell to report if it is daylight savings time? Use the Get-Date cmdlet, and call the IsDaylightSavingTime method from the DateTime object: (Get-Date).IsDaylightSavingTime()
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Automate Active Directory Accounts
Summary: Guest blogger, Gary Jackson, shares a technique to automate Active Directory accounts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I met Gary Jackson at the Windows PowerShell Summit in April. We talked about some cool things he has been working on, so I invited him to write a guest blog post. First a little about Gary… I am currently a senior database administrator in the healthcare field in Dallas, Texas. I started in the IT industry in 1983 with the Apple IIe. Over the years I’ve managed various systems from OpenVMS, Windows, UNIX, to Netware. Scripting has always been a big part of my d...
PowerTip: Set the PowerShell ISE Zoom Level
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell command to set the ISE zoom level. How can I ensure that the Windows PowerShell ISE zoom level is set to 100 percent all the time? Use the $psISE options, and set the zoom level in your ISE profile: $psISE.Options.Zoom = 100
PowerShell Best Practices: Advanced Functions
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about best practices for Windows PowerShell advanced functions. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, I am again enjoying a cup of my Darjeeling Earl Grey tea. Today I added a bit of rose petal, lemon grass, and a cinnamon stick to the mixture. Match it with a homemade cinnamon raisin scone with a little locally sourced butter, and I am certainly in the mood to work on Scripting Guy blog posts. I was up last night reading Piers Plowman in the original old English. The poem (written more than 650 years ago) is certainly interesting, and it has...
PowerTip: Obtain a List of All Functions in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to easily find functions in Windows PowerShell. How can I see what functions exist in my current Windows PowerShell session? Use the Function drive, for example: dir function:
PowerShell Best Practices: Simple Functions
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about Windows PowerShell best practices related to simple functions. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The first time I saw this tea, I thought, "Dude, what an extravagance." I mean, a fine cup of Darjeeling tea is a true treat. It is mellow, light, and it is lightly aromatic. So why cover up that fine tea with bergamot and make a Darjeeling Earl Grey tea? Well for one thing, it is so wonderful, that it becomes addictive. During my recent trip to Europe, I stopped at nearly a dozen tea shops, and of course, I came back with a couple of very n...
PowerTip: Find a List of PowerShell Type Accelerators
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to list type accelerators. How can I find a list of type accelerators available in Windows PowerShell? Use the Get property from TypeAccelerators class: [PSObject].Assembly.GetType("System.Management.Automation.TypeAccelerators")::Get
PowerShell Best Practices: Simple Scripting
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about Windows PowerShell best practices for simple scripts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. "Heyyyyy! Script it, baby!" The words of Scripting Cmdlet Style continue to echo through the house. If you have not seen the latest Windows PowerShell community video by Sean Kearney, you should definitely check it out. It is really well done, and so far, it has received four thumbs up on You Tube. When I am working with Windows PowerShell, and the command begins to wrap to the second line, I start thinking about migrating to the Windows PowerShell ISE. If the...
PowerTip: Ensure Compliance with PowerShell Best Practices
Summary: Learn how to force Windows PowerShell to comply with basic best practices. Is there an easy way for me to help Windows PowerShell comply with basic best practices? Use the Set-StrictMode –Version Latest command to ensure that you cannot reference things such as uninitialized variables and non-existent properties of an object: Set-StrictMode -Version latest
PowerShell Best Practices for the Console
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about Windows PowerShell best practices for the console. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, the Scripting Wife and I decided to head to a new breakfast place that had great reviews on Yelp. We grabbed our Surface 2s and headed into town. Teresa had her new Surface 2 RT with 4G, and I took my new Surface 2 Pro with the power keyboard. One of the things that got my attention about this restaurant was the statement that they made their scones in house from fresh ingredients instead of from mixes. They also claimed to have 30 different ty...
PowerTip: Find Disk Partition Information with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use a Windows PowerShell function in Windows 8.1 to get partition information. How can I use Windows PowerShell on my computer running Windows 8.1 to find disk partition information? Use the Get-Partition function.
PowerShell Best Practices: Examine the Issues
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about examining the issues surrounding Windows PowerShell best practices. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the best things about TechEd, no matter where it is held, is the chance to meet up with people who we do not normally get to see. For example, this year in Houston, Texas at TechEd 2014, we had Jaap Brasser in the Scripting Guys booth with us. We first met him at the Dutch PowerShell User Group, and he helped in our booth at TechEd in Madrid last year. But this year when I was speaking at the Dutch PowerShell User Group, he was in China. T...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Discover Laptop Webcam
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to discover a webcam attached to your laptop. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find a webcam or camera that is attached to my laptop? Use the Get-CimInstance or the Get-WmiObject cmdlet, examine the Win32_PnpEntity WMI class, and look for something that matches camera in the caption. By using Get-CimInstance in Windows PowerShell 3.0 or later: Get-CimInstance Win32_PnPEntity | where caption -match 'camera' By using Get-WmiObject in Windows PowerShell 2.0:...
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Find and Disable Webcams
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find and disable webcams and cameras. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is really interesting (at least to me) the way certain questions seem to swirl around like trigger fish taking up residence near a coral reef. They keep coming back, although they appear to go away for a certain amount of time. Today’s question is no exception. When webcams first began to make their appearance on laptops, there was a huge rash of activity amongst network admins to remove drivers, disable the devices, or otherwise make them...
PowerTip: See if You Have a PowerShell Profile
Summary: Easily determine if you have a Windows PowerShell profile. I am not sure if I have a Windows PowerShell profile. How can I easily find out? Use Test-Path and the $profile automatic variable: Test-Path $PROFILE
What’s in Your PowerShell Profile? Powershell Team Favorites
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson talks to members of the Windows PowerShell team about what is in their Windows PowerShell profile. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I'm wrapping up the week with profile excerpts from the Windows PowerShell team. There is some really cool stuff here. Hemant Mahawar indicated that he does not use a profile. This is quite common for people who work in Windows PowerShell core. This is also a common theme I have run across from people who teach or otherwise work with customers on a regular basis. The danger, of course, is inadvertently picking up something that i...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Date Formats
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily change the way the date displays on your computer. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display the date on my computer as a two-digit month, two-digit day, and two-digit year? Use the ToString() method from the Get-Date cmdlet. Here are two examples: PS C:\> (get-date).tostring("MM/dd/yy") 05/19/14 PS C:\> (get-date).tostring("MMddyy") 051914
What’s in Your PowerShell Profile? Microsoft PFEs' Favorites
Summary: Microsoft premier field engineers share some of their favorite functions from their Windows PowerShell profiles. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we will look at some profile excerpts from a few Microsoft premier field engineers (PFEs). Michael Wiley offers the following idea: "I actually got this from Ashley McGlone, but I use it extensively for giving presentations and demos. My $Profile for ISE contains the following lines to make error text more readable on projectors and to increase the font size." # Make error text easier to read in the console pane. $psISE.Options.ErrorBackground...
PowerTip: Import All PowerShell Modules
Summary: Learn to easily import all Windows PowerShell modules. How can I import all Windows PowerShell modules into my current Windows PowerShell session? Use the Get-Module cmdlet with the –ListAvailable switch, and pipe the results to the Import-Module cmdlet: Get-Module -ListAvailable | Import-Module You can also use aliases: gmo -l | ipmo
What’s in Your PowerShell Profile? PowerShell MVPs Favorites
Summary: Microsoft Windows PowerShell MVPs share some of their favorite functions from their Windows PowerShell profiles. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I will be sharing some profile goodies provided by Windows PowerShell MVPs. Claus Nielsen stated that in his day-to-day work, he does not use a Windows PowerShell profile. There are several reasons for this, for example, he forgets to move it when he reinstalls his workstation. When he does demo’s, he has a script that puts line numbers in the Windows PowerShell console, which makes accessing history easier. Boe Prox shares a couple of p...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell and WMI to Change Disk Label
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell and WMI to change a disk label. How can I use Windows PowerShell with WMI to change the disk label on a logical disk? Beginning with Windows PowerShell 3.0, use the Get-CimInstance cmdlet to retrieve the logical disk, and then use the Set-CimInstance cmdlet to set the VolumeName: Get-CimInstance win32_logicaldisk -Filter "deviceID = 'c:'" | Set-CimInstance -Property @{volumename = 'SSD'} Note This technique requires you to start the Windows PowerShell c...
What's in Your PowerShell Profile? Users' Favorites Part 2
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks to various Microsoft Windows PowerShell users about what is in their profile. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I have more items that Microsoft employees have in their profiles. Michael Lyons shared this: To make my Windows PowerShell profile easier to use, I like to customize it with: Here’s my dir function: function GLOBAL:dir { $cwd = & cmd.exe /c cd 2> $null if ($cwd -eq $pwd.Path) { & cmd.exe /c dir $args &...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Add Hyper-V to Windows 8.1 Laptop
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to add optional features to your laptop running Windows 8.1. How can I use Windows PowerShell to install Hyper-V on my laptop running Windows 8.1? Use the Add-WindowsOptionalFeature cmdlet, and choose the –Online option. The feature name is case sensitive, and must be typed exactly, for example: Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V-All -Online -All -NoRestart
What's in Your PowerShell Profile? Here Are Some User's Favorites
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks to various Windows PowerShell users about what is in their profiles. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I have had this idea floating in my head, and I decided to reach out to some fellow Windows PowerShell experts and enthusiasts in regards to “What is in your profile?” I asked each person to share a portion of their profile with you, our readers. Today I will be sharing ideas from internal Microsoft employees. Alex Lee shared three functions. The functions are called Parse-Script, Find-String, and Count-Lines. Here is what he has to s...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Things to Get
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find commands that “get” stuff. How can I find Windows PowerShell commands that can find stuff about disks or other Windows components? Use the Get-Command cmdlet, specify the verb as Get, and then use wildcard characters to specify the noun. (In the following examples, GCM is an alias for the Get-Command cmdlet).To find cmdlets that return information about disks:gcm -verb get -noun *disk*To find cmdlets that return information about networks:gcm -verb get -noun *network*To find cmdlets ...
What's In Your PowerShell Profile? Here Are a Few of My Favorites
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shares a few favorites from his Windows PowerShell profile. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I was at the Windows PowerShell Summit a couple weeks ago. When Jason Shirk, a manager on the Windows PowerShell team, was doing a demo, I was able to glance into his Windows PowerShell profile. I was amazed by the number of cool things that were there. I thought, “Hmmmmm...” I have had a Windows PowerShell profile since the early beta days—back when it was called Monad. I hardly consider myself to be a noob, but I am also the first to admit that I...
PowerTip: Time Parts of PowerShell Scripts
Summary: Learn how to time different parts of your Windows PowerShell scripts. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find which parts of my script are taking the longest to complete so I can focus on improving them? Use the Measure-Command cmdlet to time any section of script in between two curly braces:Measure-Command {Start-Sleep -Seconds 5}Windows PowerShell automatically outputs the time for that section of script:Days : 0Hours ...
Weekend Scripter: PowerShell Speed Improvement Techniques
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Dan Sheehan, talks about speeding up Windows PowerShell scripts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back Dan Sheehan, who debuted yesterday as a new guest blogger with his post Best Practices for PowerShell Scripting in Shared Environment. Dan recently joined Microsoft as a senior premiere field engineer in the U.S. Public Sector team. Previously he served as an Enterprise Messaging team lead, and was an Exchange Server consultant for many years. Dan has been programming and scripting off and on for 20 years, and he has been working with Windows PowerShell since the relea...
PowerTip: Use Comment-Based Help in Shared Scripts
Summary: Learn how to leverage Windows PowerShell comment-based Help. How can I make my scripts easier to use when I share them with friends or colleagues? People do not need to open and analyze your script if you use the comment-based Help capabilities of Windows PowerShell. You can provide a description, explain the use of parameters, and provide a number of examples of script execution. Use the Get-Help cmdlet to access comment-based Help, use the name of your script, and choose &n...
Weekend Scripter: Best Practices for PowerShell Scripting in Shared Environment
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Dan Sheehan, shares Windows PowerShell scripting best practices for a shared environment. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I would like to welcome a new guest blogger, Dan Sheehan. Dan recently joined Microsoft as a senior premiere field engineer in the U.S. Public Sector team. Previously he served as an Enterprise Messaging team lead, and was an Exchange Server consultant for many years. Dan has been programming and scripting off and on for 20 years, and he has been working with Windows PowerShell since the release of Exchange Server 2007. Overall Dan has over 15 ye...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Status of Hyper-V
Summary: Learn to use Windows PowerShell to find the status of Hyper-V on your Windows 8.1 laptop. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the status of Hyper-V on my laptop running Windows 8.1? Use the Get-WindowsOptionalFeature cmdlet and choose the –Online option: Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName *hyper*
Troubleshooting PowerShell Scheduled Jobs
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about troubleshooting Windows PowerShell scheduled jobs. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This has been an awesome week at TechEd 2014 in Houston. I can avoid the "Houston we have a problem" joke for the simple reason that the Scripting Wife and I are on our way home to Charlotte, N.C. We saw a tremendous number of Windows PowerShell fans this week, and I can tell you that being the Scripting Guy is a lot of fun when representing a technology as awesome as Windows PowerShell. I mean, dude (or dudette), Windows PowerShell rocks, and it helps ...
PowerTip: View PowerShell Formatting Data
Summary: Learn how to view the formatting data for a Windows PowerShell type. How can I use Windows PowerShell to view the formatting data for a particular type? Examine the output from Get-Member to find the type you are interested in, then use the Get-FormatData cmdlet. Store the returned object in a variable and explore it the way you do any other Windows PowerShell object. $f=Get-FormatData -TypeName ModuleInfoGrouping $f.FormatViewDefinition.control $f.FormatViewDefinition.Control.headers
Advanced PowerShell Scheduled Jobs
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about advanced aspects of Windows PowerShell scheduled jobs. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to look at some of the more advanced aspects of Windows PowerShell scheduled jobs. Windows PowerShell scheduled jobs do not have to be complicated. But because Windows PowerShell scheduled jobs are very flexible, there are many options. Running a scheduled job manually There are two ways to manually run a scheduled job instead of running it as an actual scheduled job with a trigger. The first way is to use the –RunNow parameter when creatin...
Day Three at Scripting Guys Booth–Microsoft TechEd 2014
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about day three at the Scripting Guys booth at TechEd 2014 in Houston, Texas. Today the crowds at the Scripting Guys booth continued. Windows PowerShell MVPs, Don Jones, Steve Murawski, Teresa Wilson, and Sean Kearney were on hand at different times. One of the common questions today was about using Windows PowerShell to work with printers...installing printer drivers, configuring printer ports, and connections. Many people came by to say thank you for writing the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog, or to get their book signed. Marc Adam Carter had a good conversation wit...
PowerTip: Check Status of PowerShell Scheduled Jobs
Summary: Learn how to check the status of Windows PowerShell scheduled jobs. How can I use Windows PowerShell to check the status of a Windows PowerShell scheduled job? Use the Get-Job cmdlet.
Ask the Experts at TechEd 2014 in Houston
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about Ask the Experts at TechEd 2014 in Houston, Texas. Oh man, dude, dude, dude (or dudette). Ask the Experts last night was totally awesome. The Scripting Guys and the Windows PowerShell team had three tables. We occupied an entire section, we had all the seats at the tables filled, and people were standing around in the aisles talking about Windows PowerShell. It was a total geek night. So, at 6:00 last night, they let the table owners (me and the Scripting Wife) come in. A few minutes after we found our tables and set out our signs, our experts began filterin...
Use PowerShell to Create Job that Runs at Startup
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about creating a job that runs at startup. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the needs that never seems to change is the need to run a startup script. In the old days, that meant placing a .bat or .vbs file in a startup folder, or listing it in the RUN key in the user folder. But those techniques do not work with Windows PowerShell scripts. That is because, by default, the .ps1 file extension is not associated with PowerShell.exe, but rather, with the ISE or Notepad. Of course you can change this, but it is not recommended. In Windows PowerShell...
Morning and Afternoon–Second Day at TechEd
Summary: Microsoft scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the morning and afternoon of the second day at TechEd 2014 in Houston, Texas. Today was an awesome time at the Scripting Guys booth at TechEd 2014. As it turns out, on Monday we talked to over 1,500 people. Today, we talked to another 1,500 people. In fact, all copies of the Desired State Configuration booklet the PowerShell.org people printed up are now gone. That was 3,000 copies. If you missed out, you can download a copy from the PowerShell.org web site. Here are the two who received the last two copies of the DSC book. We had a lot of questions about ...
PowerTip: View and Keep Results of PowerShell Job
Summary: Learn how to view and keep the results of a Windows PowerShell job. Every time I view the results of a Windows PowerShell job, I lose them. How can I save the results for viewing later? Use the –Keep parameter on the Receive-Job cmdlet. In this example, I look at the results from Job 2, and keep the results for later use: Receive-Job -id 2 -Keep
What Happens to PowerShell Scheduled Job After Reboot?
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, continues his discussion about Windows PowerShell scheduled jobs. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Last night was the Expo floor meet-and-greet at TechEd in Houston. It was a crazy time, and we had literally thousands of people stopping by to say "hi," and to meet up with other Windows PowerShell peeps. It was an awesome opportunity to hang out with so many people who are interested in using Windows PowerShell. The cool thing is that many people had already read yesterday’s post about Windows PowerShell scheduled jobs, and several had questi...
TechEd 2014 Expo Hall Reception
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the Expo Hall at TechEd 2014 in Houston, Texas. Wow…we were, in a word, mobbed. During the entire two and a half hours that the TechEd Expo reception was going on tonight, we were mobbed. It may have been (in fact, was probably), due to our two special guests Jeffrey Snover and Mark Minasi. There were so many people lined up to see and to talk to Jeffrey, that he actually ended up staying for over an hour and a half. At one point Mark and Jeffrey were sitting side-by-side at the Scripting Guys Booth and tag teaming questions. I overheard one pe...
The Scripting Guys Booth at Tech Ed 2014–Morning of Day One
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the Scripting Guys booth on the first morning of TechEd 2014. Wow! It is 2:00 in the afternoon, Houston time, and we finally had a chance to sit down. The Exhibit Hall is closed for a few hours to give us a chance to rest and get ready for the evening reception. From the time the hall opened, right after the Keynote address, until now, there was a constant stream of people coming by the Scripting Guys Booth. Marc Adam Carter is helping out at the Scripting Guys Booth this year, and he was immediately swamped with people coming up and asking questions ...
PowerTip: Find Network Adapters Bound to TCP/IP v4
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find network adapters that are bound to TCP/IP v4. How can I use Windows PowerShell on my computer running Windows 8.1 to find protocol binding information about network adapters that are bound to TCP/IP v4? Use the Get-NetAdapterBinding function, and filter on the DisplayName parameter for things that look like *tcp/ipv4*: Get-NetAdapterBinding -DisplayName *IPv4*
Introduction to PowerShell Scheduled Jobs
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, introduces the Windows PowerShell scheduled job feature. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. In all the hubbub about all the great features introduced in Windows PowerShell 3.0, one (actually more than one) feature was somewhat overlooked. With Windows PowerShell 3.0 bringing features such as workflow, PowerShell Web Access, support for disconnected sessions, CIM cmdlets, updatable Help, module auto loading, and improved Windows PowerShell ISE, it was really understandable that the scheduled job feature was simply overlooked by nearly everyone. This ...
PowerTip: Convert Character Array to String
Summary: Easily convert a character array to a string in Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to convert data that is returning as an array of characters instead of as a single string? Use the unary operator, and pass the array. In the following example, the first command returns an array of characters, and the next the unary operator converts the character array to a single string: PS C:\> $a = (get-module -l)[0].Path | split-path -Parent PS C:\> $a[0] C PS C:\> $b = (,$a) PS C:\> $b[0] C:\Users\ed\Docum...
Scripting Guys Booth Setup at TechEd
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about booth setup at TechEd. WooHoo! It is finally here. This morning, the Scripting Wife and I boarded the shuttle bus to the Houston Convention Center to finish the booth setup, and to sign-off on our booth. We breezed through registration, got our badges and alumni stickers, and headed to the Convention Center exhibition floor. The Scripting Guys booth is in the Resource Zone. The best way to enter is through Hall D...assuming they let you come in that way. Other wise, you need to enter through Hall C, and immediately turn right at the Net App booth. You are l...
Weekend Scripter: Houston, We Don’t Have a Problem…
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about setting up for TechEd 2014. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Yesterday, the Scripting Wife and I flew to Houston for TechEd 2014. We went to the Convention Center, to ensure our shipments arrived on time, and to get the lay of the land, so to speak. Today, we are back at the Convention Center putting the finishing touches on the Scripting Guys booth, and meeting with our booth helpers: Marc Adam Carter and Jaap Brasser. We are also sharing our space again this year with the folks from PowerShell.org, and therefore Don Jones and Jason Helmick are...
Arrived in Houston for TechEd 2014
Summary: Ed Wilson talks about arriving in Houston for TechEd 2014. The Scripting Wife and I arrived in Houston for TechEd 2014. Luckily, we were upgraded on our flight out, and I was able to use my new Surface 2 Pro to work on some PowerTips for future Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. Teresa (aka Scripting Wife) decided to play a little game and guess who on the plane was heading to TechEd. Some of the people made it easy. Well duh, they were wearing a TechEd 2013 T-shirt. For others, it was tougher. At any rate, the flight out was uneventful. I was really impressed with the life I obtained on my Microsoft Surfac...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Grandparent of Path
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily find the grandparent of a path. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find a directory that is two levels up in a nested path? Use the Split-Path cmdlet and pipe the results to Split-Path. In the following example, the path to a Windows PowerShell module is split, and then the parent of that path is split again: (get-module -l)[0].Path | split-path -Parent | Split-Path -Parent
Weekend Scripter: Introducing Script Browser and Script Analyzer
Summary: Scott Ge and Bill Grauer share new Windows PowerShell resources: Script Browser and Script Analyzer. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blog from Scott Ge and Bill Grauer from Microsoft Customer Service and Support. Take it away Scott and Bill… To write quality script to automate IT, we often want to reference some reliable script samples or invite experts to review the script and provide suggestions. Looking for reliable script samples requires numerous copying and pasting, and switching between webpages and the scripting environment. Additionally, a script re...
PowerTip: Sort a PowerShell Array
Summary: Learn how to easily sort an array of numbers by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily sort an array of numbers stored in a variable? Use the Sort static method from the [array] .NET Framework class: $a = 1,5,3,8,2,12 [array]::sort($a)
PowerShell Looping: The Continue Statement
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the Continue statement in looping. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Dude, dude, dude (or dudette). TechEd 2014 is nearly here. Tomorrow the Scripting Wife and I jump onto a big old hairy plane and head to Houston, Texas for TechEd 2014 North America. We will head to the Convention Center, and begin the task of assembling the Scripting Guys booth. Look for pictures and ad hoc Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts as I try to help you join into the virtual awesomeness that is TechEd. If you are going to be there, make sure you keep up-to-date wit...
PowerTip: Verify If File Changes by Computing Hash
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell and compute a hash to verify if a file changes. How can I use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8.1 to ensure that my Windows PowerShell profile does not change without me knowing it? Use the Get-FileHash cmdlet and store the returned object somewhere (for example, export it to an XML file, or store the hash in a file or in the registry). When you suspect changes, use the Get-FileHash cmdlet again, and compare the two objects by using the Co...
PowerShell Looping: Advanced Break
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about additional uses for the Break statement in looping. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, it is cool and the sun is barely up. I am sipping a cup of English Breakfast tea with a spoonful of spearmint and peppermint leaves, and a cinnamon stick. I have my new Surface Power Cover keyboard with my new Surface 2 Pro, and I am sitting on the lanai checking my scripter@microsoft.com email account. One thing that is funny about the Surface Power Cover is that it is selling at a premium price from various outlets on Amazon. The Scripting Wife w...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Firmware of Virtual Machines
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the firmware version of your virtual machines on Hyper-V. How can I use Windows PowerShell to check the version of firmware on my second-generation virtual machines running Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012 R2? Use the Get-VM cmdlet to find your second generation virtual machines, then pipe the virtual machine objects to the Get-VMFirmware cmdlet: get-vm | where generation -eq 2 | Get-VMFirmware Note This command requires admin rights.
PowerShell Looping: Basics of the Break
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the basics of using the Break statement in a Windows PowerShell loop. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Hmmm, it seems that the Scripting Wife and I just returned from the Windows PowerShell Summit, and yet in four days, we are leaving for TechEd in Houston. Oh, wait. We DID just return from the Windows PowerShell summit. Dude, it rocked, too. We are so looking forward to TechEd. Make sure you stop by the Scripting Guys booth and say "hi." Hey, come hang out at the Scripting Guys booth all week. We have a number of way cool guests who will be s...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Virtual Machine BIOS Information
Summary: Find BIOS information about your virtual machines by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the bios information for a number of older virtual machines running Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012 R2? Identify the first generation virtual machines, then pipe the results to the Get-VMBios cmdlet: get-vm | where generation -eq 1 | Get-VMBios Note This command requires admin rights.
PowerShell Looping: Understanding and Using Do…Until
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about understanding and using the Do…Until loop. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Scripting Wife and I are busy getting ready for TechEd 2014 North America, which will be in Houston, Texas this year. It kicks off this Sunday with registration and preconference sessions. This year, TechEd sold out several weeks prior to the event, so there is lots of excitement built up around this event. The Scripting Wife posted her Ideal TechEd Schedule, the Meet and Greet Schedule for the Scripting Guys booth, and a map so you can Find the Scripting Guy...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Obtain BranchCache Status
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to obtain the status of BranchCache on a computer running Windows 8. How can I use Windows PowerShell to simplify the process of troubleshooting issues with BranchCache on several desktops? Create a CIM session to the troublesome computers, and use the Get-BCStatus function to return the status information: $cim = New-Cimsession –computername c1, c2, c3 –credential nwtraders\administrator Get-BCStatus –cimsession $cim
PowerShell Looping: Understanding and Using Do…While
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the Do…While statement in Windows PowerShell scripts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Last week, the Scripting Wife and I were at the Windows PowerShell Summit in Bellevue, Washington. It was an awesome week. We got to reconnect with many old friends, and we also made new ones. I delivered three sessions on Wednesday. Needless to say, I was a bit tired. In fact, the entire week was tiring. I am talking about 16-hour days, and a three-hour time zone change kind of tired. But the energy was buzzing around; and therefore, it was aweso...
PowerTip: Test Certificate by Using PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8.1 to test a certificate. How can I test a certificate to ensure that it is OK in Windows 8.1? Open the Windows PowerShell console with admin rights, use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet to retrieve certificates using the certificate provider, pipe the certificates to the Test-Certificate, and specify the test to run. The following command tests a certificate for SSL use with the specified DNS name: Get-ChildItem -Path Cert:\LocalMachine\my | Test-Certificate -Policy SSL &...
Weekend Scripter: Find the Scripting Guys Booth at TechEd 2014
Summary: The Scripting Wife shares the location of the Scripting Guys booth at TechEd 2014 in Houston. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, aka The Scripting Wife, shares the location of the Scripting Guys booth at TechEd 2014. Take it away Teresa… Hello everyone. If you have never been to an event at the Houston Convention Center, you have missed out on a special treat. This venue is huge. TechEd 2014 is huge. In fact, it sold out weeks ago. This will be an incredible event, and I am excited to be part of it. As you may know, there are many way cool thi...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create Self-Signed Certificate
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8.1 to create a self-signed certificate. How can I create a self-signed certificate in Windows 8.1 for testing purposes? Use the New-SelfSignedCertificate function from the PKI module, and specify DNSName and a certificate store location: New-SelfSignedCertificate -DnsName www.nwtraders.com -CertStoreLocation Cert:\LocalMachine\My Note This function requires that you start the Windows PowerShell console with admin rights.
Scripting Guys Booth Guest Meet and Greet Schedule for TechEd 2014
Summary: The Scripting Wife shares the guest list for the Scripting Guys booth at TechEd 2014. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson (aka The Scripting Wife) is back with us today to share the schedule for guests that will be at the Scripting Guys booth in at TechEd 2014 in Houston. Hello again! I have a working schedule to share with you regarding who you can find at the Scripting Guys booth at specific times. Keep in mind that some of these people may be there at other times, and you are always welcome to stop by to chat. We are sharing the booth with the f...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Remove Mapping to Share
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to remove mapping to a SMB file share. How can I use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8.1 to remove mapping to an SMB file share? Use the Remove-SMBMapping cmdlet, specify either the local path or the remote path, and use the –Force parameter to suppress prompts: Remove-SmbMapping -LocalPath j: -Force
Scripting Wife Creates Ideal TechEd 2014 Schedule
Summary: The Scripting Wife creates her ideal Windows PowerShell TechEd 2014 schedule. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blogger, Windows PowerShell MVP, Teresa Wilson, aka the Scripting Wife. Take it away, Teresa… Hello my Windows PowerShell friends. I am so excited! We just returned from the Windows PowerShell Summit, and next week, we get to go to TechEd NA. I will be at the Scripting Guys booth in the Resource Zone during the hours the Expo Hall is open. I will probably leave only long enough to eat lunch because I hate to miss out on seeing everyone who comes by the bo...
PowerTip: Close Open SMB File Shares with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to close open SMB file shares in Windows 8.1 with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to close a number of SMB file shares that I have open? Open the Windows PowerShell console with admin rights, and use the Close-SMBOpenFile function: Close-SmbOpenFile To avoid prompting, use the –Force parameter: Close-SmbOpenFile -Force
PowerShell Looping: The Automatic Foreach
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about Windows PowerShell and the automatic Foreach feature. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of my favorite features in Windows PowerShell (since Windows PowerShell 3.0) is what I call the automatic Foreach. Basically, it means that I can access a particular property of a collection by direct access; and therefore, I avoid having to use a Foreach to enumerate through the collection. Note This is Part 4 of a four-part series about looping. Today, I conclude the series by talking about the automatic Foreach f...
PowerTip: Use Windows PowerShell to Find Open Files
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 4.0 in Windows 8.1 to find open SMB file shares. How can I use Windows PowerShell 4.0 to find open SMB file shares on my Windows 8.1 computer? Open the Windows PowerShell console with admin rights, and use the Get-SMBOpenFile function to list all open SMB file shares: Get-SmbOpenFile
PowerShell Looping: Using While
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about Windows PowerShell looping and looks at using the While statement. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things that I see with people coming to Windows PowerShell from VBScript or some other language, is that they seem to like to use the While statement. While there is nothing wrong with While or Do While Loop, or even Do, these are not the easiest things to use in Windows PowerShell. Note This is Part 3 of a four-part series about looping. Today I will talk about using While to loop through a colle...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Show State of Scheduled Tasks
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to show scheduled jobs that are ready to run. How can I use Windows PowerShell 4.0 to find scheduled jobs that are ready to run on my Windows 8.1 computer? Use the Get-ScheduledTask cmdlet and filter for a state that is equal to ready: Get-ScheduledTask | where state -eq 'ready'
PowerShell Looping: Using the Foreach-Object Cmdlet
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the Foreach-Object cmdlet in Part 2 of the Looping Week series. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to address a major point of confusion for newbie Windows PowerShell scripters. That point is the Foreach-Object cmdlet. Part of the confusion comes with the alias, Foreach, which is the same as the command name, Foreach. But that is only part of the confusion. For people trying to come to grips with looping through a collection, adding the Foreach-Object cmdlet into the mixture is just asking for trouble. Or asking for help. A...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find USB Drives
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 4.0 function to find USB drives on Windows 8.1. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find how many drives attached to my system are using USB interfaces? Open Windows PowerShell 4.0 in Windows 8.1 with admin rights, use the Get-Disk function to find all disk objects, and then filter for a bustype of USB: get-disk | where bustype -eq 'usb'
Basics of PowerShell Looping: Foreach
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the Windows PowerShell Foreach statement to loop through a collection. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. When the Scripting Wife and I were in Amsterdam, Windows PowerShell MVP, Jeff Wouters, told me that a lot of people he ran across had problems looping through collections with Windows PowerShell. Here is a picture of Jeff and me. Basics of looping Looping is a fundamental Windows PowerShell concept. Actually, I take that back. It is a fundamental concept of any programing language, even batch languages. So what is the problem? Mos...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Expiring Certificates
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find certificates that are about to expire. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find certificates that are going to expire within 30 days? Use the certificate provider and the dynamic parameter –ExpiringInDays: Get-ChildItem cert:\currentUser –Recurse –ExpiringInDays 30
Weekend Scripter: Geeking Out at PowerShell Summit
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about geeking out at the Windows PowerShell summit in Bellevue, Washington. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things that proves that Windows PowerShell is not going away any time soon (in case you were wondering) is that Windows PowerShell has its own conference. It also has its own user community, and its own community-sponsored organization. This week kicks off the Windows PowerShell Summit in Bellevue, Washington. I am speaking at two sessions, and the Windows PowerShell team is presenting about six sessions. There are people coming from...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Look Up Variable Values
Summary: Look up variable values in the caller’s scope. I’m writing a Windows PowerShell advanced function in a script module. How can I look up the value of variables set in my caller’s scope? Use the $PSCmdlet.GetVariableValue() method: [CmdletBinding()] param ( ) $variableValue = $PSCmdlet.GetVariableValue(‘variableName’)
Weekend Scripter: Access PowerShell Preference Variables
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Dave Wyatt, talks about accessing caller preference variables. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I would like to welcome a new guest blogger and new Windows PowerShell MVP, Dave Wyatt. Dave has worked in the IT field for about 14 years as a software developer and a systems administrator/engineer. He started by writing software in C++ before switching career paths, but he has been writing batch, VBScript, and Windows PowerShell scripts ever since, to scratch his “developer itch.” ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Dates of Last Defender Scans
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the dates of the last Windows Defender scans. How can I use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8 to find the dates of the last quick scan and full scan from Windows Defender? Use the Get-MpComputerStatus cmdlet and select properties ending in the word age: Get-MpComputerStatus | select *age
Use PowerShell to Find Operating System Version
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find the version of his Windows operating system. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is not a secret that I love Windows PowerShell. It is not a secret that I also love Windows 8.1 especially on my Surface Pro 2. Disclaimer: I bought my Surface Pro 2 myself at the Microsoft Store in the mall. I paid the same price as everyone else does, and Istood in line to make the purchase just like everyone else does. I did so because I wanted one to take with me on my five week trip to Europe. It absolutely rocked...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Defender Update Status
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display Windows Defender update status. How can I use Windows PowerShell to check the update status of Windows Defender on my computer running Windows 8.1? Use the Get-MPComputerStatus cmdlet and select properties that contain the word Updated: Get-MpComputerStatus | select *updated
Create and Manage SharePoint Online Sites by Using PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Corey Roth, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create and manage SharePoint online sites. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest post by SharePoint MVP, Corey Roth. Corey will be presenting at TechEd 2014 this year in Houston, and he has taken the time to share his thoughts with us today. Here is a little bit about Corey: Corey Roth is an independent SharePoint consultant specializing in solutions in the Oil and Gas industry. Corey is a four-time recipient of the Microsoft MVP award in SharePoint Server. He has always focused on rapid adoption of new M...
PowerTip: Convert JSON File to PowerShell Object
Summary: Easily convert a JSON file to a Windows PowerShell object. How do I convert a JSON file to a Windows PowerShell object? Use the Get-Content cmdlet with the Raw parameter: Get-Content -Raw -Path <jsonFile>.json | ConvertFrom-Json
JSON Is the New XML
Summary: June Blender provides a primer about JSON. Honorary Scripting Guy, June Blender, here. Today I'm going to introduce you to JSON. June is a writer for the Azure Active Directory SDK. She is also a frequent contributor to the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog and for PowerShell.org. She lives in magnificent Escalante, Utah, where she works remotely when she's not out hiking, kayaking, or convincing lost tourists to try Windows PowerShell. She believes that outstanding documentation is a collaborative effort, and she welcomes your comments and contributions. Follow her on Twitter at @juneb_get_help. To rea...
PowerTip: Find Largest File in User Profile with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the largest file in your user profile. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the largest file in my user profile? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet (dir is an alias for the Get-ChildItem), do a recursive search of your user profile directory, then sort the files by size and select the last file: dir $env:USERPROFILE -Recurse -File | sort length | select -last 1
Remediate Active Directory Members that Don't Support LVR
Summary: Ian Farr talks about using Windows PowerShell to find and remediate Active Directory members that don’t support linked-value replication. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we welcome back Microsoft PFE, Ian Farr, as our guest blogger. To read more of Ian's previous guest posts, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. Ian has also started blogging at PoSh Chap. The keyboard is yours, Ian. This post is a new take on an old challenge… The final cut Like one of my favorite films, Active Directory has stood the test of time. It’s grown over the years with new functio...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Size of User Profile
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the size of your user profile. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the size of my user profile and to see the size of the largest file in my profile? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet, recurse through your profile directory, pipe the results to the Measure-Object cmdlet, select the Length property, and add Sum and Maximum. This command measures the ED directory, and dir is an alias for Get-ChildItem: PS C:\Users> dir .\ed -Recurse ...
PowerShell and TFS: The Basics and Beyond
Summary: Learn about Windows PowerShell and Team Foundation Server. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am happy to introduce a new guest blogger, Susan Ferrell. Susan has spent most of her professional life working with computers, from basement tech startups to high-end datacenters. She’s a senior technical writer at Microsoft. Hi all! Susan here. Unlike most of you reading this, administering Team Foundation Server (TFS) is my primary focus, not Windows PowerShell. In fact, I was pretty much a Windows PowerShell novice until a month ago. However, less than a half hour into my first Window...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Modules
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find Windows PowerShell modules. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find out what modules are available on my system? Use the Get-Module cmdlet and specify the –ListAvailable option: Get-Module -ListAvailable
Weekend Scripter: Exploring PowerShell Modules
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to explore Windows PowerShell modules. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things I really, really, really like about Windows PowerShell is the fact that it is self-discoverable. I mean, I can use Windows PowerShell to explore Windows PowerShell and to learn about Windows PowerShell. One of the neat features introduced in Windows PowerShell 3.0 was the automatic loading of Windows PowerShell modules. This was an essential feature given the explosion of Windows PowerShell modules that shipped with Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. In Windows Power...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Pause Execution
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to pause execution for a specific time to wait for a process to exit. I have a process that normally exits within four seconds, and I want to pause the execution of my script to wait for this process to exit. If it does not exit in time, I want an error to occur. How can I easily do this? Use the Wait-Process cmdlet and specify the name of the process and the wait time: Wait-Process -Timeout 4 -Name notepad In this command, if Notepad does not exit within four seconds, and error occurs.
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Hide Processes in Windows
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to easily hide processes in Windows. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things I used to have problems with when I was a network administrator, was running scripts on systems without a text box demanding attention from the user. In fact, the power users quickly discovered that if they simply clicked the big X button, they could exempt themselves from my scripts. I soon found out that there was a program I could use to hide the dialogs from the users. It worked, but the program was expensive, and it required a pe...
PowerTip: List All Running Tasks in Windows 8.1
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8.1 to show all running tasks in Task Scheduler. Sometimes I get CPU spikes on a server. As part of troubleshooting, I need to know the processes and which are scheduled tasks. Is there a way for Windows PowerShell to show me which tasks are running now? Use the Get-ScheduledTask cmdlet and filter on the State:Get-ScheduledTask | Where { $_.State –eq ‘Running’ }
Windows 8.1 and the Land of Forgotten Modules: Part 5
Summary: Explore and discover the additional Windows PowerShell modules in Windows 8.1. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here this week. Today, I'll wrap up our journey into the land of modules that are part of Windows 8.1. You also might enjoy reading: Today I’m going to investigate a module that I find particularly useful. One I would have dived over the table for this in my last job. Today, it's the Scheduled Tasks module. Let me grab the PowerShell can open…err…I mean, Get-Command, and crack open that module: Get-Command –Module ScheduledTasks Right off ...
PowerTip: List all Local Printers in Windows 8.1
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8.1 to list locally attached printers. How can I use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8.1 to give me a list of network-connected printers? Use the Get-Printer cmdlet and filter on the type of connection: Get-Printer | Where { $_.Type –eq ‘Connection’ }
Windows 8.1 and the Land of Forgotten Modules: Part 4
Summary: Explore and discover the additional Windows PowerShell modules in Windows 8.1. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here this week. Today's post is the fourth in a series, and today we’re going to delve in the wonders of the Print Management module for Window PowerShell! You also might enjoy reading: It might seem like a simple idea, but I prefer to keep as much to the console as possible. It makes any task I do easily repeatable—even something as simple as identifying printers, features, and drivers, or controlling print jobs, if needed. For that purpose, Windows 8.1 comes...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Audit Shares
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8.1 to audit shares on a workstation. Is there an easy way to use Windows PowerShell to identify shares on a workstation and who has access to them? Use a combination of the Get-SMBShare and Get-SMBShareAccess cmdlets: Get-SMBShare | Get-SMBShareAccess
Windows 8.1 and the Land of Forgotten Modules: Part 3
Summary: Explore and discover the additional Windows PowerShell modules in Windows 8.1. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here this week unwrapping more of these little modules I have found in my shiny new Windows 8.1 operating system. You also might enjoy reading: We’ll take a look at a module that’s available on both the workstation and the server. One that is particularly handy for those of us who deal with smaller peer-to-peer environments. I speak of no other module than SMBShare. SMBShare contains all of the cmdlets you’ll ever need to set up and manage shares. This in...
PowerTip: Enable IIS in Windows 8.1 with PowerShell
Summary: Use the DISM cmdlets to enable the built-in IIS component in Windows 8.1. Is there a quick and easy way to enable IIS in Windows 8.1on my developer laptops? With Windows 8.1, you only need to enter one line in Windows PowerShell: Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature –online –featurename IIS-WebServerRole
Windows 8.1 and the Land of Forgotten Modules: Part 2
Summary: Explore and discover the additional Windows PowerShell modules in Windows 8.1. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here this week to go where no Scripter has boldly gone before! Into the modules that are often overlooked in Windows 8.1! “Dude! No!” “Dude, yes!” Yesterday we saw that Windows PowerShell allows you to manage settings for search and for Windows Defender. These settings could even be stored from machine to machine in an XML file to set up standard configurations in a peer-to-peer environment. For more, see Windows 8.1 and the Land of Forgotten Modul...
PowerTip: Update Windows Defender with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell cmdlets in Windows 8.1 to update the antivirus definitions. How can I use Windows PowerShell, rather than navigating the GUI, to force updates for Windows Defender? In Windows 8.1, you can execute the following cmdlet and bring the Windows Defender up to date: Update-MPSignature
Windows 8.1 and the Land of Forgotten Modules: Part 1
Summary: Explore and discover the additional Windows PowerShell modules in Windows 8.1. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here this week to have a little interesting fun. We’re going to dive undercover and take a look at some of the additional modules that are built-in to Windows 8.1 that you may not be aware of. Or possibly you were, but you’re like me—you looked at that big pile of modules and had one word to say: “Whoa!” Or if you were Ed, it would be, “Whoa! Dude!” But today I had some time to play about, and I decided to see what each module could do...
PowerTip: List Contents of DNS Zone with PowerShell
Summary: Use the DNS server cmdlets in Windows Server 2012 R2 to show contents of a zone. I used to take screenshots and print screens to document my DNS server zones. Can I do this with Windows PowerShell? To list all zones in a DNS server, in Windows Server 2012 R2 use the Get-DNSServerZone Windows PowerShell cmdlet.
Windows Server 2012 R2 Network Cmdlets: Part 7
Summary: Manage DNS server settings with Windows PowerShell in Windows Server 2012 R2. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here. Our final part of the Windows PowerShell Network Week series has arrived. You also might enjoy reading: Today I’m going to show you a couple of really cool and easy ways to work with your DNS server. These are things I never had working in the field that would have made my life easier. I remember going to sites and wishing I had an easy way to pull the configuration of a DNS server and store it away for later use. Well, now I can! Built into Windows Server 2012&n...
PowerTip: List DHCP Server Clients with PowerShell
Summary: Use the DHCP server cmdlets in Windows Server 2012 R2 to show current clients. How can I use Windows PowerShell to show my current DHCP server clients? Use the Get-DHCPServerv4scope and Get-DHCPServerv4Lease cmdlets piped together: Get-DHCPServerv4scope | Get-DHCPServerv4Lease
Windows Server 2012 R2 Network Cmdlets: Part 6
Summary: Manage DHCP server settings in Windows Server 2012 R2 with Windows PowerShell. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here. This weekend, I’m getting a little geeky. I’m going to continue with more of Windows PowerShell and the network cmdlets. This is the sixth part in a series called Windows PowerShell Network Week. You also might enjoy reading: Today I’m going to investigate the cool new cmdlets for managing the DHCP server! Oh I wish I had these at my last job! We were deploying new workstations and imaging systems. For this to work, I needed to send a Wake on Lan to the wo...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get DNS Settings
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to retrieve local DNS server addresses. With IPconfig, I used to pipe output to the FIND command to filter only DNS information. Is there a better way to do this in Windows Server 2012 R2? Use the Get-DnsClientServerAddress cmdlet: Get-DnsClientServerAddress | Select-Object –ExpandProperty ServerAddresses
Windows Server 2012 R2 Network Cmdlets: Part 5
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to work with IP addresses and DNS. Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I add the DNS settings to the network adapter in Windows Server 2012 R2? I’m a little lost on this one. —RJ Hello RJ, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today to pour out some more PowerShell love. This is the fifth part in a series called Windows PowerShell Network Week. You also might enjoy reading: I keep thinking of that line from Star Wars, “…and now the circle is complete.” Well, at least mostly for setting up a basic network configuration. We h...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get IP Addresses
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to retrieve IP addresses. Is there a way to use Windows PowerShell to check IP addresses without use IPconfig? In Windows Server 2012 R2, use the new Get-NetIPAddress cmdlet: Get-NetIPAddress If you like the output in a table, use: Get-NetIPAddress | Format-Table
Windows Server 2012 R2 Network Cmdlets: Part 4
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to work with IP addresses in Windows Server 2012 R2. Hey, Scripting Guy! Now that we have Windows PowerShell cmdlets to use throughout Windows Server 2012 R2, is there any easier way to assign IP addresses to network adapters? —EL Hello EL, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today, unlocking more of the Power of the network cmdlets. This is the fourth part in a series called Windows PowerShell Network Week. You also might enjoy reading: When I first tried script to set an IP address on a server, it was without good "fiend" (...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Rename Network Adapter
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to rename network adapters in Windows Server 2012 R2. Is there a way to use Windows PowerShell in Windows Server 2012 R2 to rename a network adapter? Use the Rename-NetAdapter cmdlet. For example, to rename the network adapter called “Ethernet” to “ManagementPort”: Rename-NetAdapter “Ethernet” –NewName “ManagementPort”
Windows Server 2012 R2 Network Cmdlets: Part 3
Summary: Use PowerShell to identify and disable network adapters in Windows Server 2012 R2. Hey, Scripting Guy! I would love to know if there is an easy way to work with my physical adapters in a Windows Server 2012 R2 environment. Specifically, can you show me which adapters are live? —TM Hello TM, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here today, unlocking more of the Power of the network cmdlets. This is the third part in a series called Windows PowerShell Network Week. You also might enjoy reading: Yesterday, we discovered that working with the Windows Firewall wit...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to List Firewall Rules
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to list firewall rules configured in Windows Server 2012 R2. How can I use Windows PowerShell to show the inbound firewall rules in Windows Server 2012 R2 that are enabled? Use the Get-NetFirewallRule cmdlet to get the entire list, and then filter on the Enabled and Direction properties: Get-NetFirewallRule | Where { $_.Enabled –eq ‘True’ –and $_.Direction –eq ‘Inbound’ }
Windows Server 2012 R2 Network Cmdlets: Part 2
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to enable, disable, and configure firewall rules in Windows Server 2012 R2. Hey, Scripting Guy! I see there are some new Windows PowerShell cmdlets for managing the built-in Windows Server 2012 R2 firewall. Could you lend a friend a hand and give me some help in learning how to use them? —JD Hello JD, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here, delving further into the wonderful world of Windows PowerShell and the new network cmdlets. This is the second part in a series called Windows PowerShell Network Week. You also might enjoy reading Win...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get List of Network Teams
Summary: Learn how to use the NetSwitchTeam module in Windows PowerShell to list network teams. How can I use Windows PowerShell in Windows Server 2012 R2 to list all the network teams? Use the Get-NetSwitchTeam cmdlet: GET-NetSwitchTeam …or to show all teams starting with the name Prod: GET-NetSwitchTeam –name “Prod*”
Windows Server 2012 R2 Network Cmdlets: Part 1
Summary: Discover Windows PowerShell cmdlets and modules in Windows Server 2012 R2 for networking. Hey, Scripting Guy! I used to use netsh.exe to try to automate my server configurations. I can deal with it, but I heard that you can do a lot of this with Windows PowerShell in Windows Server 2012 R2. Do you know how I figure out which cmdlets to use? —BP Hello BP, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here. Today kicks off Windows PowerShell Network Week. I’m going to introduce a new and better way to manage networking in the Windows Server environment by using t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Known Colors
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to find all known colors on your computer. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find known colors on my computer and their hex representations? Use the Add-Type cmdlet as follows: Add-Type –assemblyName PresentationFramework [windows.media.colors] | Get-Member -static -Type Property | Select -Expand Name| ForEach { [pscustomobject] @{ ARGB = "$([windows.media.colors]::$_)" Color = $_ } } ARGB &n...
Weekend Scripter: Build a Clock Widget by Using PowerShell and WPF
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to use Windows PowerShell to build a clock widget. Honorary Scripting Guy, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. Here's a bit about me: Boe Prox is a Microsoft MVP in Windows PowerShell and a senior Windows system administrator. He has worked in the IT field since 2003, and he supports a variety of different platforms. He is a contributing author in PowerShell Deep Dives with chapters about WSUS and TCP communication. He is a moderator on the Hey, Scripting Guy! forum, and he has been a judge for the Scripting Games since 2010. He re...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to List Only Directories
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to show all directories. How can I use Windows PowerShell to list ONLY directories in a folder structure? Use Get-ChildItem on the target folder and specify the Directory parameter: Get-ChildItem C:\Foo –recurse -directory
Weekend Scripter: Organize Music Collection with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell and free utilities to clean up your directory structure and organize MP3s. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here. Today I was staring at a big pile of MP3s on my computer. It was actually a consolidation from several different machines. Old Media Player stuff, junk from a previous iTunes installation from years back, some things my kids had. There are probably duplicates and untagged MP3s. And add to that… I had some from a Windows Home Server that had a drive system go “funny” because I (in my great and powerful wisdom as an ITpro who would try anything ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Pop-Up Window
Summary: Learn how to display a pop-up window by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display a pop-up window to a user when a script or function has completed? There are several ways to display a pop-up window, but the following command doesn’t require loading assemblies prior to creating the window: $wshell = New-Object -ComObject Wscript.Shell $wshell.Popup("Operation Completed",0,"Done",0x1) Note For more information, see Popup Method.
Build a Tool that Uses Constrained PowerShell Endpoint
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to create a tool that can leverage a remote constrained endpoint to perform a task. Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I create a tool that my Help Desk admins can use to audit and restart services, while limiting their access to the server? —TJ Hello SH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the final part in a series of five posts about Remoting Endpoints. The series includes: To wrap up our week about Windows PowerShell remoting endpoints, I am going to apply the knowledge that I shared this week to c...
PowerTip: Restore Default PSSession Endpoints
Summary: Learn how to restore default PSSession endpoints. How do I restore my default PSSession endpoints if I accidently unregistered them? Use Enable-PSRemoting to automatically rebuild the remote endpoints on your system: Get-PSSessionConfiguration Enable-PSRemoting –Force #Now try it again Get-PSSessionConfiguration Name : Microsoft.PowerShell PSVersion : 4.0 StartupScript : RunAsUser : Permission : BUILTINAdministrators AccessAllowed, BUILTINRemote Manage...
Use Delegated Administration and Proxy Functions
Summary: Boe Prox shows how to create a secure PSSession endpoint by using delegated administration and a proxy function. Hey, Scripting Guy! There are some great things that I can do with a constrained Windows PowerShell endpoint. But I want to allow a user (who may not have the necessary rights) to run a query on a remote system. Is this possible? —KP Hello SH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the fourth part in a series of five posts about Remoting Endpoints. The series includes: Building a constrained Windows PowerS...
PowerTip: Test a PSSession Configuration File
Summary: Learn how to test a PSSession configuration file. How do I ensure that my PSSession configuration is valid? Use the Test-PSSessionConfigurationFile cmdlet to see if the file is valid (True) or not (False). Test-PSSessionConfigurationFile –Path ConstrainedSession.pssc True
Build Constrained PowerShell Endpoint Using Configuration File
Summary: Boe Prox teaches you how to build a constrained endpoint by using a configuration file. Hey, Scripting Guy!, is there a better way to lock down my remote endpoint by using something other than a startup script? —SH Hello SH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the third part in a series of five posts about Remoting Endpoints. The series includes: In yesterday’s post, I was able to restrict the commands that are available from a remote Windows PowerShell session by using a startup script to create a constrain...
PowerTip: List Remote PowerShell Endpoint Configurations
Summary: Learn how to list remote Windows PowerShell endpoint configurations. How can I list remote Windows PowerShell endpoint configurations? Connect-WSMan -ComputerName dc1 sl WSMan: Get-ChildItem dc1\Plugin\microsoft* And here is the output: WSManConfig: Microsoft.WSMan.Management\WSMan::dc1\Plugin Type Keys &nb...
Build Constrained PowerShell Endpoint Using Startup Script
Summary: Learn how to build a constrained endpoint by using a startup script. Hey, Scripting Guy!, how do I lock-down my remote endpoint to only certain commands? —GH Honorary Scripting Guy, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the second part in a series of five posts about Remoting Endpoints. The series includes: As seen at the end of yesterday’s post, I was able to restrict the commands that are available from a remote Windows PowerShell session by using a constrained endpoint. Today I am going to show you how to create a constrained endpoint by usin...
PowerTip: Find Default Session Config Connection in PowerShell
Summary: Find the default session configuration connection in Windows PowerShell. How can I determine what default session configuration I can connect to? Use the $PSSessionConfigurationName automatic variable to view the default session configuration: PS C:\Users\Administrator> $PSSessionConfigurationNamehttp://schemas.microsoft.com/powershell/Microsoft.PowerShell
Introduction to PowerShell Endpoints
Summary: Learn about Windows PowerShell endpoints and how they relate to remoting. Hey, Scripting Guy! I keep hearing about Windows PowerShell endpoints and constrained endpoints related to remote management. Can you tell me more about these? —KP Hello, KP. Honorary Scripting Guy, Boe Prox, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. Here's a bit about me: Boe Prox is a Microsoft MVP in Windows PowerShell and a senior Windows system administrator. He has worked in the IT field since 2003, and he supports a variety of different platforms. He is a contributing author in ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Save Verbose Messages in Output File
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to save verbose messages from a script in an output file. How can I use Windows PowerShell to save the verbose messages from a script in an output file? Use the redirection operator that directs verbose messages (stream #4) to a file: PS C:\> .\MyScript.ps1 -Verbose 4> VerboseMessages.txt
Understanding Streams, Redirection, and Write-Host in PowerShell
Summary: June Blender explains how to understand and use streams in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today guest blogger, June Blender, explains how to understand and use streams in Windows PowerShell. To read more from June, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. Note Since the writing of this post, some of the information has changed with the introduction of the information stream in Windows PowerShell 5.0. Read about it here: Welcome to the Powershell Information Stream. And now, here's June... My first introduction to streams in computing was a really positive ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Internet Explorer Settings
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find Internet Explorer settings. How can I use Windows PowerShell to explorer the various settings for Internet Explorer? Use the Get-Item cmdlet and explore the Internet Explorer main hive for the current user: get-item 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main'
Weekend Scripter: Change Internet Explorer Start Page via PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to change the Internet Start page on his Microsoft Surface . Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is no secret that I love my Microsoft Surface. Just before our trip to Europe, I bought a nice Microsoft Surface Pro 2 with extra memory and disk space. The thing is fast and light. With my real-touch keyboard (left over from my Surface RT), it is a great laptop replacement. I love the fact that it has Windows PowerShell 4.0, and even the Windows PowerShell 4.0 ISE. To me it is great. I stuff it in my camera backpac...
PowerTip: Find Processes with Process ID Less Than 1000
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find processes with a process ID that is less than 1000. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find all processes that have a process ID less than 1000? Use the Get-Process cmdlet, pipe the resulting objects to the Select-Object cmdlet, choose the process name, and create a custom property that displays True if the process ID is less than 1000: Get-Process | select name, @{L='Pid below 1000';E={$_.pid -lt 1000}}
Manage Office 365 SharePoint with Modules
Summary: Learn how to use Office 365 SharePoint Online modules to manage Office 365 SharePoint. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. In a couple of days, the Scripting Wife and I will be at the Dutch PowerShell User Group in Amsterdam. If you are anywhere in the area, you should try to come and check it out. I will be making two presentations: There will be at least two Windows PowerShell MVPs in attendance, and it will be an all-day event beginning at 08:30 on April 2, 2014. Come check it out, you will be glad you did. Note This is the fifth in a series of Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts whe...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Check Validity of User Certificates
Summary: Learn how to quickly check user certificates by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to check the validity of user certificates without engaging in a manual process? Use the certificate provider to obtain a list of certificate objects, and pipe the results to the Test-Certificate cmdlet: gci Cert:\CurrentUser\my -Recurse | Test-Certificate -AllowUntrustedRoot
Use PowerShell to Manage Exchange Online in Office 365
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell implicit remoting to manage Exchange Online users. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This afternoon I am looking over my presentations for the PowerShell Summit in Bellevue, Washington. It will be April 28 – 30, 2014, and I am making three presentations. So I need to prepare. There will be a bunch of really cool Windows PowerShell people speaking and attending. This is the stuff that geeks dream about. The Scripting Wife will also be there. Don’t miss out. Note This is the fourth in a series of Hey, Scripting Guy!...
PowerTip: Find Aliases Exported by PowerShell Module
Summary: Find aliases that were exported from a Windows PowerShell module. How can I find aliases that were exported from a particular module on my system? Use the Get-Command cmdlet, specify the module, pipe the results to the Foreach-Object cmdlet, and then look for aliases: Get-Command -Module CimCmdlets | foreach { Get-Alias -Definition $_.name -ea 0 }
Use PowerShell to Manage Office 365 Users
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to manage Office 365 users. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The weather here in Charlotte has been nearly perfect recently. I love spring. It offers hope, and it seems to be a time of renewed commitments. A quick trip to the garden center, and the Scripting Wife and I return with bundles of flowers and other stuff to plant. It is the very essence of hope. We hope they will thrive. We hope to enjoy their blooms in the future. We hope they will not overtake the rest of our garden. Ah, lots of hope. &nbs...
PowerTip: Get PowerShell Printer Examples
Summary: Learn how to get only printer examples that are related to Windows PowerShell. How can I quickly and easily see only examples of Windows PowerShell commands that are related to printing in Help? Use the Get-Command cmdlet, then pipe the results to the Foreach-Object cmdlet and call Get-Help: Get-Command -Noun printer* | Foreach-Object {get-help $_.name -ex} | more
Use PowerShell to Explore Office 365 Installation
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to explore his Office 365 tenant installation. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Scripting Wife and I are sore from our weekend spent doing yard work. I am not much of an outdoor kind of geek, and so my excursions are normally limited to going to and from the mailbox, or to and from the woodworking shop. It has been years since I laid outside and worked on my tan, played in a summer softball league, or for that matter hit the links in pursuit of the elusive little white ball. But the Scripting Wife wanted some he...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Check if Computer Is Up
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to quickly check to see if a computer is up. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see if a computer is up? Use the Test-Connection cmdlet to send a ping (icmp packet) to the remote computer. If you specify the –Quiet parameter, it returns only True or False. Test-Connection -BufferSize 32 -Count 1 -ComputerName 192.168.0.41 -Quiet
Getting Started with Office 365 and PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about getting started with Office 365 and Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sipping a nice cup of First Flush Charleston Tea. I added bits of spearmint, peppermint, cinnamon stick, lemon, and local honey to the mixture. It is very good, and it helps me focus in the morning. I am sitting on the lanai and checking my email on my Surface 2 Pro. The morning weather is really damp. If I close my eyes, I can hear seagulls, and perhaps enjoy the sweet fragrance of hibiscus flowers, and hear the rustle of pa...
PowerTip: Create XML with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create XML. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily create an XML representation of my service names and status? Use the Get-Service cmdlet to retrieve the service information, select the name and status properties, and pipe the results to the ConvertTo-XML cmdlet. Then to facilitate post processing of the information, store the results in a variable: $xml = Get-Service | select name, Status | ConvertTo-Xml
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Investigate File Signatures—Part 2
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Boe Prox, concludes this two-part series about investigating file signatures with Windows PowerShell and the .NET Framework. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger, Boe Prox, for the conclusion of the two-part series he started yesterday. Also read Use PowerShell to Investigate File Signatures—Part 1. Today I am going to demo a function that I wrote and discuss a couple of items that I came across while investigating the file signatures. But first, I am going to talk about a couple of things that helped shape the direction of my function, which i...
PowerTip: Convert Output to Use Specific Delimiter
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to convert output to a specific delimiter. How can I use Windows PowerShell to select process name and paged system memory, plus separate the output with a colon? Use the Get-Process cmdlet to retrieve the process information, select the name, add the PagedSystemMemorySize property, pipe the output to the ConvertTo-CSV cmdlet, and specify the delimiter as “:”: Get-Process | select name, PagedSystemMemorySize | ConvertTo-Csv -Delimiter ":"
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Investigate File Signatures—Part 1
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Boe Prox, talks about investigating file signatures by using Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This weekend we have a two-part series from guest blogger, Boe Prox… When you work with File Server Resource Manager (FSRM), one of the cool things that you can do is block files, based on file type. This allows a system administrator to prevent various types of files from being saved to a specified drive or folder, based on the requirement. For instance, let’s say that you want to prevent executables (*.exe) and iso image files (*.iso) from be...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Document DSN Names
Summary: Learn how to easily document DSN names by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find what DSN names are defined on my system? On your computer running Windows 8.1, use the Get-OdbcDsn function.
Use Dynamic Parameters to Populate List of Printer Names
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use dynamic parameters to populate a list of printer names. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Using a Windows PowerShell function to send a test page to a printer is pretty cool (see Use PowerShell to Send Test Page to a Printer). But it would be even better if I did not have to type the name of the printer. I know I can use the Get-Printer function in Windows 8.1 to list all of my printers (and I can use a CIM session to do this remotely), so why can’t I run that script to create my list of available printers? It turns out that I can do t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find What’s New
Summary: Learn how to find what’s new in Windows PowerShell 4.0. How can I find what is new in Windows PowerShell 4.0? Use Update-Help to update the Help files, then use the Get-Help cmdlet, specify the category of HelpFile, and look for “4.0”: Get-Help -Category helpfile "4.0"
Use PowerShell to Send Test Page to a Printer
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to send a test page to a printer. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sipping an awesome orange-cream tea that I picked up at a tea shop in Leipzig, Germany. It smells wonderful, and it tastes just like a Dreamcicle that I used to eat when I was a kid. That orange candy-covered vanilla ice cream was just the thing for hot, humid days when I was growing up in Florida. I have absolutely fallen in love with this tea. Anyway, something else I have fallen in love with is all the printer cmdlets available...
PowerTip: Find Printer Ports by Using PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find printer ports. How can I use a Windows PowerShell function to enumerate printer ports on my system? Use the Get-PrinterPort function. By default, it returns all local printer ports.
Creating a Port Scanner with Windows PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about creating a port scanner with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The other day, I needed to access my printer. Unfortunately, after several networking changes, I did not remember the IP address of my printer. However, I did know that the printer sets up a web server. It was this web server that I needed to access so I could make some changes to the way the printer was handling default forms. But dude, I did not know the IP address, and I did not want to have to rummage around in my network documentation to find the particular pr...
Find PowerShell Providers that Support Transactions
Summary: Learn how to find Windows PowerShell providers that support transactions. I want to use transactions, but I am not sure if the provider I need to use actually supports transactions. How can I be sure? Use the Get-PSProvider cmdlet, and filter the capabilities of transactions: Get-PSProvider | where capabilities -match 'transactions'
Taking on Iron Scripter Competition at PowerShell Saturday 007
Summary: Chris Campbell explains his resolution process for the the Iron Scripter competition at PowerShell Saturday 007. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we welcome back guest blogger, Chris Campbell. It has been just over a month since I got back from PowerShell Saturday 007 in Charlotte, and it was a blast! The talks were excellent; and overall, it was just a lot of fun. Besides having the opportunity to speak, the highlight for me was the Iron Scripter competition run by Jim Christopher. The rules were simple. Whoever finishes first wins, you can use any resource, and no compl...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Blog Posts
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily find blog posts via RSS. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find a list of Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts without a lot of development work? Use the Invoke-RestMethod cmdlet and specify the URI for the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog RSS feed: $uri = http://blogs.technet.com/b/heyscriptingguy/atom.aspx (Invoke-RestMethod $uri).title
Using the Windows Azure REST APIs with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft support escalation engineer, James Kehr, talks about using the Windows Azure REST APIs with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have James Kehr, a Windows availability support escalation engineer, as our guest blogger… Application programming interfaces, more commonly called an APIs because it’s a ridiculously long name to type, have traditionally been the playground of programmers. Administrators, which I will call admins because it is a ridiculously long title to type, have generally not played with APIs because, well, we’re not program...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create Zip Archive
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to easily create a zip archive. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a zip archive of a folder on my system? Use Get-ChildItem from PSCX to copy the files, and pipe the output to the Write-Zip cmdlet: Get-Childitem c:\fso -Recurse | Write-Zip -IncludeEmptyDirectories -OutputPath C:\fso_bu\fso.zip Note: I have written several blog posts about the Windows PowerShell Community Extension Project. For more information about obtaining the PSCX module, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts.
PowerTip: PowerShell One-Liner to Find Virtual Machine
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 4.0 to find a virtual machine. How can I use Windows PowerShell 4.0 to find a virtual machine when I only have partial name information so I can stop it or make other changes as required? Use the Get-VM cmdlet to return virtual machine objects, use the dotted Where, and filter with a script block. Add the name property, and use a regular expression (or wild card) to match the virtual machine that you are interested in. The following command finds a virtual machine with a name t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find SMB Shares
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find SMB shares. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily find a list of all the SMB shares on my Windows 8.1 laptop? Use the Get-SMBShare function.
PowerTip: Find More Information about Windows PowerShell Jobs
Summary: Learn how to discover more information about Windows PowerShell jobs. How can I learn more about Windows PowerShell jobs? To find out more about any Windows PowerShell topic, research the Help files for each cmdlet:Get-Help Start-Job –ShowWindowTo discover the job related cmdlets:Get-Command *jobNot everything is job-related, but the PrintJob cmdlets can be easily filtered. You’re looking for the cmdlets in these two modules: –PSScheduledJob and Microsoft.PowerShell.Core.The last place to look is the _about files:Get-Help about*job*
PowerShell Jobs Week: Jobs in the Enterprise
Summary: Richard Siddaway looks at how you can use Windows PowerShell jobs in your enterprise. Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the seventh, and last, post in a series that, hopefully, will shine the spotlight on Windows PowerShell jobs, remind people of their capabilities, and encourage their greater adoption. The full series comprises: The focus on this series has been on Windows PowerShell jobs, including learning about the core job cmdlets, using the –AsJob parameter, running jobs on remote machines, and figur...
PowerTip: Protect the Data Produced by PowerShell Jobs
Summary: Learn how to protect the data in a Windows PowerShell job. How can I protect the data that is produced by a Windows PowerShell job? If the job is running and your Windows PowerShell session or computer crashes, you’ll lose the data. One possibility is that you can write the data to disk before the job finishes so that its available if the session or machine stops. This would be a good approach for overnight jobs where the machine is unattended and might be restarted by an outside pro...
PowerShell Jobs Week: Job Processes
Summary: Richard Siddaway looks at how Windows PowerShell jobs actually run. Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the sixth in a series of posts that, hopefully, will shine the spotlight on Windows PowerShell jobs, remind people of their capabilities, and encourage their greater adoption. The full series comprises: The focus on this series has been on Windows PowerShell jobs, including learning about the core job cmdlets, using the –AsJob parameter, running jobs on remote machines, and figuring out how scheduled jobs ...
PowerTip: Stop a PowerShell Job
Summary: Learn how to stop an unwanted Windows PowerShell job. How can I stop an over-running Windows PowerShell job? Even though this is not something you’d normally do, creating an infinite loop is a common (and potentially, very embarrassing) error. This job will run forever:Start-Job -ScriptBlock {while ($true){sleep -Seconds 10}}When you realize that your job is over-running, use the Stop-Job cmdlet:Stop-Job -Id 14You can then hide the evidence by using Remove-Job to delete the job. You can test the data in the stopped job with Recei...
PowerShell Jobs Week: Jobs and Workflows
Summary: Richard Siddaway introduces you to using the Windows PowerShell job engine with your Windows PowerShell workflows. Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the fifth in a series of posts that, hopefully, will shine the spotlight on Windows PowerShell jobs, remind people of their capabilities, and encourage their greater adoption. The full series comprises: The focus on this series has been on Windows PowerShell jobs, including learning about the core job cmdlets, using the–AsJob parameter, running jobs on remote machines...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Discover Tasks Associated with Scheduled Jobs
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to discover the tasks that are associated with your scheduled jobs. How can I use Windows PowerShell to discover the scheduled tasks that are associated with my scheduled jobs? In Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012, use the Get-ScheduledTask cmdlet: £> Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName test1 | Format-List TaskPath, TaskName, State TaskPath : \Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\ScheduledJobs\ TaskName : Test1 State : Ready On earlier operating systems, you need to look in the Task Scheduler, I’m afraid.
PowerShell Jobs Week: Scheduled Jobs
Summary: Richard Siddaway introduces you to scheduled PowerShell jobs. Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the fourth in a series of posts that, hopefully, will shine the spotlight on Windows PowerShell jobs, remind people of their capabilities, and encourage their greater adoption. The full series comprises: So far, you’ve discovered the core cmdlets for working with Windows PowerShell jobs, investigated using WMI and CIM cmdlets in jobs, and learned how to run jobs on remote machines. Today we go off on a little bit of a t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Job Help
Summary: Learn how to find more Help about the Windows PowerShell job engine. How can I find out more about Windows PowerShell jobs? One of the best ways to discover anything about Windows PowerShell is to read the Help files and work through the examples that are presented. Each of the cmdlets has its own Help file, for instance: Get-Help Start-Job –ShowWindow There are also a set of about_ files: £> doc about*job* | select name Name----about_Jobsabout_Job_Detailsabout_Remote_Jobsabout_Scheduled_Jobsabout_Scheduled_Jobs_Advancedabout_Scheduled_J...
PowerShell Jobs Week: Remote Jobs
Summary: Richard Siddaway introduces you to Windows PowerShell jobs on remote machines. Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the third in a series of posts that, hopefully, will shine the spotlight on Windows PowerShell jobs, remind people of their capabilities, and encourage their greater adoption. The full series comprises: So far, you’ve seen how to use the core Job cmdlets and the –AsJob parameter, and we discovered the interesting aspects of the CIM cmdlets and CDXML. One of biggest selling points for Windows Power...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Keep Job Data
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to keep job data available for future use. How can I keep my job data?One of the frustrating things about using the Window PowerShell job cmdlets is that if you’re not careful, you lose the data in your job when you access the job. The following command returns the job’s data, but it also deletes that data:Receive-Job -Id 8If you want the data available, use the –Keep parameter:Receive-Job -Id 10 –KeepUsing –Keep is a good habit to get into. It&r...
PowerShell Jobs Week: WMI and CIM Jobs
Summary: Richard Siddaway introduces you to WMI and CIM jobs in Windows PowerShell. Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the second in a series of posts that, hopefully, will shine the spotlight on Windows PowerShell jobs, remind people of their capabilities, and encourage their greater adoption. The full series comprises: Last time, you saw how to use the Windows PowerShell job cmdlets. But there is another way to start jobs. Many cmdlets have an –AsJob parameter, for instance: Get-WmiObject [-Class] <string> [[-P...
PowerTip: Control Job Starts with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to control which jobs start when. How can I use Windows PowerShell to complete a group of jobs before I start more jobs? Use the Start-Job cmdlet, for example, to start 3 long running processes: Start-Job {<long running process 1>} Start-Job {<long running process 2>} Start-Job {<long running process 3>} Then use Wait-Job to stop further processing. It works at the prompt, or even better, in a script: Get-Job | Wait-Job After your jobs have completed, you can run more jobs: Start-Job {<long running process 4&g...
PowerShell Jobs Week: Introduction to PowerShell Jobs
Summary: Richard Siddaway introduces you to Windows PowerShell jobs. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve just starting learning Windows PowerShell, and I have some long running tasks to perform. What’s the best way of running these tasks? —LJ Hello LJ, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. LJ, you need to use Windows PowerShell jobs for your long running tasks. Jobs are an area of Windows PowerShell that I feel is neglected. The headline piece of functionality in Windows PowerShell 2.0 was remoting. In many respects, Windows ...
PowerTip: List Outlook Contacts with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to list contacts in Microsoft Outlook. How can I use Windows PowerShell to programmatically connect to Outlook to get the Contacts list? Connect by using ComObject, and select the objects you need: $Outlook=NEW-OBJECT –comobject Outlook.Application $Contacts=$Outlook.session.GetDefaultFolder(10).items $Contacts | Format-Table FullName,MobileTelephoneNumber,Email1Address
Weekend Scripter: Create Entries for Birthdays from Outlook Contacts List
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to access your Outlook Contacts list and create calendar entries for birthdays. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney here. And today is my birthday! You would think that being an IT person with Microsoft Outlook and other resources in front of me, it would be very easy to track birthdays. You would THINK that. But I’m…let’s say…absent minded. Now the interesting thing is that in many cases, I will track a lot of the birthdays in my Contacts when I create them within Outlook. For example, here is one for a fake person called Mr. Smith: As you can see I hav...
PowerTip: Search All WMI Namespaces with PowerShell
Summary: Learn to look for WMI classes in all WMI namespaces by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to search all WMI namespaces so that I can find all WMI classes that are related to batteries? Use the Get-WmiObject cmdlet, start at the Root namespace, and make sure to use the –recurse switch: Get-WMIObject -Namespace root -ClassName *battery* -list -recurse -EA 0
Use WMI and PowerShell to Create Collection Query Rules
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Heath Lawson, talks about using Windows PowerShell and WMI to create collection query rules. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Heath Lawson is back with us today for Part 3 in his series. You can catch up by reading Part 1 and Part 2: Howdy y’all! Heath here. This is the last in a series of three posts about Windows PowerShell for System Center Configuration Manager Administrators. This session is going to be a bit different because we’re not going to use the built-in Configuration Manager cmdlets. “But Heath,” you say, “I know nothing else. The...
PowerTip: Find Network Adapters for all Virtual Machines
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the network adapter names for all virtual machines. How can I use Windows PowerShell on my laptop running Windows 8.1 to find the name of the network adapter that is used by each of my virtual machines? Use the Get-VM cmdlet to retrieve all of the virtual machines, and pipe the result to the Get-VMNetworkAdapter: Get-Vm | Get-VMNetworkAdapter Note: This command must be run with Admin rights.
Use PowerShell to Set Configuration Manager Properties
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Heath Lawson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to set advanced properties in Configuration Manager. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Back today is Heath Lawson. You may want to read the first post of this series before you begin this post: Apply Common PowerShell Concepts to Configuration Manager. Greetings! Heath here. I’m back with another post in the series about Windows PowerShell for the System Center Configuration Manager Admin. In the last post, we explored using the native Windows PowerShell cmdlets for Configuration Manager to create a device collection. We s...
PowerTip: Find All PowerShell Providers
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find providers on your system. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find all the Windows PowerShell providers on my system and what drives might be exposed? Use the Get-PSProvider cmdlet.
Apply Common PowerShell Concepts to Configuration Manager
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Heath Lawson, talks about applying common Windows PowerShell concepts to Configuration Manager. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we welcome guest blogger, Heath Lawson. Heath is a System Center premier field engineer based in Kansas City, Missouri. He often posts about System Center-related scripting and automation in his blog, HeLaw's Blog: System Center...Tying it all together! Heath Lawson here, checking in for the first of three posts. My background is heavy in Configuration Manager, although I love all aspects of automation and scripting, so the opportunity to w...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Count Hops to Server
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to count hops to a server. On my computer running running Windows 8.1, how can I use Windows PowerShell to verify the number of hops to my server? Use the Test-NetConnection function and the –TraceRoute parameter, specify the server name, choose the TracerOut property, and get the count: (Test-NetConnection -TraceRoute -ComputerName "www.contoso.com").traceroute.count
Using PowerShell to Migrate DHCP Servers: Part 2
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Ian Farr, continues his quest to use Windows PowerShell to migrate DHCP servers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Ian Farr is back today. You should read the first part of this series before getting into this one: Using PowerShell to Migrate DHCP Servers: Part 1. Episode 2: Return of the Scripter A scripter’s strength flows from the PowerShell. In Episode 1: A New Hope, we began our scripter training. We imported the configuration from a split-scope DHCP infrastructure on computers running Windows Server 2003 to two DHCP servers running Windows Server&nbs...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display DHCP Addresses
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display DHCP addresses in Windows 8. How can I use Windows PowerShell on my computer running Windows 8 to find IPV4 addresses that are supplied by DHCP? Use the Get-NetIPAddress function, and specify that the prefix origin is DHCP. You can also specify that the address is IPV4, and use other options to help identify what you seek, for example: Get-NetIPAddress -AddressState preferred -AddressFamily ipv4 -Type unicast -PrefixOrigin dhcp
Using PowerShell to Migrate DHCP Servers: Part 1
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Ian Farr, talks about using Windows PowerShell to migrate DHCP servers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we welcome back guest blogger, Ian Farr. Episode 1: A New Hope In a galaxy very, very near to here, when you are not cleaning-up droids, you administer a DHCP infrastructure in Windows Server 2003 with two servers in a split scope configuration. Because extended support for Windows Server 2003 ends on the July 14, 2015, you’ve read about the new features in Windows Server 2012, and you want some DHCP failover goodness! (For more information, see Step-...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Start Apps
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to easily find start apps. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find a particular app amid the clutter of small app icons on my Windows 8.1 device? Use the Get-StartApps cmdlet and filter on the name— for example, to find an application that begins with the letter G: Get-StartApps | where name -like "g*"
Weekend Scripter: Pin PowerShell Script to Start Screen
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about pinning a Windows PowerShell script to the Windows 8.1 Start screen. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The other day, the Scripting Wife and I had a couple of neighbors over for dinner. While munching on snacks, he said that he had recently upgraded his laptop from Windows 7 to Windows 8. His initial impression was that Windows 7 was for work, but Windows 8 was for play, and he needs to use his laptop to accomplish work. He said, “Everything is at least five or six clicks away.” I told him he was trying too hard, a...
PowerTip: Get the Latest PowerShell Help
Summary: Learn how to get the latest Windows PowerShell Help online. I do not have Admin rights so I cannot update my local Windows PowerShell Help. How can I access the latest updated Help online? Use the –online switched parameter with the Get-Help cmdlet: get-help Get-Process -Online
PowerTip: Personalize Your Copy of PowerShell
Summary: Easily add your user name to your Windows PowerShell console window. I often start multiple Windows PowerShell consoles with different credentials. To avoid getting confused, how can I change the window title to my user name? Use the $host automatic variable, and change the WindowTitle property to the user name: $host.ui.RawUI.WindowTitle = $env:USERNAME
PowerTip: Find Status of PowerShell Preference Variables
Summary: Easily find the status of Windows PowerShell Preference variables. How can I see the preference settings that I can change with Windows PowerShell? Look at variables that contain the word Preference in their name by using the Get-ChildItem and looking at the Variable drive:Get-ChildItem variable:*preferenceNote To see all of the Windows PowerShell Preference variables, see about_Preference_Variables. Many of the Preference variables are not present on the Variable drive unl...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find User Profile Path
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the user profile path. How can I easily get information about the folder and path to the profile for a currently signed-in user? Use the Env: PowerShell drive, and select the UserProfile environmental variable: $env:USERPROFILE
PowerTip: Find Information about PowerShell Errors
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find information about Windows PowerShell errors. How can I find more information about a specific error when I look at the $error automatic variable? The $error automatic variable contain rich objects. For example, the InvocationInfo property shows what code was called that generated the error. The following illustrates how to find the most recent error (error 0): $Error[0].InvocationInfo Note Tab expansion works for this.
PowerTip: Is It a PowerShell Alias?
Summary: Quickly find multiple Windows PowerShell aliases. I have a bunch of Windows PowerShell commands I have been using, but they seem to act strangely sometimes. I need to know if they are aliases or real commands. How can I tell? Use the Get-Alias cmdlet to look up aliases and resolve them to Windows PowerShell cmdlet names. You can do this in a single command because the –Name parameter accepts an array of aliases, for example: Get-Alias -Name sort, select, foreach, where, dir, cls
2014 Winter PowerShell Scripting Games Wrap Up #1
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shares what he noticed while grading the 2014 Winter PowerShell Scripting Games entries. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. So the 2014 Winter PowerShell Scripting Games are over. One of the cool things about this year’s Winter Games is that they were team events. This means that groups formed and tackled some pretty difficult scenarios as a team. This also means that the quality of the submissions was extremely high. I thought it would be interesting to go over some of the things I noticed while grading the submissions this year. Use of aliases I have...
PowerTip: Start Hidden Process with PowerShell
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to start a hidden process. How can I launch a hidden process by using a Windows PowerShell cmdlet? Use the Start-Process cmdlet and specify a window style of hidden: Start-Process -WindowStyle hidden -FilePath notepad.exe
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Start Hidden Process
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to start a hidden process. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I decided to try something a bit different. I am having a cup of English Breakfast tea, but I added strawberry leaves, blackberry leaves, marshmallow root, and a cinnamon stick. It is a nice pot of tea. Very relaxing, and just thing to help start the day. Using the Invoke-CimMethod cmdlet One of the nice thing about using the CIM cmdlets, is that they work with Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). They use standard WMI classes, and so the techn...
PowerTip: Include Expressions in a String in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to include expressions in a string in Windows PowerShell. How do I include expressions in a string in Windows PowerShell? They're not replaced correctly in a double-quoted string:PS C:> $p = Get-Process PowerShellPS C:>"The $p.Name process uses the $p.StartInfo.WindowStyle window style."The System.Diagnostics.Process (powershell).Name process uses the System.Diagnostics.Process (powershell).StartInfo.WindowStyle window style. Enclose the values in a new variable:PS C:>"The $($p.Name) process uses the $($p.StartInfo.WindowStyle) window style....
String Formatting in Windows PowerShell
Summary: Learn about using formatted strings in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, here. Today we have another guest blog by June Blender. To read more of June’s previous posts, see these Hey, Scripting Guy Blog posts. Now, here’s June… I recently had the opportunity to help the Windows Azure and ASP.NET product teams with some Windows PowerShell automation. Although I was supposed to be the helper, I probably learned more from the interaction than anyone else. I learned about Windows Azure and the Azure module for Windows PowerShell. And I learned a whole bunch about Windo...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Configure IP Address in Windows Server 2012 R2
Summary: Use the new cmdlets in Windows Server 2012 R2 to set up an IP address on a computer with one network adapter. How can I use Windows PowerShell to configure an IP address in Windows Server 2012 R2? Use the Get-NetAdapter and Add-NewIPAddress cmdlets together. For the IP address of 10.0.0.5, with a gateway of 10.0.0.1, and 24 bits for the subnet mask (255.255.255.0): $IPAddress=”10.0.0.5” $Gateway=”10.0.0.1” $Prefix=24 Get-NetAdapter | NEW-NetIPAddress -IPAddress $IPAddress -Defaultgateway $Gateway -Prefixlength $Prefix
A PowerShell Valentine’s Day Special
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson talks about a Windows PowerShell Valentine’s Day special and the 14 things he loves about Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson is here. Well, it was several months ago when Microsoft Senior IT Pro Evangelist Blain Barton and I were talking. I said, you know we need to think about doing a holiday special. He said, "Valentines Day." I said, "Really?" He said, "Sure. Why not?" Why not indeed. So over the next few weeks, we begin to think about a way to do it. We got Chis Caldwell involved and the idea began to take shape....
Set Up a Lab with Windows PowerShell and Free Microsoft Software: Part 5
Summary: Preconfigure a virtual machine as a domain controller including Windows PowerShell Desired State Configuration and DHCP. Hey, Scripting Guy! I saw how we could build the virtual machines from a template. Were you teasing us about creating a new domain controller in this lab environment? I’d really love to see the script that would configure a domain controller in a lab virtual machine! —RR Hello RR, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, about to release the Kraken of Knowledge. Yes my good friend, with our current setup, we can set up that virtual machine to autostart to the point...
PowerTip: Create New Item in Registry with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create an entry in the Windows registry structure. How do I create an entry in the Windows registry with Windows PowerShell? Use the New-ItemProperty cmdlet to add the information you need. For example, the following command makes a new name called StartMeUp with a value of Runit.exe under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run: $RegistryPath=”HKLM:SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\" $Name=”StartMeUp” $V...
Set Up a Lab with Windows PowerShell and Free Microsoft Software: Part 4
Summary: Attach a VHD to a new virtual machine and modify the operating system for additional customizations. Hey, Scripting Guy! With that prepped VHD file, how much work will it take to create an actual virtual machine? Possibly with some customizations? —MM Hello MM, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to raise a little Shell! Note This post is the fourth in a five-part series. To catch up, read: As you read in the previous posts, we have a bootable VHD hot and ready to go! Now we want to do a few more things. My goal for you is not only to easily ...
PowerTip: Mount ISO or VHD File with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to mount an ISO or VHD file. I can double-click an ISO file to access it in Windows 8.1, but is there a Windows PowerShell cmdlet that will do that for me? Use the Mount-DiskImage cmdlet and specify the file name: For an ISO file: MOUNT-DISKIMAGE C:\ISO\MYCDFile.ISO Or for a VHD file: MOUNT-DISKIMAGE C:\VHD\VirtualMachine.VHD
Set Up a Lab with Windows PowerShell and Free Microsoft Software: Part 3
Summary: Copy a VHD file template and inject an Unattend.xml file in preparation for attachment to a VHD file. Hey, Scripting Guy! Yesterday you were showing us how to edit the Unattend.XML file. How can we easily inject that into a virtual machine and maybe turn that into a virtual machine? —RD Hello RD, Never fear. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here to help you save the day with more Windows PowerShell! Note Today's post is the third in a five-part series. To catch up, read: If you’ve played around with Windows 8.1 you have not...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Edit XML File
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to load an XML file for easy editing. Hey Scripting Guy! Is there an easy way to load and edit an XML file in Windows PowerShell? It’s so easy that you might miss it if you blink. Create an XML object. With that, you can load, save, and edit properties directly: $XMLfile=NEW-OBJECT XML $XMLfile=load(“MyXMLFile.XML”) $XMLFile.property.otherproperty=”Gibberish” $XMLFile.save(“MyXMLFile.XML”)
Set Up a Lab with Windows PowerShell and Free Microsoft Software: Part 2
Summary: Use an Unattend.xml file and edit it directly with Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I saw yesterday that by using a free script called Convert-WindowsImage.ps1, I could convert Windows from a WIM file and make a bootable VHD. Is there any way to get past the initial startup screens or maybe even define the computer name? —KR Hello KR, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here to continue making your life smoother and quicker with Windows PowerShell. Note This is the second part of a five-part series. To catch up, read Set Up a Lab with Windows PowerShell and Free Micr...
PowerTip: Identify Letter of Mounted ISO or VHD File with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to identify the letter of a mounted ISO or VHD file in Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows 8.1. I know I can mount ISOs and VHD files in Windows 8.1, but is there a way to programmatically know what the drive letter is without checking the GUI and playing with DiskPart? Pipe the output of Get-DiskImage to Get-Volume or Get-Disk and Get-Partition: For an ISO file: GET-DISKIMAGE filename.iso | GET-VOLUME For a VHD file: GET-DISKIMAGE filename.vhd | GET-DISK | GET-PARTITION
Set Up a Lab with Windows PowerShell and Free Microsoft Software: Part 1
Summary: Use the freely available Convert-WindowsImage.ps1 to extract multiple bootable VHD files for Hyper-V Server 2012 R2. Hey, Scripting Guy! Is there an easier way to create a VHD file that already has the operating system, rather than installing it and clicking Next…Next…Next? I’d like something that could spin up a simple machine like it was a template. —JA Hello JA, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, is here. Funny you should ask. I was poking about with that idea the other day. I decided for a good simple lab, I would need the following: Ideally t...
PowerTip: Show Desired State Configuration Cmdlets
Summary: Get a list of the new Windows PowerShell cmdlets for Desired State Configuration with one line. How do I see the cmdlets that are available for the new feature in Windows PowerShell 4.0 called Desired State Configuration? Target the PSDesiredStateConfiguration module with the Get-Command cmdlet: Get-Command –module PSDesiredStateConfiguration
Weekend Scripter: My Very First PowerShell Saturday!
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP reports from the field on his first visit to North Carolina and Windows PowerShell Saturday. NOTE: Sean became sick, and was unable to attend the PowerShell Saturday event. However, if he had attended, this is what would have happened. We wish Sean a speedy recovery. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here…recovering from an over-poweringly cool day! PowerShell people, PowerShell people there! Scripters, automaters, everywhere! It was like going to a mini-PowerShell Summit! It started off my flight from Ottawa, and I was picked up by none other than fellow MVP and birthd...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Length of a Number
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily get the length of a number. I want to know the length of a number, but when I use the Length property, it comes back as 1. How can I get the actual length? First convert the number to a string, and then get the length of the string: (12345).tostring().length
Weekend Scripter: Scripting Wife Talks about PowerShell Saturday 007
Summary: The Scripting Wife talks about Windows PowerShell Saturday 007 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is gone. He is busy taking pictures, and conversing with various people attending Windows PowerShell Saturday here in Charlotte, North Carolina. Instead of the Script Monkey (aka, Ed) you have me, The Scripting Wife at the helm. I would like to say that it is nice, sunny, and warm here in Charlotte. Often it is. But today, it is actually rainy and cold. Instead of hampering attendance, I think it actually boosted it. I mean, what is better to do on a rainy Saturday than lis...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Count Types of Photos
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to count the different types of photo files on your computer. How can I use Windows PowerShell to figure out how many of each type of photo file I have on my computer? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet to retrieve specific types of photograph files, and then pipe the results to the Group-Object cmdlet, group on the Extension property, and use the –NoElement switch to remove individual file information: Get-ChildItem -Recurse -Include *.jpg, *.cr2, *.png, ...
Use PowerShell to Find Files that Have Not Been Accessed
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find files that have not been accessed for some time. Hey, Scripting Guy! On our server, we have tons of files. Unfortunately, many of them haven’t been accessed for years. I know the cost of storage is coming down, but the management overhead and cost of building new datacenters does not come down. In fact, it is going up. So we need a way to identify files that have not been accessed in a long time. If we could delete them, it would be even better. —AB Hello AB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is her...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Count Photos
Summary: Learn to use Windows PowerShell to count the number of photographs you have on your computer. How can I use Windows PowerShell to count all the photographs I have on a specific drive? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet to find all of the photos, and then pipe the results to the Measure-Object cmdlet. The following command counts the number of .jpg and .crc files on drive E: Get-ChildItem -Recurse -Include *.jpg, *.cr2 -Path e:\ | Measure-Object
Use PowerShell to Find Metadata from Photograph Files
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to obtain metadata from photo files. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need some help. I have thousands of photo files on my computer. I need to bring some order to them. I know that I can use Get-ChildItem from Windows PowerShell, and I can find the size of files and names of files. But I need to access information that is more specific to the photos, such as what camera was used, what the F-stop was, and the photo resolution. I know there are expensive software programs that might provide this information, but the information must come ...
PowerTip: Get a Directory Listing of Multiple Folders
Summary: Learn how to get a directory listing of multiple folders. How can I use Windows PowerShell to look at the contents of multiple folders at once? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet, and specify more than one folder for the path, for example: Get-ChildItem –path c:\fso,c:\music
List Music File Metadata in a CSV and Open in Excel with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shares a function that gets file metadata, and then he writes the information to a CSV file. Hey, Scripting Guy! Getting basic file properties such as the file name, the size of a file, and the directory that a file resides in is pretty cool. But when I go into a folder that contains music files, I see much more information, such as the name of the music group, the type of music, and how long the song will play. Can I get that type of information via Windows PowerShell? —DD Hello DD, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. In just a few days it will be time ...
PowerTip: Create a CSV File in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to easily create a CSV file in Windows PowerShell. How can I create a CSV file so I can open data that I output to the Windows PowerShell console to manipulate it in Microsoft Excel? Pipe the data to the Export-CSV cmdlet and use the –NoTypeInformation switch, for example: Get-Process | Select name, PM | export-csv -Path c:\fso\proc.csv -NoTypeInformation
Use PowerShell to Create CSV File to Open in Excel
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about exporting a directory list to a CSV file and opening the file in Microsoft Excel with Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a lot of music files that reside in nested folders. I would like to be able to look at the file information in Microsoft Excel so that I can find, for example, the largest files, or sort them by directory name. Is there an easy way to do this by using Windows PowerShell? —GB Hello GB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sipping a nice cup of Darjeeling tea with a cinnamon stick in i...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Hidden Files
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find hidden files. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see all hidden and system files when I look for files? Use the –Force parameter when you type the command, for example: Get-ChildItem -Path c: -Force
List Files in Folders and Subfolders with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to list files in folders and subfolders. Hey, Scripting Guy! I am an old VBScript guy. I love using VBScript, and I have done so for nearly 15 years. One reason I love VBScript so much is that, to me, it is easy to use. It is also very powerful. But after attending TechEd the last several years, it appears that Microsoft is moving away from VBScript, and is embracing Windows PowerShell. So, I am trying to learn Windows PowerShell. What I am doing is when I need to make a change to an existing VBScript script, I attempt to use Windows PowerShell to do the same task. I am...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Verify UI Culture
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to verify user interface culture. I have several language installations of Windows on my network, and prior to running a script, I would like to use Windows PowerShell to verify the input culture so I can choose the correct operating system. Use the Get-UICulture cmdlet and choose the Name or the LCID property: (Get-UICulture).name (Get-UICulture).LCID
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Migrate to Active Directory On-Premises
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Asia Gandecka, talks about using Windows PowerShell to migrate users from Windows Azure Active Directory to Active Directory on-premises. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Let’s welcome a new guest blogger, Asia Gandecka… I have been with Microsoft since 2011 working as a a premier field engineer. I support the SharePoint infrastructure, Office 365, and SharePoint Online. SharePoint and Windows PowerShell work closely together, but it wasn’t until Office 365 when I decided to take a stab at Windows PowerShell. I have found it very handy at allowing me to...
PowerTip: Clear All Events from Event Logs by Using PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to clear all events from all event logs. How can I use Windows PowerShell to clear all events from all traditional event logs to make it easier to find events when I am troubleshooting an intermittent issue on my server? Use the Get-EventLog cmdlet to retrieve a list of traditional event logs, and the Clear-EventLog cmdlet to clear the event logs: Clear-EventLog -LogName (Get-EventLog -List).log –WhatIf If this is what you want to do, remove the –WhatIf parameter: Clear-...
Weekend Scripter: Using AutoSpInstaller and AutoSpSourceBuilder
Summary: Guest blogger, Brian Lalancette, talks about how AutoSpInstaller and AutoSpSourceBuilder work together. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. After nearly four years, guest blogger, Brian Lalancette, is back to give us an update. Brian, take it away… Unbelievably, it’s coming up on nearly four years since my last post on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog. A lot has improved in AutoSPInstaller since I discussed its introduction in my post, The AutoSPInstaller Windows PowerShell Script. Now there is SharePoint 2013 support, of course. But there is also the ability to provision pretty mu...
PowerTip: Learn to Use Where or ForEach in PowerShell 4.0
Summary: Learn the easy way to use Where or ForEach in Windows PowerShell 4.0. I am running Windows PowerShell 4.0 and I want to know the easy way to use Where or ForEach. In Windows PowerShell 4.0, object arrays have a built-in .Where() and .ForEach() methods. You can use these methods to filter objects or perform operations with each object in the array.For example, to use the Where() method to filter for a specific process name, run this command:@(Get-Process).Where({ $PSItem.Name -eq 'notepad'; }).To iterate ov...
Comparing PowerShell PSSessions and CIM Sessions
Summary: Guest blogger, Trevor Sullivan, compares Windows PowerShell PSSessions and CIM sessions. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have the exciting conclusion to Honorary Scripting Guy, Trevor Sullivan’s guest blog series on CIM. To see more of Trevor’s guest posts, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. You can reach Trevor on Twitter (https://twitter.com/pcgeek86) or follow him on his blog, Trevor Sullivan's Tech Room, Minding the gap between administration and development. Note This is the fifth in a of five blog series by Trevor where he talks specifically about using the CIM ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Retrieve CIM Methods
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to retrieve CIM methods. How can I use Windows PowerShell to dynamically obtain a list of CIM methods? Use the following script: Clear-Host; $ClassList = Get-CimClass; foreach ($CimClass in $ClassList) { foreach ($CimMethod in $CimClass.CimClassMethods) { $Method = [PSCustomObject]@{ Class = $CimClass.CimClassName; MethodName = $CimMethod.Name; ...
Invoking CIM Methods with PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Trevor Sullivan, talks about invoking CIM methods via Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have another guest post from Trevor Sullivan. Trevor is an Honorary Scripting Guy, and a recognized Microsoft Community Contributor (MCC). To see more of Trevor’s guest posts, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. Note This is the fourth in a series of five posts by Trevor where he talks specifically about using the CIM cmdlets. To catch up, read the following posts: Here’s Trevor… In yesterday’s post, we talked about reading and writing C...
PowerTip: Copy Information to the Clipboard with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to easily copy information to the clipboard by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to copy WMI information to the Windows Clipboard so I can use it in another application? Use the external clip.exe utility to copy Windows PowerShell pipeline output to your Windows clipboard! For example, to get a list of WMI classes in the root\cimv2 namespace on your computer and then copy the list to the Windows clipboard, run the following command: (Get-CimClass | S...
Use PowerShell to Manipulate Information with CIM
Summary: Guest blogger, Trevor Sullivan, talks about using Windows PowerShell and CIM to manipulate information. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest post from Trevor Sullivan. Trevor is an Honorary Scripting Guy, and a recognized Microsoft Community Contributor (MCC). To see more of Trevor’s guest posts, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. You can reach Trevor on Twitter (https://twitter.com/pcgeek86) or follow him on his blog, Trevor Sullivan's Tech Room, Minding the gap between administration and development. Note This is the third in a series of five posts by Trevor...
PowerTip: Find Commands in Specific PowerShell Modules
Summary: Learn how to find commands in specific Windows PowerShell modules. How can I find all the commands in the CIMCmdlets Windows PowerShell module? Use the Get-Command cmdlet and specify the module name, for example: Get-Command -Module CIMCmdlets
Introduction to the CIMCmdlets PowerShell Module
Summary: Guest blogger, Trevor Sullivan, talks about using the CIM module in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest post from Trevor Sullivan. Trevor is an Honorary Scripting Guy, and a recognized Microsoft Community Contributor (MCC). To see more of Trevor’s guest posts, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. You can reach Trevor on Twitter (https://twitter.com/pcgeek86) or follow him on his blog, Trevor Sullivan's Tech Room, Minding the gap between administration and development. Note This is the second in a series of five posts by Trevor where he will ta...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Cmdlets that Accept CIM Session
Summary: Learn how to find all Windows PowerShell cmdlets that accept a CIM session. How can I find a list of all the Windows PowerShell cmdlets that accept a CIM session? Use the Get-Command cmdlet and specify the –CimSession parameter: Get-Command -Parameter CimSession Note If you rely on dynamic loading of modules and you have not loaded a module, this command will not report it. To ensure accurate results, load all of the modules first: Get-Module -ListAvailable | Import-Module
What is CIM and Why Should I Use It in PowerShell?
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy and guest blogger, Trevor Sullivan, explores CIM and using it with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest post from Trevor Sullivan. Trevor is an Honorary Scripting Guy and a recognized Microsoft Community Contributor (MCC). To see more of Trevor’s guest posts, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. You can reach Trevor on Twitter (https://twitter.com/pcgeek86) or follow him on his blog, Trevor Sullivan's Tech Room, Minding the gap between administration and development. Note This is the first in a series of five posts by Tre...
PowerTip: Find Day of the Week by Using PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the day of the week. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily find the day of the week—for example, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday? Use the Get-Date cmdlet to return a DateTime object, and ten select the DayOfTheWeek property: (get-date).DayOfWeek
Weekend Scripter: Modify DNS Settings via Windows PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Gershon Levitz, talks about modifying DNS settings with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a new guest blogger, Gershon Levitz. Gershon is a senior technical writer for Hyper-V at Microsoft. The floor is yours, Gershon... There are times when I need to change the DNS settings and use specific DNS servers. Then after I am done, I want to go back and use the DNS settings provided by DHCP. I can make these changes manually, but it would require a number of manual steps. Because I needed to do this on a regular basis, I investigated how to automate t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Choose Random Letters
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to choose random letters. How can I use Windows PowerShell to arrange five letters in a random order? Use the Get-Random cmdlet, specify the letters as input values, and then use the –count parameter to specify how many to choose: Get-Random -InputObject 'a','b','c','d','e' -Count 5
Using PowerShell ISE Snippets to Remember Tricky Syntax
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell ISE code snippets to ease the burden of tricky-to-remember syntax. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today Jonathan Medd, Windows PowerShell MVP, is with us to share some Windows PowerShell goodness. Take it away, Jonathan… Often when I am teaching students who are new to Windows PowerShell, one of their complaints (apart from my poor jokes during the class) is, “How do I remember which of these braces and brackets to use for the different types of things I am trying to do?” For instance, they quite regularly get mixed up about when to use parentheses:...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Show Path to All Your Profiles
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to show the path to all your Windows PowerShell profiles. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see the path to all of my Windows PowerShell profiles— not only the current host or current user profile? Use the $profile automatic variable, pipe the results to the Format-List cmdlet, and then use the –force parameter to force it to show all paths: $PROFILE | Format-List -Force
Create Backups of Virtual Machines in Windows Azure by using PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Keith Mayer, talks about using Windows PowerShell to manage cloud-based backups. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back Keith Mayer as our guest blogger today. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. In Part 2, we’ll restore virtual machines in Windows Azure from these backups. Keith Mayer is a senior technical evangelist at Microsoft, and he focuses on the Windows infrastructure, datacenter virtualization, systems management, and the private cloud. Keith has over 20 years of experience as a technical leader of complex IT projects, in diverse roles, including network...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Aliases that Rename Commands
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find aliases that rename commands. How can I find Windows PowerShell aliases that rename commands? Use the Get-Alias cmdlet, pipe the results to Where-Object, and look for a hyphen in the name: Get-Alias | Where name -Match '-' | select name, definition
Avoiding PowerShell Scripting Pitfalls
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shares an excerpt from his book, Windows PowerShell Best Practices that discusses scripting pitfalls. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I have an excerpt from my new book, PowerShell Best Practices, which is published by Microsoft Press. In the excerpt today, I talk about avoiding Windows PowerShell scripting pitfalls. This is something that I saw a lot when I was judging the Scripting Games entries. Complicated constructors If you do not have support from cmdlets when you develop an idea for a script, this indicates that there may be a better way to ...
PowerTip: Find All Two-Letter PowerShell Aliases
Summary: Find all two letter aliases. How can I see all defined two-letter Windows PowerShell aliases? Use the Get-Alias cmdlet and a wildcard character combination: Get-Alias ??
Use PowerShell to Find Two-Letter Alias Combinations
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about finding all two-letter alias combinations by using Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I have an excerpt from my new book, PowerShell Best Practices, which is published by Microsoft Press. The two-letter alias namespace is rather large, but how large is it really? You must take every letter in the a–z range and pair them with every other letter in the a–z range to get the answer. If you are good with math, you already know that there are 676 possible letter combinations. However, if your math skills are a bit ...
PowerTip: Find Aliases for Your Favorite PowerShell Commands
Summary: Find aliases for your favorite Windows PowerShell commands. How can I find shortcut names for the long command names I am always typing when I work from the Windows PowerShell console? Use the Get-Alias cmdlet and specify the name of the long command you want to shorten in the –definition parameter. The following technique returns aliases for the Get-CimClass cmdlet: Get-Alias -Definition Get-CimClass Note Not all cmdlets have aliases, but you can easily create your own by using the New-Alias cmdlet.
Understanding Tradeoffs When Searching for a String
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, provides an excerpt from his new book, Windows PowerShell Best Practices, about searching for strings. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I have an excerpt from my new book, PowerShell Best Practices , which is published by Microsoft Press. When you are searching for a string, you can use at least three operators: −contains, −like, or −match. The −contains operator The most confusing of the bunch is the −contains operator. This is not due to its complexity of use, but rather, to an attempt at understanding when ...
PowerTip: Find WMI Classes that Support Updates
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find WMI classes that support updates. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find WMI classes that support updates? Use the Get-CimClass cmdlet in Windows PowerShell 4.0 or Windows PowerShell 3.0, and then search for the SupportsUpdate qualifier: Get-CimClass -QualifierName supportsupdate
Using PowerShell CIM Cmdlets to Explore WMI Classes
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shares an excerpt about WMI and CIM from his book, Windows PowerShell Best Practices. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I have an excerpt from my new book, Windows PowerShell Best Practices, which is published by Microsoft Press. The CIM cmdlets in Windows PowerShell support multiple ways of exploring WMI. They work well when you are working in an interactive fashion. For example, Tab expansion expands the namespace when you use the CIM cmdlets; thereby permitting exploring namespaces that might not otherwise be very discoverable. You can even use thi...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to List Restore Points
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to list computer restore points. How can I use Windows PowerShell to list computer restore points on your desktop? Open Windows PowerShell with Admin rights and use the Get-ComputerRestorePoint cmdlet: Get-ComputerRestorePoint
Tuning SQL Server Management Operations
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Thomas Stringer, talks about using Windows PowerShell and tuning SQL Server Management operations. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I would like to welcome back guest blogger, Thomas Stringer… I spend a lot of time talking with customers and working with them regarding how they can manage their large enterprise SQL Server environments seamlessly with Windows PowerShell and automation engineering in general. Fun puzzles and obstacles always come along, and they cause me to think outside of the box, and possibly veer off “the norm” when I am reaching out to a l...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create Computer Restore Point
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a computer restore point. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a computer restore point before I make changes to the system? Open the Windows PowerShell console with Admin rights, use the Checkpoint-Computer cmdlet, and specify a description, for example: Checkpoint-Computer -Description ok
Avoid Account Lockout: Use PowerShell to Find Old Mobile Devices
Summary: Guest blogger, Tim Bolton, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find old mobile devices that may cause account lockout. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back, guest blogger, Tim Bolton… One of the most common issues we have been seeing lately is user accounts being locked out due to an mobile device that has been replaced or upgraded. Unfortunately, it is still trying to access their Exchange Server email account. 99% of the time, the user will claim that the old device is not in use, but when they see these results, they realize that their kids are using their device, and t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Networking Counters
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find networking counters. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find networking counters? Use the Get-Counter cmdlet and the –ListSet parameter, select the CounterSetName property, and filter on names related to networking. The following command returns sets related to IPv6: Get-Counter -ListSet * | select countersetname | where countersetname -match 'ipv6'
Gathering Network Statistics with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about various ways to gather network statistics by using Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Hey, it is nearly the weekend! This means we are one week closer to Windows PowerShell Saturday #007... PowerShell Saturday #007 will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina on February 8, 2014. This will be an awesome chance to meet and to learn from some of the best PowerShellers around. In fact, five of the speakers are also speakers at the PowerShell Summit this year. There are a limited number of tickets still available for this event, so yo...
PowerTip: Get Network Adapter Power Management Settings
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get network adapter power management settings in Windows 8.1. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get the network adapter power management settings on my Window 8.1 computer? Use the Get-NetAdapterPowerManagement function and specify the name of the network adapter to query: Get-NetAdapterPowerManagement -Name ethernet
Use PowerShell to Work with Network Adapter Power Settings
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to work with network adapter power settings. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to continue my network adapter series, but first... PowerShell Saturday #007 will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina on February 8, 2014. This will be an awesome chance to meet and to learn from some of the best PowerShellers around. In fact, five of the speakers are also speakers at the PowerShell Summit this year. There are a limited number of tickets still available for this event, so you’ll want to sign up now. Th...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Show Connected Physical Adapters
Summary: Use the Get-NetAdapter function to show physical network adapters that are connected. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see which physical network adapters on my Windows 8.1 computer are up and connected? Use the –physical parameter with the Get-NetAdapter function, and filter for a status of Up: Get-NetAdapter -physical | where status -eq 'up'
Using PowerShell to Find Connected Network Adapters
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about ways to use Windows PowerShell to find connected network adapters. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This afternoon I am enjoying a nice pot of Oolong green tea. This tea has a great taste, especially when I add a bit of jasmine flowers. Oolong green tea steeps best if the water temperature is 185 degrees F—it really comes alive and is bursting with flavor. PowerShell Saturday #007 will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina on February 8, 2014. This will be an awesome chance to meet and to learn from some of the best PowerShellers arou...
PowerTip: Rename Network Adapter with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to rename the net adapter. How can I use Windows PowerShell and Windows 8 to rename my network adapter? Use the Get-NetAdapter function to retrieve the specific network adapter and pipe the results to the Rename-NetAdapter function: Get-NetAdapter –Name Ethernet | Rename-NetAdapter –NewName MyRenamedAdapter
Renaming Network Adapters by Using PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about various ways to rename network adapters by using Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I am sitting here sipping a cup of tea made from English Breakfast, peppermint and spearmint leaves, strawberry leaves, licorice root, and a cinnamon stick. It is delightfully refreshing. I am working on Windows PowerShell Saturday #007 that will be in Charlotte. PowerShell Saturday #007 will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina on February 8, 2014. This will be an awesome chance to meet and to learn from some of the best PowerShellers around. ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Enable All Network Adapters
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to enable all network adapters. How can I use Window PowerShell to quickly enable all network adapters on my Windows 8.1 laptop? Use the Get-NetAdapter and the Enable-NetAdapter commands: Get-NetAdapter | ? status -ne up | Enable-NetAdapter
Enabling and Disabling Network Adapters with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks using Windows PowerShell to enable and disable network adapters. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I have spent much of the day working with the various speakers who will be speaking at Windows PowerShell Saturday #007 in Charlotte, North Carolina. We have finalized the schedule. Woo Hoo!! The speaker list was set over a month ago, but certain speakers want to speak in the morning or in the afternoon. Some have more than one session and want to speak back-to-back, or not back-to-back. Others want to be opposite someone else so they can attend a s...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Protocol Binding on Network Adapters
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find which protocols are bound to your network adapters. How can I use Windows 8.1 and Windows PowerShell 4.0 to show which enabled protocols are bound to my network adapters? Use the Get-NetAdapter cmdlet to retrieve all of the network adapters on your system, pipe it to the Get-NetAdapterBinding cmdlet, and filter on enabled is equal to True: Get-NetAdapter | Get-NetAdapterBinding | ? enabled -eq $true
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Identify Network Adapter Characteristics
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to identify network adapter characteristics. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am kicking off Network Adapter Week. Note PowerShell Saturday #007 will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina on February 8, 2014. This will be an awesome chance to meet and to learn from some of the best PowerShellers around. In fact, five of the speakers are also speakers at the PowerShell Summit this year. There are a limited number of tickets still available for this event, so you’ll want to sign up now. The Scripting Wi...
PowerTip: Predefine Cmdlet Parameters in Variable
Summary: Pass a cluster of parameter values by using an array. Is there an easy way to write Windows PowerShell commands to handle two separate domains (for example, production and development) and their credentials? Define them in an array that contains the parameter names and their values. For example, to pass the IP address of a domain controller and credentials as a single variable to the Get-ADUser cmdlet: $DC=”192.168.1.5” $Cred=(GET-CREDENTIAL) $CommonParameters=@{‘Server’=$DC;’Credenti...
Weekend Scripter: Wow! I Didn’t Know You Could Do That in PowerShell!
Summary: Discover the power of the “double splat.” Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here filling in for our good friend, Ed. He’s keeping himself inside where it’s warm. I’m here in Canada typing really fast to keep even warmer! It’s 31 degrees below Celsius here in Ottawa, don’t cha know? I was developing a solution that needed to authenticate against two Active Directory domains, and the client threw in a twist during development (yes, these things happen). During this process, I discovered a cool trick called “double splatting.” In my script, I first n...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Remove a File Share
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to remove SMB file shares. How can I use Windows PowerShell to delete an SMB file share that is no longer used on my computer running Windows 8? Open the Windows PowerShell console with Admin rights, locate the file share, and pipe it to the Remove-SMBShare function (to avoid confirmation messages, set the confirmation level to $false): Get-SmbShare -Name fso | Remove-SmbShare -Confirm:$false
PowerShell and Excel: Fast, Safe, and Reliable
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Tobias Weltner, talks about Windows PowerShell and Excel interaction. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Let’s welcome back guest blogger, Tobias Weltner… Microsoft Excel is a great tool to share Windows PowerShell data. However, the scripting tactics have changed from the good old VBScript times. Let’s take a look at how Windows PowerShell can output data to Excel fast, safe, and reliably. Out-GridView: Built-in “mini-Excel” Before I touch Excel, let’s first look at its little cousin, which ships with Windows PowerShell: Out-GridVi...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create New File Share
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a file share. How can I use Windows PowerShell on my computer running Windows 8 to create a new file share? Open the Windows PowerShell console with Admin rights, then use the New-SmbShare function, and specify a file name and path: New-SmbShare -Name fso -Path c:\fso
Use PowerShell to Get Account Lockout and Password Policy
Summary: Microsoft guest blogger and PFE, Ian Farr, talks about using Windows PowerShell to get account lockout and password policies. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger, Ian Farr. Ian is a Microsoft PFE in the UK. Recently, I was asked how to retrieve a domain’s Account Lockout Policy and Password Policy with Windows PowerShell. Both are stored as attributes on each domain’s Domain Naming Context. In fact, when you update these policies with the Group Policy Management Console, it is the role of the domain’s PDC emulator to write the changes to the header of...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Information about SMB Sessions
Summary: Get information about the sessions between SMB clients and the SMB server. . How can I use Windows PowerShell to get information about the sessions between server message block (SMB) clients and the SMB server on my computer running Windows 8? Open the Windows PowerShell console with Admin rights, and use the Get-SmbSession function.
2014 PowerShell Heroes announced
SUMMARY: Announcing the 2014 Windows PowerShell heroes from PowerShell.Org The PowerShell.Org community announced today the results of their 2014 PowerShell Heroes poll. The community results are in. You can read the complete announcement on PowerShell.Org. The five 2014 PowerShell Heroes are listed here: 1. Teresa Wilson, aka the Scripting Wife – she has been instrumental in helping to organize PowerShell Saturday, setting up Windows PowerShell user groups including being the administrative support for the Charlotte User group, working with PowerShell.Org and the PowerScripting PodCast. She is also a...
The 2014 PowerShell Community Predictions
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy and PowerShell MVP, Don Jones, makes his Windows PowerShell community predictions for 2014.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I invited Don Jones, Windows PowerShell MVP and Honorary Scripting Guy, to write some predictions for 2014. And now, here’s Don… 2014 is shaping up to be a big year for the Windows PowerShell community. Let’s start with what’s on tap for PowerShell.org: But PowerShell.org certainly isn’t the beginning or the end of the awesomeness that is the Windows PowerShell community, and I hope you’ll...
PowerTip: Disable Module Autoload in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to disable module autoloading in Windows PowerShell. How can disable module autoloading in Windows PowerShell? Set the value of $PSModuleAutoLoadingPreference to “none”: $PSModuleAutoLoadingPreference = "none"
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to List Virtual Machines
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to list all virtual machines. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get a list of virtual machines and their state on my Windows 8 laptop? Open Windows PowerShell with Admin rights, and use the Get-VM cmdlet.
Top Five 2013 Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog Posts
Summary: The Scripting Wife reveals the top five Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts for 2013. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. As you all know, the Scripting Wife is very active in the Windows PowerShell community, and she loves to help where she can. I decided to challenge her to write a few blog posts this week. Here is the first one. Take it away Teresa… When Ed challenged me to write some posts, I took the sneaky road and said, “Sure, I will write about the top blog posts from 2013 and the top scripts in the Script Center Repository. I don’t think this is what Ed was expecting...
PowerTip: Enable App Background Task Logging with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to enable app background task logging with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to enable app background task logging in Event Viewer on my Windows 8.1 laptop? Open Windows PowerShell with Admin rights and use the Enable-AppBackgroundTaskDiagnosticLog cmdlet.
Use PowerShell to Import Group Policy Objects
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Ian Farr talks about using Windows PowerShell to import Group Policy Objects. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Yesterday, guest blogger, Ian Farr talked about backing up Group Policy Objects (GPOs) in his post Using PowerShell to Back Up Group Policy Objects. He continues his GPO series today… The challenge Welcome back! Part 1 looked at my script, Comprehensive Group Policy Backup Script. Part 2 is about a Group Policy import script. Previously done, you say? True, but I have yet to find a script that mirrors all of the following configuration items to a test doma...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Inbound Firewall Rules
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display inbound firewall rules. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display the enabled inbound firewall rules for my Windows 8.1 laptop? Use the Show-NetFirewallRule function, filter on the Enabled and the Direction properties, and select the display name for readability:Show-NetFirewallRule | where {$_.enabled -eq 'true' -AND $_.direction -eq 'inbound'}| select displayname
Using PowerShell to Back Up Group Policy Objects
Summary: Guest blogger, Ian Farr, talks about using Windows PowerShell to back up Group Policy Objects. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am happy to welcome back a recent new guest blogger, Ian Farr. Here is what Ian had to say about himself: I started out writing UNIX shell scripts to automate simple tasks. Then as a Windows IT pro, I discovered VBScript, and it ignited a passion for automation. Over the years, I've used batch files, KiXtart, JScript, HTAs, Perl, JavaScript, and Python. I love solving problems with scripts, and I've written code for several large enterprise environm...
PowerTip: Find Windows Azure Database with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get Windows Azure database. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get my Windows Azure database? 1. Run the Add-AzureAccount cmdlet to refresh the account information in your Windows PowerShell session (expires in 12 hours). 2. Run Get-AzureSqlDatabaseServer to get the database server in your account. Your SQL Server databases are associated with your database server. 3. Run Get-AzureSqlDatabase for the databases that are asso...
Security Series: Using PowerShell to Enable BYOD—Part 3
Summary: Guest blogger and security expert, Yuri Diogenes, completes his series about enabling BYOD. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today’s guest blogger is Yuri Diogenes, who continues his security series about enabling BYOD. Yuri is a senior knowledge engineer, and he is a coauthor of the book Windows Server 2012 Security from End to Edge and Beyond. You can follow him on Twitter at @YuriDiogenes. This is the last post of a series, and before we start, I would like to recap what has been documented so far: This post will continue the Contoso IT story to embrace “bring your own device” (B...
PowerTip: Determine If PowerShell Command Exists
Summary: Use Get-Help to determine if a Windows PowerShell command exists. How can I find if a Windows PowerShell command (cmdlet or function) exists in my version of Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-Help cmdlet. If Help returns, you can read about the command. If it does not return, follow up with Get-Command: get-help my-coolfunction get-command my-coolfunction
Leverage Registry Key Time Stamps via PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Rohn Edwards, talks about leveraging registry key time stamps via Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we wrap-up a four-part series from Rohn Edwards, co-founder of the Mississippi PowerShell User Group. If you have not already done so, you may want to read the previous posts in the series: Note To follow today’s examples, you’ll need the Add-RegKeyMember and Get-ChildItem functions from the previous two posts. If you’ve been following along, you now have the ability to see the last time that a registry key was modified from w...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Network Adapter Stats
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display network adapter statistics. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display the network adapter statistics on my Windows 8.1 laptop? Use the Get-NetAdapterStatistics function.
Create a Proxy Function to Display Registry Key Time Stamps
Summary: Guest blogger, Rohn Edwards, discusses creating a Windows PowerShell proxy function to display registry key time stamps. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Happy New Year to you all. Guest blogger, Rohn Edwards, is back with us today to continue his series about retrieving registry key last-modified time stamps. Be sure to read the following blog posts before you start reading the post today, if you have not already done so. Yesterday, we built a Windows PowerShell advanced function that gets information from registry keys that isn’t normally exposed to Windows PowerShell. Our functio...
Get Windows Azure Active Directory Tenant ID in Windows PowerShell
Summary: Get your Windows Azure Active Directory tenant ID in Windows PowerShell. How can I get my Windows Azure Active Directory tenant ID in Windows PowerShell? Use the Add-AzureAccount cmdlet to add your Windows Azure account to Windows PowerShell:PS C:> Add-AzureAccount Then use Get-AzureAccount to get the tenant ID:PS C:>(Get-AzureAccount).ActiveDirectories.ActiveDirectoryTenantID
Reusing PowerShell Registry Time Stamp Code
Summary: Guest blogger, Rohn Edwards, discusses reusing code that obtains the last-modified time stamp from the registry. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is the last day of the year, but don’t despair. We are here to share some Windows PowerShell goodies with you. Welcome back Rohn Edwards as our guest blogger this week... In yesterday’s post, Use PowerShell to Access Registry Last-Modified Time Stamp, we covered how to use Windows PowerShell and P/Invoke to get information from registry keys that isn’t normally available to WMI and the .NET Framework. We covered how to ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Registry Access
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find registry access. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get the ACL for a registry key? Use the Get-ACL cmdlet on a key in a Windows PowerShell registry drive. The following example shows access to the HKLM\Software\Microsoft key: Get-acl HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft
Use PowerShell to Access Registry Last-Modified Time Stamp
Summary: Guest blogger, Rohn Edwards, talks about using Windows PowerShell to access the last-modified time stamp in the registry. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger, Rohn Edwards. Rohn is one of the cofounders of the Mississippi PowerShell User Group. I’m not sure how many of you know this, but the registry stores the last-modified time for every registry key. Unfortunately, it’s not that accessible. Regedit won’t let you get it interactively, although you can get it if you export the key as a text file and then open the file. There are also third-party tools that will let ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Disable Network Adapter
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to disable a network adapter. How can I use Windows PowerShell to disable a network adapter on my Windows 8.1 laptop named Wireless? Use the Disable-NetAdapter cmdlet and provide the name of Wireless to the command: Disable-NetAdapter –name wireless
Weekend Scripter: Using PowerShell to Replace STSADM
Summary: Learn about a Windows PowerShell script to replace STSADM –o enumallwebs in SharePoint. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back today guest blogger, Brian Jackett. Brian is a senior premier field engineer at Microsoft who has specialized in SharePoint development, Windows PowerShell, and Project Server since 2008. Brian is a steering committee member of the Buckeye SharePoint User Group and coauthor of Microsoft SharePoint 2010: Creating and Implementing Real-World Projects. He enjoys giving back to the community through giving presentations, planning and volunteering at conferenc...
PowerTip: Get Time Difference between Dates with PowerShell
Summary: Use New-TimeSpan to produce the time difference between two dates. I know I can subtract dates, but is there a Windows PoweShell cmdlet to show me the time difference between dates? Use New-TimeSpan and supply the information! For example, to show the difference between today and the upcoming New Year: $StartDate=(GET-DATE) $EndDate=[datetime]”01/01/2014 00:00” NEW-TIMESPAN –Start $StartDate –End $EndDate
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Host New Year’s Eve Countdown Clock
Summary: Use [DATETIME] variables and arrays to produce a countdown timer. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here filling in for our good friend, Ed. With the New Year coming up in a few days, I decided to present something silly and geeky. I want to use Windows PowerShell to produce a New Year’s countdown timer. Figuring out the difference between two dates and times in Windows PowerShell is actually surprisingly easy. That is one of the reasons I love using and playing with Windows PowerShell…the difficult is usually very easy! So first we need define the time to countdown to. We’re going...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create Hash Table
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to create a hash table. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a hash table if do not remember the special syntax? Use the ConvertFrom-StringData cmdlet, and put each key-value pair on its own line. (You can perform this on a single line by using backtick character plus n (`n) for a new line): PS C:\> convertfrom-stringdata "a=1`nb=2`nc=3" Name &nbs...
Phantom Elements in a Hash Table
Summary: Microsoft PFE and guest blogger, Chris Wu, talks about working with hash tables. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger, Chris Wu… Admittedly, hash tables didn’t catch my attention when I started using Windows PowerShell, but over time it has proven to be one of my favorites. This is largely thanks to its ability to assign names to values for fast lookup. Hash tables store key-value (or name-value) pairs, which means typically we use strings as keys to locate corresponding values. Windows PowerShell also takes keys from the command line as strings. So the fol...
PowerTip: Display a Blinking Message by Using PowerShell
Summary: Use this one-line Windows PowerShell command to display a blinking message. Is there a one-line command that I could use to blink a message in the Windows PowerShell console to get the users attention? Pipe a range of numbers to the Foreach-Object cmdlet (% is an alias), clear the screen in the Begin block, and then display the message, pause, clear the screen, and pause in the Process block: 1..3 | % -begin {cls} -process {"hello";sleep 1;cls;sleep 1}
PowerShell Report for a Windows Failover Cluster
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a report for a Windows failover cluster. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger, Rhys Campbell… I’m involved in the administration of several Failover Clusters, and I wanted to be able to easily report on these and get an alert for any changes in status. Enter Windows PowerShell. This Windows PowerShell script uses various FailoverCluster cmdlets to write information about a Windows Failover Cluster to a HTML file and copy this to a web server directory root. The script also tracks changes to the state of the cluster and sends...
PowerTip: Add Computer to Security Group with PowerShell
Summary: Use Active Directory PoweShell cmdlets to add a computer to a security group. How can I use Windows PowerShell to add a computer to a security group? Use the Add-ADGroupMember cmdlet, and remember to use the SAM account name on the computer: To add a computer called “STATION01” to a security group called “RDPEnabled”: ADD-ADGroupMember “RDPEnabled” –members “STATION01$” Note The SAM account name has a “$” added to its name.
‘Twas the Night Before Scripting: Part 5
Summary: Tonight, our Admin friend learns to migrate group memberships. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, here. If you missed it, be sure to watch Sean’s video: Just Script It! Also to catch up with our story, read: And now, our conclusion… During the past four days, we encountered a friend who (with the aid of Dr. Scripto) has learned some basic scripting to accomplish his holiday tasks far more readily. Now he is about to complete his work by deploying and migrating domains. And now we begin To work to the end, To aid in the help Of our good Admin friend. The users were re...
PowerTip: Show Group Members with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a list of group members in Active Directory. How can I use Windows PowerShell to regularly show who is in an Active Directory group, for example, Domain Admins? To show who is in the Domain Admins group in Active Directory, run the following command: Get-ADGroupMember DomainAdmins If you’d like to view this in a nicer format, use: Get-ADGroupMember DomainAdmins | FORMAT-Table
‘Twas the Night Before Scripting: Part 4
Summary: Dr. Scripto shows our Admin friend how to determine which groups a computer is a member of. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, here. If you missed it, be sure to watch Sean’s video: Just Script It! Also to catch up with our story, read: Take it away, Sean… When we last were within our reading, the good Dr. Scripto showed our former non-scripter how to find cmdlets within a module—and furthermore, how to obtain the necessary Help for basic use. The weight of the pressure had begun to ease off our happy admin. He actually foresaw being home with his family for the ...
PowerTip: Create Computer Account in Active Directory with PowerShell
Summary: Use the Active Directory module to create a new computer account. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a computer account in Active Directory? To create a new computer called ScriptoPC, execute the following line in an Active Directory environment with a domain controller running Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, or Windows Server 2008 R2: New-ADcomputer –name “ScriptoPC” –SamAccountName “ScriptoPC”
Cmdlets Roasting on an Open Fire
Summary: Are there new cmdlets in the Active Directory PowerShell module in Windows Server 2012 R2? Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have an extra guest post from Ian Farr, who explores if there are new cmdlets in the Active Directory PowerShell module in Windows Server 2012 R2. I like it when Christmas comes early… Are there any additional cmdlets included in the Active Directory PowerShell module in Windows Server 2012 R2? Let’s look… I ran (Get-Command -Module ActiveDirectory).count on a computer running Windows Server 2012 (HALODC01) ...
‘Twas the Night Before Scripting: Part 3
Summary: Dr. Scripto teaches our Admin friend how to find cmdlets in a module and get Help. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, here. If you missed it yesterday, see Sean’s latest video: Just Script It! Also be sure to read: Yesterday we saw how Dr. Scripto aided our good Administrator friend, a person who had never scripted, modify multiple users in Active Directory. Yet there was still much left to do on this project, including deployment of workstations, oh my! And so we continue with our third badly rhyme-filled session… And so it continued Yet not deep in the night, For Powe...
PowerTip: Set Custom Attributes in Active Directory
Summary: Use the Set-ADUser cmdet to modify custom attributes. How can I use Windows PowerShell to modify a custom attribute in Active Directory? Use the Set-ADUser cmdlet and it’s –add, -replace, and –remove parameters to adjust custom attributes. For example, to update the Info attribute in Active Directory and replace it with a new value: SET-ADUSER john.smith –replace @{info=”John Smith is a Temporary Contractor”}
‘Twas the Night Before Scripting: Part 2
Summary: Dr. Scripto helps an Admin learn how to easily modify custom attributes in Active Directory. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, here. If you missed it yesterday, see Sean’s latest video: Just Script It! Also be sure to read yesterday’s post before you start on today’s: ‘Twas the Night of Before Scripting: Part 1. Here’s Sean… In yesterday’s episode, we encountered an Administrator who was near tears due to the time constraints of a massive project and the bad timing of it occurring during the holidays. Magically from a spark of ozone, our good friend Dr. Script...
PowerTip: Create a Secure Password with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to make a plain text entry into a secure password. Is there a way I can use Windows PowerShell and my working script to make a secure string password without using Read-Host? Use the ConvertTo-SecureString cmdlet:$MyBoringPassword=”OhThisCouldBeSecure!ButEverybodyIsReadingThisOnTheInternet!”To convert this to a SecureString, which is typically needed when you create a new user in Active Directory, execute:$SecurePassword=CONVERTTO-SecureString –asplaintext –force –string $MyBoringPassword
‘Twas the Night of Before Scripting: Part 1
Summary: Dr. Scripto teaches a non-scripting Administrator to easily create users in Active Directory. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, here. Returning once again to delight us all with a little holiday merriment is Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney. Other than his habit of occasionally singing off-key Windows PowerShell music, he has taken on the challenge of writing an annual holiday Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog special. This year, the Scripting Guys proudly present to you in 3-D PowerShell-O-Rama Vision, the latest holiday edition. But before you rush to read today’s post, see Sean’s l...
PowerTip: Debug a Workflow with PowerShell 4.0
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 4.0 to debug a workflow. How do I set a breakpoint in a Windows PowerShell script workflow? Add the workflow to a script and use Set-PSBreakpoint to set a line breakpoint in the workflow:Set-PSBreakpoint -Script C:Test-MyWorkflow1.ps1 -Line 12 ID Script Line Command Variable Action-- ------ ...
Security Series: Using PowerShell to Enable BYOD–Part 2
Summary: Guest blogger and security expert, Yuri Diogenes, continues his series about enabling BYOD. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today’s guest blogger is Yuri Diogenes, who continues his security series about enabling BYOD. Yuri is a senior knowledge engineer, and he is a coauthor of the book Windows Server 2012 Security from End to Edge and Beyond. You can follow him on Twitter at @YuriDiogenes. In the first part of this series, Security Series: Using PowerShell to Enable BYOD–Part 1, I explained how to enable device registration to allow IT to have awareness of the user’s device and have th...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Discover Console Colors
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to discover console color assignment. How can I see what colors are assigned in the Windows PowerShell console? Use the Get-Host cmdlet and expand the PrivateData property: (get-host).privatedata
Migrating Host-Named Site Collections
Summary: Guest blogger and Microsoft PFE, Chris Weaver, talks about using Windows PowerShell to migrate host-named site collections. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back today to guest blogger, Chris Weaver… This week I was onsite with a customer in North Carolina. They were migrating to SharePoint 2013, but they hit an issue with support. The issue was that they had an excessive number of web applications, and they needed to find a way to reduce those applications but still maintain their URLs. In SharePoint 2013, the recommended way of doing this was to use host-named sit...
PowerTip: PowerShell One-Liner to Find Short Aliases
Summary: Use this Windows PowerShell one-liner to find one-, two-, three-, and four-letter aliases. How can I use a Windows PowerShell one-liner to find the number of default aliases that are one, two, three, and four letters long? Use the range operator to create an array with 1 through 4 numbers, pipe the results to the Foreach-Object cmdlet, multiply the number with a wildcard character, and pipe the results to Measure: 1..4 | % {(gal ("?"*$_) | measure).count}
Store PowerShell Profile on SkyDrive
Summary: Guest blogger, JD Platek, talks about storing the Windows PowerShell profile on SkyDrive. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I would like to introduce a new guest blogger. Please welcome JD Platek. JD has been in IT since 2003, and he is an Exchange Server 2010 and Office 365 MCM. He has supported many industries, plus he has enjoyed having the opportunities to travel the world because of IT. Most of his career has been in the Exchange world, which lead him to learn and love Windows PowerShell. JD is a consultant for Microsoft in Singapore. He supports and regularly presents at the ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to List App Background Task Info
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to list app background task information. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find performance information about app background tasks on my laptop running Windows 8.1? Open Windows PowerShell with Admin rights. Use the Get-AppBackgroundTask cmdlet, and include the complete name of the app and the –IncludeResourceUsage switch. Select the PerfInfo property and expand it. Get-AppBackgroundTask -PackageFamilyName Microsoft.SkypeApp_kzf8qxf38zg5c -IncludeResourceUsag...
Use PowerShell to Work with RODC Accounts
Summary: Microsoft premier field engineer, Ian Farr, talks about using Windows PowerShell to work with RODC accounts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I would like to introduce a new guest blogger, Ian Farr. Ian tells us about himself: I started out writing UNIX shell scripts to automate simple tasks. Then as a Windows IT pro, I discovered VBScript, and it ignited a passion for automation. Over the years, I've used batch files, KiXtart, JScript, HTAs, Perl, JavaScript, and Python. I love solving problems with scripts, and I've written code for several large enterprise environments. I now wo...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display a Routing Table
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display your routing table. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display the routing table on my Windows 8.1 laptop? Use the Get-NetRoute function.
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find DNS Suffix Search List
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find a DNS suffix search list. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find how DNS is configured on my computer running Windows 8.1 in terms of domain suffix search lists? Use the Get-DnsClientGlobalSetting function.
PowerShell Above and Beyond the Minimum Requirements
Summary: Two Microsoft Windows PowerShell experts get extreme with the standard Hello World script. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Last month at the Charlotte PowerShell User Group meeting, we played around with some scenarios, and we had each of the attendees work through the tasks to see the various ways they would come up with to solve the scenario. Jason Walker and Brian Wilhite, both Microsoft PFEs and Windows PowerShell enthusiasts decided that they wanted to go above and beyond the answer that I provided. Here is Jason to kick off their effort… Windows PowerShell doesn’t al...
PowerTip: Kick Off Formal WinSat Evaluation
Summary: Kick off a formal WinSat evaluation on your computer running Windows 8.1. How can I use Windows PowerShell to run a formal WinSat evaluation on my computer running Windows 8.1? Open the Windows PowerShell console with Admin rights, and use the WinSat utility: WinSat formal
Weekend Scripter: Configure HyperV on Windows 8 Computer
Summary: Guest blogger, Greg Lindsay, tells how to configure Hyper-V on a computer running Windows 8.1 or Windows 8. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we welcome a new guest blogger, Greg Lindsay. In Greg’s own words: I am a technical writer for Windows Server. I have written documentation for Network Access Protection (NAP), DNS, DHCP, and IP Address Management (IPAM). You might already have experience using Windows Virtual PC in Windows 7, which enables you to run virtual machines on a client operating system. You can still install Windows Virtual PC in Windows 8, but ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Clear DNS Cache
Summary: Clear the client DNS cache by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to clear the client DNS cache on my computer running Windows 8.1? Use the Clear-DNSClientCache cmdlet.
Working with Task Scheduler XML
Summary: Guest blogger, Jason Morgan, talks about using XML to work with the Task Scheduler. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am proud to introduce Jason Morgan as the newest guest blogger for the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog. I ran across Jason at the first meeting of the Northern Virginia (NOVA) PowerShell User Group meeting. The Scripting Wife and I were hanging out, and I asked him if he would like to contribute. Today’s excellent post is the result of that collaboration. First, a little bit about Jason… Jason Morgan has been working in IT since 2004. He is an engineer for V...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Connections to Remote Servers
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find connections to remote servers. How can I use Windows PowerShell while I am troubleshooting my computer to find what connections are made to remote servers via port 80? Use the Get-NetTCPConnection command, specify the remote port of 80, and select the remote addresses: Get-NetTCPConnection -RemotePort 80 | SELECT RemoteAddress
Using the PowerShell Contains Operator
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the Windows PowerShell Contains operator to work with arrays. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am happy to provide you with an excerpt from my book Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step, published by Microsoft Press. Examine contents of an array To verify input that is received from the command line, you can use the Contains operator to examine the contents of an array of possible values. This following technique illustrates an array of three values that is created and stored in the variable $noun. The Contains operator is the...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Show IP Interface Overview
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to provide an overview of IP interfaces. How can I use Windows PowerShell to provide me with a quick overview of the IP interfaces on my computer? In your computer running Windows 8.1, use Windows PowerShell 4.0, and call the Get-NetIPInterface command.
Understanding the PowerShell While Statement
Summary: Learn how to use the While statement in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am happy to provide you with an excerpt from my new book Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step, published by Microsoft Press. In VBScript, you had the While…Wend loop. An example of using the While…Wend loop is the WhileReadLineWend.vbs script. The first thing you do in the script is create an instance of the FileSystemObject, and store it in the objFSO variable. You then use the OpenTextFile method to open a test file, and you store that object in the objFile variable. You then u...
PowerTip: Find Net Route with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find a net route to a remote host. How can I use the Find-NetRoute function in Windows 8.1 to find a route to a remote host if I do not have the IP address? Use the Resolve-DnsName command to find the IP address of the remote host, and feed the results to the Find-NetRoute command: Find-NetRoute -RemoteIPAddress (Resolve-DnsName www.microsoft.com).ip4address
Use PowerShell to Create Remote Session
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to create a remote management session. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am happy to provide you with an excerpt from my new book, Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step, published by Microsoft Press. For a simple configuration on a single remote machine, entering a remote Windows PowerShell session is the answer. To enter a remote Windows PowerShell session, use the Enter-PSSession cmdlet to create an interactive remote Windows PowerShell session on a target machine. If you do not supply credentials, the remote session impersonates your current sign-i...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Routing Table
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display the routing table. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display the routing table? In your computer running Windows 8.1, use Windows PowerShell 4.0, and call the Get-NetRoute command.
Use PowerShell to Create Registry Keys
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create and manage registry keys. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am happy to provide you with an excerpt from my book, Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step, published by Microsoft Press. Note The registry contains information that is vital to the operation and configuration of your computer. Serious problems could arise if you edit the registry incorrectly. Therefore, it is important to back up your system prior to attempting to make any changes. For information about backing up your registry, see article 322756 in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. For gen...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Resolve DNS Names
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find IP addresses for DNS names. How can I use Windows PowerShell to resolve a DNS name to an IP address? With Windows PowerShell 4.0 in Windows 8.1, use the Resolve-DnsName command, and then select the IP4address from the results: (Resolve-DnsName www.microsoft.com).ip4address
Find Hidden Message Embedded in Image
Summary: Learn how to find a hidden message embedded in an image. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have an extra post from Shane Nelson with a recap of an interesting challenge presented to us at our Charlotte PowerShell User Group. Shane is an associate Windows system administrator for a large-scale healthcare provider in the southeast U.S. He has worked in IT for since 2008. Along with his team, he helps manage and support Windows servers and Microsoft Exchange. Take it away, Shane… Windows PowerShell MVP, Jim Christopher, presented us with a challenge: Find the hidden message that h...
See How Naming Makes PowerShell Easy to Learn
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shares an excerpt from his book, Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step, which explains how the Windows PowerShell naming convention makes it easy to learn. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am happy to provide you with an excerpt from my book, Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step, published by Microsoft Press. One of the great things about Windows PowerShell is the verb–noun naming convention. In Windows PowerShell, the verbs indicate an action to perform, such as Set to make a change or Get to retrieve a value. The noun indicates the item with w...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get WinSat Score on Windows 8.1
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to read the WinSat score on your computer running Windows 8.1. How can I use Windows PowerShell to obtain the WinSat score from my computer running Windows 8.1, if I cannot find the utility I used on earlier versions of Windows? Use the Get-CimInstance cmdlet and read the values from the Win32_WinSat WMI class: Get-CimInstance Win32_WinSAT
Weekend Scripter: Who are the Administrators?
Summary: Guest blogger, Bill Stewart, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find administrators. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Hello everyone. It is the weekend, and guest blogger, Bill Stewart is going to share his time and knowledge today. Bill is a scripting guru and a moderator for the Official Scripting Guys Forum... As you know, an administrator of a Windows computer is a member of the computer’s local Administrators group. This is a special built-in group, so any user or group that’s a member of this special group is an administrator on the computer. We can see who the members ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Subtract Timespans
Summary: Subtract timespans by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to subtract 2 days and 14 hours from 12 days and 1 hour to determine the amount of time left on a project? Create two timespans using the New-Timespan cmdlet, and then subtract them from each other: (New-TimeSpan -Days 12 -Hours 1) - (New-TimeSpan -Days 2 -Hours 14)
Weekend Scripter: Create an HTML Server Report with PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Matthew Kerfoot, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create an HTML server report. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I would like to welcome a new guest blogger, Matthew Kerfoot… I'm a Windows PowerShell enthusiast with strong interests in automating systems administration. I write a blog called The Overnight Admin where I like to share Windows PowerShell scripts, tips, and functions. I also tweet about Windows PowerShell at @mkkerfoot The following function utilizes WMI t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Network Adapter Bindings
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display network adapter bindings. How can I use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8 to display network adapter bindings? Use the Get-NetAdapter cmdlet to retrieve your network adapter, and pipe it to Get-NetAdapterBinding: Get-NetAdapter -Name ethernet | Get-NetAdapterBinding -AllBindings
Solving Office Holiday Gift-Giving Conundrums with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about a project to assign secret pals at work. He ropes one of the managers into the project. During my one-on-one last week with my manager, Adina, she mentioned doing something to help people who work from remote locations feel more like part of the team. Because I work remotely, I was all ears. She had a great idea: Assign random secret pals. You have to find out all you can about the secret pal, and then send them something that is unique to them—their interests, hobbies, or tastes. Of course, the present is something small, which also makes it a b...
Security Series: Using PowerShell to Enable BYOD–Part 1
Summary: Guest blogger and security expert, Yuri Diogenes, talks about using Windows PowerShell to enable BYOD. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today’s guest blogger is Yuri Diogenes, who is bringing us the beginning of a new security series. Yuri is a senior knowledge engineer, and he is a coauthor of the book Windows Server 2012 Security from End to Edge and Beyond. You can follow him on Twitter at @YuriDiogenes. Take it away, Yuri… The explosion of mobile devices and how users are connecting to resources online changed the way users consume information, and this change has arriv...
PowerTip: Use Special Formatting from Types XML File in WMI
Summary: Use special formatting from the types .xml file to choose properties in Windows PowerShell and WMI. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the status of the BIOS on my computer without viewing the default output? Use the special PSStatus view when you select properties: Get-WmiObject win32_bios | select psstatus
Getting Started with PowerShell: The Basics of WMI
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about querying WMI in this excerpt of his book, Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I have the last excerpt from my new Microsoft Press book, Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps. In most situations, when you use WMI, you are performing some sort of query. Even when you are going to set a particular property, you still need to execute a query to return a dataset that enables you to perform the configuration. (A dataset includes the data that come back to you as the result of a query, that is, it is a set of data.)...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get List of Authorized Root Certificates
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a list of authorized root certificates for the current user. How can I examine the authorized root certificates for the current user? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet (dir is an alias) and explore the cert:\CurrentUser\AuthRoot folder: dir Cert:\CurrentUser\AuthRoot
Getting Started with PowerShell: The Certificate Provider
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the Windows PowerShell Certificate provider. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I have an excerpt from my new Microsoft Press book, Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps. To find information about the Windows PowerShell Certificate provider, use the Get-Help cmdlet. If you are unsure what topics in Help may be related to certificates, you can use the wildcard character asterisk (*) parameter. This command is shown here: Get-Help *cer* The Certificate provider gives you the ability to sign scripts, and it allows Windows PowerShell to work...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Write Process Information to Text File
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to write process information to a text file. How can I use Windows PowerShell to document information about currently running processes by writing the information to a text file? Use the Get-Process cmdlet and pipe the results to the Out-File cmdlet: Get-Process | Out-File -FilePath c:\fso\process.txt
Getting Started with PowerShell: Text Files
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to work with text files. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Good morning! Today I have an excerpt from my new book, Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps, which was recently published by Microsoft Press. One of the easiest methods to store data is in a text file. In the following image, the output from the Get-Volume function displays in the Windows PowerShell console. The output formats nicely in columns, and it contains essential information about the volumes on a Windows 8 laptop. Redirect and append The easie...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Group Processes in Windows
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to group the numbers of processes in Windows. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine the number of processes that are running— for example, if I notice that there are multiple copies of the same processes running? Use the Get-Process cmdlet, group the output on the Name property, and sort the count where there is more than one instance of the process.In Windows PowerShell 4.0 or Windows PowerShell 3.0:Get-Process | group name | sort count -Descending | where count...
Getting Started with PowerShell: The Pipeline
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shares an excerpt from his new Windows PowerShell book. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, I have an excerpt from my recently published book, Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps. This book is published by Microsoft Press. The Windows PowerShell pipeline takes the output from one command, and sends it as input to another command. By using the pipeline, you are able to do things such as find all computers in one specific location and restart them. This entails two commands: Passing the objects from one command to a new command makes Windows Powe...
PowerTip: Find User Name for a Process
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the user who owns a process. How can I use Windows PowerShell 4.0 in Windows 8.1 to determine who owns a process? Use the –IncludeUserName switch with the Get-Process cmdlet: Get-Process -IncludeUserName
Weekend Scripter: Determine Process that Locks a File
Summary: Guest blogger, Adam Driscoll, talks about using Windows PowerShell to determine which process is locking a file. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blogger, Adam Driscoll... It’s quite common to run into the issue where a process is locking a particular file. Attempting to delete or open the file can result in an error message when another process has exclusive access to the file. Unfortunately, Windows PowerShell nor the .NET Framework expose a simple way of determining which process is locking the file. Determine which process is locking the file requires quite a f...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Version
Summary: Easily find your Windows PowerShell version. Is there a single command I can use to find the version of Windows PowerShell I am running, plus the version of WSMan and the .NET Framework command-line reference (CLR)? Use the $PSVersionTable automatic variable to display the Windows PowerShell version, WSMan stack information, .NET Framework CLR version information, and other information: PS C:\> $PSVersionTable
Weekend Scripter: WMF, PowerShell, and Exchange Server Compatibility
Summary: Microsoft PFE and guest blogger, Mike Pfeiffer, talks about Windows PowerShell and Exchange Server compatability. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blogger who we haven’t seen for a while. Mike Pfeiffer is a premier field engineer for Microsoft. Since we last had Mike as a guest blogger, he has published a new book: Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 PowerShell Cookbook: Second Edition. Take it away Mike… As you know, the version of the Windows Management Framework (WMF) that is installed on your server determines which versions of Windows PowerShell you can use....
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Clear the Trusted Hosts File
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to clear the trusted hosts file. How can I use Windows PowerShell to clear all values from my trusted hosts file?The trusted hosts file is part of the WSMAN configuration, and the easiest way to clear it is to use Clear-Item:£> Get-Item -Path WSMan:localhostClientTrustedHosts | fl Name, ValueName : TrustedHostsValue : server02,10.10.54.201£> Clear-Item -Path WSMan:localhostClientTrustedHosts -Force£> Get-Item -Path WSMan:localhostClientTrustedHosts | fl Name, ValueName : TrustedHostsValue :Note If you don’t use the&n...
Remoting Week: Non-Domain Remoting
Summary: Richard Siddaway explains how to use Windows PowerShell remoting to access machines that aren’t in your domain. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve just starting learning Windows PowerShell, and I understand how to use it as a scripting language and shell on the local machine. How do I work with remote machines? —AP Hello AP, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the final part of a series of five posts about remoting. To catch up on the previous posts, see: So far in this series, you have seen how to p...
PowerTip: Remove PowerShell Web Access Authorization Rules
Summary: Learn how to remove Windows PowerShell Web Access authorization rules. How can I remove Windows PowerShell Web Access authorization rules that are no longer required? If you can identify the rule, use Remove-PswaAuthorizationRule from the PowerShellWebAccess module:Remove-PswaAuthorizationRule -Id 1~or~Get-PswaAuthorizationRule -RuleName 'server02 AD admin only' | Remove-PswaAuthorizationRuleTo remove all rules for a particular server:Get-PswaAuthorizationRule | where Destination -eq 'manticoreserver02' | Remove-PswaAuthorizationRuleTo remove rules based on the configuration...
Remoting Week: Remoting Security
Summary: Richard Siddaway explains how to secure Windows PowerShell remoting sessions. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve just starting learning Windows PowerShell, and I understand how to use it as a scripting language and shell on the local machine. How do I work with remote machines? —AP Hello AP, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the fourth part of a series of five posts about remoting: You have seen how you can access remote systems by using the ComputerName parameter of various cmdlets. This is very good ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Discover Certificate Thumbprints
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to discover certificate thumbprints. How can I use Windows PowerShell to discover the thumbprints of certificates that are installed on my machine? Interrogate the certificate store, which is exposed as the cert: drive:Get-ChildItem -Path cert: -Recurse | select Subject, FriendlyName, Thumbprint | Format-ListYou will see a lot of entries like this:Subject : OU=Go Daddy Class 2 Certification Authority, O="The Go Daddy Group, Inc.", C=USFriendlyName : Go Daddy Class 2 Certification AuthorityThumbprint : 2796BAE63F1801E2772...
Remoting Week: Configuring Remoting
Summary: Richard Siddaway explains how to configure remoting. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve just starting learning WindowsPowerShell, and I understand how to use it as a scripting language and shell on the local machine. How do I work with remote machines? —AP Hello AP, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the third part in a series of five posts about remoting. The series includes: In the first post, you saw how Windows PowerShell supplies a number of options for individual cmdlets to access remote machines....
PowerTip: Determine Version of WSMAN on Remote Computer
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to determine the version of WSMAN running on a remote computer. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine the version of WSMAN that is running on remote computers? Use Test-WSMAN:Test-WSMan -ComputerName myserverwsmid : http://schemas.dmtf.org/wbem/wsman/identity/1/wsmanidentity.xsdProtocolVersion : http://schemas.dmtf.org/wbem/wsman/1/wsman.xsdProductVendor : Microsoft CorporationProductVersion : OS: 0.0.0 SP: 0.0 Stack: 2.0If you also want to see the operating system vers...
Remoting Week: Remoting Sessions
Summary: Richard Siddaway explains how to use WindowsPowerShell remoting sessions. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve just starting learning Windows PowerShell, and I understand how to use it as a scripting language and shell on the local machine. But how do I work with remote machines? —AP Hello AP, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the second part of a series of five posts about remoting. The series includes: In my Remoting Recap post, you saw that you can use Invoke-Command to send a command to a remote mach...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Key of WMI Class
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the key of a WMI class. How can I use Windows PowerShell to discover the property that has the key qualifier for a WMI class? Use Get-CimClass and iterate through the properties:$class = Get-CimClass -ClassName Win32_Processforeach ($property in $class.CimClassProperties) { $property | select -ExpandProperty Qualifiers | foreach { if ($_.Name -eq 'key'){ $property } } }
Remoting Week: Remoting Recap
Summary: Richard Siddaway explains various ways to interact with remote machines. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve just starting learning Windows PowerShell, and I understand how to use it as a scripting language and shell on the local machine. How do I work with remote machines? —AP Hello AP, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. This is the first part of a series of five posts about remoting: Let’s start at the beginning and recap the various ways you can access a remote machine through Windows PowerShell. When y...
Announcing the 2013 Honorary Scripting Guys
Summary: The Honorary Scripting Guys are announced for 2013. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, I have an exciting announcement! Drum roll please… dadadadadadada…CLING! Yes, for the third time ever, we have official Honorary Scripting Guys to announce! Yes, that’s right. What does it take to become an official Honorary Scripting Guy? It takes an extreme commitment to the scripting community, a remarkable dedication helping to spread the good word about Windows PowerShell, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in producing exceptional content. To read more about the Honorary S...
Psst…Charlotte PowerShell Saturday Details Leaked
Summary: The Scripting Wife reveals the session details for the Charlotte Windows PowerShell Saturday event.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I will turn the keyboard over to the lovely Scripting Wife. Teresa, the screen is yours… Hello fellow PowerShellers! I am so excited to be involved in the planning and co-organizing of PowerShell Saturday #007, which will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina on Feb 8, 2014. Today I want to share the list of speakers and sessions. Remember, there could be some slight modifications as life happens all around us; but this is a prett...
PowerTip: Find Missed Runs on Scheduled Task or Job
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the number of missed runs on a scheduled task or scheduled job. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the number of missed runs on a scheduled task or scheduled job? Use the scheduled task cmdlets:PS C:> Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName MyScheduledJob | Get-ScheduledTaskInfo LastRunTime : 10/16/2013 10:20:20 AMLastTaskResult : 0NextRunTime : 10/17/2013 10:20:20 AMNumberOfMissedRuns : 0TaskName ...
Using Scheduled Tasks and Scheduled Jobs in PowerShell
Summary: Learn about using scheduled tasks and scheduled jobs in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today Dave Bishop, senior technical writer on the Windows Server team, and June Blender, senior programming writer on the Windows Azure Active Directory team, investigate scheduled tasks and scheduled jobs in Windows PowerShell. And now, here’s June… Windows PowerShell 3.0 introduced dozens of new modules and thousands of new cmdlets. Much of this was the work of Microsoft teams building Windows PowerShell interfaces for Windows tools. In the mix were two modules that soun...
PowerTip: Export PowerShell Cmdlet Information
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to export cmdlet information to a text format other than .csv. How can I export Windows PowerShell cmdlet information to a format other than .csv so I can use it in another application? Use the Export-CSV cmdlet and specify a different deliminiter. For example, if your application needs a colon separator instead of a comma, you can use the following type of command: Get-Process | Export-Csv -Path c:\fso\proc.csv -Delimiter ':' -NoTypeInformation
Use PowerShell to Rename Files in Bulk
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to rename files in bulk. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Matt Tisdale is back today with another solution to a situation at work… I received a call from a gentleman named Cristofer this afternoon. He had a business need and he heard from someone that Windows PowerShell could help. I told him that I am sure Windows PowerShell can help—and that was before I even heard the question. His immediate need was to rename almost 250 files that are located in various folders on the file system. He needed to find all files with a specific character string...
PowerTip: Save PowerShell Cmdlet Info as CSV File
Summary: Save Windows PowerShell cmdlet information as a .csv file. How can I save information from a Windows PowerShell cmdlet as a .csv file so I can open it in Excel for processing? Pipe the Windows PowerShell cmdlet information to the Export-CSV cmdlet, specify the path to store the file, and use the –NoTypeInformation switch: Get-Process | Export-Csv -Path c:\fso\proc.csv –NoTypeInformation
Use PowerShell to Remove Data from CSV File
Summary: Guest blogger, Matt Tisdale, talks about using Windows PowerShell to remove data from a .csv file. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger, Matt Tisdale… Last night a geoscientist told me that he has almost 900 .csv files, and he needs to remove two columns of data from them. He has used Windows PowerShell for some other data management tasks and he wanted to know if Windows PowerShell could help with this task. Of course it can! Here is the command I provided to him: Get-ChildItem c:temp *.csv | foreach { $filename=$_.fullname; Import-Csv $filename | select * -Excl...
PowerTip: Create Restore Point with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a system restore point on your computer. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a system restore point on my computer before I perform an operation that might corrupt it? Open the Windows PowerShell prompt with Admin rights, call the Checkpoint-Computer cmdlet, and pass a description, for example: Checkpoint-Computer -Description 'test'
Use PowerShell to Determine Computer Reliability
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to determine the reliability of his workstation. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Sometimes, I am absolutely astounded when my computer works at all. At other times, I completely take it for granted. What makes the difference? Well, that part is easy: it is how well is my laptop working. Is it hanging, is it crashing, is it the infamous BSOD? Well, I have not seen the last two issues in years. Windows, especially beginning with Windows 7 is rock solid, and it does not crash. So what gives? It all comes back to some ...
PowerTip: Get Detailed Information When Updating PowerShell Help
Summary: Get detailed debugging information when you update Windows PowerShell Help. How can I get more information about what is happening when I attempt to update Windows PowerShell Help? Use the standard –Debug Windows PowerShell parameter when calling Update-Help from a Windows PowerShell administrator console prompt: Update-Help -Module * -Force -Debug
Use PowerShell to Review the Setup Event Log
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to review the setup event log. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The ticket sales for Windows PowerShell Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina have been going pretty well. Stay tuned for some pretty exciting news—we may be adding a fourth track to the event. The reason is that there were so many excellent sessions proposed and we had a hard time choosing. In some cases, we really could not make a decision. So we may be running four tracks. This is great news, but also sort of bad news if you were hoping to catch all...
PowerTip: Compare the Contents of Files with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to compare the contents of two file. How can I use Windows PowerShell to compare the contents of two files? Compare-Object -ReferenceObject (Get-Content .diskcapacity.csv) -DifferenceObject (Get-Content .diskcapacity2.csv)Note You have to get the content of the two files and perform the comparison on the two resultant objects. If you use only the file names, you will get a comparison of the file objects rather than the content. Compare-Object -ReferenceObject (Get-Content .diskcapacity.csv) -DifferenceObject (Get-Content .diskcapacity2.csv) ...
The Admin’s First Steps: Capacity Planning Part 3
Summary: Richard Siddaway talks about using Windows PowerShell to create capacity planning reports. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve just starting learning Windows PowerShell, and I understand how to use it as a scripting language and shell. I’ve been told to start performing capacity planning for my servers and was wondering how I can use PowerShell to help with this task. —PH Hello PH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. As part of The Admin’s First Steps Series, this is the final post of three about capacity planning...
PowerTip: Debug Script on Remote Computer
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to debug a script on a remote computer. How can I use Windows PowerShell to debug a script on a remote computer? Use the debugging features in the Windows PowerShell 4.0 console:1. Use Enter-PSSession to start an interactive session on the remote computer:PS C: > Enter-PSSession -ComputerName Server012. Debug as usual. For example, set a line breakpoint on script in the remote session:[Server01]: PS C:> Set-PSBreakpoint -Path C:DebugTest1.ps1 -Line 53. Run the script; it stops at the breakpoint:[Server01]: PS C:> C:DebugTest1.ps1Entering debug mode. Us...
Remote Script Debugging in Windows PowerShell
Summary: Learn about remote debugging support in Windows PowerShell 4.0. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blog written by Paul Higinbotham who is a software design engineer on the Windows PowerShell team… Windows PowerShell 4.0 includes two major enhancements to the script debugger: script debugging now works in remote sessions, and we’ve added debugging support for workflow scripts. This blog post describes the new remote debugging support, and a following post will describe the new workflow script debugging. Previously, script debugging in Windows PowerSh...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Copy Profiles to SkyDrive
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to copy all profiles from a local computer to SkyDrive. How can I use Windows PowerShell to copy all of the profiles from my local computer to SkyDrive? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet. This works only if you have SkyDrive set up and available to the local computer: Get-ChildItem $pshome\*profile.ps1, $home\Documents\WindowsPowerShell\*.profile.ps1 | Copy-Item -Path $home\SkyDrive
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Installed Hotfixes
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find hotfixes installed on your computer. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see hotfixes that were installed on my computer after November 1, 2013? Use the Get-Hotfix cmdlet, pipe the results to Where-Object, and then filter on the date: Get-HotFix | where InstalledOn -ge ([datetime]"11/1/2013")
Use PowerShell to Find Installed Software
Summary: Guest blogger, Marc Carter, reprises his popular blog post about locating installed software. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Marc Carter is joining us again today with another guest blog post... Looking back a couple years ago to my previous post, Use PowerShell to Quickly Find Installed Software, I find it interesting to reflect on common issues shared amongst the IT pro community. In our underlying goal to control our environment, whether that environment consists of a desktop computer, a development server, or production data center, we must first discover and understand before we can ef...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Details about Setup Log
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get detailed information about the setup log. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find information about the status of the setup log on my computer? Use the Get-WinEvent cmdlet, select the setup log, and then pipe the output to the Format-List cmdlet: Get-WinEvent -ListLog setup | Format-List *
Use PowerShell Objects to Simplify Script Output
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to simplify creating script output. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. All of the sessions for Windows PowerShell Saturday in Charlotte are pretty much set. The big question is whether we will have a really cool special guest, or a really, really cool special guest. Of course, you will never know the outcome. The tickets for the event have been going pretty quickly also. All of the previous Windows PowerShell Saturday events have sold out, and this one will be no exception. Last year, all the tickets sold out a couple of w...
PowerTip: Enable PowerShell Remoting with Public Network
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to enable Windows PowerShell remoting on a network adapter that has a public network profile. How can I enable Windows PowerShell remoting on my system if the network adapter has a public firewall profile? Beginning with Windows PowerShell 3.0, you can use the Enable-PSRemoting cmdlet with the –SkipNetworkProfileCheck parameter: Enable-PSRemoting -SkipNetworkProfileCheck
Use PowerShell to Simplify Collecting Computer Information
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to simplify collecting information from multiple Windows PowerShell cmdlets. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, it is cool and crisp outside. I decided to make a pot of English breakfast, but I also put a spoonful of Darjeeling tea in it. Together with some lemon pith, a cinnamon stick, and a half spoon of Lavender, I have a very refreshing cup of tea to accompany me to the lanai. Note Last week I wrote a three-part series that talked about Windows PowerShell objects, which have information related...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell Cmdlet to Report CredSSP
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to find the status of CredSSP. How can I use Windows PowerShell 4.0 on my laptop running Windows 8.1 to find if WinRM is configured for CredSSP? Use the Get-WSManCredSSP cmdlet: Get-WSManCredSSP
Combine Automation Tasks by Using PowerShell Objects
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell objects to combine output from multiple WMI classes. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I registered for Windows PowerShell Saturday #007, which will be held in Charlotte, NC. I am going to be presenting one or two talks (now I am scheduled for two talks, but we may end up with a special guest, and if we do, I will give him one of my slots). The lineup of speakers is absolutely stellar. I know that the Scripting Wife is busy working on a blog post that will describe the speakers and their sessions. This event is going to b...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Format Dates
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to format dates. How can I discover the formats that are available to use in Windows PowerShell when I format date and time information? One way is to keep this script handy and run it when you have a date formatting issue to output common formats:"d ShortDatePattern : {0} " -...
The Admin’s First Steps: Capacity Planning Part 2
Summary: Richard Siddaway talks about using Windows PowerShell to store data for capacity planning. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve just starting learning PowerShell and I understand how to use it as a scripting language and shell. I’ve been told to start performing capacity planning for my servers, and I am wondering how I can use Windows PowerShell to help with this task. —PH Hello PH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. As part of The Admin’s First Steps series, this is the second of three posts about capacity plann...
PowerTip: Back-to-Basics Math Class
Summary: Learn how to find Windows PowerShell math methods. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find math methods so I can perform some mathematical calculations? Use the [math] type accelerator, pipe it to the Get-Member cmdlet, and use the –Static operator: [math] | get-member -Static
Weekend Scripter: PowerShell Does Scientific Notation
Summary: Microsoft PFE and guest blogger, Clint Huffman, talks about scientific notation and Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have another guest blogger from the past—Clint Huffman. The keyboard is yours Clint… In Performance Monitor, if a number in a field is too large to display, scientific notation is used to represent the number. A value such as 30,064,771,072 (28 GB) is too large for a field to display, so it is represented as 3.0064e+010. This is not an error—it is scientific notation. It indicates that the decimal point must be moved to the right ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Syntax for a Cmdlet
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display the syntax of a Windows PowerShell cmdlet. How can I use Windows PowerShell to look at the syntax of a cmdlet without the distraction of a lot of additional information? Use the Get-Help cmdlet, and choose only the Syntax property. (The following example uses the Get-Process cmdlet):PS C:> (get-help get-process).syntax Get-Process [[-Name] <String[]>] [-ComputerName <String[]>] [-FileVersionInfo][-Module] [<CommonParameters>]Get-Process [-ComputerName <String[]>] [...
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Back Up SharePoint Installation
Summary: Microsoft SharePoint MVP and guest blogger, Todd Klindt, talks about using Windows PowerShell to back up a SharePoint environment. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Please welcome back guest blogger, Todd Klindt. Todd also has a blog at http://www.toddklindt.com/blog/default.aspx and you can find him on Twitter @ToddKlindt. Take it away Todd… When I set up a new SharePoint environment for a customer, whether it’s big or small, I always have the disaster recovery talk with them. There are a few different disaster recovery options, and each is right depending the circumst...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Determine System Stability
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to determine the stability of your system. How can I use Windows PowerShell 4.0 on my laptop running Windows 7 to find out how stable my system is? Use the Get-CimInstance cmdlet to query the Win32_ReliabilityStabilityMetrics, and pipe the result to Measure-Object to determine the average value of the SystemStabilityIndex: Get-CimInstance Win32_ReliabilityStabilityMetrics | measure SystemStabilityIndex -Average
Leveraging PowerShell to Help Minimize Risk While Performing Administrative Tasks
Summary: Guest blogger, Marc Carter, talks about learning to use Windows PowerShell and reducing security risks. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have back with us guest blogger, Marc Carter. Take it away Marc… Despite it becoming more and more of a necessity, I’m always surprised whenever I hear about colleagues who have yet to take the opportunity to really get acquainted with Windows PowerShell. What’s not surprising are the initial concerns revolving around security with anything (new) that if not adequately examined can become a stumbling block for those in my network....
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create a Date String
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a date string that has a month, day, and year. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a string that represents the date with the month, day, and year? Feed a pattern of ‘M/d/y’ to the ToString method from Get-Date: PS C:\> (get-date).ToString('M/d/y') 10/28/13
A PowerShell Object Lesson: Part 3
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create custom objects. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Tonight is the PowerScripting PodCast. It is always a big deal around the Scripting House, because the Scripting Wife does all their scheduling for the crew and because of our shared interest in the Windows PowerShell community. Tonight will be a brilliant podcast (as they all are). Note This is the third part of a three part series that talk about Windows PowerShell objects. Creating custom object in Windows PowerShell One of the cool things to do...
PowerTip: Find the Type of an Object
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the type of an object. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily find the type of object that is stored in a variable? Use the GetType method (which all objects have): PS C:\> $date = get-date PS C:\> $date.GetType() IsPublic IsSerial Name BaseType -------- -------- ---- -------- True True DateTime ...
A PowerShell Object Lesson: Part 2
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the importance of returning objects to ease administrative work. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This afternoon I am sipping a magnificent cup of Oolong green tea. I added a spoonful of jasmine buds to my teapot, in addition to a half cinnamon stick and a spoonful of lemon grass. The result is perfect. It goes well with the macadamia nuts I am munching on right now. Note This is the second part of a three part series that talk about Windows PowerShell objects. In A PowerShell Object Lesson: Part 1, I talked about the advantage of usi...
PowerTip: Find Help about PowerShell Objects
Summary: Learn how to find Help about Windows PowerShell objects. How can I find Help about Windows PowerShell objects? In Windows PowerShell 4.0 or Windows PowerShell 3.0, open the Windows PowerShell console with Admin rights, and run Update-Help. (For more information, see Understanding and Using Updatable PowerShell Help.) Then use the Get-Help cmdlet: Get-Help about_Objects
A PowerShell Object Lesson: Part One
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the importance of objects when working with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is starting to get rather cold and rainy outside here in Charlotte, North Carolina in the United States. On a day like this, I like to have a cup of Lapsang Souchong tea. Lapsang Souchong tea is one of the teas that I routinely add milk to before drinking. The smoky flavor and smell remind me of standing in front of the fireplace when I was a kid to warm up after a day of playing in the snow. The nice hot tea allows me to relive that moment, and i...
PowerTip: View Network Statistics with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to view network statistics. How can I use Windows PowerShell to view the amount of data going through my network cards? One way is to use the performance counters.To find available counters:Get-Counter -ListSet 'Network Adapter' | select -ExpandProperty PathsWithInstances | sortTo view the statistics for a particular card: $test = Get-Counter -Counter "Network Adapter(Qualcomm Atheros AR5007 802.11b_g WiFi Adapter)Bytes Total/sec" -MaxSamples 30(This records thirty seconds of data by using the default sampling interval.)To get the total traffic, use ...
The Admin’s First Steps: Capacity Planning Part 1
Summary: Richard Siddaway talks about using Windows PowerShell to collect data for capacity planning. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve just starting learning Windows PowerShell and I understand how to use it as a scripting language and shell. I’ve been told to start performing capacity planning for my servers and was wondering how I can use Windows PowerShell to help with this task. —PH Hello PH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today—filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. As part of The Admin’s First Steps series, I’m going to devote the next three...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Connection Profile
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to determine the current connection profile. How I can use Windows PowerShell to find the current connection profile on my laptop running Windows 8? Use the Get-NetConnectionProfile cmdlet: Get-NetConnectionProfile
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Discover Switch Extensions
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to discover virtual switch extensions in Hyper-V. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I have been playing around with Windows PowerShell and with Hyper-V. One of the cool things about Hyper-V networking is that the virtual switches are extensible. This provides a great space for third-party networking features. But there are a couple of virtual switch extensions that ship with the product that are pretty cool. These extensions are shown in the following image. I can use Windows PowerShell to discover these switch extension...
PowerTip: Find if Computer has .NET Framework 4.5
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find if a computer has .NET Framework 4.5. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find if my machine has .NET Framework 4.5 (required for Windows PowerShell 4.0)? Here's a little function that finds this information for you:function Test-Net45{ if (Test-Path 'HKLM:SOFTWAREMicrosoftNET Framework SetupNDPv4Full') {if (Get-ItemProperty 'HKLM:SOFTWAREMicrosoftNET Framework SetupNDPv4Full' -Name Release -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue){ return $True}return $False }}You can run it remotely, too:PS C...
How to Write Great Help Examples
Summary: Read these tips to help you write outstanding Windows PowerShell Help. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Our guest blogger today is June Blender. June is a writer for the Windows Azure AD SDK. She is also a frequent contributor to the Hey Scripting Guy! blog, and for PowerShell.org. Examples are the most important element of Windows PowerShell cmdlet Help. Many users skip the narrative and read only the examples for guidance about using the cmdlet. As such, it's important to include as much information in the examples as possible. Use the following guidelines when composing your examples: ...
PowerTip: Add User to Group in Active Directory with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to add a user to a security group in Active Directory. How can I use Windows PowerShell to add a user to a security group in Active Directory? In Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows Server 2008 R2, use the Add-ADGroupMember cmdlet. To add a user with a SAM ID “John.Smith” to a security group called “Finance”: ADD-ADGroupMember “Finance” –members “John.Smith”
Building a Demo Active Directory: Part 5
Summary: Add users to random security groups, provide random passwords, and enable accounts. Hey, Scripting Guy!I have created a bunch of users in my sample Active Directory, but I have all these security groups that I need to populate. How can I do that with Windows PowerShell?—BB Hello BB,Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney here, filling in for our good friend, Ed.To catch up on the previous posts in this series, please read: We’re entering in the final stretch! Populating the security groups. This is actually easier than you can imagine.Previously, we built security groups where...
PowerTip: Create a New User in Active Directory with PowerShell
Summary: Use the Active Directory module to create a user with Windows PowerShell. How can I create a user in Active Directory with PowerShell? In Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows Server 2008 R2, use the New-ADUser cmdlet. To create a new user named “Doctor Scripto” in Active Directory: NEW-ADUSER doctor.scripto –Givenname Doctor –Surname Scripto
Building a Demo Active Directory: Part 4
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to generate random users in Active Directory. Hey, Scripting Guy! Is there an easy way to take a list of names and generate random combinations for sample users in Active Directory? —LD Hello LD, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney here, filling in for our good friend, Ed. To catch up on the previous posts in this series, please read: So now that we’ve done the tricky work, now we continue on and have some fun. We’d like to populate our environment with some users. I could go online and dig up a bunch of names and import them. Or I could take...
PowerTip: Create an Active Directory Group with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a security group in Active Directory. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a security group in Active Directory? In Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows Server 2008 R2, use the New-ADGroup cmdlet.To create a new global group in the default Users folder of Active Directory called “Finance”:NEW-ADGroup –name “Finance” –groupscope GlobalIf it needs to exist in different path in Active Directory, specify the path by its distinguished name:NEW-ADGroup –name “Finance” –groupscope G...
Building a Demo Active Directory: Part 3
Summary: Create security groups in targeted organizational units in Active Directory. Hey, Scripting Guy! I was wondering if you could please show me how to use Windows PowerShell to create some security groups inside a set of organizational units in Active Directory. Is it difficult? —DS Hello DS, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney here, filling in for our good friend, Ed. To catch up on the first parts in this series, please read: In Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows Server 2008 R2, creating security groups got far easier with built-in cmdlets for Active Directory. In Part 2 of t...
PowerTip: Create an Organizational Unit with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create an organizational unit in Active Directory. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create an OU in my Active Directory? In Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows Server 2008 R2, use the New-ADOrganizationalUnit cmdlet.To create a new OU at the root of Active Directory called “Divisions”:NEW-ADOrganizationalUnit “Divisions”If it needs to exist in different path in Active Directory, specify the path by its distinguished name:NEW-ADOrganizationalUnit “Divisions” –path “OU=Offices,DC=Contoso,DC=local&r...
Building a Demo Active Directory: Part 2
Summary: Build Windows PowerShell variables to design an organizational unit structure. Hey, Scripting Guy! Can Windows PowerShell provide a consistent way to build a demo structure in Active Directory that includes organizational units and security groups? —RL Hello RL, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney here, filling in for our good friend, Ed. Welcome to Part 2 of this series. To catch up, read Building a Demo Active Directory: Part 1. We absolutely can use Windows PowerShell in this way. A good friend of mine, Rick Claus from Microsoft, asked me this very same question. “Hey, Sean,&r...
PowerTip: Rename a Computer with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to rename a newly created computer. How can I use Windows PowerShell to rename a computer if I don’t know the machine name? Use the Rename-Computer cmdlet and the built in HOSTNAME command, then reboot the computer. For example, to rename a computer to called MININT-123 to CONTOSO-FS: RENAME-COMPUTER –computername MININT-123 –newname CONTOSO-FS
Building a Demo Active Directory: Part 1
Summary: Leverage Windows PowerShell in Windows Server 2012 to create a new Active Directory forest. Hey, Scripting Guy! I often have to put together demo environments, and I need a new empty Active Directory forest. Is there any way I can do this faster than by using the GUI…maybe with Windows PowerShell? —TM Hello TM, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney here, filling in for our good friend, Ed. I’ve also had to build demo environments—sometimes as a proof of concept for a client, and sometimes as an environment when I’m doing presentations. In the old days, the w...
PowerTip: Use CIM Cmdlets to Find WMI Classes
Summary: Use the CIM cmdlets in Windows PowerShell to find associated WMI classes. How can I find the associated classes for a WMI object? Use the Windows PowerShell 3.0 CIM cmdlets.First get the WMI object for which you want find the associated classes:$group = Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_Group -Filter "Name = 'Administrators'"Then find the associated classes:Get-CimAssociatedInstance -InputObject $group | select CimClass –UniqueThen choose and use the class you need:Get-CimAssociatedInstance -InputObject $group -ResultClassName Win32_UserAccount
The Admin’s First Steps: Local Group Membership
Summary: Richard Siddaway talks about using Windows PowerShell to discover the membership of local groups. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve just starting using Windows PowerShell to administer my systems, and I’ve been told I need to check the membership of local groups on all my servers. How can I do that? — AK Hello AK, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway here today—filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. Windows PowerShell is great because you have a number of ways to perform most tasks. You’ll see an example of that in this post, where there are three ways to s...
PowerTip: Find Background Task Info about Windows 8.1 with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell 4.0 in Windows 8.1 to find background task information. How can I use Windows PowerShell 4.0 to obtain background task information about my Windows 8.1 device? Open the Windows PowerShell console as an administrator, use the Get-AppBackgroundTask function and pipe the results to the Format-List cmdlet: Get-AppBackgroundTask | Format-List
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Configure Windows Defender Preferences
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to configure Windows Defender preferences. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is the day. It is time for PowerShell Saturday #005 in Atlanta. This fifth Windows PowerShell Saturday conference is a sell out like the four previous ones. It is really exciting to see IT pros give up a Saturday to learn about this exciting technology. In reality, they are not giving up much, because the sessions are exciting, useful, and practical. If you missed this one, don’t despair, because Windows PowerShell Saturday #007 is go...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Verify Windows Search Settings
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 4.0 in Windows 8.1 to verify Windows Search settings. How can I use Windows PowerShell 4.0 to see how Windows Search is configured on my Windows 8.1 device? Use the Get-WindowsSearchSetting cmdlet:PS C:> Get-WindowsSearchSettingSetting Value------- &n...
Use PowerShell to See What Windows Defender Detected
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to see what Windows Defender has detected. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Tomorrow is Windows PowerShell Saturday in Atlanta. There are still a few tickets left; but in the last few days, they have disappeared with a quickness. If you have a chance at all, you should grab this opportunity to hear some world class Windows PowerShell speakers wax eloquently about their favorite Windows PowerShell topics. The Scripting Wife and I will be there (in fact, I am doing two sessions). It will absolutely rock. If you have not ye...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Configure Windows Defender Signature Updates
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 4.0 in Windows 8.1 to configure Windows Defender signature updates. How can I use Windows PowerShell to configure Windows Defender signature updates? Use the Set-MpPreference function and specify a value for the SignatureScheduleDay parameter (to update signatures daily, use the value of 0): Set-MpPreference -SignatureScheduleDay 0
Use PowerShell to Update Windows Defender Signatures
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell 4.0 in Windows 8.1 to update Windows Defender signatures. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, it is nearly time. Tomorrow the Scripting Wife and I leave for Atlanta for Windows PowerShell Saturday. Obviously, Windows PowerShell Saturday begins on a Saturday—it is just that we are leaving on Friday because it is a pretty good drive from Charlotte to Atlanta and it is nearly impossible to fly to Atlanta from Charlotte. With a two-hour check-in rule, an hour drive to the airport, and then being on the wro...
PowerTip: Find Windows Defender Configuration Info
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find Windows Defender configuration settings. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see how Windows Defender is set up? Use the Get-MPPreference function from the Windows Defender module in Windows 8.1: Get-MpPreference
Use PowerShell to Explore Windows Defender Preferences
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell 4.0 in Windows 8.1 to explore Windows Defender preferences. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well things are certainly shaping up to be exciting. Last weekend, I upgraded my Surface Pro to Windows 8.1 via the store. It took about 30 minutes, and it was absolutely painless. The long part was downloading the 3 GB file. Then it started the installation, and I had to agree with the license statement. Finally, it wanted to know how to personalize the device. Besides that, it was gravy. The Scripting Wife a...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Windows Defender Status
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8.1 to get Windows Defender status information. I recently upgraded to Windows 8.1, and I want to know how to use Windows PowerShell to determine the status. Use the Get-MpComputerStatus function. It reports the status of Windows Defender services, signature versions, last update, last scan, and more. Get-MpComputerStatus
A Quick and Easy Upgrade to Windows 8.1 on Surface RT
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, upgrades his Surface RT to Windows 8.1. The free upgrade to Windows RT 8.1 for the Surface RT is in the store, and I must say, it is cool. I decided to upgrade my Surface RT device this morning. Here are some of the particulars: 1. It took exactly 70 minutes for me to complete the installation. The interaction for me involved simply going to the store, selecting the Windows 8.1 button and saying install. It downloaded 2.11 GB of data, kicked off the installation, and did all the reboots. I continued working on my blog. 2. An hour later, I looked over, and it was &ldquo...
Exploring the Windows Defender Catalog
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about playing around with the Get-MpThreatCatalog function in Windows 8.1. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I bet you thought I fell off of the face of the earth. Actually, I have been busy working with Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2. There is some really cool stuff that I want to share. Actually, I have been chomping at the bit for some time, but we have been under a gag order until general availability. There is some way cool networking stuff, that I have been working with for a while. I guarantee you will be hearing more...
PowerTip: Search for YouTube Videos
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to search YouTube videos. How can I search for YouTube videos about Desired State Configuration in Windows PowerShell 4.0? Use Invoke-RestMethod: Invoke-RestMethod -uri "https://gdata.youtube.com/feeds/api/videos?v=2&q=Desired+State+Configuration+PowerShell" The following command lists each video by title, author, and link: Invoke-RestMethod -uri "https://gdata.youtube.com/feeds/api/videos?v=2&q=Desired+State+Configuration+PowerShell" | foreach {[PSCustomObject]@{Title=$_.Title; Author=$_.author.name; Link=$_.content.src}} | Format-List P...
Mike’s Best Practices at PowerShell Saturday in Atlanta on Oct 26
Here is a special guest blog by Mike F Robbins. Mike F Robbins is a Windows PowerShell enthusiast, IT pro, winner of the advanced category in the 2013 scripting games, and contributing author of a chapter in the PowerShell Deep Dives book. Mike blogs at http://mikefrobbins.com and can be found on twitter @mikefrobbins During the past two years, I’ve competed in the Scripting Games and during that time I compiled a massive list of Windows PowerShell best practices and lessons that I learned along the way. This Saturday, October 26th is your opportunity to hear me present a session based on this information a...
InvokeRestMethod for the Rest of Us
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to search web pages. Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson here. Today’s post is written by Doug Finke, a Windows PowerShell MVP, and June Blender, senior programming writer on the Windows Azure Active Directory team. Take it away, June… I was bending my brain around the cool new Windows Azure Graph REST APIs and Windows Azure Storage Services REST APIs, when I noticed that Doug Finke, author of Windows PowerShell for Developers was posting about calling Representational State Transfer (REST) APIs in Windows PowerShell. To give you a bit of background, a RES...
PowerTip: Find Members of Critical Groups with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the members of critical groups. How can I use Windows PowerShell to track who is a member of my Domain Admins group? Use Get-ADGroupMember, and add as many groups as you want to the list by using the SamAccountName for the groups: "Schema Admins", "Domain Admins", "Enterprise Admins" | foreach { $grpname = $_ Get-ADGroupMember -Identity $_ | select @{N='Group'; E={$grpname}}, Name }
The Admin’s First Steps: Empty Groups
Summary: Richard Siddaway talks about using Windows PowerShell to discover Active Directory groups that have no members. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve just starting using Windows PowerShell to administer my systems, and I’ve been told I need to audit our Active Directory to discover any empty groups. How can I do that? —TL Hello TL, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway here today—filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. You’re in luck because today I’ve got a solution to that issue as part of my series of posts about how an administrator can start making pro...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Unblock Files
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to unblock files downloaded from the Internet. How can I use Windows PowerShell to unblock a script that I downloaded from the Scripting Guys Script Center Repository so that I can to use it? If you are sure you want to run the script, use the Unblock-File cmdlet: Unblock-File -Path C:\fso\Register-FileToDelete.ps1
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell and Pinvoke to Remove Stubborn Files
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Boe Prox, talks about using Windows PowerShell and Pinvoke to delete locked files. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blog post by newly crowned Windows PowerShell MVP, Boe Prox. Long-time readers of the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog are familiar with Boe’s work, but this is his first guest blog post as an MVP. WooHoo! Boe Prox is a Microsoft MVP in Windows PowerShell and a senior Windows system administrator. He has worked in the IT field since 2003, and he supports a variety of different platforms. He is also an Honorary Scripting Guy and ha...
PowerTip: Change the Startup Action on Virtual Machine with PowerShell
Summary: Change the startup action on virtual machines by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to fix the startup state for a virtual machine that isn’t starting automatically? Use the Set-VM cmdlet to easily adjust the settings. To automatically start a virtual machine every time: SET-VM –name CONTOSOVM1 –AutomaticStartAction Start To ensure that a virtual machine does NOT start automatically: SET-VM –name CONTOSOVM1 –AutomaticStartAction Nothing
Recovering Virtual Machines in Hyper-V Server 2012 R2: Part 5
Summary: Adjust virtual machine settings by using only Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need to adjust the settings for some virtual machines on a Hyper-V box. How can I do that without using the GUI? —TM Hello TM, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney here—filling in for our good friend Ed. Note This is the fifth post in a series. To review, see: There is probably a strong misconception of “If I don’t have the GUI, I can’t manage Hyper-V.” But this really isn’t the case when you have Windows PowerShell. When we have a series of v...
PowerTip: Import a Hyper-V Virtual Machine with Only Its .xml File
Summary: Use the new Import-VM cmdlet to import a virtual machine with only its .xml file. I copied a virtual machine to my Hyper-V Server 2012 R2 box and re-created a virtual network with the same name. How can I use Windows PowerShell to import it with without using RSAT? Use the Import-VM cmdlet in Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2, and target the .xml file for import (presuming the file structure has not changed): IMPORT-VM -Path 'C:\ContosoVM1\Virtual Machines\2E5DDCDA-8DCC-4FFC-ABEE-49DAB70C8774.xml'
Recovering Virtual Machines in Hyper-V Server 2012 R2: Part 4
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to import virtual machines that were not exported. Hey, Scripting Guy! Over the weekend, I rebuilt our Hyper-V Server 2012 R2 environment. All of the machines and configuration data are on a second drive. I’d like to avoid spending all afternoon manually re-creating over 200 virtual machines in our lab. Is there an easier way? —SH Hello SH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney here—again filling in for our good friend Ed. Note This is the fourth post in a series. To review, see: With Hyper-V and Windows PowerShell, life ce...
PowerTip: Create a Virtual Switch in Hyper-V with Windows PowerShell
Summary: Use built-in Hyper-V cmdlets to create virtual switches. How can I use Windows PowerShell in Hyper-V Server 2012 R2 to create a virtual switch on a private LAN? Use the New-VMSwitch cmdlet. For example, to create a virtual switch called SuperSecretLan that you can bind virtual machines to, use: NEW-VMSWITCH –Name ‘SuperSecretLan’ –SwitchType Private
Recovering Virtual Machines in Hyper-V Server 2012 R2: Part 3
Summary: Re-create network switches by using only Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! As part of our continuing disaster recovery tests, my organization would like to know if it is possible to re-create the Hyper-V virtual switches in an isolated location without using the GUI? —SH Hello SH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney here—filling in for our good friend Ed. I think he’s untangling some old VBScript scripts he found in the back room. Note This is the third post in a series. To review, see: Would it surprise you that the answer to your question is, “Y...
PowerShell Saturday–Atlanta edition
It's less than two weeks until PowerShell Saturday #005 in Alpharetta, GA on October 26, 2013. Microsoft employees, MVPs, and community members have been gathered to present 15 sessions covering a wide range of topics. In addition to the sessions, we will have a hands-on-lab and an Iron Scripter scripting contest. Here are a few of the sessions that will be presented. Check the PowerShell Saturday #005 website for more information and to register. Since this is a community event, we want to showcase some of our local user group members. From the Atlanta PowerShell User Group we have Will Murphy and Russ Slater gi...
PowerTip: Identify Configuration Changes for Hyper-V Virtual Machines
Summary: Use Hyper-V cmdlets in Windows Server 2012 to identify what a virtual machine needs. Is there a way to use Windows PowerShell to easily find why I can’t import virtual machine configurations when I perform a disaster recovery test on a Hyper-V Server? Use Compare-VM, target the .xml file with the configuration data, and then examine the Incompatibilities property in the output: $TEST=COMPARE-VM –path C:\VM\\B0F4430E-6EC9-46DD-B4DD-E7EF8C5A1FC8.xml $TEST.Incompatibilities
Recovering Virtual Machines in Hyper-V Server 2012 R2: Part 2
Summary: Use Hyper-V cmdlets to identify missing network configurations in virtual machines. Hey, Scripting Guy! This week we are working on some business continuity and disaster recovery practices. One of the documents we are building involves how to rebuild a Hyper-V virtual machine in our Windows Server 2012 R2 environment. Can you tell me if there is a way to identify the configuration data for Hyper-V, specifically the network names in our virtual switches? —BR Hello BR, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney here—filling in for our good friend Ed. He’s still digging aro...
PowerTip: Identify Locations of Hyper-V Config Files
Summary: Use PowerShell to find the .xml files of Hyper-V virtual machines. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily find the location of my virtual machines after I reinstalled Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008 R2? The virtual machine configuration is stored in an .xml file with a GUID, and you can use Get-ChildItem to easily parse a hard drive to find the location.To scan drive C: for all .xml files:GET-CHILDITEM C: -recurse -include *.xmlTo be more efficient, target only C:ProgramData where the data, including hidden folders, is stored:GET-CHILDITEM C:ProgramData –recurse &nd...
Recovering Virtual Machines in Hyper-V Server 2012 R2: Part 1
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find your virtual machines in a recovered file system. Hey, Scripting Guy! This week were working on some business continuity and disaster recovery practices. One of the documents we are building involves how to rebuild a Hyper-V machine in our Windows Server 2012 R2 environment. Can you tell me if there is a way to identify the configuration data for Hyper-V? Is it hard? Oh please tell me oh wise Scripting Guy! —AJ Hello AJ, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney here—filling in for our good friend Ed. He’s taking the week off and playing w...
PowerTip: Use PoweShell to Start Service on Remote Machine
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to start a service on a remote machine. How can I start a service on a remote machine? To start a service on a local machine:Get-Service -Name bits | Start-serviceBut if you try to use the same technique on a remote machine, it tries to start the service on your local machine:Get-Service -Name bits -ComputerName RSLAPTOP01 | Start-serviceSo you have to use Set-Service:Get-Service -Name bits -ComputerName RSLAPTOP01 | Set-Service -Status Running
The Admin’s First Steps: Discovering Shares
Summary: Richard Siddaway talks about using Windows PowerShell to discover shares on remote systems. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve just starting using Windows PowerShell to administer my systems, and I’ve been asked to discover the shares on some remote servers. How can I do that? —OL Hello OL, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today—filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. You’re in luck because today I’ve got a solution to that issue as part of my series of posts about how an administrator can start making productive use of Windows PowerShell. If ...
PowerTip: Run Remote Command in Disconnected Session
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to run a remote command in a disconnected session. How can I run a remote command in a disconnected session? Invoke-Command -ComputerName S1 -Scriptblock {<commands>} -InDisconnectedSession
Disconnected Sessions: Phenotype and Genotype (Part 2)
Summary: Learn about a revolutionary feature in Windows PowerShell 3.0 that lets you disconnect from and reconnect to PSSessions. Today we continue our exciting guest blog series that is written by Paul Higinbotham, a software design engineer for Windows PowerShell and June Blender, a senior programming writer for Windows Azure Active Directory. Here's June… I hope that everyone got a chance to try the scenario that I discussed in Disconnected Sessions: Phenotype and Genotype (Part 1). In this post, I'll show you how to use the InDisconnectedSessions parameter of Invoke-Command and share a few "gotcha...
PowerTip: Add Key-Value Pair to Ordered Dictionary
Summary: Add a key-value pair to the first position in an ordered dictionary. How can I use Windows PowerShell to add a key-value pair to the first position in an ordered dictionary?Use the Insert method, which takes an index (starting with zero), a key, and a value. To add color = blue to the ordered dictionary in the $od variable:PS C:> $odName Value---- -----shape rectangledistance 50 PS C:> $od.Insert(0, "color", "blue")PS C:> $od Name&nbs...
ConvertTo-OrderedDictionary
Summary: Learn about creating ordered dictionaries in Windows PowerShell 3.0. Hash tables are fabulous for storing data items that are associated with each other. The simple "key=value" format is easy to create and easy to search. The only problem is that the order of elements in the hash table is arbitrary. If you need to have the items in a particular order, you need to sort them every time. A new feature in Windows PowerShell 3.0 makes it easy to create ordered dictionaries, which are like hash tables that maintain the order of elements. To create an ordered dictionary, simply place the [ordered] ...
PowerTip: Change Output Object Property Names with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to change output object property names. How can I use Windows PowerShell to change the property names of my output objects? The easiest way to achieve this to use Select-Object and a calculated field: Get-WmiObject -Class win32_OperatingSystem -ComputerName webr201 | select @{N='ComputerName'; E={$_.PSComputerName}}, @{N='OS'; E={$_.caption}}, @{N='SP'; E={$_.ServicePackMajorVersion}}
The Admin’s First Steps: Testing Service Health
Summary: Richard Siddaway talks about using Windows PowerShell to automate health tests across your server estate. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve just starting using Windows PowerShell to administer my systems, and I’ve been asked to test the service health on my servers. How can I do that? —GK Hello GK, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today—filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. You’re in luck. Today, I’ve got a solution to that issue as part of my series on how an administrator can start making productive use of Windows PowerShell. One thing yo...
PowerTip: Find What Various Windows Features Do
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to discover what features do in Windows 8. I found five different Hyper-V features on my Windows 8-based computer, and I want to know how I can use Windows PowerShell to discover what they do. Use the Get-WindowsOptionalFeature cmdlet and select the feature name and the description of the feature (this is a single-line command broken for readability at the pipeline character): Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName '*hyper-v*' | select featurename, description | Format-Table -AutoSize -Wrap
Use PowerShell to Create Virtual Switches
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to easily create virtual switches in Hyper-V. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Scripting Wife and I are really looking forward to going to Atlanta to Windows PowerShell Saturday 005. It will be held at the Microsoft Office in Alpharetta, Georgia on October 26, 2013. There are still some tickets available for this event, and it will absolutely rock. I am doing two presentations, and there is a stellar collection of other speakers. The Scripting Wife will be there helping out with registration and other behind-the-scenes activities. Yes, it will be a grea...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find System Committed Memory
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find total system committed memory. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the total system committed memory on my computer? Use Get-WmiObject (or Get-CimInstance), query the Win32_Operatingsystem WMI class, choose the TotalVirtualMemory and the FreeVirtualMemory properties, and then perform the calculation: Get-WmiObject win32_operatingsystem | Select @{L='commit';E={($_.totalvirtualmemorysize - $_.freevirtualmemory)*1KB/1GB}}
Using PowerShell to Set Up Hyper-V
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, explains how to use Windows PowerShell to simplify the Hyper-V set-up process. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I am sitting here sipping a fairly nice cup of green tea. I wimped out this afternoon. I have a team meeting in a few minutes, so I did not take the time to make a proper pot of tea. Instead, I grabbed a tea bag and shoved it into a cup of hot water. No cinnamon, no herbs, no nothing—only hot water and a tea bag. I almost feel like I am being punished. I paved over my laptop the other day, and I am in the process of setting it up again....
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Obtain Disk Image Info
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find basic disk image information. How can I find basic information about the disk images on my Windows 8-based computer? Use Get-ChildItem to find all of the *.iso files in your directory, pipe the results to Foreach-Object, then call Get-DiskImage in the script block, and pass the FullName from the FileInfo object: Get-ChildItem -Filter *.iso -Recurse | foreach { Get-DiskImage -ImagePath $_.fullname }
Use PowerShell to Bulk Create New Conference Rooms
Summary: Guest blogger, Tim Bolton, discusses how he used Windows PowerShell to create a bunch of new conference rooms. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have another guest blog post by Tim Bolton. In one way, today’s post is a continuation of the post we published on Friday about adding carriage returns to .csv files. It would be a good idea to review that post before reading today’s: CSV: Add a Carriage Return for PowerShell Import Now, without further ado, take it away Tim… Due to a recent physical site relocation, I was tasked with creating new conference rooms at our ne...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Event Logs with Events
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find all event logs that contain events. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find all traditional and non-traditional event logs that contain events? Use the Get-WinEvent cmdlet to return all event logs, use Where-Object to filter the logs that contain more than 0 records, and sort the results: In Windows PowerShell 4.0 and Windows PowerShell 3.0: Get-WinEvent -ListLog * | where recordcount -gt 0 | sort recordcount In Windows PowerShell 2.0: Get-WinEvent -ListLog * | where {$_.recordcount -gt 0} | s...
Weekend Scripter: A Reluctant Immersion to PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Todd Klindt, reflects on his experience learning Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things about writing books for Microsoft Press is that I am brought into contact with people that I otherwise might not talk to. I asked Todd Klindt to write a sidebar about his experience learning Windows PowerShell. He took the task to heart, and ended up writing a great, although long article. It was too long for a side bar in my book, but it was great information, so I asked him if I could use it as a Weekend Scripter blog post—with the understanding t...
PowerTip: Connect to PSSession if Availability is “None”
Summary: Learn how to connect to a PSSession if its Availability is None. Can I connect to a PSSession if its Availability is None? None means that no other session is connected to the PSSession, so if the State is Disconnected and the Availability is None, use the Connect-PSSession cmdlet to connect to it:PS C:> Get-PSSession -ComputerName Server01 -Name DiagId Name ComputerName State ConfigurationName Availabilit...
Disconnected Sessions: Phenotype and Genotype (Part 1)
Summary: Learn about a revolutionary feature in Windows PowerShell 3.0 that lets you disconnect from and reconnect to PSSessions. Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson here. We have an exciting guest blog series that is written by Paul Higinbotham, a software design engineer for Windows PowerShell and June Blender, a senior programming writer for Windows Azure Active Directory. Today, June is going to start us off… In Windows PowerShell 2.0, when you closed a session, such as your Windows PowerShell console window, or you lost your network connection, you lost all remote sessions (PSSessions) that you started...
PowerTip: Find Only PowerShell Cmdlets that Use “Get”
Summary: Find only Windows PowerShell cmdlets that use the verb “get.” How can I find cmdlets in Windows PowerShell that use the verb “get” when the parameters –Verb and –CommandType are exclusive? Use Get-Command to find the –CommandType of the cmdlet, pipe the results to Where-Object, and look for a verb equal to Get: get-command -CommandType cmdlet | where verb -eq get
CSV: Add a Carriage Return for PowerShell Import
Summary: Guest blogger, Tim Bolton, talks about modifying a .csv file to promote cleaner import. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have the first of two posts by guest blogger, Tim Bolton. This one feeds into his post that will be published on Monday, but the idea is a standalone. Take it away, Tim… When I set up new conference rooms, I was requested to list the items that are available in the room within the Notes section of Exchange Server, for example: Seating: 12, Ceiling Projector: YES, Projection Screen: YES, White Board: NO, TV: NO When I created these ac...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Video-Related WMI Classes
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find WMI classes that are related to a video subsystem. How can I find all WMI classes in the root\cimv2 WMI namespace that are related to video or displays? Create an array of wildcard patterns, then pipe the results to the Foreach-Object cmdlet, and use the Get-CimClass cmdlet to find dynamic WMI classes: "*video*","*display*" | foreach {Get-CimClass -ClassName $psitem -QualifierName dynamic}
Use PowerShell to Discover Multi-Monitor Information
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about how to use Windows PowerShell to discover multi-monitor configuration information on your computer. Hey, Scripting Guy! I am a long time reader, but a first time writer. I have been following your blog for years. You are awesome! I have become good at navigating around various WMI classes, but I need to find information about multiple monitors that are connected to my laptop running Windows 7. Ideally, I would like to know if it is connected to only the laptop display, or if there is an added monitor. If I can also find the resolution, it w...
PowerTip: Discover All Event Logs on a Server
Summary: Discover all of the event logs on a server by using Windows PowerShell. How can I discover the event logs that are available on my server? There two ways to do this. If you want the classic-type event logs, use: Get-EventLog –List If you want to see all of the event logs, including the new style logs that were introduced in Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista, use: Get-WinEvent -ListLog * Note You need the wildcard character (*); otherwise, you will generate an error message.
The Admin’s First Steps: Scan Multiple Event Logs
Summary: Richard Siddaway talks about using Windows PowerShell to automate scanning event logs across many remote machines. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve just starting using Windows PowerShell to administer my systems, and I’ve been asked to test multiple remote machines for a particular event. How can I do that? —CV Hello CV, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today. I’m filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. You’re in luck because today I’ve got just the answer you are looking for as part of my series of posts about how an administrator can start...
PowerTip: Launch Cmd.exe Commands from PowerShell
Summary: Launch legacy applications from Windows PowerShell. Can I execute an old batch script in Windows PowerShell? To launch an old command or batch file from within a Windows PowerShell script, launch Cmd.exe with the /C parameter: CMD.EXE /C PAUSE Or if it’s a .bat or .cmd file, you can put it directly within the Windows PowerShell script and run it: \BAT\CAVE\RUNME.CMD Note Your results will be in the $LASTEXITCODE.
Rebuild the Pause Command with PowerShell
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell function to truly mimic legacy commands. Hey, Scripting Guy! What happened to “pause” in Windows PowerShell? Am I simply not recognizing it? —KL Hello KL, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here. I’m again filling in for our good friend, Ed. He stepped away from his keyboard for a few minutes, so I’m quickly typing…shhhhhh! Let’s “pause” for a moment... In the old console world, we had a little friend called Pause. We used to do this when we wanted to wait for a key press to continue a script: PAUSE And then we...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Show Control Panel Items
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to show Control Panel items in Windows 8. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display applets from within the Control Panel? Use the Show-ControlPanelItem cmdlet to display an applet, and use the Get-ControlPanelItem cmdlet to obtain a list of all applets. The following command illustrates how to display the autoplay item: Show-ControlPanelItem autoplay
Domain Migration: Why We Need the Script
Summary: An anonymous blogger shares a domain migration script. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today’s guest blogger will remain anonymous due to privacy considerations at his company. This does not mean that his knowledge needs to remain undisclosed. Without further ado, here is a really nice guest blog… We are a large international organization with many legacy domains. A major business objective this year is to move users, workstations, servers, and applications from these legacy domains into one domain and then collapse the legacy domains. The approach to migrating users, applicatio...
PowerTip: Examine PowerShell Runspace Initial Session State
Summary: Use the .NET Framework to examine the initial session state of a Windows PowerShell runspace. How can I see the initial session state of the default Windows PowerShell runspace? Use the RunSpace class, and examine the InitialSessionState property from the default Runspace object: [System.Management.Automation.Runspaces.Runspace]::DefaultRunspace.InitialSessionState
Weekend Scripter: Max Out PowerShell in a Little Bit of Time—Part 2
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Jason Walker, talks about improving performance of Windows PowerShell by using runspaces. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Jason Walker is back with us today for the conclusion of his two-part weekend series. Be sure to read yesterday’s post before you read today’s: Weekend Scripter: Max Out PowerShell in a Little Bit of Time—Part 1 And now, Jason… Yesterday we explored using Windows PowerShell remoting (Invoke-Command) and Windows PowerShell jobs, and we ended with a teaser about runspaces. Today let’s take a closer look at runspaces. Guest blogg...
PowerTip: Find Information about Default PowerShell Runspace
Summary: Use the .NET Framework to find information about the default Windows PowerShell runspace. How can I find information about the default Windows PowerShell runspace? Use the DefaultRunspace parameter from the Runspace class: [System.Management.Automation.Runspaces.Runspace]::DefaultRunspace
Weekend Scripter: Max Out PowerShell in a Little Bit of Time—Part 1
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Jason Walker, talks about how to maximize performance from Windows PowerShell in the enterprise. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Jason Walker is our guest blogger this weekend. Today is Part 1 of a 2 part series. Here’s Jason… I work in an environment with widely dispersed datacenters and I am often tasked with searching for events from multiple servers. It becomes a challenge to quickly query the event logs of 5, 10, or even 20 servers, not to mention 70 servers. Let us look at our options. Immediately, Windows PowerShell remoting comes to mind. Windows PowerShel...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Multiply Strings
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to multiply strings. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display a string a number of times, without doing a lot of typing? Multiply the string: PS C:\> "cat " *5 cat cat cat cat cat
The PowerShell Summit: Why You Should Care
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the Windows PowerShell summit in Seattle, and why you should care. Hey, Scripting Guy! Can you tell me why I should attend the Windows PowerShell summit in Seattle? I am wondering if it would be worth my while. I have been using Windows PowerShell for a while, and I feel like I know almost everything there is to know about Windows PowerShell. So how useful can this Summit really be? —SH Hello SH, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This afternoon is shaping up to be a lovely day. I spent the morning teaching a Windows PowerShell c...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Example Code
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find easy-to-use example code. How can I find examples of using Windows PowerShell cmdlets and functions—in particular examples that begin with the verb Get? Use the Get-Command cmdlet to find commands beginning with the verb Get, pipe the results to the Foreach-Object cmdlet, and call Get-Help on each item. For Windows PowerShell 4.0 and Windows PowerShell 3.0: (Get-Command -Verb get).name | foreach {get-help $psitem -example} For Windows PowerShell 2.0 and on Windows PowerShell 1.0: Get-Command -Verb get | foreach {get-help ...
Scripting Wife Talks About the PowerShell Summit
Summary: Guest blogger, Teresa Wilson, talks about the Windows PowerShell Summit. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today the Scripting Wife wants to talk a bit about what the Windows PowerShell Summit means to her. Take it away Scripting Wife… Anyone who follows social media will know by now that today is my birthday. I see no sense in hiding the fact, so I am just going to wallow in my day. I don’t need gifts, but I do love to see the messages and hugs that are sent my way. They are far more valuable than anything that could be wrapped and presented to me. Speaking of hugs,,, One of the ...
PowerTip: Make Multiple WMI Queries to Remote Machine
Summary: Learn how to make multiple WMI queries to a remote machine more efficient. How can I make running multiple WMI queries against a remote machine more efficient? Create a CIM session with New-CimSession, and use that in your calls instead of a computer name: $sess = New-CimSession –Computername server02 Get-CimInstance –ClassName Win32_OperatingSystem –CimSession $sess
The Admin’s First Steps: Documenting Servers
Summary: Richard Siddaway talks about using Windows PowerShell to automate the creation of your server documentation. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’ve just starting learning Windows PowerShell, and I understand how to use it as a scripting language and shell. But what can I use it for in my environment to make my job easier? Can you give me some suggestions? —CA Hello CA, Honorary Scripting Guy, Richard Siddaway, here today filling in for my good friend, The Scripting Guy. Richard Siddaway is based out of the UK, and he spends his time automating anything and everything for Kelway Ltd. A Windows P...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Access Online Help
Summary: Learn how to access online Help easily by using Windows PowerShell. How can I ensure that I am always accessing the latest Help content—even if I suspect my Help file for Windows PowerShell is out-of-date, and I do not have time to download and install the latest? Use the –Online switch when using the Get-Help cmdlet. This example opens Help content for Set-WSManInstance: Get-Help Set-WSManInstance -Online
Are You Safe?
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Jeffery Hicks, talks about profiling scripts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have as our guest blogger, Jeffery Hicks, Windows PowerShell MVP and author. To read more of Jeff’s previous guest posts, see these Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. Jeffery Hicks is a Microsoft MVP in Windows PowerShell, a Microsoft Certified Trainer, and an IT veteran with over 20 years of experience. He spent much of this time as an IT consultant specializing in Microsoft server technologies with an emphasis on automation and efficiency. He works today as an independent autho...
PowerTip: Create Array with Five Numbers
Summary: Easily create an array that contains five numbers with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily create an array that contains five numbers? Use the Range operator and assign the results to a variable: $a = 1..5
Adding Array Index Numbers to PowerShell Custom Objects
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about adding array index numbers to Windows PowerShell custom objects. Hey, Scripting Guy! Our software application returns arrays of information. What I need is a way to artificially add the array element number to the object that the cmdlet outputs. For example, I want to add the highlighted information to the following output, and I need the highlighted numbers to be the array indexes: Can you help me? —WS Hello WS, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well it is just a couple of days until the Scripting Wife’s birthday. Shhhhh...
PowerTip: Determine Size of PowerShell Console
Summary: Determine how large your Windows PowerShell console is. How can I see how large my Windows PowerShell console is? Access the WindowSize property from the $Host object: $Host.UI.RawUI.WindowSize.Width $Host.UI.RawUI.WindowSize.Height
Weekend Scripter: Using PowerShell to Cook Popcorn for Music
Summary: Leverage Windows PowerShell for some simple on-screen animation. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here. I’m filling in for our good friend, Ed Wilson. Ed got hungry today and asked me to make him some popcorn. So today we’ll use Windows PowerShell to make some—just some little bits for fun. In actual reality I’m going to have Windows PowerShell generate some simple animations on the screen. This is for fun. Nothing else. After all, it’s the weekend. That’s my excuse! So first we’ll define an array of the characters that will participate in our little animate...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Send Beep to Console
Summary: Use the Beep command in Windows PowerShell. How can I send a sound in Windows PowerShell to notify a user if an error occurs in the script? Windows PowerShell can send a Beep to the console: [console]::beep(500,300) Change the value of the first number to alter the pitch (anything lower than 190 or higher than 8500 can’t be heard), and change the value of the second number to alter the duration: [console]::beep(2000,500)
Weekend Scripter: Use Windows PowerShell to Play Recorded Music
Summary: Use a hash table and an array to run prearranged actions. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney here. I’m filling in for our good friend, Ed again today. I think he’s busy playing some tunes with the Windows PowerShell piano we created last week. So continuing from last weekend’s silliness, I had the song “Popcorn” in my head. I was thinking, “Is there any way we could have some prerecorded music for Windows PowerShell?” Well, this is definitely something we can do, but we need to figure out a few details to play music. Looking at a typically sheet of music, we ha...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell 3.0 to Find WMI Classes
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to find WMI classes that create stuff. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to find WMI classes that can create stuff? Use the Get-CimClass cmdlet and specify the Create value to the MethodName parameter: Get-CimClass -MethodName create
Hey, Dude! Where Are My Methods?
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Richard Siddaway, talks about WMI's missing methods in Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blog post by Windows PowerShell MVP, Richard Siddaway. Richard has been working with Microsoft technologies for 25 years and has spent time in most IT roles, including analyst-programmer, server administrator, support, DBA, and architect. He has been interested in automation techniques (including automating job creation and submission on main frames many years ago). He originally used VBScript and WMI since it became available on ...
PowerTip: Supporting Updatable Help
Summary: Find Windows PowerShell modules that support Updatable Help. Which modules support Updatable Help? Modules that have a HelpInfoUri property value support Updatable Help: Get-Module -ListAvailable | where HelpInfoUri | Select Name, HelpInfoUri
HelpInfoUri, HelpUri, and other Help Mysteries
Summary: Learn about Updatabe Help in Windows PowerShell 3.0. Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson here. Today June Blender is back to tell us about Updatable Help in Windows PowerShell 3.0. Take it away, June… One of the great advances in Windows PowerShell 3.0 is Updatable Help. The advantages of updating the Help files on the box between releases are significant, far outweighing the minor hassle of running that first Update-Help or Save-Help command if the module does not include Help files. But there is still a bit of confusion associated with Updatable Help, and I'm here to explain. Does this modul...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell and WSMan to Obtain Service Info
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell and WSMan to obtain service information about WinRM. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 with WSMan to query service information? Use the Get-WsmanInstance cmdlet and specify a resource URI. This example obtains information about the WinRM service on a remote computer named DC1: get-wsmaninstance wmicimv2/win32_service -selectorset @{name="winrm"} -computer dc1
Creating ACLs for Windows Azure Endpoints—Part 3
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to create ACLs for Windows Azure endpoints. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Windows networking engineer, James Kehr, is back with us today to share more Windows Azure goodies. Now here’s James… Imagine this if you will. I’ve written two rather large blog posts about creating endpoints and ACLs with Windows PowerShell in Windows Azure. Each one was long enough to be considered a good size short story in the literary world. If you would like a frame of reference for this post, here they are: And then I see it. An update to the Windo...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Disabled User Accounts in AD DS
Summary: Easily find disabled user accounts in Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) by using Windows PowerShell. How can I easily use Windows PowerShell to find disabled user accounts? Use the Search-ADAccount cmdlet from the Active Directory module in the RSAT tools, and specify the AccountDisabled and UsersOnly switches: Search-ADAccount -AccountDisabled -UsersOnly
Recursively Search Active Directory Security Groups
Summary: Guest blogger, system admin Marc Carter, talks about recursively searching AD security groups with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Marc Carter is back with us today as our guest blogger. Marc is a system administrator at the Corpus Christi Army Depot. Take it away, Marc… Like many other mid- to large-sized organizations, we use Active Directory Security Groups to help us manage access and permissions to our organization’s various IT resources (such as file shares and Microsoft SharePoint). By nesting those security groups, we create a parent/child hierarchy t...
PowerTip: Display Only Hidden Files and Folders in PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display only hidden files and folders. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to display only hidden files and folders? Use the –Hidden parameter from Get-ChildItem: Get-ChildItem -Hidden
PowerShell Summit North America 2014 announced
PowerShell Summit North America 2014 will open for public registration on September 15th; we'll have some discounts available and everything is described at http://powershell.org/wp/?p=9776. We've already run through registration periods for our 2013 alumni, and for our TechLetter subscribers. But the biggest audience we have yet to reach are the folks who don't yet know that the Summit exists – maybe that's you? Well, we've made room for you! While in 2013 we capped out at 100 quickly-sold seats, for 2014, we've taken on a significantly larger financial risk to enable a significantly larger attendee base &...
Conditional User Profile Deletion Revisited
Summary: Guest blogger, Bob Stevens, revises his script for conditional user profile removal. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I am happy to welcome back guest blogger, Bob Stevens. Take it away Bob… Previously I released a blog post entitled Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell for Conditional User Profile Removal. If you have not read this post, please do because it is necessary so that you’ll understand what I am talking about today. It was pointed out to me that Windows Vista and later operating systems create temporary user directories instead of re-creating the directories when the user...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Search a Hash Table
Summary: Quickly search a hash table in Windows PowerShell. How can I easily search for information in a hash table full of data in Windows PowerShell? Plug in the name of a value, for example: [array]$Hashtable=$NULL$Hashtable+=@{Purple=54}$Hashtable+=@{People=37}$Hashtable+=@{Eater=78} To find the value called People, add the name to the hash table variable: $Hashtable.People 37
Weekend Scripter: Create a Visual Piano with Windows PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to interact with the console display. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here—filling in for our good friend, Ed Wilson. For some reason, I find a need to open today’s blog post like a soap opera—you know, “Last time for Sean Kearney on the Hey, Scripting Guys! Blog.” Sigh, it feels that way… Last time, we played with a hash table and keyboard input to create a simple toy to play with—a loud, off-key piano in Windows PowerShell. It is somewhat (but not much) worse than my singing voice. Today we’re going to polish it off a bit. A ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Wait for a Key Press
Summary: Learn about the Windows PowerShell version of “Pause.” How can I use Windows PowerShell to wait for a key in scripts like I used to use “Pause” in the command console? Use the $Host variable in the console: $HOST.UI.RawUI.ReadKey("NoEcho,IncludeKeyDown") | OUT-NULL$HOST.UI.RawUI.Flushinputbuffer()
Weekend Scripter: Use Hash Table with PowerShell to Create a Simple Piano
Summary: Use a hash table to play musical notes in the console. Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here—filling in for our good friend, Ed Wilson. Today I decided to have some fun. It’s the weekend, I was bored, and I had too much time on my hands. (I have friends who suggest this happens a lot!) I knew that in Windows PowerShell, I can make a beep noise by executing this: [console]::beep(500,100) If you check online, you will see that two values can be played with. The first is the frequency and the second is the duration. So if you want to drive the family dog (or possibly most of the people at t...
PowerTip: List Runbooks with PowerShell
Summary: Use community-based cmdlets to list available runbooks in Orchestrator. How can I list the runbooks in Orchestrator by using Windows PowerShell? Leverage the Orchestrator Web Service PowerShell Cmdlets from CodePlex, and use the following new cmdlets: $ORCHSRV=”MyOrchestratorServerName” $OWS=NEW-SCOWebServerURL –servername $ORCHSRV GET-SCOMonitorRunbook –WebServerUrl $OWS | FORMAT-TABLE Path,Name,Id -autosize
Systems Center 2012 Orchestrator and PowerShell: Part 5
Summary: Learn about cmdlets developed by the community for Orchestrator. Hey, Scripting Guy! I was looking, and I could not find any cmdlets to manage Orchestrator. Can you nudge me in the right direction? —KC Hello KC, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney is here continuing to fill in for Ed while he pokes around a binary tree to see if its leaves have changed. So although there are no built-in cmdlets for Orchestrator at this time, there is a powerful following in the community. On CodePlex, there is a module that was developed by a member of the community that addresses this issue by leverag...
PowerTip: Copy Your Script to Notepad Before Editing in Orchestrator
Summary: Easily create a backup before editing in Orchestrator. Ctrl-Z does not work in the Orchestrator editor window, so how can I protect myself if I make a typing error? Press Ctrl-A then Ctrl-C to copy the content of your script, open Notepad, and paste a backup copy there. Also within Orchestrator, you can (and should) export your runbook before any editing.
Systems Center 2012 Orchestrator and PowerShell: Part 4
Summary: Learn about things to be aware of when working with a Windows PowerShell script in Orchestrator. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’m starting to use Orchestrator and Windows PowerShell, but before I get too involved, I’d like to know if there is anything I should look out for. —DR Hello DR, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here. I’m continuing to fill in for Ed this week. With autumn around the corner, I’m going to “leaf” him alone right now. So Windows PowerShell and Orchestrator do work well together but there are a few things to look out for. Here’s...
PowerTip: Trapping Variables Within a PowerShell Script in Orchestrator
Summary: Get data from Windows Powershell in Orchestrator for debugging. Is there an easy way to troubleshoot a Windows PowerShell script in Orchestrator so I can see if the data is $Null or is the right type? Leverage the Export-Clixml cmdlet within the script against the object in question: $SomethingNotWorking=GET-CONTENT (C:\somefile.txt) $SomethingNotWorking | EXPORT-CLIXML C:\debug\something.txt Then in Windows PowerShell, rebuild the variable to examine it outside of the script: [xml]$SomethingNotWorking=(GET-CONTENT C:\debug\something.txt) $SomethingNotWorking | GET-MEMBER
Systems Center 2012 Orchestrator and PowerShell: Part 3
Summary: Learn how to troubleshoot a Windows PowerShell script within Orchestrator. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’m having some trouble debugging my Windows PowerShell script in Orchestrator. Do you have any tips that might help us along? —DM Hello DM, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney here. I continue to fill in for Ed this week while he “branches out” to new areas with his camera. So one thing you will have discovered if you have used Windows PowerShell with Orchestrator is that the Runbook Tester cannot view the Windows PowerShell objects. In fact, if you get an error message wit...
PowerTip: Publish Data to Orchestrator Data Bus
Summary: Publish Windows PowerShell data to the Orchestrator data bus. Can I access data in my Windows PowerShell script from within Orchestrator? Select Published Data in the Run .NET Script activity, click Add, and fill in the details for the object you want to publish: “Name” Name you wish to use on the Databus“Type” Type of ....
Systems Center 2012 Orchestrator and PowerShell: Part 2
Summary: Make data from a Windows PowerShell script in System Center 2012 Orchestrator accessible on the data bus. Hey, Scripting Guy! We love using Windows PowerShell with System Center 2012 Orchestrator, but we’re having a hard time figuring out how to get our data to Orchestrator from Windows PowerShell. Can you lend us a hand? Please? Pretty please? —TS Hello TS, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney here. I’m continuing to fill in for Ed this week. So last time we saw how to get data IN to Windows PowerShell from Orchestrator: Access Data from Orchestrator 2012 with Pow...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Access Orchestrator Variables or Data
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to access the Orchestrator variables or published data. How can I use Windows PowerShell to access the Orchestrator variables or published data from the data bus? Right-click the middle of the script, click Subscribe, and choose Variable or Published Data as you normally would in Orchestrator. Ensure that you enclose the subscribed data within quotation marks if the information is a string or Date/Time data, and then assign it to a Windows PowerShell object as you normally would: $FooString=”{SomeCoolThingInOrchestrator}” $FooNumber={ACoun...
Systems Center 2012 Orchestrator and PowerShell: Part 1
Summary: Sean Kearney explains how to use a Windows PowerShell script in System Center 2012 Orchestrator to access variables and published data. Hey, Scripting Guy! I’m using System Center 2012 Orchestrator at work, but I don’t know how to access the variables and published data in Windows PowerShell. Is it possible? Is it easy? —SH Hello SH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney here. I’m filling in for our good friend, Ed Wilson. He’s busy this week enjoying the beautiful colors in the trees and the foliage. SH, when you put the word “PowerShell” in your...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Run a Command on a Remote Server
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to run a command on a remote server. How can I run a command on a remote server by using Windows PowerShell Remoting? Use the Invoke-Command cmdlet, specify the computer name, and place the command in a script block: Invoke-Command -ComputerName server1 -ScriptBlock {hostname}
Remoting the Implicit Way
Summary: Guest blogger, June Blender, talks about how to use Windows PowerShell implicit remoting. Today we welcome June Blender, senior programming writer for Windows Azure Active Directory. Take it away, June... Just about everyone knows how to run Windows PowerShell commands on a remote computer. You can use WMI or Windows PowerShell remoting, and the commands are very similar. Use the ComputerName parameter of a cmdlet to run commands in a temporary session: PS C:\> Get-Process -ComputerName Server01 Or, use the Invoke-Command cmdlet to run the command in a temporary session: PS C:\> Invoke-Command -Com...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Dependent Services
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find services that depend on each other. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily find dependent services? Use the Get-Service cmdlet and specify the service name and the DependentServices parameter: Get-Service -Name server -DependentServices
Weekend Scripter: Remoting the Cloud with Windows Azure and PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft senior technical evangelist, Keith Mayer, talks about remoting the cloud with Windows Azure and Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have guest blogger, Keith Mayer. Keith Mayer is a senior technical evangelist at Microsoft focused on Windows infrastructure, data center virtualization, systems management, and the private cloud. Keith has over 20 years of experience as a technical leader of complex IT projects in diverse roles, such as network engineer, IT manager, technical instructor, and consultant. He has consulted and trained thousands of IT professional...
PowerTip: Control Text-File Encoding with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to control text-file encoding with Windows PowerShell. How can I ensure that a file is encoded with Unicode when I write to it? Use the Out-File cmdlet, and specify the appropriate value for the –Encoding parameter: Get-Process | Out-File -FilePath c:\fso\myfile.txt -Encoding unicode
Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps: Part 5
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shares a portion from his popular Microsoft Press book Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to share with you another portion from my new book, Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps, which was recently released by Microsoft Press. To read the previous parts of this series, see: Storing data in text files One of the easiest methods to store data is to store the data in a text file. In the following image, the output from the Get-Volume function displays in the Windows PowerShell console. The output formats nice...
PowerTip: Customize Table Headings with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to create a custom table heading by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display a table if the default property name is confusing? Use a hash table to customize the table properties. The elements of the hash table are Label and Expression (or alias’ L and E). In this example, I rename the ProcessName property to Name: get-process | Format-Table @{L='name';E={$_.processname}}, id
Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps: Part 4
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shares a portion from his popular Microsoft Press book Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to share with you another portion from my new book, Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps, which was recently released by Microsoft Press. To read the previous parts of this series, see: Creating a table When you have between two and five properties, and you are interested in viewing in columns of data, the Format-Table cmdlet is the tool to use to organize your data. The typical use of Format-Table is to permit delving ...
PowerTip: Sort Objects Based on a Particular Property
Summary: Learn how to use the Sort-Object Windows PowerShell cmdlet to sort on a specific property. How can I sort a collection of Windows PowerShell objects without using the default property? Use the –Property parameter and specify the name of the property to sort on: get-childitem | sort-object -property length
Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps: Part 3
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shares a portion from his popular Microsoft Press book Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to share with you another portion from my new book, Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps, which was recently released by Microsoft Press. To read the previous parts of this series, see: Introduction to the pipeline The Windows PowerShell pipeline takes the output from one command and sends it as input to another command. By using the pipeline, you are able to do things like find all computers in one specific location and...
PowerTip: Find Current PowerShell Error Action Preference
Summary: Learn how to discover your current error action preference in Windows PowerShell. How can I see the current value for my error action preference in Windows PowerShell? Look at the value of the $ErrorActionPreference variable: PS C:\> $ErrorActionPreference Continue
Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps: Part 2
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shares a portion from his popular Microsoft Press book Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to share with you another portion from my new book, Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps, which was recently released by Microsoft Press. To read the first part of this series, see: Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps: Part 1. Understanding the basics of cmdlets All Windows PowerShell cmdlets behave basically the same way. There are some idiosyncrasies between cmdlets from different vendors, or from teams at Microsoft, b...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell 3.0 to Resize Partitions
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8 to resize partitions. How can I easily resize partitions in Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8 by using Windows PowerShell 3.0? Microsoft PFE, Jason Walker, says, “Use the Get-PartitionSupportedSize and the Resize-Partition functions:" $MaxSize = (Get-PartitionSupportedSize -DriveLetter c).sizeMax Resize-Partition -DriveLetter c -Size $MaxSize
Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps: Part 1
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shares a portion from his popular Microsoft Press book Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to share with you a portion from my new book, Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps, which was recently released by Microsoft Press. Understanding Windows PowerShell Windows PowerShell comes in two flavors—the first is an interactive console (sort of like a KORN or a BASH console in the UNIX world) that is built into the Windows command prompt. The Windows PowerShell console makes it simple to type short commands and to...
PowerTip: Display Progress Bar with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to display a progress bar by using Windows PowerShell. How can I easily display a progress bar by using Windows PowerShell? Use the Write-Progress cmdlet: for ($i = 1; $i -le 100; $i++) {Write-Progress -Activity 'counting' -Status " $i percent" -PercentComplete $i ; sleep -Milliseconds 20}
Weekend Scripter: Creating ACLs for Windows Azure Endpoints—Part 2 of 2
Summary: Windows networking engineer, James Kehr, continues talking about how to us Windows Azure cmdlets to create endpoint ACLs. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back guest blogger, James Kehr, for Part 2 of 2… If you missed Part 1 of this blog post, I recommend that you give that a read before digging in to Part 2: Weekend Scripter: Creating ACLs for Windows Azure Endpoints—Part 1 of 2 I am not going to dive as deep into Window Azure network security in Part 2, so this post may not make sense if you have not read Part 1. Just so you know… Editing Windows Azure endpo...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Parse Text Files
Summary: Quickly search files for text with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to quickly search text files for a string? Use the Select-String cmdlet and supply a path and a pattern. In the following example, I search the current folder for the computer name dc13: Select-String -Path *.txt -Pattern 'dc13'
Weekend Scripter: Creating ACLs for Windows Azure Endpoints—Part 1 of 2
Summary: Windows networking engineer, James Kehr, discusses using Windows Azure cmdlets to create endpoint ACLs. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This weekend we have a two-part series from guest blogger, James Kehr. It is really cool. Take it away, James… Greetings my fellow netizens. James Kehr here with the Windows Networking Escalation Support team to discuss Windows Azure and how you can use the Windows Azure cmdlets to create endpoints and endpoint access control lists (ACLs). Before diving into the commands, I think it best that I take a little time to explain Windows Azure networking ba...
PowerTip: Capture Console Application Data with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to capture console application data. How can I parse the output from a console application by using Windows PowerShell? Run the application as normal, but assign it to a Windows PowerShell object—for example, DriverQuery.exe will display output to the screen: $INFO=(DriverQuery.exe) This creates an array that you can pipe to Get-Member to discover available methods or to access individual lines: $INFO[3] $INFO[-1].substring(4,7)
Automating DiskPart with Windows PowerShell: Part 5
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to build scripts to automate DiskPart. Hey, Scripting Guy! Can we build a DISKPART script to automatically format USB drives as bootable? —SH Hello SH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here. I’m filling in for our good friend, Ed Wilson. It’s Friday and Ed has had a long week (and a lot of feedback, I suspect, from my bad puns). So I suspect he’ll be all “tied up” with email. We have pulled together a really cool function called Get-DiskPartInfo, which automates the use of DiskPart to a point that’s it’s information i...
PowerTip: List Physical Drives with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to list physical drives. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get a list of physical drives? Use Get-WMIObject, query win32_logicaldisk, and filter with the DriveType property: GET-WMIOBJECT –query “SELECT * from win32_logicaldisk where DriveType = ‘3’” To check the drives on a remote computer, add the –ComputerName parameter. For example, to list all physical drives and their free space on a machine called “ContosoWS1”: GET-WMIOBJECT –query “SELECT * from win32_logicaldisk where DriveType = ‘3’&rdqu...
Changes to TechNet Library Scripting Node
I wanted to make you aware of some changes we’re making to the Scripting node in the Microsoft TechNet Library. Summary The Scripting node in the TechNet Library has been renamed Scripting with Windows PowerShell, and will contain Windows PowerShell language documentation and cmdlet help for multiple Microsoft products. Details Until recently, the Scripting node consisted of the main Windows PowerShell node containing the core product documentation and the Script Center, which contained information that was getting dated and obsolete. After reviewing the content in the Script Center node with the Scr...
Automating DiskPart with Windows PowerShell: Part 4
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to build scripts to automate DiskPart. Hey, Scripting Guy! Can we use Windows PowerShell to return information from DiskPart as an object? —SH Hello SH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here. I’m filling in for our good friend, Ed Wilson. He’s got tie’s everywhere! Ties all over his property! The problem is they’re running amok! You see, he’s turned into a “tie” fighter (and may the farce be with you). Today we’re going to pull all of this together into a function that we’re going to call Get-DiskPartInfo....
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get a List of All Volumes
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a list of all volume drive letters and free space available. How can I use Windows PowerShell to list all the drive letters and free space available? Use Get-WMIObject and query win32_logicaldisk to show all drive letters including network drives and CD ROMs: GET-WMIOBJECT win32_logicaldisk To view this as a table, add Format-Table: GET-WMIOBJECT win32_logicaldisk | FORMAT-TABLE
Automating DiskPart with Windows PowerShell: Part 3
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, continues his series about using Windows PowerShell to build scripts to automate DiskPart. Hey, Scripting Guy! I saw yesterday how you could pull information from DISKPART with Windows PowerShell. I noticed the size of the disks was shown in GB or MB. Is there any way to convert that to tell the REAL size of the Disk? —SH Hello SH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney. I’m here filling in for our good friend, Ed Wilson. It seems that he is looking for some paint for his new Tie House. He’s asking if anybody has “tie dye.” Alr...
PowerTip: Show attached USB Drives with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to show attached USB drives. Is there an easy way with Windows PowerShell to show all drives that are connected via USB? Use Get-WMIObject and query win32_diskdrive: GET-WMIOBJECT win32_diskdrive | Where { $_.InterfaceType –eq ‘USB’ } Or... Write this as a query and pass it directly to WMI: GET-WMIOBJECT –query “SELECT * from win32_diskdrive where InterfaceType = ‘USB’”
Automating DiskPart with Windows PowerShell: Part 2
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, continues his series about using Windows Powershell to build scripts to automate DiskPart. Hey, Scripting Guy! I saw yesterday that you can use Windows PowerShell to build a small script for DiskPart, but how can I make the information useful? —SH Hello SH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here. I’m filling in for our good friend, Ed Wilson. He appears to have overdone his tie house, and it’s bending under the weight. You could say it’s “bow”ing. Enough of the bad puns. Yesterday we used Windows PowerShell to build...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Automate Commands with DiskPart
Summary: Learn how to easily automate commands by using DiskPart.exe. How can I use Windows PowerShell to automatically run DiskPart.exe commands that I use to make bootable keys? Store the commands you use in DiskPart.exe in a text file (runme.txt in this example), and run them automatically by adding the /s parameter: DISKPART.EXE /s runme.txt Note You must run DiskPart.exe as Administrator.
Automating DiskPart with Windows PowerShell: Part 1
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, talks about using Windows Powershell to build scripts to automate DiskPart. Hey, Scripting Guy! I know I can create a bootable USB key by using DiskPart, but is there any way to have it automated so the computer does the work for me? —SH Hello SH, Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, here. I’m filling in for our good friend, Ed Wilson, who’s building some giant contraption in his backyard to hold his giant collection of bow ties. So he’s a bit “tied up.” So the answer is absolutely, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” You can...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Events and Levels
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find PowerShell related events and levels. How can I find events that are related to Windows PowerShell in the event and diagnostic logs, and see the level for those events? Use the Get-WinEvent cmdlet and a wildcard character for LogName, select the logname and level properties, and make it easy by filtering only Unique entries: Get-WinEvent -LogName *powershell* | select logname, level -Unique
Weekend Scripter: Install Free PowerShell Remote Server Admin Tools
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about installing the free Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning is an awesome morning. Our friends from Hamburg, Germany have been hanging out all weekend, and it has been a blast. We have spent a bit of time talking about Windows PowerShell training and some of the challenges related to that. We have also shared a love for tea. Yep. It has been a great weekend. Not only that, but the weather also cooperated—it has been sunny and not too humid. One of t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get BitLocker Recovery Key
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get the BitLocker recovery key. How can I quickly find my BitLocker recovery key? Jason Walker, Microsoft PFE, says: From an elevated Windows PowerShell console, use the Get-BitlockerVolume function, select -MountPoint C, and choose the KeyProtector property: (Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint C).KeyProtector
Deciding How to Use PowerShell to Access AD DS
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the decision points for deciding how to use Windows PowerShell to access Active Directory Domain Services. Hey, Scripting Guy! I am a bit confused. I see various blogs and scripts on the Script Repository, and some always use a third-party snap-in to access Active Directory Directory Domain Services (AD DS). Others seem to use .NET Framework code to access AD DS, and still others are using a module that looks like it is part of Windows PowerShell. What is the best way to access AD DS? —CB Hello CB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, E...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Logging Info
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to retrieve logged information about Windows PowerShell. How can I easily find logged information about Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-WinEvent cmdlet and look for a LogName with powershell in the name: Get-WinEvent -LogName *powershell*
PowerShell Workflow for Mere Mortals: Part 5
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, concludes his five-part series about Windows PowerShell Workflow. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a number of commands that I want to run against several remote servers. The commands include stuff that must happen prior to something else happening. But then, there are also some things that I would like to happen as fast as possible. Is this permissible? If so, do I have to write two different workflows? —TB Hello TB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This afternoon I am sipping an awesome cup of Oolong tea with a cinnamon stick, jasmine f...
PowerTip: View PowerShell Console Host Information
Summary: View Windows PowerShell console host information. How can I easily find information about the Windows PowerShell console host? Use the Get-Host cmdlet, and select the RawUI property from the InterhostUserInterface object: (get-host).ui.RawUI
PowerShell Workflow for Mere Mortals: Part 4
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, continues his five-part series about Windows PowerShell Workflow. Hey, Scripting Guy! Yesterday you talked about Windows PowerShell Workflow activities. But you only demonstrated the Parallel activity. Is there something you can share with me about some of the other types of activities? In particular I am interested in checkpoints because I think they can help me. —AP Hello AP, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, it is really foggy outside. To be honest, it seems to look more like fall than the end of summer. But then, I am not ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Date, Time, and Hour
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display date, time, and hour in 24-hour format. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get the hour of the day in 24-hour format? Use the Get-Date cmdlet and specify the “%H” pattern to the UFormat parameter (H is case sensitive): get-date -UFormat "%H"
PowerShell Workflow for Mere Mortals: Part 3
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson continues his five-part series about Windows PowerShell Workflow. Hey, Scripting Guy! So what’s up with Windows PowerShell workflows and activities? I do not know what an activity is. Can you help me? —CJ Hello CJ, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Ah…this afternoon, I am sipping a cup of Darjeeling Earl Grey tea with a bit of cinnamon stick, and I added just a bit of lavender honey from a nearby lavender farm. I am accompanying my tea with a 90% cocoa bar with black currants and hazelnuts. The combination is absolutely stunning....
PowerTip: Customize How PowerShell Displays a Date
Summary: Easily customize the way Windows PowerShell displays a date. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily display the date as day-dash-month-dash-four-digit year? Use the Get-Date cmdlet,specify a custom format by using the Format parameter, and use dd for the date, M for the month and yyyy for a four-digit year (this is case sensitive): Get-Date -Format "dd-M-yyyy"
PowerShell Workflow for Mere Mortals: Part 2
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, continues a five-part series about Windows PowerShell Workflow. Hey, Scripting Guy! So Windows PowerShell Workflow seems pretty cool. But I am wondering if it is possible to use it to easily provide workflow types of things for remote computers? Is this possible? —BB Hello BB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. We are enjoying a cool stretch of weather here in Charlotte, North Carolina. In fact, we have the windows open. We are also enjoying our visiting friends from Hamburg, Germany. So not only do we have great weather, but we ha...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Locale-Specific Date
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to display the date in locale-specific format. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display the day, month, and two-digit year in locale specific format? Use the Get-Date cmdlet and the –uformat parameter: get-date -UFormat %x
PowerShell Workflow for Mere Mortals: Part 1
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, begins a five-part series about Windows PowerShell Workflow. Hey, Scripting Guy! What is up with Windows PowerShell Workflow? Everyone acts like it is some deep, dark mystery—similar to trying to understand neutrinos. So come on…it is Windows PowerShell, so how hard can it be? —MD Hello MD, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week I am going to address some questions and comments that have been collecting about Windows PowerShell Workflow. I like using Windows PowerShell Workflow because it offers a number of significan...
PowerTip: Display All PowerShell Modules and Cmdlets
Summary: Learn how to display all Windows PowerShell modules and cmdlet names. How can I get output that shows Windows PowerShell module names and the cmdlets or functions that are contained inside the modules? Use the Get-Module cmdlet, and then for each module, display the name and use Get-Command (gcm is an alias) to retrieve the cmdlets and functions (this is a single-line command broken at the pipe character for readability): Get-Module -ListAvailable | foreach {"`r`nmodule name: $_"; "`r`n";gcm -Module $_.name -CommandType cmdlet, function | select name}
Weekend Scripter: Understanding PowerShell in Windows 8
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about understanding Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is an exciting and great day! I have been working a bit to solidify the editorial calendar for the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog. I can say that there are some absolutely awesome posts coming up in the next couple months. I am not just saying this because I am writing them. Nope. I have a great lineup of guest writers. The upcoming stuff will simply rock! Windows 8 posh stuff… One of the really great things about Windows 8 is the implementatio...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Write BitLocker Recovery Key to Text File
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to write your BitLocker recovery key to a text file. If I forgot to save my BitLocker recovery key when I enabled BitLocker on my laptop, how can I use Windows PowerShell to write it to a text file so I can copy it to a USB key for safe keeping? From an elevated Windows PowerShell console, use the Get-BitLockerVolume function, select -MountPoint C, choose the KeyProtector and the RecoveryPassword properties, and then redirect the output to a text file: (Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint C).KeyProtector.recoverypassword > c:\bitlockerk...
Weekend Scripter: Understanding PowerShell in Windows 7
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about understanding Windows PowerShell in Windows 7. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sipping a cup of English Breakfast tea, with goji berries, lemon grass, and cinnamon. The taste is quite nice, and because the goji berries are sweet, I do not need to add any sugar or honey to my tea. Goji berries are not indigenous to Charlotte, North Carolina, so I use dried berries that I order with my other herbs and spices. Along with my tea, I am eating some homemade scones that the Scripting Wife made with the goji berries. They are rather l...
PowerTip: Find Case-Specific Strings by Using PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find case-specific strings. How can I find a particular, case-sensitive word in a string? Use Select-String and specify the –CaseSensitive switch: "Hey Scripting Guy","hey scripting guy" | Select-String -Pattern 'hey' -CaseSensitive
Use PowerShell to Customize Server Manager
Summary: Guest blogger, Rolf Masuch, talks about using Windows PowerShell to customize Server Manager. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest post written by Rolf Masuch, who is a senior consultant for Microsoft in Germany. Today is Rolf’s birthday, and he wanted to start the celebration off right by sharing a couple of cool scripts with us. Take it away Rolf… When it comes to the new versions of Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012, one of my most-loved changes is to Server Manager. The new Server Manager Dashboard looks like this: Lots of docume...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Show Approved Verbs Group
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to show the group of approved Windows PowerShell verbs. How can I find the grouping information for a couple of approved verbs that I want to use to name my advanced functions? Use the Get-Verb function, and supply an array of verbs to the function: get-verb ping, receive
Use PowerShell to Log Changes to AD DS Attributes
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to log changes made to Active Directory Domain Services attribute values. Hey, Scripting Guy! We are in the process of merging a couple of resource domains, and we need to modify some user accounts prior to the move. I have been tasked with making the changes, and I plan to use Windows PowerShell to perform the actual work. I need to create before and after logs. The before log shows the value of the attributes that I am going to change prior to running the script, and the after log will show the value of the attributes after ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Replications in AD DS
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display replication connections in Active Directory Domain Services. How can I use a cmdlet from the Active Directory module to display replication connections in AD DS? Use the Get-ADReplicationConnection cmdlet and select the ReplicateFromDirectoryServer property and the ReplicateToDirectoryServer property (this is a single-line command broken at the pipe character for readability): Get-ADReplicationConnection | select ReplicateFromDirectoryServer, ReplicateToDirectoryServer
Use PowerShell to Change Sign-in Script and Profile Path
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to modify the sign-in script and profile path in Active Directory. Hey, Scripting Guy! We are in the middle of an Active Directory migration (primarily moving our client computers from Windows XP to Windows 8). We are also consolidating our file servers and our profile servers. We have multiple sites, and in the past, each site had a one or more domain controllers, multiple file and print servers, and other stuff as needed. Now, we are collapsing that infrastructure into a single server running Hyper-V. Needless to say, ou...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get DHCP Server Database Info
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to get the DHCP Server database information. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get the database information for a DHCP server if I do not know the name of the server? Use the ServerName property from the object returned by Get-DHCPServer to get the computer name, then use the Get-DhcpServerDatabase: Get-DhcpServerDatabase -ComputerName (Get-DhcpServer).ServerName Note The DHCP functions come from the DHCPServer module obtained via the RSAT tools for Windows Server 2012.
Add User Principal Names in Active Directory via PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to add user principal names to users in Active Directory. Hey, Scripting Guy! We are planning for our Active Directory migration, and as part of that, I am reviewing users. The problem is that I found out that whoever set up our original installation did not assign values for user principal names (UPN). This will cause us a problem as we move to a federated environment. Can you offer an easy way to populate this value? —CG Hello CG, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sitting on our lanai ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to See Network Adapters Bound to TCP/IP
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to see network adapters that are bound to TCP/IP. How can I find all network adapters that are bound to TCP/IPv4 by using Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8? Use the Get-NetAdapterBinding function, pipe the results to a Where-Object cmdlet, and filter for the BindName equal to ‘tcpip’: Get-NetAdapterBinding | where bindname -eq 'tcpip'
Adding Office Locations in AD DS with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to add office locations in Active Directory Domain Services. Hey, Scripting Guy! We are in the midst of a domain migration at work, and I need to clean up a number of attributes in Active Directory prior to our migration. Part of our issue is that we have attributes that are missing values, and I just hate to migrate empty stuff. Is there anything you can do to help? —TV Hello TV, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I am listening to my customized Internet radio station with a cool app I found for Windows&...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Report Network Adapter Binding
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to view network adapter binding information. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to review network adapter binding information? Use the Get-NetAdapterBinding function and pipe the resulting information to the Format-List cmdlet: Get-NetAdapterBinding | Format-List *
Weekend Scripter: Run PowerShell Scripts from Remote File Share: Part 3
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, continues his discussion about running scripts from a remote file share. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Some things should just be easier. For example, I should have access to client-side cmdlets to work with SharePoint. Many times, as a user, I need to accomplish repetitive tasks, and a few cmdlets could really come in handy. Running scripts from remote file shares should be easier as well. Easier? What am I talking about? Well when someone asks a question, there are so many “it depends,” “maybe,” and “whatever” stuff ...
PowerTip: Change PowerShell Script Execution Policy
Summary: Learn how a user can change the Windows PowerShell script execution policy. How can I change the Windows PowerShell script execution policy as simply an ordinary user? Use the –Scope parameter with the Set-ExecutionPolicy cmdlet and specify CurrentUser (the –Force parameter hides prompts from the cmdlet): Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser -Force
Weekend Scripter: Run PowerShell Scripts from Remote File Share: Part 2
Weekend Scripter: Run PowerShell Scripts from Remote File Share: Part 2 Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, continues his discussion about running scripts on a remote file share. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week has been absolutely bizarre. I have been really busy working with a select group of Honorary Scripting Guys for upcoming blog posts. I must say, there is some absolutely way cool, knock-out stuff in the works. But of course, to make all of this streamlined, I had to set up a shared Office 365 SharePoint site, grant permissions, create views, test things out, and all of that....
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get DHCP Stats
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows Server 2012 to get DHCP statistics. How can I get an overview from my DHCP server running on Windows Server 2012? Use the Get-DHCPServerv4Statistics function: Get-DhcpServerv4Statistics -ComputerName DHCP1
Running PowerShell Scripts from a Remote File Share
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about running Windows PowerShell scripts from a remote file share. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is sort of official… There are at least three Windows PowerShell Saturday events coming up. They are listed on the PowerShell Saturday website. Atlanta and Singapore are already planning (I know, because I will be speaking at both events). The Charlotte event is still early in the planning stages (I will be speaking there also). Of course, don’t just take my word for it. Bookmark the PowerShellSaturday website, so you can keep up to date...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Rename Printers
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to rename a printer. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to rename a printer? Use the Get-Printer function to retrieve the printer, and pipe it to the Rename-Printer function: Get-Printer -Name 'mynewlaser' | Rename-Printer -NewName 'myotherlaser'
Use PowerShell in Windows 8 to Remove Printers
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to remove printers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Scripting Wife and I have been talking to various people from the Charlotte Windows PowerShell User Group all week about doing another Windows PowerShell Saturday. It is an awful lot of work, but I think we are going to do this again. The Windows PowerShell Saturday in Charlotte sold out within a few days, and there have been many positive comments about the event. That means that people found it to be a valuable experience. So we will have an...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Help for Module Cmdlets
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display all Help for all cmdlets in a module. How can I see all of the Help examples for cmdlets from a specific module? After you have updated your Help in Windows PowerShell 3.0, use the Get-Command cmdlet to retrieve all cmdlets from a specific module, pipe the results to the Foreach-Object cmdlet, and use the Get-Help cmdlet inside the script block. Following is an example for the PrintManagement module: Get-Command -Module PrintManagement| Foreach-Object {get-help $_.name -Examples} Here is a shorter version of the sa...
Install Printer Drivers with PowerShell in Windows 8
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell in Windows 8 to install printer drivers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, it is rainy and overcast here in Charlotte, North Carolina, but it is pleasantly cool. The Scripting Wife migrated to the lanai and is sitting on her swing and checking Facebook on her Windows RT Surface. I am in my office checking email sent to scripter@microsoft.com. I am sipping a cup of English Breakfast tea with a cinnamon stick, lemon grass, hibiscus blossom, orange peel, and a bit of spearmint. It is a very refreshing cup ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Printer Configuration
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8 to find your printer configurations. How can I use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8 to get the printer configuration of all printers? Use the Get-Printer function, and pipe it to Foreach-Object and the Get-PrinterConfiguration cmdlet: Get-Printer | ForEach {Get-PrintConfiguration $_.name}
Use PowerShell to Create New Printer Ports
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell 3.0 to create new printer ports in Windows 8. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the exciting things that is happening around the Scripting House is the appearance of new Windows PowerShell Saturday events. We have new events coming up in Atlanta, Singapore, and Charlotte. For information about these and other events, check out my site, Scripting Community. If you do not know what Windows PowerShell is, check out my blog post, Community: All about PowerShell Saturday. To programmatically create a working print...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Verify Secure Boot Policy
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to verify your Secure Boot policy in Windows 8. How can I verify that the Secure Boot policy is enabled in my computers running Windows 8? Use the Get-SecureBootPolicy cmdlet: Get-SecureBootPolicy
Use PowerShell to Test Remote Printers
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to test remote printers. Hey, Scripting Guy! I don’t know what it is, but for some reason printing still seems to be a pain. I mean, we have been using the network for a long time, and something as basic as printing still seems to be a problem. Whatever happened to the paperless office of the future? All we do is kill trees faster by using high-speed printers to print massive amounts of useless junk that no one reads. Anyway, for some reason, about half of our Help Desk calls are related to print issues. To be sure, some of it is user training issues&...
PowerTip: Add Commands to PowerShell History
Summary: Learn how to add commands to your Windows PowerShell command history. I have been working in the Windows PowerShell console all day, and I have several commands I keep running. It requires a lot of up and down arrowing to retrieve them. How can I add them to the my command history? Use Get-History to retrieve a list of all the commands you have typed. Note the command numbers, then use Get-History, supply the specific command numbers, store the resulting object in a variable, and add the history via the variable: $a = Get-History 11,12 Add-History $a
Weekend Scripter: Looking at PowerShell Aliases
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about looking at Windows PowerShell defined aliases. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I am constantly amazed by Windows PowerShell. It keeps getting better and better. There are so many improvements in each new version that it is hard to keep up with them. For example, this morning I was playing around with Windows PowerShell and sipping a cup of English Breakfast tea. Just basic tea, nothing extra. I was looking at aliases, and I got this idea. I would like to load all of the modules, look at each module, and see what aliases are exported. Groovy. So...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Detailed Network Adapter Information
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get detailed network adapter information about Windows 8. How can I use a function to get detailed network adapter information about my Windows 8 device? Use the Get-NetAdapterHardwareInfo function and pipe the results to Format-List: Get-NetAdapterHardwareInfo | Format-List *
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Get Folder Sizes
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to get folder sizes. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I was talking via Lync to my friend Rolf in Munich, Germany the other day. He said the temperatures were approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit. We have been lucky in Charlotte, North Carolina—we have not made it out of the 90s yet. Still, anything over 80 degrees Fahrenheit is hot in my mind. Oh well, every year it is the same down here. August rolls around, and the mercury rises. In much the same way, certain Windows PowerShell questions keep coming around. Not ex...
PowerTip: Find the Number of Variables In-Scope
Summary: Find the number of variables in-scope in your function. How can I see how many variables are available in-scope and out-of-scope in my Windows PowerShell function? Use the Get-Variable cmdlet, the Count property, and the –Scope parameter: All variables PS C:\> function myvar {(Get-Variable).count} PS C:\> myvar 49 Variables in-scope PS C:\> function myvar {(Get-Variable -Scope 0).count} PS C:\> myvar 25
More Messing Around with Wireless Settings with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about messing around with wireless settings with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. OK, I will admit it (in case you did not know), I am a geek. I also love my job at Microsoft. I get to play around with Windows PowerShell all day. I have meetings with people who are working on Windows PowerShell, and I attend user groups for Windows PowerShell, and speak at conferences to people who love Windows PowerShell. So what is not to love? Nothing! It is great! One of the real treats I have is being on our internal Windows PowerShell discuss...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Show Network Adapter Status
Summary: Use a function in Windows 8 to show network adapter status information. How can I use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8 to find network adapter status information, such as link speed and duplexing? Use the Get-NetAdapter function, and select the appropriate properties, for example: Get-NetAdapter | SELECT name, status, speed, fullduplex | where status -eq 'up'
Use PowerShell to display Short File and Folder Names
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to display short file and folder names. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need to be able to use Windows PowerShell to show short folder and file names. In the old days, I could see short file and folder names in the CMD prompt, but these days when I am using Windows PowerShell I do not find these things. I know they look strange, and I need a systematic way to display the file and folder names without permitting them to stretch on and on. Please help me—this is a hard stop for my current project. —SH Hello SH, Microsoft ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Launch Item from Control Panel
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to launch an item from the Control Panel. How can I use Windows PowerShell to launch the Mail item on the Control Panel in Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012? Use the Get-ControlPanelItem with a wildcard character to retrieve the item, then pipe the results to the Show-ControlPanelItem cmdlet: Get-ControlPanelItem *mail* | Show-ControlPanelItem
PowerShell Get-Command Cmdlet Returns Only One Instance
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to configure Windows PowerShell to return more than one instance of a command. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a problem. I recently upgraded to Windows 8, and now it seems that the Get-Command cmdlet does not work properly. In the past, I have used Get-Command as a replacement for Where.exe in that it is great at finding commands I need. But now in Windows 8, the Get-Command cmdlet only returns a single instance. What gives? —MC Hello MC, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Tomorrow we have the Windows PowerShell User Group meeting...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Retrieve List of Control Panel Items
Summary: See a list of items found in Control Panel. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see a list of items found in Control Panel. Use the Get-ControlPanelItem cmdlet: Get-ControlPanelItem
Learn How to Configure PowerShell Memory
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about how to configure Windows PowerShell memory availability for specialized applications. Hey, Scripting Guy! I really need your help. We are doing something that perhaps Windows PowerShell cannot do. At least, this is the way it seems. We have a huge file share, and we are parsing through it with a series of Select-String commands to find specific types of things. We are using Get-ChildItem to obtain files for us to parse, and we have filtered it out as much as is possible. The thing is, that when I say huge, I mean really, really huge. Absolutely GINORM...
PowerTip: Reload Your PowerShell Profile
Summary: Reload your Windows PowerShell profile without closing and reopening Windows PowerShell. How can I reload my Windows PowerShell profile to test some changes I made—without closing and reopening Windows PowerShell? Use the invocation operator with the automatic $profile variable: & $profile Note Depending on how you have written your profile, you may generate a large number of errors, for example, Drive already exists or Alias already exists.
Add a Couple of Functions to PowerShell Profile
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, adds a couple of new functions to his Windows PowerShell console profile. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I have heard that necessity is the mother of invention. For me, annoyance is the mother of scripting. What I mean is that when it comes time for me to write a script (something short and quick), I only do it after I am tired of typing the same command over and over again. For example, consider the first two functions I recently added to my Windows PowerShell profile… Load and unload modules Everyone knows we have automatic module loading in Wind...
PowerTip: Automatically Open a Script in the PowerShell ISE
Summary: Learn how to automatically open a script in the Windows PowerShell ISE. How can I automatically open a script in a new pane inside the Windows PowerShell ISE? Type psedit and the file path inside the ISE console pane: psedit C:\fso\a.ps1
Weekend Scripter: Cheesy Script to Set Speaker Volume
Summary: Set the speaker volume by using Windows PowerShell—the cheesy script way. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is still the weekend, and that means I get a chance to play. Speaking of playing… Yesterday the Scripting Wife and I were at the horse show in Ashville. For us, it was play. For the people participating in the show, it is very serious business. Anyway, I got to see my favorites: the Roadster Ponies. These little dudes are quick and fun to watch. Here is a cool picture I took: Anyway, speaking of cool… Here is a cheesy script I wrote on the way back home for settin...
PowerTip: Open the Windows PowerShell ISE from Inside the Console
Summary: Learn how to open the Windows PowerShell ISE from inside the Windows PowerShell console. I ran a script in the Windows PowerShell console that generated an error, so how can I open the script in the Windows PowerShell ISE to edit it? Type ISE and the path to the script, so to edit your Windows PowerShell console profile, type: Ise $profile
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Uninstall Modern Apps
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about uninstalling modern apps. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is the weekend here in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Scripting Wife decided that we would go to the Blue Ridge Classic Horse Show today, so she actually got up early, and got everything ready for the trip. She even packed a feed sack (for me—not for the horses). Personally, I like watching the little Roadster Ponies, but Teresa likes the Friesians. Our good friend, Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Jeff Wouters, even arranged for us to go see some Friesian horses in Friesland when we w...
Use PowerShell to Inventory Modern Apps in Windows 8
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to look at modern apps in Windows 8. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things I love about Windows 8 (including my Surface RT) are the modern apps. They are, well, just so modern. Of course, what I really like about them are the Windows PowerShell cmdlets that are part of the Appx module. Here are the cmdlets and functions from that module: PS C:\> Get-Command -Module appx CommandType Name ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to View App Package Installation Log
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to view the app package installation log. How can I use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8 to review the app package installation log for errors, warnings, and additional information about installation packages? Use the Get-AppxLog cmdlet: Get-AppxLog
PowerTip: Create a New GUID by Using PowerShell
Summary: Easily use Windows PowerShell to create a new GUID. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily create a new GUID? Use the [guid] type accelerator, and call the NewGuid static method: [guid]::NewGuid()
Use PowerShell to Report and Set Monitor Brightness
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to report and set monitor brightness. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I was exploring the Root/WMI namespace in Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) on my Windows 8 laptop. I happened to run across a few WMI classes that I had not messed around with before. I like to use the Get-CimClass cmdlet from Windows PowerShell 3.0 for this kind of explorations because it supports tab completion and other features that make this exploration easy. Look for WMI classes related to monitor brightness So I was initially...
PowerTip: Count Your PowerShell Scripts
Summary: Learn how to count how many PowerShell scripts you have written. My boss asked me how many Windows PowerShell scripts I have written. I keep all my scripts in a specific folder. How can I use Windows PowerShell to count them? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet (dir is an alias), and specify the path, a filter, and the Recurse parameter; then pipe the results to the Measure-Object cmdlet: dir -Path C:\data -Filter *.ps1 -Recurse | measure
Exploring Active Directory Data Types with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to explore Active Directory data types. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need a way to see the data types of various Active Directory attributes. I know I can look up this information on MSDN, but I want to explore these on my own. Have you written an Active Directory schema browser? —AB Hello AB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. You know, more than five years ago I wrote an Active Directory schema browser in Windows PowerShell. I just looked at it again, and I will be honest, I was not really impressed. It seems ...
PowerTip: Generate an HTML Battery-Life Report in PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell and generate an HTML battery-life report. How can I generate an HTML battery-life report on my laptop to see expected battery life? Open Windows PowerShell as an administrator and type the following command: powercfg /batteryreport The command reports a destination for the report that you open by using the Invoke-Item cmdlet (ii is an alias): ii C:\battery-report.html
Write Users and Proxy Addresses to CSV by Using PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about writing all proxy addresses and user names to a CSV file by using Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! Yesterday’s blog post, Export User Names and Proxy Addresses to CSV File, showed me an easy way to get a couple of proxy addresses from Active Directory, but all users do not consistently have only one or two addresses. Some users have as many as four or five. I want to know exactly how many I have, and I need to know all of the addresses. Can you help? —PQ Hello PQ, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, it has not g...
PowerTip: Discover which PowerShell Cmdlets Have Parameter to Accept Specific Type
Summary: Learn how to find Windows PowerShell cmdlets that have a specific parameter that accepts specific types. How can I find all Windows PowerShell cmdlets that have a parameter named ComputerName that accepts an array of strings? Import all the modules, then use the Get-Command cmdlet to look for a ParameterName of ComputerName and a ParameterType of [string[]]:Get-Module –list | import-ModuleGet-Command –ParameterType [string[]] –ParameterName ComputerNameThe following script counts how many cmdlets have a parameter named&nbs...
Export User Names and Proxy Addresses to CSV File
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson talks about using Windows PowerShell to export user names and proxy addresses to a CSV file from Active Directory. Hey, Scripting Guy! I am trying to produce a report of our users in Active Directory and their associated proxy addresses. I want it in Excel, so I am using the Export-CSV cmdlet. The issue is that although I can get the user names just fine, the proxy addresses come back with: Microsoft.ActiveDirectory.Management.ADPropertyValueCollection This does not happen when I print to the screen, only when I export it to a CSV file. Help! This is quite annoying...
PowerTip: Discover PowerShell Cmdlets that Accept Array of Strings
Summary: Learn how to find Windows PowerShell cmdlets that accept an array of strings for parameter input. How can I find all the Windows PowerShell cmdlets that accept an array of strings for parameter input? Import all modules, then use the Get-Command cmdlet and the ParameterName parameter to look for [string[]] (if you use aliases, the first command shortens to gmo -l | ipmo): Get-Module –list | import-Module Get-Command –ParameterType [string[]] The following script counts parameter types—first it counts arrays of strings, then it counts strings (gcm&nbs...
Weekend Scripter: Create Proxy Addresses in Active Directory with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to automatically create proxy addresses in Active Directory Domain Services by using Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. So I have been talking back and forth with one of the members of the Charlotte Windows PowerShell Users group since my presentation to the group on the first Thursday of the month. One of the questions he has is related to the ProxyAddresses attribute in Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). As you are probably aware, Microsoft Exchange Server (including in Office 365) uses ProxyAddresses as a way to send em...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Status of DirectAccess Connection
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8 to find the status of DirectAccess connection. How can I find the status of a DirectAccess connection in Windows 8 by using Windows PowerShell 3.0? Use the Get-DAConnectionStatus cmdlet to report a Status and a Substatus property that are useful for troubleshooting: Get-DAConnectionStatus
Weekend Scripter: Introducing the PowerShell and WMI Browser
Summary: Guest blogger, Jakob Gottlieb Svendsen, talks about the Windows PowerShell and WMI browser. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blog post by Jakob Gottlieb Svendsen. But first, a little bit about Jakob… Jakob is a senior consultant, trainer, and chief developer at Coretech A/S, where he is one of the driving forces in keeping Coretech a System Center Gold Partner and member of the System Center Alliance. Since he started at Coretech in 2007, he has focused on scripting and development, primarily developing tools, extensions, and scripts for the System Center ...
PowerTip: Get the Number of Items in a Hash Table
Summary: Learn how to get the number of items in a Windows PowerShell hash table. How can I find the number of key/value pairs that a Windows PowerShell hash table contains? Use the Count property: PS C:\> $hash = @{'a' = 1; 'b' = 2; 'c' = 3; 'd' = 4} PS C:\> $hash Name Value ---- &nbs...
Use PowerShell to Create First and Last Names for Test Users
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to create first and last names in Active Directory for test users. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a test environment set up, and I created a bunch of users in an organizational unit in Active Directory. But I only created the user name—I did not create the first and the last names of the users. Now I would like to do this, but I am afraid it will be too much work. Should I go back to my original test script, or do you know a shortcut? —BW Hello BW, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, right now I am ...
PowerTip: Find Number Elements in a PowerShell Array
Summary: Easily find the number of elements in a Windows PowerShell array. How can I find how many elements are in a Windows PowerShell array? You can find the number of elements in a Windows PowerShell array in the following ways: [array]$a = 1,2,3,4,5 $a.Count $a.Length $a.GetUpperBound(0)
Use PowerShell to Set AD DS Users’ Display Names
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to set the users’ display names in Active Directory Domain Services. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a number of user names that were hastily created. I thought at first they were going to be temporary workers, but it seems that temporary is hanging around a lot longer than previously anticipated. This is actually causing issues with some of our Active Directory queries, because empty strings return when we were expecting data. I am wondering if there is an easy way to populate the display name— it would be fine to make ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Return Random Computer Names
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to return random computer names from Active Directory. How can I easily obtain random computer names in Active Directory for audit purposes? Use the Get-ADComputer cmdlet and pipe the results to the Get-Random cmdlet. The following script selects two random computer names from Active Directory. Get-ADComputer -Filter * | Get-Random -Count 2
Set Telephone Numbers for All Users in an OU via PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to set office telephone numbers for all users in an organizational unit. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a problem. We just moved our offices to a new location, and now the phone numbers stored in Active Directory are wrong. I need to at least update the phone numbers to reflect the new switchboard numbers so callers could use the directory produced by our phone switch to access user’s offices. Help please. I do not have weeks to do this. To be honest, I have been putting it off because I am afraid it will be a huge pain to d...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Check String for a Match
Summary: Learn how to check a string to see if it contains another string. How can I use Windows PowerShell to check a string to see if it contains another string? Use the –Match operator: PS C:\> $a = [string]"This string contains a number of letters" PS C:\> $a -match 'a number' True
Query Multiple WMI Classes but Return One Object with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to query multiple WMI classes with Windows PowerShell and return a single object. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have this script that I have been working on for a while. It queries three different WMI classes. The first two classes are no problem because they only return a single item—for instance, information about the computer or the operating system. But the last class returns information from the disk drives. I have multiple disk drives; therefore, as my script is written now, I keep repeating the computer and the operating system information over and...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Cmdlets that Accept Hash Table Input
Summary: Find Windows PowerShell cmdlets that accept a hash table for input. How can I find what Windows PowerShell cmdlets accept a hash table for input? Use the Get-Command cmdlet, use the ParameterName parameter, and search for HashTable information: Get-Command -ParameterName *hashtable*
Use PowerShell and a Filter Hash Table to Speed Boot Trace
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using a filter hash table with Windows PowerShell to speed up boot trace parsing. Hey, Scripting Guy! I don’t get it. You wrote a script yesterday, and said that the performance was bad. You suggested that you could improve the performance, but then you did not do anything about it. Why? Is it that the technique is too hard and you want to avoid work? This is disheartening to know if it is true. How about you throw us a bone so we can feed that dog of a script you wrote. —AB Hello AB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well...
PowerTip: Find the Largest Number in a PowerShell Array
Summary: Easily find the largest number in a Windows PowerShell array. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily find the largest number in an array of numbers? Pipe the array to the Measure-Object cmdlet, and use the –Maximum switch: PS C:\> $a = [array]1,2,5,6,3,2,9,1 PS C:\> $a | measure -Maximum Count : 8 Average : Sum : Maximum : 9 Minimum : Property :
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Get Boot-Up Trace Events
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to get boot-up trace events. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sipping the last of my English Breakfast tea with a little lemon grass and a crushed cinnamon stick. Not sure how I ran out of English Breakfast tea, but I did. Oh well. I still have Darjeeling tea—I just normally do not drink it first thing in the morning. I guess it is time to place an order to my favorite tea broker. Anyway… Anyone who knows anything about Windows knows that the three traditional event logs (System, Applicatio...
PowerTip: Get a List of Installed Troubleshooters
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a list of installed troubleshooters. How can I get a list of installed troubleshooters on my system by using Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet and look for directories in the c:\windows\diagnostics\system folder. Get-ChildItem -Directory C:\Windows\diagnostics\system Get-ChildItem C:\Windows\diagnostics\system | where {$_.psiscontainer}
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Get Startup Event Log Entries
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to query event logs for entries created during startup. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things that annoys me is when something changes on my laptop, and I know that I did not do anything to directly cause the change. Obviously, I did something—but maybe not directly. For example, if I install a piece of software, and it also installs two or three startup services that go off and do this, that, or the other, without providing me the opportunity to choose, then I have changed something, but not directly....
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Round a Decimal Number
Summary: Use the [decimal] Windows PowerShell type accelerator to round decimal numbers. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily round a decimal number an integer? Use the Round method from the [decimal] type accelerator: PS C:\> [decimal]::round(10.555) 11 PS C:\> [decimal]::round(10.444) 10
Using the Windows API and Copy-RawItem to Access Sensitive Password Files
Summary: Guest blogger, Chris Campbell, shows how to use the Windows API and Copy-RawItem to access sensitive password files. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blog by Chris Campbell. Chris is a security researcher and penetration tester who has spoken at several major security conferences, such as BlackHat and Derbycon. He is a former U.S. Army officer, and he holds a master’s degree in Information Assurance from Capitol College, in addition to industry certifications, such as CISSP and MCSE. Chris contributes to the PowerSploit project, and he is a Windows PowerShell fanat...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to Find Driver Information
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows to find detailed driver information. How can I obtain detailed information about a specific driver on my Windows 8 computer by using Windows PowerShell 3.0? In an elevated Windows PowerShell console, use the Get-WindowsDriver cmdlet, specify the –Online parameter, and specify the .inf file to the –Driver parameter. This example returns detailed information about the Xbox 360 controller driver for Windows: Get-WindowsDriver -Online -Driver xusb22.inf
Use PowerShell to Sort CSV Files in Order
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about sorting comma-separated value (CSV) files. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sifting through some of the email that arrives at scripter@microsoft.com. It is always fun to read the email because it gives me a great sense of what is going on with people trying to use Windows PowerShell. For some reason, today there are several emails about dealing with CSV files—in particular, sorting them. It seems that people have tried all kinds of ways to sort CSVs. In reality, Windows PowerShell makes this really easy. One of the revolu...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Retrieve DirectAccess Client Configuration
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to retrieve the DirectAccess client configuration. How can I use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8 to retrieve the DirectAccess client configuration? Use the Get-DAClientExperienceConfiguration cmdlet: Get-DAClientExperienceConfiguration
A PowerShell Function to Count String Length
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about creating a Windows PowerShell function that counts a string length and copies it to the clipboard. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is hot and humid outside—89 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) and 75% humidity. That was the great thing about Madrid. Whereas, it was a little hotter (92 degrees Fahrenheit, 33 degrees Celsius), the humidity was less than half the amount we have in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Scripting Wife and I are soaked following a quick trip to the library—and we were not even running. I am sipping a cu...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Aliases Exported by All Modules
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find all the aliases that are exported by all modules. How can I find all of the aliases that are exported by all Windows PowerShell modules? Import all modules, use the Get-Module cmdlet to list all modules, use Get-Module to get the module, and then select the name of the module and the ExportedAliases property: Get-Module -l | Import-Module Get-Module -l | Get-Module | Where-Object {$_.ExportedAliases.count -gt 0} | Select-Object name, ExportedAliases | Format-Table -AutoSize -Wrap Note The output may contain truncated data...
Simplify Your Script by Creating PowerShell Type Accelerators
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how easy it is to create custom Windows PowerShell type accelerators and incorporate them into scripts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Windows PowerShell is cool. In fact, it should come with a disclaimer something like this: Warning! Windows PowerShell can be addictive. Symptoms of Windows PowerShell addiction include talking in verb-noun pairs; writing Windows PowerShell psudo-code on Facebook, Twitter, and in email. Advanced cases typically manifest themselves as dreaming of creating the perfect Windows PowerShell profile, and customizing your Wi...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Check Status of Client DNS Cache
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to check the status of your client DNS cache. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to inspect the DNS cache on my computer for entries that do not have records? Use the Get-DNSClientCache function, pipe the results to a Where-Object cmdlet, and look for a status that is not equal to 0 (which means success): Get-DnsClientCache | where status -ne 0
Use PowerShell to Find PowerShell Type Accelerators
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find built-in type accelerators. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Hmm…today is a lousy Monday after a big holiday weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina in the United States. I am still somewhat in holiday mode, which means I am up early, sipping a cup of English Breakfast tea with a bit of lemon grass and a cinnamon stick. I am checking the email sent to scripter@microsoft.com. Actually, the Scripting Wife just came in and reminded me that today is not a holiday for me, so the question becomes what am I going to...
PowerTip: Find Unique Types with PowerShell
Summary: Learn an easy command to help find unique types with Windows PowerShell. How can I filter different types of objects from a command so that I have an example of each unique type? If you use the Get-Unique cmdlet with no switched parameters, many of the objects returned are the same type (the DirectoryInfo objects in this example):PS C:> Get-ChildItem | Get-Unique Directory: C:Mode LastWriteTime Length Name---- &nb...
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Go Back in Time
Summary: Guest blogger, Matt Tisdale, talks about mounting a previous version of Active Directory to see what has changed. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week, guest blogger, Matt Tisdale contributed the following posts: Let’s finish off the weekend with more from Matt… On occasion, I am asked questions similar to, "Can you tell me what users were in the Central Division group yesterday?" and "Can you tell me what data was in the Department attribute of a specific user last week?" It is very easy for anyone to look at information in Active Directory to see exactly when an ob...
PowerTip: Counting Characters with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to count characters, words, and lines in a file. How can I count the number of characters, words, and lines in a text file by using Windows PowerShell? Use the Measure-Object cmdlet; specify the -Line, -Character, and -Word switched parameters; and use the Get-Content cmdlet to read the text file:PS C:> Get-Content C:fsoab.txt | measure -Line -Character -Word Lines ...
Weekend Scripter: A Little PowerShell Help Here…Please?
Summary: Guest blogger, Matt Tisdale, talks about adding Help text to Windows PowerShell functions. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Yesterday I introduced Matt Tisdale as the guest blogger. Guess what? He’s back today! Dude!! Sweet!!! Here is Matt’s post from yesterday: Optimize Performance of AD DS Queries via PowerShell. Today he discusses adding Help text to custom functions… I now have a few people at my company who are writing custom Windows PowerShell functions to help other IT team members and business employees. I am very excited to see this, and I always try to provi...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Performance of Processes
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to quickly find the performance of process CPU utilization. How can I quickly and easily find the minimum, maximum, and average CPU utilization by various processes? Open Windows PowerShell with Admin rights. Use the Get-Process cmdlet, pipe the results to the Measure-Object cmdlet, choose the CPU property, and use the –Minimum, -Maximum, and –Average switches: Get-Process | Measure-Object -Property cpu -Minimum -Maximum -Average
Optimize Performance of AD DS Queries via PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Matt Tisdale, talks about using the Measure-Command cmdlet to optimize an AD DS query. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I love to attend events where I can meet new people and get reacquainted with those I have previously met. I especially love meeting people and hearing how they use Windows PowerShell. One such person I met at TechEd North America in New Orleans is Matt Tisdale. I really had a nice conversation with Matt, and when we got home I received an email from him sharing three blog posts that he has written to help his coworkers. He was encouraged to share these w...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Copy Items and Retain Folder Structure
Summary: Copy items in a folder and retain the container with Windows PowerShell 3.0. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to copy a folder structure from a drive to a network share, and retain the original structure? Use the Copy-Item cmdlet and specify the –Container switched parameter: Copy-Item c:\fso –destination \\server1\share -recurse -container
Use PowerShell to Translate Airport Code to City Name
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell and a web service to translate an airport code to a city name. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One thing that I have never really understood is the relationships between airport codes and the airport name. Now, some of them make sense. CLT for Charlotte is not too much of a stretch. LGA for Laguardia in New York also makes sense. But MSY, BNA, and others seem to be completely random. However, before I get too carried away and try to use Get-Random to do the translation, I thought I would conduct a Bing search and see if...
PowerTip: Import Only Aliases and Functions from a PowerShell Module
Summary: Use parameters of Import-Module to control what you import from a Windows PowerShell module. How can I import only custom aliases and functions from a Windows PowerShell module? 1. Use the –Function and –Alias parameters, and use wildcard characters to control the import (ipmo is an alias for Import-Alias): ipmo pscx -Function * -Alias * 2. Use the Get-Command cmdlet to verify the import (gcm is an alias for Get-Command and –mo is short for –Module): gcm -mo pscx Note F...
Using the Live REST API with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Chris Wu talks about using the Live REST API with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Once again we have Chris Wu with us. For previous posts from Chris, see the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog. Take it away Chris… In this post, we will show off some miscellaneous tasks that are enabled by the Live REST API. Again, the following code snippets assume that a valid $AccessToken with appropriate scope has been returned. For information about how to create a valid access token, read my post, Use PowerShell 3.0 to Get More Out of Windows Live. In this post, I’l...
PowerShell updatable help updated!
Summary: A recent update to Windows PowerShell help removed parameter data types from the syntax block. This is now fixed. Hello all you Windows PowerShell enthusiasts! As you know, Downloadable Help for Windows PowerShell has been available since Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 introduced it with Windows PowerShell 3.0. It’s a great thing for us as Technical Writers because it enables us to update the Help after it has shipped. None of our old Help methods that shipped on the box allowed that. Because any text on the box had to be locked for translation months before the product shipped, and the engineer...
PowerTip: Customize PowerShell Cmdlet Names to Avoid Conflict
Summary: Customize Windows PowerShell cmdlet names that you import from a module to avoid naming conflicts. How can I easily distinguish a cmdlet that has the same name as cmdlets in other modules? When you import the module, use the –Prefix parameter, and supply custom prefix (ipmo is an alias for ImportModule): ipmo -Prefix mred -Name pscx
Use PowerShell to Work with SkyDrive for Powerful Automation
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Chris Wu, talks about creating powerful automation scenarios by using Windows PowerShell and SkyDrive. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Chris Wu is back with us today. I will let Chris dive right in… On the Microsoft Download Center, you can download Live SDK v5.3, which contains APIs and a great deal of information about how to achieve common tasks. You can also find the information on the Live Connect documentation site. If you have stored a valid access token (by using wl.skydrive or wl.skydrive_update scope) in a variable (for example, $AccessToken), most of the task...
PowerTip: Import Specific Cmdlets from a Module
Summary: Selectively import specific cmdlets when you import a module. How can I import only cmdlets that use the verb Get from the PSCX module? Call the Import-Module cmdlet, specify the cmdlet parameter, and use a filter to get only cmdlets with the verb Get (ipmo is an alias for Import-Module): ipmo -Cmdlet get* -Name pscx Note For more information about the PSCX module, see Install the PSCX and 80 New Cmdlets to Ease PowerShell Use.
Use PowerShell 3.0 to Get More Out of Windows Live
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Chris Wu, talks about using Windows PowerShell 3.0 to automate Windows Live. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back to guest blogger, Chris Wu. Take it away Chris… One advantage of Windows PowerShell that I’ve really enjoyed is the ability to test various APIs at ease. There is no need for Visual Studio, serious UI design, or commitment to a project. Windows PowerShell makes it possible to experiment and understand the core logics of different API systems through line-by-line executions. Windows Live is one such system I always wanted to play with—more...
PowerTip: Get Network Adapter Statistics in Windows 8
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to easily get network adapter statistics. How can I easily find network adapter statistics in Windows 8 by using Windows PowerShell 3.0? Use the Get-NetAdapterStatistics function: Get-NetAdapterStatistics
Weekend Scripter: Find Errant ACLs Inside a Folder with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson talks about using Windows PowerShell to find errant access control lists on files inside a folder. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I have a long flight ahead of me today. The Scripting Wife and I are crossing the Atlantic Ocean to Charlotte, North Carolina in the United States as we return from our excursion to Madrid Spain for TechEd Europe 2013. I love transatlantic flights (actually, I love transpacific flights even more) because they provide me with a decent amount of uninterrupted time to play, write, and think. I put on my noise canceling headphones, ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell 3.0 to Identify Zone Information of Files
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to identify the zone information of files in a folder. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to see which files in a folder have a Zone.Identifier alternate data stream so I can find files that came from the Internet? Use the Get-Item cmdlet, specify the path for the files, and specify the Zone.Identifier name for the –Stream parameter: Get-Item c:\fso\* -Stream zone* Note The –Stream parameter accepts wildcard characters, so you do not have to type the entire Zone.Identifier string.
Weekend Scripter: Understanding TimeSpan Objects
Summary: Guest bloggers, June Blender and Justin Hall, investigate strange behavior with TimeSpan objects in the Search-ADAccount cmdlet. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a blog written by two guests: June Blender and Justin Hall. First, a little bit about Justin (June is already well known to our readers). Justin Hall is a technical writer and editor who has covered Active Directory and related technologies at Microsoft since 2001. He publishes articles on Microsoft TechNet and contributes to the Active Directory Documentation Team Blog. Justin explains a misrepresentation… Mich...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Virtual Machines Using Dynamic Memory
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find which virtual machines on Hyper-V is using dynamic memory. How can I tell which of my virtual machines are running with dynamic memory ? Use the Get-VMMemory cmdlet: GET-VMMemory -vmname "My Virtual Machine" (Check the results for "DynamicMemoryEnabled" as "True.") To check all virtual machines, the dynamic memory status, and the allocated RAM on the Hyper-V host, use: GET-VM | GET-VMmemory
Create a New Virtual Machine with PowerShell: Part 3
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP and honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, completes his series about using Windows PowerShell to create a virtual machine. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you are a seasoned Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog reader, you know that the most frequent guest blogger is Sean Kearney. If you are new to the blog, I welcome you, and I encourage you to catch up with Sean’s previous blogs. Sean is a Windows PowerShell MVP and an Honorary Scripting Guy. Sean’s session at TechEd NA and TechEd Europe this year is Integrating with Microsoft System Cente...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Screensaver Info for Logged-on User
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find screensaver information for a user who is currently logged-on. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find screensaver information for a currently logged-on user? Use WMI, query the Win32_Desktop class, and select the currently logged-on user. Get-CimInstance win32_desktop | where name -eq (whoami) Get-WmiObject win32_desktop | where { $_.name -eq (whoami) }
Use PowerShell to Interact with the Windows API: Part 3
Summary: Guest blogger, Matt Graeber, completes his three-part series about interacting with the Windows API. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Matt Graeber is back with us today to finish up his three-part series. Read the previous parts to catch up for today’s post: In the last two posts, I described two methods of interacting with the Windows API. In this post, I’ll introduce the last and final method: reflection. Reflection gives a programmer the ability to perform type introspection on code. The most common form of type introspection you would perform in Windows PowerShell would be...
PowerTip: Use a PowerShell command to get User Name and Domain
Summary: Use an easy command in Windows PowerShell to get userdomain\username. How can I use a command in Windows PowerShell to get information about a current user in userdomain\username format? Use the WhoAmI command: whoami
Use PowerShell to Interact with the Windows API: Part 2
Summary: Guest blogger, Matt Graeber, talks more about interacting with the Windows API. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Matt Graeber is back today with Part 2 of a three-part series that started yesterday: Use PowerShell to Interact with the Windows API: Part 1. Now, here’s Matt… In my last post, I described how to use the Add-Type cmdlet to interact with the Windows API; specifically, the CopyFile function in kernel32.dll. Today, I’m going to describe another method in which you can interact with Windows API functions: extracting private methods from the .NET Framework. For most ...
PowerTip: Use a .NET Framework Class in PowerShell to Get User Info
Summary: Use a .NET Framework class in Windows PowerShell to get user name and domain name information. How can I use a .NET Framework class in Windows PowerShell to get a user name and domain in the format userdomain\username, without building a string? Use the Name property from the GetCurrent static method of the WindowsIdentity .NET Framework class: [System.Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent().Name
Use PowerShell to Interact with the Windows API: Part 1
Summary: Guest blogger, Matt Graeber, discusses how to use Windows PowerShell to interact with Windows API functions in Part 1 of a three-part series. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Guest blogger, Matt Graeber, is back. Matt first joined us as a guest yesterday with his post Use PowerShell and Regular Expressions to Search Binary Data. Welcome back, Matt… I often finding myself needing to use Windows PowerShell to interact with Windows API functions to accomplish a low-level task. For those who are not familiar with the Windows API, basically, it refers to the functionality t...
PowerTip: Audit Special Privilege Use with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to audit special privilege use with Windows PowerShell. How can I easily find information about auditing special privileges that are assigned to various logon IDs if I am running Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012? Start Windows PowerShell with Admin rights. Use the Get-EventLog cmdlet to query the security event log, look for InstanceID 4672, and select TimeWritten and Message. To make it easier to read, use Format-Table, and autosize and wrap the entries:PS C:> Get-EventLog security -InstanceId 4672 -newest 20| ft timewritten, message -auto -wrTimeWritten &n...
Use PowerShell and Regular Expressions to Search Binary Data
Summary: Guest blogger and pioneer of the PowerSploit module talks about using Windows PowerShell and regular expressions to search binary data. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we kick off a four-part Windows PowerShell and security series with a new guest blogger, Matt Graeber. The Scripting Wife and I had the privilege of meeting Matt at the Windows PowerShell Summit earlier this year in Seattle. I was impressed with his commitment to Windows PowerShell and in the way he had been using Windows PowerShell in his security work. Note This follows along with a series of blogs that I posted ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Report Computer Performance
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to report on computer performance. How can I easily obtain the performance of local or remote computer by using Windows PowerShell? Query the Win32_WinSat class. In Windows PowerShell 3.0, use the Get-CimInstance cmdlet: Get-CimInstance Win32_WinSAT In Windows PowerShell 1.0 or Windows PowerShell 2.0, use the Get-WmiObject cmdlet: Get-WmiObject Win32_WinSAT
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Create Office 365 Reports
Summary: Guest blogger, Alan Byrne, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create Office 365 reports. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I would like to welcome guest blogger Alan Byrne. Alan is the cofounder of Cogmotive Reports, an Office 365 Reporting and Analytics web application that offers a range of automated Office 365 reports for mailbox sizes, user log-on times, mobile devices, licence usage, and several other Office 365 metrics. He has an extensive background in Microsoft Windows and in Exchange design and administration, and he tries to script every administration task he comes acros...
PowerTip: Find System Uptime via PSCX PowerShell Cmdlet
Summary: Use a cmdlet from the PSCX module to get your system uptime. How can I easily find my system uptime if I have the Windows PowerShell community extensions (PSCX) installed? Use the Get-Uptime cmdlet from the PSCX module: Get-Uptime Note For more information about the Windows PowerShell Community Extension project, see my post, Install the PSCX and 80 New Cmdlets to Ease PowerShell Use.
Weekend Scripter: Getting Started with Microsoft Azure and PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft senior technical evangelist talks about getting started with virtual machine’s in the cloud by using Microsoft Azure and Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have as a guest blogger, Keith Mayer. Keith Mayer is a senior technical evangelist at Microsoft. He focuses on the Windows infrastructure, data center virtualization, systems management, and private cloud. Keith has over 20 years of experience as a technical leader of complex IT projects, in diverse roles such as network engineer, IT manager, technical instructor, and consultant. He has consulted...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Add Disks to a Live Virtual Machine
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to add disks to a live virtual machine on Hyper-V. How can I easily add disk drives to my virtual machine while it is live? Use the Add-VMScsiController and Add-VMHardDiskDrive cmdlets. First, stop the virtual machine, add the SCSI controller, then start the virtual machine: STOP-VM "My Virtual Machine" ADD-VMScsiController -VMname "My Virtual Machine" START-VM "My Virtual Machine" Now attach disks live: NEW-VHD -Dynamic C:VHDMyDrive.vhdx -SizeBytes 60GB ADD-VMHardDiskDrive -vmname "My Virtual Machine" -path C:VHDMyDrive.VHDX -ControllerType SCSI
Create a New Virtual Machine with PowerShell: Part 2
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP and honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, continues his series about using Windows PowerShell to create a virtual machine. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you are a seasoned Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog reader, you know that the most frequent guest blogger is Sean Kearney. If you are new to the blog, I welcome you, and I encourage you to catch up with Sean’s previous blogs. Sean is a Windows PowerShell MVP and an Honorary Scripting Guy. Sean’s session at TechEd NA and TechEd Europe this year is Integrating with Microsoft System Cen...
Scripting Guys schedule for TechEd Europe and special guests at the Scripting Guys booth
Wow, it has been an exciting month so far. Tonight we are in Alpharetta GA because tomorrow is the annual Atlanta Techstravaganza event. Ed is one of the speakers at the event and we love to drive to Atlanta to visit with the wonderful PowerShell community here. I did finish up the schedule for TechEd Europe next week as far as where Ed will be and when as well as our guests that will be featured for Meet N Greet opportunities at the Scripting Guys booth, I will be at the Scripting Guys booth all the hours the booths are open, slipping away for a bite of lunch will be the only time I will not be there. Ed ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell Function to Return Properties for Network Adapters
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell function in Windows 8 to return advanced properties of network adapters. How can I use a Windows PowerShell function in Windows 8 to return advanced properties for network adapters? Use the Get-NetAdapterAdvancedProperty CIM function: Get-NetAdapterAdvancedProperty
How to Use PowerShell to Write to Event Logs
Summary: Guest blogger, Jonathan Tyler, talks about how to write to Windows event logs by using Windows PowerShell—and avoid errors in doing so. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. While I was at TechEd in New Orleans, I had the chance to talk to Jonathan Tyler. I see him from time-to-time, although he only lives a few hours away from us. Jonathan is an active member of the Windows PowerShell community, and he has written other posts for the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog. I am happy to welcome back guest blogger, Jonathan Tyler… Let’s start with a poll. How many of you like to get feedback ...
PowerTip: Use a PowerShell 3.0 Switch to Find Only Directories
Summary: Use a switch in Windows PowerShell 3.0 to easily find only directories. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to find a list of only directories from my current location? Use the –Directory switch with the Get-ChildItem cmdlet. Get-ChildItem -Directory Note The –Directory switch was added to Windows PowerShell 3.0.
Don't Translate File and Folder VBScript Scripts into PowerShell
Summary: Simplify your code and do not translate an old file and folder VBScript script into Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I know there are not really established patterns and practices for writing VBScript code, or even for writing Windows PowerShell script. But there is code that I like to use—over and over again. I am sending you a bit of code that I use anytime I need to find out if a folder exists. I am thinking of translating it to Windows PowerShell because I know that Windows PowerShell can work with COM objects, and I want to stay with things that I am familiar with. Is this a good ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Check the Status of Event Logs
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to check the status of Windows event logs. How can I easily check sizes, the number of entries, and the overflow action of all traditional event logs on my Windows system? Use the Get-EventLog cmdlet with the –list switch: Get-EventLog -List
Translate a VBScript Event Log Script to PowerShell, Dude…
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about translating a VBScript script that queries the Windows Event logs directly into Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! Dude! I have this way cool VBScript script that I use every day to query the event logs on our servers. It receives all of the events and displays it to the screen. I look at the events as they scroll past; and in this way, I get a good overview of what’s happening on the servers. I am thinking of translating it to Windows PowerShell because I hear that Windows PowerShell is the way of the future. Is this cool or wh...
Scripting Wife Shares her Ideal TechEd Europe 2013 Schedule
SUMMARY: The Scripting Wife goes through the Session builder for TechEd Europe 2013 and selects her whatif sessions. It is time for TechEd Europe 2013. I am super duper excited as this will be my first TechEd outside the USA. This is such a thrill to be able to attend such an awesome conference and to get to talk with so many wonderful people. As some of you may know Ed works from home and I am retired from public work. That means we are in the house together just about 24/7. I love Ed dearly, however I do miss going to work every day and interacting with co-workers, customers and vendors. Conferences and Use...
PowerTip: Find Files Modified During a Date Range by Using PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find files that were modified during a specific date range. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find all files modified during a specific date range? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet to collect the files, filter it to the Where-Object cmdlet, specify the date for the LastWriteTime property, and set greater than and less than parameters: dir | ? {$_.lastwritetime -gt '6/1/13' -AND $_.lastwritetime -lt '6/11/13'} Note dir is an alias for the Get-ChildItem cmdlet, and the ? character is an alias for the...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find IP Config of Adapter
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to find the IP configuration of a specifically named IP adapter. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to easily find the IP address configuration of a network adapter named External Ethernet Apapter? Use a wildcard character with the Get-NetAdapter function and pipe the results to the Get-NetIPAddress function: Get-NetAdapter -Name *external* | Get-NetIPAddress
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Manage Auto-Connect Wireless Networks
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to manage auto-connect wireless networks in Windows 8. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am going to continue my blog about working with auto-connect wireless networks in Windows 8. In yesterday’s blog post, Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Find Auto-Connect Wireless Networks, I talked about the process of discovering wireless auto-connect networks. Today I want to remove all but the specific networks that I desire to keep. There are, for my laptop, two networks I wish to retain: the MrEd wireless network (my home wireless network) and the Nokia Lumia 92...
PowerTip: Find Information about Network Adapters with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8 to find information about network adapters. In Windows 8, how can I find information about network adapters? Use the Get-NetAdapter function: Get-NetAdapter
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Find Auto-Connect Wireless Networks
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to identify auto-connect wireless networks in Windows 8. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things about traveling around is that I am constantly confronted with new challenges. Invariably these new challenges tend to cause me to use Windows PowerShell. For example, at TechEd 2013 North America in New Orleans this year, the Expo Hall where I had the Scripting Guys booth contained about 5,000 computers, and at least a hundred wireless networks that were set up by various vendors for their booths. This, of course, caused my laptop to do the old wireless two-...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Add Drive to Virtual Machine
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to add a new hard disk drive to a virtual machine on Hyper-V. How can I to add another hard drive to my virtual machine? Use the Add-VMHardDiskDrive cmdlet with the following command: STOP-VM -vmname "My Virtual Machine" NEW-VHD -Dynamic C:\VHD\MyDrive.vhdx -SizeBytes 60GB ADD-VMHardDiskDrive -vmname "My Virtual Machine" -path C:\VHD\MyDrive.VHDX START-VM -vmname "My Virtual Machine"
Create a New Virtual Machine with PowerShell: Part 1
Summary: Microsoft Windows PowerShell MVP and honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, begins a three-part series about creating new virtual machines. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you are a seasoned Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog reader, you know that the most frequent guest blogger is Sean Kearney. If you are new to the blog, I welcome you, and I encourage you to catch up with Sean’s previous blogs. Sean is a Windows PowerShell MVP and an Honorary Scripting Guy. Sean’s session at TechEd NA and TechEd Europe this year is Integrating with Microsoft System Center 2012 and W...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find All AD DS Users
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet from the RSAT to find all users in Active Directory Domain Services. How can I easily find all users in Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)? Use the asterisk wildcard character with the Get-ADUser cmdlet from the RSAT. Get-ADUser -Filter *
Translate Active Directory VBScript into PowerShell—Not Me!
Summary: Don’t translate old VBScript scripts that search Active Directory—instead use the Active Directory cmdlets from the RSAT. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have this script that I use for auditing Active Directory. Basically, it queries to see what new user accounts have been created in the last month. I started translating it to Windows PowerShell (because I know that Windows PowerShell has the ability to create COM objects), but I fail to see the Windows PowerShell advantage. I mean, the script is as long as the original VBScript script. What gives? —BB Hello BB, Microsoft Scripting G...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell 3.0 CIM Class to Find Logical Disk Info
Summary: Use the Windows PowerShell 3.0 CIM classes to easily find detailed information about logical disks. How can I use the Windows PowerShell 3.0 CIM classes to easily find detailed information about logical disks? Use the Get-CimInstance cmdlet to retrieve only the keys from the Win32_LogicalDisk WMI class, and then pipe the results to the Get-CimAssociatedInstance cmdlet: Get-CimInstance Win32_LogicalDisk -KeyOnly | Get-CimAssociatedInstance
Translate VBScript into PowerShell—Not!
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about translating VBScript script into Windows PowerShell, and he says it is not a very good idea. Hey, Scripting Guy! I love VBScript. I know, I know. It is not fashionable these days to say that, but it is a fact. I love using VBScript. It is powerful, and over the last ten years or so, I have written literally hundreds of scripts that we use at my company on a daily basis. I simply do not have time to translate these scripts in Windows PowerShell. I am sorry, but that is all there is to it…just sayin’. —ML Hello ML, Microsoft Scr...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display User Rights to File Volume
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display user rights to a file volume. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display access to an NTFS volume? Use the Get-Acl cmdlet and expand the Access property: Get-Acl | select -ExpandProperty access
Determine Pending Reboot Status—PowerShell Style! Part 2
Summary: Guest blogger, Brian Wilhite, talks about using Windows PowerShell to detect a server that is in pending reboot status. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have the conclusion to Brian Wilhite’s guest blog series about detecting pending reboots via Windows PowerShell. Prior to reading today’s post, you should read Determine Pending Reboot Status—PowerShell Style! Part 1. You can also check out Brian’s prior Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. The Windows PowerShell “awesomeness” Now that I’m satisfied with my research and validation, I’m ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create Future Dates
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a date in the future. How can I easily create dates in the future? Use the Get-Date cmdlet and add days to it: (Get-Date).adddays(2)
Determine Pending Reboot Status—PowerShell Style! Part 1
Summary: Guest blogger, Brian Wilhite, talks about using Windows PowerShell to determine pending reboot status. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have the first of a two-part series about using Windows PowerShell to determine if a reboot is pending. Brian Wilhite, the writer, is no stranger to readers of the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog—he has written several posts. Take it away Brian… So what’s the problem? Thanks, Ed. A few months ago one of my coworkers asked if we could determine the pending reboot status of servers in our environment. This is important to know because you w...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create a Computer Restore Point
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to create a computer restore point. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a computer restore point? Use the Checkpoint-Computer cmdlet and specify a description for the restore point. Checkpoint-Computer –description “Everything is groovy” Note This command must be run with Admin rights.
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell for Conditional User Profile Removal
Summary: Guest blogger, Bob Stevens, talks about how to use Windows PowerShell to perform conditional user profile removal. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we are lucky to have guest blogger, Bob Stevens, return for another exciting and useful blog post. Be sure you check out Bob's other Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. Bob is a member of the Twin Cities PowerShell User Group. Here is his contact information: Blog: Help! I’m Stuck in My PowerShell! Twitter: @B_stevens6 LinkedIn: Robert Stevens Note This is the second post in a two part series about using Windows PowerShell...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Computer Restore Points
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to list all computer restore points on your system. How can I use Windows PowerShell to list computer restore points on my system? Use the Get-ComputerRestorePoint cmdlet: Get-ComputerRestorePoint Note This command must be run with Admin rights.
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Generate a Recent Profile Report
Summary: Guest blogger, Bob Stevens, talks about using Windows PowerShell to generate a recent profile report. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am pleased to welcome back guest blogger, Bob Stevens. Be sure you check out Bob’s other guest blog posts. Bob is a member of the Twin Cities PowerShell User Group. Here is his contact information: Blog: Help! I’m Stuck in My PowerShell! Twitter: @B_stevens6 LinkedIn: Robert Stevens Take it away, Bob… Recently the IT security officer in my organization asked me if there was a way to determine which profiles on a local machine have be...
PowerTip: Create a New VHD with Windows PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a new virtual hard disk to use with Hyper-V. How can I create a new virtual hard disk in Hyper-V? Use the New-VHD cmdlet. This will create a 60 GB dynamic disk VHDX file under C:\VHD\ called Mydrive.vhdx: NEW-VHD -Dynamic C:\VHD\MyDrive.vhdx -SizeBytes 60GB This will create a 5 GB fixed disk VHDX file under C:\VHD\ called FixedDisk.vhdx: NEW-VHD -Fixed C:\VHD\FixedDisk.vhdx -SizeBytes 5GB
Build and Restore Snapshots in Hyper-V with Windows PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, talks about using Windows PowerShell to build and restore snapshots in Hyper-V. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you are a seasoned Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog reader, you know that the most frequent guest blogger is Sean Kearney. If you are new to the blog, I welcome you, and I encourage you to catch up with Sean’s previous blogs. Sean is a Windows PowerShell MVP and an Honorary Scripting Guy. Sean has been selected to present sessions called Integrating with Microsoft System Center 2012 and Windows PowerShell at TechEd NA and TechEd Europe this ...
TechEd–4 All Over but the Party
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the last day of TechEd 2013 North America in New Orleans. Today began like yesterday ended – with a room full of Windows PowerShell enthusiasts. Yesterday I had the privilege to share the stage with Glenn Sizemore and Don Jones. These two community leaders are absolutely awesome, and would make a pet rock seem like a flawless conversationalist. Our session, Birds-of-a-Feather: Lessons learned from the 2013 Scripting Games, was completely full when I arrived 30 minutes before the session. The event staff watching the door told me afterwards that ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Rename a Virtual Machine
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to rename a virtual machine on Hyper-V. How can I easily rename a virtual machine running on Hyper-V? Use the Rename-VM cmdlet: RENAME-VM -Name "My Old VM Name" -newname "Cool New VM Name"
Creating a Home Drive with Windows PowerShell: Part 3
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, concludes his series about creating a home drive with Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you are a seasoned Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog reader, you know that the most frequent guest blogger is Sean Kearney. If you are new to the blog, I welcome you, and I encourage you to catch up with Sean’s previous blogs. Sean is a Windows PowerShell MVP and an Honorary Scripting Guy. Sean has been selected to present sessions called Integrating with Microsoft System Center 2012 and Windows PowerShell at TechEd NA and ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Add Processors to Virtual Machine
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to add processors to a virtual machine running on Hyper-V. How can I easily add processors to my virtual machine? Use the Set-VMProcessor cmdlet: SET-VMProcessor -VMname "My Virtual Machine" -count 2 This enables the virtual machine called "My Virtual Machine" with two (2) CPUs (presuming the computer is already shut down and you have two processors to work with).
TechEd–3 or What's Up Today, Scripting Guy?
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, discusses his schedule for today at TechEd North America 2013 in New Orleans. As the Scripting Wife and I got on the bus this morning to head to the Convention Center, a voice remarked, “You’re not The Ed Wilson are you? The Scripting Guy? No Way!” “Well, yes way.” “Dude, this is sooo cool! You came to my company a few years ago and did a Windows PowerShell class. Man, that was sweet. We automate everything.” “Groovy…” It turned out to be a really fun chat, and we talked about the ways that this rather ...
Creating a Home Drive with Windows PowerShell: Part 2
Summary: Create a home drive with Microsoft MVP and honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you are a seasoned Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog reader, you know that the most frequent guest blogger is Sean Kearney. If you are new to the blog, I welcome you, and I encourage you to catch up with Sean’s previous blogs. Sean is a Windows PowerShell MVP and an Honorary Scripting Guy. Sean has been selected to present sessions called Integrating with Microsoft System Center 2012 and Windows PowerShell at TechEd NA and TechEd Europe this year. In his f...
TechEd 2013 New Orleans–Day 2
SUMMARY: Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson talks about PowerShell stuff from Tuesday June 4, 2013. The second day of TechEd 2013 North America in New Orleans continues to roll on. First guest of the day Jeffrey Snover The day started as great as possible – Microsoft Distinguish Engineer and Lead Architect for Windows, Jeffrey Snover came by the Scripting Guys booth right after his most excellent PowerShell session. PowerShell enthusiasts Brian Wilhite and Chris Duck took the opportunity to share their script with him. His first comment was something along the order of “What is this?” Withi...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Add Adapter to a Virtual Machine
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to add a network adapter to a virtual machine. How do I add a network adapter to my virtual machine on Hyper-V? Use the ADD-VMNetworkAdapter cmdlet: ADD-VMNetworkAdapter -vmname "My Virtual Machine" -switchname "ProdVlan" Remember, you can always get a list of Hyper-V networks with Get-VMSwitch.
TechEd 2013: Another Day, Another Script
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson talks about TechEd 2013 Day 1, and previews Day 2. Monday, Day 1 of TechEd 2013 North America in New Orleans is over, and I am getting ready for Day 2. Last night we were late getting back to our hotel due to the Expo Hall reception and a late night dinner at my favorite New Orleans restaurant. To be honest, I was planning to write this blog post, but I simply crashed, and did not finish rebooting until this morning. Oh well. Here is what went on yesterday afternoon... The first thing that happened was the Windows PowerShell Best Practices Birds-of-a-Feather session I di...
Creating a Home Drive with Windows PowerShell: Part 1
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP and Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, begins a discussion about home drives and Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you are a seasoned Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog reader, you know that the most frequent guest blogger is Sean Kearney. If you are new to the blog, I welcome you, and I encourage you to catch up with Sean’s previous blogs. Sean is a Windows PowerShell MVP and an Honorary Scripting Guy. Sean has been selected to present sessions called Integrating with Microsoft System Center 2012 and Windows PowerShell at...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Check Virtual Machine Boot Order
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to check the boot order on a virtual machine. How do I check the boot order on a virtual machine running on Hyper-V? Use the Get-VMBios cmdlet and check the StartupOrder property. Get-VMBios -vmname "Virtual Machine Name" | Select-object -expandproperty StartupOrder Adding the ComputerName parameter allows you to check the settings on a remote Hyper-V Server. Get-VMBios -vmname "Virtual Machine Name" -computername 'Hyper-V-Server' | Select-Object -expandproperty StartupOrder
TechEd 2013: A Couple of Scripts
Summary: A couple of quick Active Directory scripts from the Scripting Guys booth. This morning Brian Wilhite, Chris Duck, and Mike Robbins were playing around with Windows PowerShell. They decided to create a couple of scripts. The first script creates an organizational unit and ten users in the organizational unit. Here are Chris, Mike and Brian as they work on the script. So what did they come up with? Here is the first script: Create AD Organizational Unit and 10 users $NewOUSplat = @{ Name="TechEd2013" Description="MyScript" Path="DC=NWTraders,DC=COM"...
Getting Ready for TechEd Floor to Open
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about getting ready for TechEd Expo floor to open. This morning came early – too early if you ask me. But then again, they didn’t ask me. We hustled downstairs and caught the shuttle to the Convention Center, got our breakfast, and soon we had people to talk to. First up was Boe Prox who saw the Scripting Wife's tweet as she provided our column location in the massive dining hall. Next up Brian Wilhite came sauntering by. As a matter of a fact, he came by the Scripting Guys booth and set up a couple of virtual machines this morning. Here is a picture ...
Generating a New Password with Windows PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Windows PowerShell MVP and Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, talks about generating passwords with Windows PowerShell in Windows Server 2012. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you are a seasoned Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog reader, you know that the most frequent guest blogger is Sean Kearney. If you are new to the blog, I welcome you, and I encourage you to catch up with Sean’s previous blogs. Sean is a Windows PowerShell MVP and an Honorary Scripting Guy. Sean has been selected to present sessions called Integrating with Microsoft System Center 201...
Scripting Guys at TechEd T-1
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about getting the Scripting Guys booth set up for TechEd 2013 in New Orleans. The Scripting Wife and I arrived in New Orleans for TechEd 2013 North America, and the first thing we did was head to the Convention Center to register and to check out the Scripting Guys booth. It was a beautiful day as we headed down Canal Street, and we decided to walk the mile or so to the Convention Center (a great way to stretch the legs after sitting for two hours in a plane). I snapped a few pictures. One of the cool things about New Orleans is the trolleys. Here is one that bu...
PowerTip: Determine PowerShell Version
Summary: Easily determine the version of Windows PowerShell that is installed. How can I determine what version of Windows PowerShell is installed on my computer? Use the $psversiontable automatic variable, which is available in Windows PowerShell 2.0 and Windows PowerShell 3.0. (If nothing comes back, you are running Windows PowerShell 1.0.)PS C:> $PSVersionTable Name Value---- ...
Weekend Scripter: Install PowerShell 3.0 on Windows 7
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about installing Windows PowerShell 3.0 on Windows 7—it’s easier than you think. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you ever meet the Scripting Wife, she might very well tell you that my “honey-do list” at home is prodigious. We have tried everything from Excel spreadsheets to a SharePoint site—yet the list just continues to grow. Short of hiring someone to come and install ceiling fans, paint walls, and trim shrubs, things just don’t seem to get done. This even carries over to routine network manag...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Current Time Zone
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the current time zone information. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find my current time zone? Use the System.TimeZone .Net Framework class with the static CurrentTimeZone property: PS C:\> [System.TimeZone]::CurrentTimeZone StandardName DaylightName ------------ &nbs...
Weekend Scripter: Scripting Wife Reveals TechEd NA Schedule
Summary: The Scripting Wife reveals the actual schedule for TechEd North America in New Orleans. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. While I am busy packing, the Scripting Wife wanted to set down our real schedule for TechEd North America in New Orleans next week. Basically, I am doing two Birds-of-a-Feather sessions, two instructor-led labs, a presentation at the Net App booth, and a couple of autograph sessions for my new book, Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step. Beyond that, I will be hanging out at the Scripting Guys booth, where we will have a host of luminaries as guests. Now I will turn it over t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to List Hyper-V Switches
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to list all switches on a Hyper-V server. How do I get a list of all switches on my Hyper-V box? Use the Get-VMSwitch cmdlet, which will list all Hyper-V network names on a host (including their switch type, whether they be External, Internal, or Private): GET-VMSwitch
Import Multiple Virtual Machines with Windows PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, talks about importing multiple virtual machines with Windows PowerShell in Windows Server 2012. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you are a seasoned Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog reader, you know that the most frequent guest blogger is Sean Kearney. If you are new to the blog, I welcome you, and I encourage you to catch up with Sean’s previous blogs. Sean is a Windows PowerShell MVP and an Honorary Scripting Guy. Sean has been selected to present sessions called Integrating with Microsoft System Center 2012 and Windows PowerShell at TechEd NA an...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Status of BranchCache
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to get the status of BranchCache on your computer running Windows 8. How can I use Windows PowerShell to get the status of Branch Cache on my computer running Windows 8? Use the Get-BCStatus cmdlet, and check the BranchCacheIsEnabled property: (Get-BCStatus).BranchCacheIsEnabled
Use PowerShell to Initialize Raw Disks and to Partition and Format Volumes
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to initialize raw disks and to partition and format volumes. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. In yesterday’s post, Use PowerShell to Add VHDs and Configure New Virtual Machines, I was able to create and add new VHDs to previously existing virtual machines. However, when the virtual machine comes online, there is a bit of work to do to make the drive accessible from within the operating system. For example, the drive needs to be initialized. This occurs, typically when I open the Disk Management utility and a messag...
PowerTip: Find Services with the Same Dependencies with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find services that have the same dependencies. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily find services that have the same dependencies? Use the Get-Service cmdlet with the RequiredServices parameter, and supply the name of the dependent service. (The following example shows services that require the rpcss service on my laptop.) PS C:\> Get-Service -RequiredServices rpcss Status Name DisplayName ------ ---- &...
Scripting Wife Reveals Her North America TechEd 2013 Schedule
Summary: Scripting Wife reveals her ideal North America TechEd 2013 Schedule It is time for TechEd NA 2013. I have to tell you I am super excited to be able to attend such an awesome conference and to get to talk with so many wonderful people. As some of you may know Ed works from home and I am retired from public work. That means we are in the house together just about 24/7. I love Ed dearly, however I do miss going to work every day and interacting with co-workers, customers and vendors. Conferences and User group meetings gives me the chance to visit and help others in the PowerShell community. I volun...
Use PowerShell to Add VHDs and Configure New Virtual Machines
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create and to add new virtual hard disks while configuring new virtual machines on Hyper-V. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Yesterday was a holiday in the U.S. People in Charlotte, North Carolina were outside cooking hot dogs on their barbeque qrills, and on the north side of the city, it was a NASCAR race weekend. Personally, I thought it was a great time to spend at home and play around with Windows PowerShell. The Scripting Wife was also working with Windows PowerShell for her entry for the Scripting Games. So, at...
PowerTip: Identify the Network Adapter Connection Profile
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to identify the network adapter connection profile in Windows 8. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to identify the network connection profile for my network adapter? Use the Get-NetAdapter cmdlet and pipe the results to the Get-NetConnnectionProfile cmdlet: Get-NetAdapter | Get-NetConnectionProfile
Use the UpdateServices Module to Manage WSUS
Summary: Use the Windows PowerShell and the UpdateServices module to manage WSUS. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have an awesome blog post written by Boe Prox about using the UpdateServices module to manage WSUS. Boe is the 2010 second-place winner of the Scripting Games, and he won a free pass to TechEd 2010 in New Orleans. He is also an Honorary Scripting Guy and a frequent contributor to the Hey, Scripting Guys! Blog. Here is a link to his previous writings. When I suggested that Boe update some of his previous WSUS blog posts, he jumped at the chance. Here’s Boe… Continuing...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Eject DVDs from Group of Virtual Machines
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to eject the DVDs from a group of virtual machines. How can I eject any mounted DVDs from a group of virtual machines that are running Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012? Use the Set-VMDvdDrive cmdlet and set the path to $null: $name = "Client1","Server1","Server2" $name | Foreach {Set-VMDvdDrive -VMName $_ -Path $null}
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Build Multiple Virtual Machines
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to build multiple virtual machines with Hyper-V. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the really cool things that I love about Windows 8 is having real-live, honest-to-goodness, Hyper-V built in to the operating system. And of course, that means also having the Windows PowerShell cmdlets to manage it. With the power of modern laptops (the Scripting Wife has 32 GB of RAM, a solid-state drive, and a SATA 3 drive on her new laptop), running multiple virtual machines is a real option—and a real treat. The ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Disabled User Accounts
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily find disabled user accounts in Active Directory. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find disabled user accounts in Active Directory? Use the Search-ADAccount cmdlet from the Active Directory module: Search-ADAccount -AccountDisabled
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Find Computers SIDs in AD DS
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find computer security identifiers (SIDs) in Active Directory Domain Services. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. TechEd 2013 is soon upon us—both in New Orleans and in Madrid. The Scripting Wife has been extremely busy working on her schedule and the schedule for the Scripting Guys booth. I, on the other hand, have been really busy working on the instructor-led labs for Windows PowerShell for New Orleans and Madrid. (Actually, the labs will be basically the same in New Orleans and Madrid…the “basical...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Put Virtual Machine in Saved State
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to put a virtual machine into a saved state. How do I put a virtual machine into a saved state? Use the Save-VM cmdlet with the name of the virtual machine in Hyper-V: Save-VM 'Contoso-FPS' Or you can place all virtual machines on a Hyper-V server into saved state by using: Get-VM | Save-VM
Export Multiple Virtual Machines with Windows PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, shows how to easily use Windows PowerShell in Windows Server 2012 to export multiple virtual machines. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you are a seasoned Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog reader, you know that the most frequent guest blogger is Sean Kearney. If you are new to the blog, I welcome you, and I encourage you to catch up with Sean’s previous blogs. Sean is a Windows PowerShell MVP and an Honorary Scripting Guy. Sean has been selected to present sessions called Integrating with Microsoft System Center 2012 and Windows PowerShell at TechEd NA ...
PowerTip: Find Format Data Used by Current PowerShell Session
Summary: Find the Windows PowerShell format data files that are used in your current Windows PowerShell session. How can I find the format data files that are being used in my current Windows PowerShell session? Use the Get-FormatData cmdlet in Windows PowerShell 3.0, and to browse this information, pipe the results to the More command: Get-FormatData | more
Variable Substitution in a PowerShell Script Block
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about performing variable substitution inside a Windows PowerShell script block. Hey, Scripting Guy! I am trying to create a command. The command contains variables that I would like to assign prior to creating the command. However, when I get to the script block portion of my code, it does not do the variable substitution for the value the way an expanding string normally works. Can you help me? —SW Hello SW, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Last week at the first ever Northern Virginia PowerShell User Group, the Scripting Wif...
PowerTip: Create a PowerShell Script Block on the Fly
Summary: Create a Windows PowerShell script block on the fly. How can I convert a string into a Windows PowerShell script block? Use the static Create method from the [scriptblock] class:PS C:> [scriptblock]::Create("this is a string") | gm TypeName: System.Management.Automation.ScriptBlock Name MemberType Definition---- ---------- --------...
PowerShell Hash Tables that Contain Keywords…hmm…
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about dealing with Windows PowerShell hash tables that contain keywords. Dude! Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a problem in that I want to create a hash table from an array. This is easy enough to do, but if the array contains keywords, then everything goes pear shaped. Any ideas? —GP Hello GP, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Things are certainly becoming exciting around here. The Scripting Wife and I have been busy planning for TechEd North America in New Orleans and TechEd Europe in Madrid. As it turns out, we will have a Scripti...
PowerTip: Create an XML Representation of a Registry Key with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create an XML representation of a registry key. How can I easily create an XML representation of a registry key by using Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdllet and the registry provider to get the registry key, and pipe the results to the Export-CliXML cmdlet: Get-ChildItem 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Active Setup' -Recurse | Export-Clixml -Path c:\fso\active.xml
Use PowerShell to Copy Only Folders that Contain Files
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to copy only folders that contain files. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. In some respects, it seems like I have been using Windows PowerShell for a long time. In other respects, it seems like the journey begun only a short while ago. I mean, after writing five books about Windows PowerShell, it would seem that I know the product pretty well. And yet, I continue to amaze myself with the power of Windows PowerShell. What am I talking about? Well, a few months ago, I created a whole bunch of folders based on dates in prepa...
PowerTip: Toggle Outline View in the Windows PowerShell ISE
Summary: Toggle the Outline view in the Windows PowerShell ISE. How can I easily toggle the Outline view in the Windows PowerShell ISE? Use the ToggleOutlineExpansion method from the editor object of the CurrentFile object from $psise: $psise.CurrentFile.Editor.ToggleOutliningExpansion()
Weekend Scripter: Add Power and Functionality to the PowerShell ISE Part 2
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, adds more power and functionality to the Windows PowerShell ISE with a modified module. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This is Part 2 of a two part series where I edit my Windows PowerShell ISE module and add five new functions. The five new functions are: Yesterday, in Add Power and Functionality to the PowerShell ISE Part 1, I talked about the Add-RemarkedText and the Remove-MarkedText functions. Today I am going to talk about the remaining three functions. The Edit-Module function The Edit-Module function is a function that I have wanted to writ...
PowerTip: Find the Path to a PowerShell Module
Summary: Easily find the path to a Windows PowerShell module. How can I easily find the path to a Windows PowerShell module? Use the Get-Module cmdlet and a wildcard character for the name, and select the Path property. The following script finds the PowerShellISEModule (an optional module in the Script Repository): (Get-Module -ListAvailable PowerShellIse*).path You can shorten the command: (gmo -l PowerShellIse*).path
Weekend Scripter: Add Power and Functionality to the PowerShell ISE Part 1
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, begins a revision of his Windows PowerShell ISE Module by adding five new functions. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I decided to block off the weekend to work on my Windows PowerShell ISE module. There are several things that I want to add to it because the “annoyance” factor has finally caught up with me. In fact my criteria, when a repetitive task gets to the point that it annoys me, I will write a bit of code and solve the annoying problem. I have a list of five functions that I want to write and add to my Windows PowerShell ISE module. Her...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get Virtual Machine Start Mode
Summary: Sean Kearney shows how to determine virtual machine start mode by using Windows PowerShell. How can I tell which virtual machines will start automatically? Use the Get-VM cmdlet, and check the AutomaticStartAction property: Get-VM | Format-Table Name,AutomaticStartAction -autosize
Change Virtual Machine Network Configuration with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to change the virtual machine network configuration in Windows Server 2012. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you are a seasoned Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog reader, you know that the most frequent guest blogger is Sean Kearney. If you are new to the blog, I welcome you, and I encourage you to catch up with Sean’s previous blogs. Sean is a Windows PowerShell MVP and an Honorary Scripting Guy. Sean has been selected to present sessions called Integrating with Microsoft System Center 2012 and Windows PowerShell at TechEd NA and TechEd Europe this year. In...
2013 Scripting Games: Beginner Event 4
Summary: Scripting Games Beginner Event 4: Dr. Scripto needs to audit 20 random users from Active Directory. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Once again it is time to reveal an event for the 2013 Scripting Games that are being hosted and run by www.powershell.org. Head on over to their website to submit your entry. An Auditing Adventure Dr. Scripto isn’t saying that he dislikes auditors, but they do seem to show up at the most inconvenient times—and with the oddest requests. So he’s tossing this particular auditor request over to you. This auditor would like a report that shows ...
PowerTip: Find All Required Assemblies for PowerShell Modules
Summary: Find required assemblies for your Windows PowerShell modules. How can I use Windows PowerShell to show required assemblies for my Windows PowerShell modules? Use the ExpandProperty parameter of Select-Object and choose the RequiredAssemblies property from the Get-Module cmdlet after you have imported all Windows PowerShell modules: Get-Module -ListAvailable | Import-Module Get-Module | Select-Object -ExpandProperty requiredassemblies By using aliases, this command shortens to: gmo -l | ipmo gmo | select -Expand requiredassemblies
I Found This Module—What Do I Do?
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about how to use a Windows PowerShell module. Hey, Scripting Guy! I found this module in the Scripting Guys Script Repository. Now what do I do? —SH Hello SH, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I have been busy booking travel to Madrid, Spain for TechEd 2013. I will have a booth there with the Scripting Wife. In addition, I will be joining the Windows PowerShell team for their instructor led lab—it will be way cool. Air travel these days is so much fun, I genuinely look forward to each upcoming flight. Th...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Show Screensaver Info for Logged-on User
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to show screensaver info for a user who is logged on. How can I easily use Windows PowerShell to show screensaver information for the currently logged-on interactive user? Use WMI to query the Win32_Desktop class, and filter on the logged-on user’s name: Get-Wmiobject win32_desktop | where name -match $env:USERNAME
I Found this PowerShell Function—Now What Do I Do? Part 3
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about combining functions into a single function file, and using them in scripts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning is sort of mellow. It seems as if the clouds are touching the ground, and all sound is suppressed by a thick cloth batten. After seemingly weeks of rain, it is nice to have a not so wet day. I am on the lanai sitting in our porch swing reading my email via Outlook Web Access on my Surface RT. I love the long battery life and the portability of this device, and the fact that it has Windows PowerShell makes it even better. Note...
PowerTip: Use Set-Variable to Create a ReadOnly PowerShell Variable
Summary: Use the Set-Variable cmdlet to create a ReadOnly Windows PowerShell variable. How can I create a ReadOnly variable in Windows PowerShell? Use the Set-Variable cmdlet to create a ReadOnly variable, and specify ReadOnly for the Option parameter, and you can specify a description for the variable: Set-Variable -Name myvariable -Value "value" -Description "mred variable" -Option readonly
I Found this PowerShell Function—Now What Do I Do? Part 2
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, continues his discussion about what to do with a Windows PowerShell function. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Last week I did not get a chance to finish answering a question from JB about how to use a Windows PowerShell function. Note This is the second part of a multipart series about using Windows PowerShell functions and modules. You should read the first blog post, I Found this PowerShell Function—Now What Do I Do? – Part 1 prior to reading this post. Functions promote code reuse In the first installment in this series about usi...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to List Top-Level WMI Namespaces
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to list top-level WMI namespaces. How can I use Windows PowerShell to list the top-level WMI namespaces? Use the Get-WmiObject cmdlet or the Get-CImInstance cmdlet and query for __NameSpace: Windows PowerShell 2.0 syntax: Get-WmiObject __NameSpace | select name Windows PowerShell 3.0 syntax: Get-CimInstance __NameSpace | select name
Security Series: Using PowerShell to Protect Your Private Cloud Infrastructure – Part 3
Summary: Microsoft senior technical writer, Yuri Diogenes, and knowledge engineer, Tom Shinder, talk about using Windows PowerShell to protect a Windows Server 2012-based cloud infrastructure. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Guest bloggers Yuri Diogenes and Tom Shinder are back with the exciting conclusion to their series about security. This series includes three blog posts where the authors describe examples about how you can leverage Windows PowerShell to automate security tasks. Note This is the third blog in Yuri and Tom’s Private Cloud Infrastructure security and Windows PowerShell ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Changed Directories
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to identify directories that changed since a specific date. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find directories that have changed since a specific date? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet and specify only directories. Pipe the results to Where-Object and evaluate the LastWriteTime property (dir is an alias for Get-ChildItem, ? is an alias for Where-Object). Windows PowerShell 3.0 syntax: dir -Directory | ? lastwritetime -gt $([datetime]'4/1/2013') Windows PowerShell 2.0 syntax: dir | ? { $_.psiscontainer -AND $_.Las...
Weekend Scripter: Playing with PowerShell's Get-Variable Cmdlet
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, spends some time playing around with the Get-Variable cmdlet. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am doing something a little different. Instead of drinking English Breakfast tea, I woke up feeling like I wanted Oolong tea instead. So I made a pot of Oolong tea with a spoonful of jasmine buds, a half spoon of peppermint leaves, three juniper berries, and half of a crushed cinnamon stick. It is quite invigorating, without being too overbearing. Checking the value of a variable So I am sitting on the lanai in my porch swing, and I just finished ch...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Running Virtual Machines
Summary: Sean Kearney explains how to use Windows PowerShell to find running virtual machines. How can I find a list of virtual machines on my computer that is running Windows Server 2012 with Hyper-V? Use the Get-VM cmdlet and filter on the State property: Get-VM | Where { $_.State -eq 'Running' } Or if you need to check a remote computer: Get-VM -computername RemoteHyperVServer | Where { $_.State -eq 'Running' }\
Get a List of Virtual Machines by Using PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows Server 2012 to obtain a list of virtual machines. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If you are a seasoned Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog reader, you know that the most frequent guest blogger is Sean Kearney. If you are new to the blog, I welcome you, and I encourage you to catch up with Sean’s previous blogs. Sean is a Windows PowerShell MVP and an Honorary Scripting Guy. Sean has been selected to present sessions called Integrating with Microsoft System Center 2012 and Windows PowerShell at TechEd NA and TechEd Europe this year. In his f...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display Video Configuration
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display the current video configuration on your computer. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display the current video configuration for my computer? Use WMI to query the Win32_VideoController class. Select the Name, CurrentHorizontalResolution, and CurrentVerticalResolution properties. (In this example, I use wildcard characters to avoid typing the complete property names.) Get-WmiObject win32_VideoController | select name, currentH*, currentv* Sample output from my computer: PS C:\> Get-WmiObject win32_VideoController | select name, currentH...
I Found this PowerShell Function—Now What Do I Do? Part 1
Summary: A reader found needed code, but it is contained in a function. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, provides the scoop about how to use functions. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have some experience with scripting—primarily VBScript script. I also have written a lot of batch files. But recently, I have begun to learn Windows PowerShell by reading your column and by watching some of your videos. What I am confused about is Windows PowerShell functions—I do not know what to do with them. Can you help? —JB Hello JB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. We had a great SQL Server W...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Security Hotfixes
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to quickly find all installed security hotfixes. How can I use Windows PowerShell to identify installed security hotfixes? Use the Get-Hotfix cmdlet and use a wildcard pattern for the description parameter: Get-HotFix -Description *security*
Use PowerShell to Discover, Diagnose, and Document SQL Server
Summary: SQL Server MVP, Kendal VanDyke, talks about using Windows PowerShell to discover, diagnose, and document all your computers running SQL Server. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Kendal VanDyke is with us today to wrap up SQL Server Week. Kendal VanDyke is a practiced IT professional with over a decade of experience in SQL Server development and administration. Kendal is currently a principal consultant with UpSearch SQL, where he helps companies keep their SQL Servers running in high gear. Kendal is also a Microsoft MVP for SQL Server and president of the PASS chapter MagicPASS in Orlando, FL....
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Status of Optional Features in Windows
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to identify the status of optional features in Windows. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to identify the status of optional features in Windows? Use the Get-WindowsOptionalFeature cmdlet from the DISM module and sort by State. Make sure you use the Online switch to evaluate your current version of Windows. Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online | sort state Note Run this command with elevated permissions.
10 Tips for the SQL Server PowerShell Scripter
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Chad Miller shares his top ten tips for the SQL Server Windows PowerShell scripter. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today’s blog is a bit unique. I was throwing around ideas with Chad Miller, and somehow we came up with the idea that he would share some tips for the SQL Server Windows PowerShell scripter. You can read more about Chad and see his other blog posts on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog site. And now, Chad… 1. Use here-strings Here-strings are great for working with strings that span multiple lines or contain characters you would normally need to...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Troubleshoot PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to troubleshoot errors with Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to troubleshoot issues with Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-WinEvent cmdlet to parse the Windows PowerShell log. For example, to find all errors in a Windows PowerShell log: In Windows PowerShell 3.0: Get-WinEvent -LogName *powershell* | where leveldisplayname -eq 'error' In Windows PowerShell 2.0: Get-WinEvent -LogName *powershell* | where {$_.LevelDisplayName -eq 'error'} You can also group by the error ID to get an idea of how often a particular error appears: In Wind...
Use PowerShell to Clean-up SQL Server Jobs
Summary: SQL Server MVP, Sean McCown, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to clean-up SQL Server jobs. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we wrap up the weekend with the last of three blogs by guest blogger, Sean McCown. You can read more about Sean and his previous guest blogs on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog site. Take it away Sean … In the previous two blogs of this series, Use PowerShell to Work with SQL Server Instance-Level Properties and Use PowerShell to Examine Dirty and Expensive SQL Server Properties, I talked about working with server objects so you could inventory or standardize...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Network Adapter Power State
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find network adapter power states. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to identify network adapter power states? Use the Get-NetAdapterPowerManagement function.
Use PowerShell to Examine Dirty and Expensive SQL Server Properties
Summary: SQL MVP, Sean McCown, talks about using Windows PowerShell to examine Dirty and Expensive SQL Server properties. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Here is blog two of three in a series from guest blogger, Sean McCown. Yesterday, we published Use PowerShell to Work with SQL Server Instance-Level Properties. You can read more about Sean and his previous guest blogs on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog site. Here’s Sean… In the last post, we talked about getting server properties and saving them to a table so you can get a good inventory of your environment. This time we’re going to...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Reserved System Volumes
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to find information about the system reserved volume. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to return information about my system reserved volume? Use the Get-Volume function and specify the FileSystemLabel of “System Reserved”: Get-Volume -FileSystemLabel "System Reserved"
Use PowerShell to Work with SQL Server Instance-Level Properties
Summary: SQL Server MVP, Sean McCown, talks about using Windows PowerShell to work with SQL Server instance-level properties. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is the first of three blogs written by guest blogger, Sean McCown. You can read more about Sean and his previous guest blogs on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog site. Here’s Sean… Many DBAs don’t realize how much power they get from the Windows PowerShell provider and how much information is at their fingertips. Here I’m going to walk you through some of the better server instance-level properties, and we’ll even...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Show Remaining Battery Time
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to show the percentage of remaining battery time. How can I use Windows PowerShell to show the percentage of remaining battery time on my laptop or on my Windows Surface? Use the Get-WmiObject cmdlet and query the Win32_Battery WMI class: (Get-WmiObject win32_battery).estimatedChargeRemaining
Troubleshooting an AlwaysOn Availability Group with PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Tom Stringer, illustrates how to troubleshoot an AlwaysOn availability group by using Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. We welcome back guest blogger, Thomas Stringer, for Part 3 of this three-part series. To catch up, read: Part 1: Set Up an AlwaysOn Availability Group with PowerShell Part 2: Monitor an AlwaysOn Availability Group with PowerShell Thomas Stringer is a SQL Server premier field engineer at Microsoft. He specializes in scripting (Windows PowerShell), high availability, disaster recovery, performance tuning, internals, querying, and database admi...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Check DHCP Status
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to check on DHCP status. How can I use Windows PowerShell to check on my DHCP status? Use the Get-Service cmdlet and search for services that have DHCP in the name. You can do this remotely if the firewall has exceptions and if you have rights. PS C:\> gsv -Name *dhcp* -ComputerName wds1 Status Name DisplayName ------ ---- ----------- Running Dhcp DHCP Client Running DHCPServer DHCP Server &...
Monitor an AlwaysOn Availability Group with PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Tom Stringer, illustrates how to monitor an AlwaysOn Availability Group by using Windows PowerShell to ensure high availability functionality in an environment. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have another blog in our SQL Server Week series from Microsoft PFE, Thomas Stringer. Thomas Stringer is a SQL Server premier field engineer at Microsoft. He specializes in scripting (Windows PowerShell), high availability, disaster recovery, performance tuning, internals, querying, and database administration. He also has a software development background in languages and platfo...
PowerTip: Find Printer Configuration in Windows 8
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows to easily find printer configuration settings. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily find printer configuration settings on my Windows 8 computer? Use the Get-Printer function to retrieve all printer objects, and pipe the results to the Get-PrintConfiguration function: Get-Printer | Get-PrintConfiguration
Set Up an AlwaysOn Availability Group with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft SQL Server PFE, Thomas Stringer, talks about using Windows PowerShell to set up an AlwaysOn availability group. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we kick off SQL Server Windows PowerShell Week. Our first blog of the series is a guest blog written by SQL Server PFE, Thomas Stringer. Here is a little bit about Thomas. Thomas Stringer is a SQL Server premier field engineer at Microsoft. He specializes in scripting (Windows PowerShell), high availability, disaster recovery, performance tuning, internals, querying, and database administration. He also has a software development back...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Total CPU Time
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the total CPU time of a process. How can I return a timespan that represents the total CPU time of a process? Use the Get-Process cmdlet and select the TotalProcessorTime property: PS C:\> (gps excel).totalprocessortime Days : 0 Hours : 0 Minutes : 0 Seconds : 4 Milli...
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Upload a New File Version to SharePoint
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Niklas Goude, talks about using Windows PowerShell to upload a new version of a file to SharePoint. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today Niklas Goude is our guest blogger. You can read more from Niklas in his past Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. Take it away Niklas… In a previous post, Use PowerShell Cmdlets to Manage SharePoint Document Libraries, we talked about uploading files to a share in SharePoint 2010. Now we'll take this a step further and update a minor or a major version of an existing document. Here’s a quick recap of the code used to ...
PowerTip: Add Two PowerShell Arrays Together
Summary: Easily add two Windows PowerShell arrays together. If I have an array stored in one variable, and another array stored in another variable, how can I add them together? Use the + operator to add to arrays together: PS C:\> $a = 2,3,4 PS C:\> $b = 5,6,7 PS C:\> $c = $a + $b PS C:\> $c 2 3 4 5 6 7 PS C:\>
Weekend Scripter: Improve Performance When Combining PowerShell Arrays
Summary: Microsoft premier field engineer, Chris Wu, talks about combining Windows PowerShell arrays. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Chris Wu, a Microsoft PFE, is back to share his knowledge. See previous Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog guest posts from Chris. Here is contact information for Chris: Twitter: https://twitter.com/chwu_ms Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mschwu LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/mschwu Take it away Chris… While teaching a Windows PowerShell workshop, I was asked about how to combine two arrays of different objects (which share one key property) into one that contains...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Display the Desktop
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to change the display to the Desktop. How can I use Windows PowerShell to switch to displaying the Desktop on my computer? Use the ToggleDesktop method from the Shell.Application COM object: (New-Object -ComObject shell.application).toggleDesktop()
Use PowerShell to Work with Windows Explorer
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Chris Wu, talks about using Windows PowerShell to work with the Windows Desktop through the Windows Explorer interface. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I have the privilege of welcoming back Chris Wu. Chris is a Microsoft premier field engineer (PFE) in Canada. If you are interested, see his other Hey, Scripting Guy! guest blogs. Now, here is Chris… While playing with Windows PowerShell scripts, one of my favorite COM objects has been Shell.Application. I guess it is because I support Windows operating systems, and Windows Explorer is the primary way we inter...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Virtual Machine DVD Info
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find Hyper-V DVD information in Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012. How can I use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 to find Hyper-V virtual machine DVD disk information? Use the Get-VM cmdlet and pipe the output to the Get-VMDvdDrive cmdlet: PS C:> get-vm | Get-VMDvdDrive VMName ControllerType ControllerNumber ControllerLocation DvdMediaType Path ------ -------------- ---------------- ------------------ ------------ ---- c1 IDE 1 0 ISO C:WINDOWS... C2 IDE 1 0 None DC1 IDE 1 0 None sql1 IDE 1 0 None
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find WMI Classes Related to Disks
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to help find WMI classes related to disks. How can I find WMI classes that will return information about disks on my local computer? Use the Get-CimClass cmdlet in Windows PowerShell 3.0. Use a wildcard character for the class name, and use the QualifierName parameter to filter only dynamic WMI classes: Get-CimClass -ClassName *disk* -QualifierName dynamic
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Keep Up-to-Date with the 2013 Scripting Games
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to help you stay up-to-date with the 2013 Scripting Games. How can I use Windows PowerShell to obtain an RSS feed of all 2013 Scripting Games content from the Scripting Guys? Use the Invoke-RestMethod cmdlet in Windows PowerShell 3.0 and specify the uri for the Scripting Guys 2013 Scripting Games RSS feed. Select the Title and the Pubdate, or even the Link to the blog posting. Note You can play with the RSS feed URL in Internet Explorer to ensure that you get the information you want to obtain. $sg2013 = 'http://blogs.technet.com/b/heyscriptingguy/rss.as...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find WMI Classes with a Specific Property
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find WMI classes that contain a specific property. How can I use Windows PowerShell to help find a WMI class that contains a specific property? Use the Get-CimClass cmdlet in Windows PowerShell 3.0, and use the specific property name or a wildcard pattern to help you find the class: Get-CimClass -PropertyName version Get-CimClass -PropertyName *acl*
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Detect Mouse Type Used on Laptop
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell and WMI to detect the type of mouse that is being used on a laptop running Windows 8. How can I find information about the type of mice that are being used in conjunction with my laptop that is running Windows 8? Depending on the mouse, you may be able to obtain the information by using the Get-CimInstance cmdlet and the Win32_PointingDevice WMI class. Select the HardwareType property. Note The following illustrates this technique on my laptop. PS C:\> Get-CimInstance win32_POINTINGDEVICE | select hardwaretype hardwaretype ---...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Copy Files
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to copy files from one location to another. How can I use Windows PowerShell to copy a file to a new location? Use the Copy-Item cmdlet and specify the path to the original file and a destination for the copy. In this example, file 20110314.log in the C:\fso folder is copied to folder C:\fsox with the new name mylog.log. Note The destination folder C:\fsox must exist. Copy-Item -Path C:\fso\20110314.log -Destination c:\fsox\mylog.log
PowerTip: Get Windows PowerShell Online Help
Summary: Use Get-Help and a switch to show the latest Windows PowerShell online Help in your browser. How can I open and view the Windows PowerShell online Help in my Internet browser? Use the Online switch with the Get-Help cmdlet: Get-Help Get-Process -Online
PowerTip: Find the PowerShell Version
Summary: Easily find the installed version of Windows PowerShell. How can I find the installed version of Windows PowerShell? There are two easy ways.1. Use the automatic $PSVersionTable variable:PS C:> $PSVersionTableName Value---- -----PSVersion &n...
PowerTip: Get a List of Installed BPA Models
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to obtain a list of all installed Best Practice Analyzer models. How can I get a list of all the Best Practice Analyzer models that are installed on my server? Use the Get-BPAModel cmdlet with no parameters: Get-BPAModel
Installing WSUS on Windows Server 2012
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy, Boe Prox, talks about installing WSUS on Windows Server 2012 via Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back today to Honorary Scripting Guy, Boe Prox. Without further ado, here is Boe… In a previous Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog post, Introduction to WSUS and PowerShell, I demonstrated how you can download the Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) installation file and use various parameters to customize a WSUS installation on a local or remote system. With Windows Server 2012, we get a new version of WSUS that can be installed through Server M...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find the Temp Folder Path
Summary: Find the path to the temporary folder. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the path to the temporary folder? Use the Temp variable, and obtain its value from the Env: PS drive. $env:TEMP
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Clean Out Temp Folders
Summary: Guest blogger, Bob Stevens, talks about using Windows PowerShell to clean out temporary folders on desktops following a malware infection. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we welcome back our newest guest blogger, Bob Stevens. Yesterday Bob wrote about a quick script that he developed to pick out comments from a Windows PowerShell script: Weekend Scripter: Pick Comments from a PowerShell Script. I made Bob’s virtual acquaintance recently when I did a Live Meeting presentation to the Twin Cities PowerShell User Group. Here is Bob’s contact information: Blog: Help! I’m Stuck In My...
PowerTip: See All PowerShell Script Execution Policies
Summary: Find the settings for all five script execution policy scopes. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see all of the script execution policies that affect the current Windows PowerShell session? Use the Get-ExecutionPolicy cmdlet with the –List parameter: Get-ExecutionPolicy -List
Weekend Scripter: Pick Comments from a PowerShell Script
Summary: Guest blogger, Bob Stevens, shares a script to pick out comments from a Windows PowerShell script. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a new guest blogger, Bob Stevens. I made Bob’s virtual acquaintance recently when I did a Live Meeting presentation to the Twin Cities PowerShell User Group. Here is Bob’s contact information: Blog: Help! I’m Stuck in My Powershell! Twitter: @B_stevens6 LinkedIn: Robert Stevens The floor is yours, Bob… As a local Help Desk technician, I run into many repetitive support tasks. From low toners to Internet Explorer issues, I ha...
PowerTip: Determine the Status of Your DHCP Server Audit Log
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to determine the status of your DHCP server audit log. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine the status of my DHCP server audit log in Windows Server 2012? Use the Get-DHCPServerAuditLog cmdlet and specify the server name: Get-DhcpServerAuditLog -ComputerName DHCP1
Security Series: Using PowerShell to Protect Your Private Cloud Infrastructure – Part 2
Summary: Microsoft senior technical writer, Yuri Diogenes, and knowledge engineer, Tom Shinder, talk about using Windows PowerShell to protect a Windows Server 2012-based cloud infrastructure. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Guest bloggers Tom Shinder and Yuri Diogenes are back with Part 2 of their series about security. This series includes three blogs where the authors describe examples about how you can leverage Windows PowerShell to automate tasks. Take it away, guys… In our first blog of this series, Using PowerShell to Protect Your Private Cloud Infrastructure, we defined the ...
Microsoft Script Explorer: Next Steps
Summary: The next steps Microsoft Script Explorer are revealed. For those who are familiar with Microsoft Script Explorer for Windows PowerShell, you know that we haven't released additional updates since we published the release candidate (RC) in August 2012. Over the past few months, we have been talking with customers and partners and taking a hard look at the adoption rate of the RC in terms of the number of downloads and the feedback we've received. One of the results of this analysis was that the adoption and usage of the pre-release versions of Script Explorer were not at the level we had hoped for. Part o...
Named Arguments for PowerShell Functions: Best Practices
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using named arguments in Windows PowerShell functions. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. If I go to the trouble of writing a Windows PowerShell script, I generally do not use unnamed arguments (such as $args as I illustrated yesterday in Accepting Arguments for PowerShell Functions: Best Practices). Instead I create named arguments for my functions. It is just so much more powerful, and so much more flexible. Besides, I can still pass values appositionally in an unnamed fashion if I wish to do so. Create a named argument in five easy steps In yes...
PowerTip: Find All Windows PowerShell Functions
Summary: Easily find all the Windows PowerShell functions. How can I find all Windows PowerShell functions easily? Use the Get-Command cmdlet, and specify the CommandType function: Get-Command -CommandType function
Accepting Arguments for PowerShell Functions: Best Practices
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the best practices surrounding accepting input for a Windows PowerShell function. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. April in the Carolina’s is a special time. In fact, it is my favorite time of the year here. This is because the weather is invariably mild. This week, it has been sunny, moderate temperature, mild humidity, and clear skies. The Scripting Neighbors tell me it is perfect golf weather. It is also perfect “sit on the lanai and write Windows PowerShell scripts” weather. Although I have never had much luck with putting ...
PowerTip: Easily See the Content of Your Function
Summary: Use the Get-Content cmdlet to read the content of your Windows PowerShell function. How can I see the content of a function that is on on my system, which I did not write? Use the Get-Content cmdlet and point it to the Function: PowerShell drive. The following example gets the content of the more function. Get-Content Function:\more
Using PowerShell Functions: Best Practices
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about some best practices for using Windows PowerShell functions. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Windows PowerShell functions are really powerful, and at the same time, they are incredibly simple to create. This makes Windows PowerShell functions flexible and functional. But this flexibility also means that there is a lot of misunderstanding. A simple function At the low end (in terms of readability, functionality, features, and so on), a Windows PowerShell function is creatable on a single line interactively at the Windows PowerShell console. The m...
PowerTip: Easily Find PowerShell Aliases for Cmdlets
Summary: Learn how to easily find Windows PowerShell aliases for cmdlets. How can I find if there is an alias for a specific cmdlet by using Windows PowerShell 3.0? Use the Get-Alias cmdlet and the Definition parameter to look for aliases for a specific cmdlet: PS C:\> Get-Alias -Definition get-command CommandType Name &n...
Using PowerShell Aliases: Best Practices
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, demystifies some of the confusion surrounding using Windows PowerShell aliases. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. “Don’t use aliases!” I hear this all the time from various people on the Internet. I am constantly asked at Windows PowerShell user groups, at TechEd, and at community events such as Windows PowerShell Saturday, if it is alright to use an alias. What’s the big deal anyway? An alias is a shortcut name, or a nickname, for a Windows PowerShell cmdlet. It enables me to type a short name instead of a long name. Is this a big de...
Do One Thing and Do It Well
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVPs, Don Jones and Jeffery Hicks, talk about a fundamental tool design consideration. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week we will not have our usual PowerTip. Instead we have excerpts from seven books from Manning Press. In addition, each blog will have a special code for 50% off the book being excerpted that day. Remember that the code is valid only for the day the excerpt is posted. The coupon code is also valid for a second book from the Manning collection. This excerpt is from Learn PowerShell Toolmaking in a Month of Lunches By Don Jones and Jeffe...
Scope in Action
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVPs, Don Jones and Jeffery Hicks, talk about the impact of Windows PowerShell scope when creating tools. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week we will not have our usual PowerTip. Instead we have excerpts from seven books from Manning Press. In addition, each blog will have a special code for 50% off the book being excerpted that day. Remember that the code is valid only for the day the excerpt is posted. The coupon code is also valid for a second book from the Manning collection. This excerpt is from Learn PowerShell Toolmaking in a Month of Lunches By Don J...
Performance Counters and Windows System Assessment Report
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP, Richard Siddaway, talks about using Windows PowerShell and WMI to work with performance counters and Windows assessment. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week we will not have our usual PowerTip. Instead we have excerpts from seven books from Manning Press. In addition, each blog will have a special code for 50% off the book being excerpted that day. Remember that the code is valid only for the day the excerpt is posted. The coupon code is also valid for a second book from the Manning collection. This excerpt is from PowerShell and WMI By Richard Siddaway&...
Testing License State and Setting the License Key
Summary: Microsoft Windows PowerShell MVP, Richard Siddaway, talks about using Windows PowerShell and WMI to work with operating system licensing. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week we will not have our usual PowerTip. Instead we have excerpts from seven books from Manning Press. In addition, each blog will have a special code for 50% off the book being excerpted that day. Remember that the code is valid only for the day the excerpt is posted. The coupon code is also valid for a second book from the Manning collection. This excerpt is from PowerShell and WMI By Richard Siddaway Product ...
Closures in PowerShell
Summary: Bruce Payette talks about Windows PowerShell closures and how to call the GetNewClosure method. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week we will not have our usual PowerTip. Instead we have excerpts from seven books from Manning Press. In addition, each blog will have a special code for 50% off the book being excerpted that day. Remember that the code is valid only for the day the excerpt is posted. The coupon code is also valid for a second book from the Manning collection. This excerpt is from Windows PowerShell in Action By Bruce Payette Windows PowerShell uses dynamic modules to ...
How to Remove a Loaded Module
Summary: Bruce Payette talks about how to remove a module that has been loaded into your Windows PowerShell environment. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week we will not have our usual PowerTip. Instead we have excerpts from seven books from Manning Press. In addition, each blog will have a special code for 50% off the book being excerpted that day. Remember that the code is valid only for the day the excerpt is posted. The coupon code is also valid for a second book from the Manning collection. This excerpt is from Windows PowerShell in Action By Bruce Payette Now you know how to avoid c...
Enabling Multihop Remoting
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVPs, Don Jones and Jeffery Hicks, discuss how to enable multihop remoting in Windows PowerShell 3.0. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Tonight is our Windows PowerShell User Group meeting in Charlotte, NC, I will be making a presentation about using Windows 8 to perform remote management, We will also be doing a Lync meeting with the Philadelphia User Group at the same time. Click the following link to join us online from 7:00 – 8:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time: Charlotte Windows PowerShell User Group meeting. This week we will not have our usual PowerTip. Inste...
Why PowerShell Uses Objects
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVPs, Don Jones and Jeffery Hicks, show the flexibility and the power of Windows PowerShell objects. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week we will not have our usual PowerTip. Instead we have excerpts from seven books from Manning Press. In addition, each blog will have a special code for 50% off the book being excerpted that day. Remember that the code is valid only for the day the excerpt is posted. The coupon code is also valid for a second book from the Manning collection. Today, the excerpt is from Learn Windows PowerShell 3 in a Month of Lunches, Second Edition...
Technique: Determining Replication Schedules
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Richard Siddaway, shares another excerpt from his book PowerShell in Practice. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week we will not have our usual PowerTip. Instead we have excerpts from seven books from Manning Press. In addition, each blog will have a special code for 50% off the book being excerpted that day. Remember that the code is valid only for the day the excerpt is posted. The coupon code is also valid for a second book from the Manning collection. Today, the excerpt is from PowerShell in Practice By Richard Siddaway It’s a fair assumption to ...
Excel Spreadsheets
Summary: Microsoft MVP, Richard Siddaway, shares an excerpt from his book, PowerShell in Practice. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week we will not have our usual PowerTip. Instead we have excerpts from seven books from Manning Press. In addition, each blog will have a special code for 50% off the book being excerpted that day. Remember that the code is valid only for the day the excerpt is posted. The coupon code is also valid for a second book from the Manning collection. Today, the excerpt is from PowerShell in Practice By Richard Siddaway It’s a fair assumption to say that the ...
Windows Software Update Services
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy, Boe Prox, shares an excerpt from his contribution to the book, PowerShell Deep Dives. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week we will not have our usual PowerTip. Instead we have excerpts from seven books from Manning Press. In addition, each blog will have a special code for 50% off the book being excerpted that day. Remember that the code is valid only for the day the excerpt is posted. The coupon code is also valid for a second book from the Manning collection. Today, the excerpt is from PowerShell Deep Dives Edited by Jeffery Hicks,...
Pipelined Expressions
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP , Jeff Wouters, shares an excerpt from his chapter in the book, PowerShell Deep Dives. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week we will not have our usual PowerTip. Instead we have excerpts from seven books from Manning Press. In addition, each blog will have a special code for 50% off the book being excerpted that day. Remember that the code is valid only for the day the excerpt is posted. The coupon code is also valid for a second book from the Manning collection. Today, the excerpt is from PowerShell Deep Dives Edited by Jeffery H...
Working with HTML Fragments and Files
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVPs, Don Jones, Richard Siddaway, and Jeffrey Hicks share excerpts from their new book. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week we will not have our usual PowerTip. Instead we have excerpts from seven books from Manning Press. In addition, each blog will have a special code for 50% off the book being excerpted that day. Remember that the code is valid only for the day the excerpt is posted. The coupon code is also valid for a second book from the Manning collection. Today, the excerpt is from PowerShell in Depth By Don Jones, Richard Siddaway, a...
Working with XML
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVPs, Don Jones, Richard Siddaway, and Jeffrey Hicks share excerpts from their new book. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This week we will not have our usual PowerTip. Instead we have excerpts from seven books from Manning Press. In addition, each blog will have a special code for 50% off the book being excerpted that day. Remember that the code is valid only for the day the excerpt is posted. The coupon code is also valid for a second book from the Manning collection. Today, the excerpt is from PowerShell in Depth By Don Jones, Richard Siddaway, and Je...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Create System Restore Point
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to create a system restore point. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create a system restore point for my computer? Open the Windows PowerShell console with Admin rights in Windows 8 or Windows 7 (use Windows PowerShell 3.0 or Windows PowerShell 2.0). Use CheckPoint-Computer and supply a description: Checkpoint-Computer -Description adhoc
Weekend Scripter: Managing Dell AppAssure with Windows PowerShell
Summary: Guest blogger, Mike Robbins, talks about using Windows PowerShell to manage Dell AppAssure. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Guest blogger, Mike Robbins, returns today to share his experience. You can also read previous blogs by Mike. Mike Robbins is a senior systems engineer with almost 20 years of professional experience as an IT pro who currently works for a healthcare company located in Meridian, MS. During his career, Mike has provided enterprise computing solutions for educational, financial, healthcare, and manufacturing customers. He’s a Windows PowerShell enthusiast who uses W...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Calling Assembly
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find the calling assembly. How can I find the name of a calling assembly from within Windows PowerShell? Use the GetCallingAssembly static method from the [system.Reflection.Assembly] class: [system.reflection.assembly]::GetCallingAssembly()
Weekend Scripter: Run C# Code from Within PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to execute C# programs from source without a compiled binary by using Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today guest blogger, Ingo Karstein, is back with us to share his knowledge. You can also read previous guest blogs by Ingo. Take it away Ingo… Some time ago, I created a script called PS2EXE that creates EXE files out of Windows PowerShell script files. It is posted on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog: Learn About Two CodePlex Projects: PS2EXE and RoboPowerCopy. Now I have created another script, rather the opposite of PS2EXE: C#Script. This script is able to...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Non-Inherited Access to a Folder
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find non-inherited access rights to a folder. How can I find non-inherited access rights to a folder by using Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-Item cmdlet to select the folder, and pipe it to the Get-ACL cmdlet. Choose the Access property, and filter the results based on an inheritance flag equal to none. This technique is shown here for the C:\fso folder (? Is an alias for the Where-Object). (Get-Item c:\fso | get-acl).Access | ? inheritanceflags -eq 'none'
Security Series: Using PowerShell to Protect Your Private Cloud Infrastructure – Part 1
Summary: Microsoft senior technical writer, Yuri Diogenes, and knowledge engineer, Tom Shinder, talk about using Windows PowerShell to protect a Windows Server 2012-based cloud infrastructure. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we start a three-part series by Yuri Diogenes and Tom Shinder. The authors describe examples about how you can leverage Windows PowerShell to automate tasks to protect a Windows Server 2012-based cloud infrastructure. ~Yuri Diogenes, senior technical writer, SCD iX Solutions Group Twitter: @YuriDiogenes ~Tom Shinder, knowledge engineer, SCD iX Solutions Group Twitter: @TomS...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Noun Distribution
Summary: Learn how to see which nouns in Windows PowerShell are used most. How can I find which Windows PowerShell cmdlet nouns are used most? Import all the modules, then use the Get-Command cmdlet to retrieve all cmdlet information, and group by noun. You can also use the following commands to sort the results by count. Note Gmo is an alias for Get-Module, ipmo is an alias for Import-Module, gcm is an alias for Get-Command, group is an alias for Group-Object, sort is an alias for Sort-Object, and mo...
PowerTip: Get the Last Boot Time with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to get the last boot time for your computer. How can I find the last boot time for my computer by using Windows PowerShell? In Windows PowerShell 3.0, use the Get-CimInstance cmdlet, and select the LastBootUptime property from the Win32_Operatingsystem WMI class: PS C:\> Get-CimInstance -ClassName win32_operatingsystem | select csname, lastbootuptime csname  ...
Troubleshoot the InvokeMethodOnNull Error with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about troubleshooting the InvokeMethodOnNull error in a Windows PowerShell script. Hey, Scripting Guy! Ed...thank you for all you do for those of us who are spread so thin we can't go deep on subjects like scripting. I have a question regarding a script you created in Use PowerShell to Create an HTML Uptime Report, called HTML_UptimeReport.ps1. I have downloaded the file, put my own list of hosts in, and it works, but there are errors regarding the $os.converttodatetime expression. When I run the script I get an error message about not calling a method on a...
PowerTip: Store PowerShell Credentials
Summary: Store your Windows PowerShell credentials in a variable for later use. How can I store alternate credentials for repeated use in my Windows PowerShell session? Use the Get-Credential cmdlet to prompt for a credential, and store the results in a variable: $credential = Get-Credential
Decrypt PowerShell Secure String Password
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to easily decrypt the Windows PowerShell secure string password. Hey, Scripting Guy! We have an FTP site that I have to use on a regular basis. I need an easy way to get a credential and use that credential with the FTP site so that I can download a file that changes on a daily basis. I found a few scripts and functions on the Internet that will decrypt the secure string password from a Windows PowerShell credential object, but they all seem really complicated. Is there an easy way to do this? —AD Hello AD, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson...
PowerTip: Display Hidden Files by Using PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to display hidden files by using Windows PowerShell. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display hidden files? Use the Force parameter for Get-Childitem (or the aliases dir, ls or gci): dir -Force -File
Learn About Using PowerShell Value Binding by Property Name
Summary: Guest blogger, Ingo Karstein, talks about using Windows PowerShell and value binding by property name. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today our blog is written by Ingo Karstein who has shared his knowledge previously with us. Ingo is an independent consultant for SharePoint and Windows PowerShell based in Leipzig, Germany and a Microsoft Certified Master for SharePoint 2010. Take it away, Ingo… Do you know about value binding by property name in Windows PowerShell pipelines and what it is good for? I’d like to explain it to you! First, what is value binding? In a Wind...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Your Word Version
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to identify the version of Microsoft Word you are running. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the version of Microsoft Word that is installed on my system? Create an instance of the Word.Application object, and then choose the Version property: PS C:\> (New-Object -ComObject word.application).version 15.0
Weekend Scripter: Convert Word Documents to PDF Files with PowerShell
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, talks about using Windows PowerShell to convert Word documents to PDF files en-masse. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today’s blog is brought to you by Windows PowerShell MVP and honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney. Previous blog posts by Sean Kearney Take it away Sean… My boss looks up at me today, and sighs, “I love the built-in SaveAs PDF in Word 2013. But I want to do multiple documents at the same time. Oh, if ONLY there was some way to do this in bulk.” The wires and lights starting blinking in my head. I’m about to ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Domain Naming Context
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to easily find the naming contexts for your AD DS domain. How can I use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to find information about my naming contexts for Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)? Use Get-ADRootDSE from the Active Directory module, pipe the results to the Select-Object cmdlet, and use a wildcard pattern to select *naming*. Get-ADRootDSE | select *naming*
Weekend Scripter: Explore AD DS Attributes with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to discover the names of attributes in Active Directory Domain Services. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the great things about writing a blog is the comments I receive. Most of the time the comments add illuminating information, express thanks for a topic, or offer thoughts to contemplate further exploration. Today’s blog is a result of one of those comments. Thomas Brevig offered a way to find the name of an attribute in Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) if he knew the value of the attribute. ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Name & OS Version of Domain Controllers
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the name and operating system version of all your domain controllers. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the name and operating system version of all my domain controllers? Use the Get-ADDomainController cmdlet from the Active Directory module and a wild card filter to select all domain controllers. Then pipe the results to the Select-Object cmdlet and choose the Name and OperatingSystem properties. Get-ADDomainController -Filter * | select name, operatingsystem
Explore Active Directory Users with PowerShell Out-GridView
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the Windows PowerShell Out-Gridview cmdlet to examine user information in Active Directory. Hey, Scripting Guy! I would like a way to use Windows PowerShell to view user information from Active Directory. I would like to be able to explore the returned information and be able to see what is going on. In other words, I need kind of an Active Directory microscope. You don’t happen to have one do you? —BJ Hello BJ, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This has been a really busy week, and it is now 30 days until the...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to See Status of AD Optional Features
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to show the status of optional features in AD DS. How can I use Windows PowerShell and the Active Directory module to determine the status of optional features in AD DS? Use the Get-ADOptionalFeature Windows PowerShell cmdlet. You can use a wildcard for the filter to simplify returning results. Get-ADOptionalFeature -Filter *
Use the PowerShell AD Provider to Modify User Attributes
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the Windows PowerShell Active Directory module provider to modify user attributes in AD DS. Hey, Scripting Guy! Just searching for users, or filtering for them, is not entirely all that useful. For me, I need to be able to make changes based on that search or filter. Is this easily done, or is it a real pain to do? —DR Hello DR, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Yesterday, I received word that my latest appearance on Blain Barton’s TechNet Radio Podcast is now live. In fact, Devon Musgrave at Microsoft Press wrote a ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Determine AD Forest Mode
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell and the Active Directory module to determine the AD DS forest mode. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine the AD DS forest mode? Use the Get-ADForest cmdlet from the Active Directory module for Windows PowerShell and use the ForestMode property: (Get-ADForest).ForestMode
Use PowerShell to Find Non-Default User Properties in AD
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell and the Active Directory module provider to find non-default AD DS user properties. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need to find information about users such as office location, and phone number that is not returned by the Active Directory module provider by default. How do I do this? —DP Hello DP, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is what is officially called the calm after the storm. Massive thunderstorms ripped through Charlotte last night, knocking out power and phones. Hey, that is OK; but dude, I lost ...
PowerTip: Easily Obtain the AD DS Default Password Policy
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to obtain the default password policy for Active Directory Domain Services in Windows Server 2012. How can I easily find the Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) default password policy by using Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-ADDefaultDomainPasswordPolicy cmdlet from the Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 8.
Find Active Directory User Info with the PowerShell Provider
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about how to use the Windows PowerShell provider to find user information in Active Directory. Hey, Scripting Guy! I often need to find information in Active Directory, but I do not like having to write LDAP queries. To me, it is soooo last century—I mean, Fred Flintstone used to write LDAP queries. I love the way that... —CH Hello CH, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. CH, I know what you mean. I loved my first computer, but I have no desire to go back to using the CPM operating system. Luckily, with the Active Directory module ...
PowerTip: Avoid Loading the AD: Drive with the Active Directory Module
Summary: Learn how to avoid loading the default AD: drive when you load the Active Directory module for Windows PowerShell. How can I avoid creating the default AD: drive when I import the Active Directory module for Windows PowerShell? Use the ENV drive and set the ADPS_LoadDefaultDrive variable to 0. Add the following line to your Windows PowerShell profile to make the change “permanent.” $Env:ADPS_LoadDefaultDrive = 0
Playing with the AD: Drive for Fun and Profit
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the AD: drive to explore Active Directory Domain Services. Hey, Scripting Guy! I will confess that I love using the Active Directory module for Windows PowerShell. I love the way I can use Windows PowerShell to create new users or to easily search for and find users and other stuff. What I do not get is the drive that the Active Directory module creates. I mean, what good is it? Every time I try to change to my domain “folder,” all I get is an error. I guess that it is used under the covers for something, but it seems a shame that I ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Identify SSD
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find a solid-state drive (SSD). How can I use Windows PowerShell to find computers that have a solid-state drive (SSD)? In Windows 8, use the Get-Disk function, and search the model information for the letters SSD: PS C:\> get-disk | ? model -match 'ssd' Number Friendly Name OperationalS Total Size Partition  ...
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Configure a New Laptop
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to configure a new laptop. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. WooHoo! My new laptop arrived. Oh, no…I now have a lot of work to do to install and configure Windows 8 on it. You see, I never, never simply turn on and use a new laptop—that is not the way I operate. I always do a fresh installation. I am not saying one needs to always do this, but I like to know what is going on and make my own decisions. So here I am with a lot of work to do. Setting up the new laptop A while back I began working on a new c...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell in to Find Running Tasks
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 to find running scheduled tasks. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 to find running scheduled tasks? Use the Get-ScheduledTask cmdlet and filter out the state that is equal to running. In the following example, ? is an alias for the Where-Object. Get-ScheduledTask | select taskname, state | ? state -eq 'running'
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell and Custom Time Span Format Strings
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell and custom time span format strings to display lapsed time. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am awake and sipping a nice cup of English Breakfast tea with a little peppermint and spearmint leaves in it. I am thinking back over yesterday’s Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog post about Use PowerShell and Conditional Formatting to Format Time Spans, and I am a bit unhappy—oh, not about the blog—I thought it was pretty cool. I am unhappy about the limitation of the Standard Timespan Format Strings. The...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find the Number of Seconds in Three Days
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily find the number of seconds in three days. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find how many seconds are in three days without diving into a bunch of multiplication or division? Use the New-TimeSpan cmdlet to create a time span of three days, and select the TotalSeconds property: PS C:\> (New-TimeSpan -Days 3).totalseconds 259200
Use PowerShell and Conditional Formatting to Format Time Spans
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell and conditional formatting to discover and format time spans. Hey, Scripting Guy! What is a time span, and why would I want to use one? Just sayin'… —JR Hello JR, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning is one of those mornings that remind me of when I was growing up in Florida. The sky is overcast, and a ground fog clothes the lawn. The air is cool, but heavy with humidity. I am positive I hear sea gull calls pierce the thick silence, yet I have not seen a sea gull in months. Maybe I am not certain that I am in Charlott...
PowerTip: Use UNIX Date Formatting in PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use UNIX date formatting in Windows PowerShell. How can I use my prior knowledge of UNIX date formatting to specify dates in Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-Date cmdlet and the –Uformat parameter. For example, to display a date in standard format for your current locale, use the “x” format specifier: PS C:\> Get-Date -UFormat %x 03/11/13
Use PowerShell and Conditional Formatting to Format Dates
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell and conditional formatting to control the format of dates. Hey, Scripting Guy! I know that Windows PowerShell has made it easier to deal with dates, especially with some of the tricks that are available via the Get-Date cmdlet. But at times I need to display different types of dates, and I end up doing old-fashioned string manipulation like I did back in the 70s. Now don’t get me wrong, I loved the 70s with the groovy music, polyester shirts, leisure suits, and big hair, but string manipulation was not part of that groov...
PowerTip: Display the Value of Pi to Three Decimal Places
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display the value of Pi to three decimal places. How can I display the value of Pi to three decimal places by using conditional formatting to avoid rounding numbers up or down? Use the Fixed-Point (“F”) Format Specifier, and specify the number of desired decimal places. The following technique uses the Windows PowerShell format operator. PS C:\> "{0:F3}" -f [math]::PI 3.142
Use PowerShell and Conditional Formatting to Format Numbers
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell and conditional formatting to format numbers. Hey, Scripting Guy! One of the big problems I have when it comes to using Windows PowerShell is figuring out how to properly format numbers. I mean, I can easily use [int] to get rid of hundreds of decimal places, but it is the other things that cause me fits. Help! —MI Hello MI, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I just got off of the phone with the TechEd group. We were discussing plans for the Scripting Guys booth at TechEd in New Orleans, LA. Yes, that is r...
PowerTip: Create a Sortable Date with PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily create a sortable date. How can I use Windows PowerShell to create an ISO 8601 standard sortable date time-stamp for my logging solution? Use the Sortable Format Specifier in the ToString method from Get-Date: PS C:\> (Get-Date).ToString("s") 2013-03-12T13:39:18
Use PowerShell to Format Strings with Composite Formatting
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to specify composite formatting to format strings. Hey, Scripting Guy! Often I need to create an output string that is the result of multiple computations. In the past, I have used multiple lines to create this sort of outputs, but now I would like to simplify the process. Do you have any suggestions? —DB Hello DB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Ah, now I can enjoy a nice cup of tea. I am sipping a cup of Lapsang Sochong tea. I generally add milk to the tea and use a bit of honey with it. To me the mi...
PowerTip: Display the Date in Month, Day, Year Format
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to display the date in a month, day, and two-digit year format. How can I use Windows PowerShell to display the date in a month, day, and two-digit number format with a hyphen between each of the elements? Use the ToString method from the Get-Date cmdlet and specify a pattern to achieve your desired results: PS C:\> (get-date).ToString("MM-dd-yy") 03-11-13
Understanding PowerShell and Basic String Formatting
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about understanding Windows PowerShell and basic string formatting. Hey, Scripting Guy! I am really confused. It seems that at times you pull off some really wild string formatting, and I have yet to see it documented very well. I have your new Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step book on order, but it has not yet arrived, so I do not know if you talk about this there. Even if you do, I would like you to help me out with this because it looks really powerful—but it also seems nearly impossible to understand. —VT Hello VT, Microsoft Scriptin...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Disabled Features in Windows 8
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find disabled Windows features in Windows 8. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8 to find disabled Windows features? Use the Get-WindowsOptionalFeature cmdlet with the –online parameter and filter for a state of disabled (note this command must run with elevated permissions): Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online | ? state -EQ 'disabled'
Weekend Scripter: Playing Around with PowerShell Modules
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about discovering cool information by playing around with Windows PowerShell modules. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is the weekend here in Charlotte, North Carolina in the United States. I am sipping a cup of oolong green tea with a bit of jasmine and cinnamon stick, and eating some fresh strawberries that the Scripting Wife found. I am listening to Traffic on my laptop, I have my Windows PowerShell console open, and I am playing around with modules. Modules that have nested modules The first thing to do when playing with module information is t...
PowerTip: Find Renamed PowerShell 3.0 Cmdlets
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell in Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 to find renamed cmdlets. You recently discovered that a cmdlet you had used on Windows Server 2008 R2 has been renamed in Windows Server 2012. Because an alias was created that mapped the old cmdlet name to the new cmdlet name, it took you awhile to discover the rename. How can you find all the renamed cmdlets?Use the Get-Module cmdlet to find all installed modules and pipe the results to the Import-Module cmdlet (do this on a computer that has the RSAT installed). Now use the Get-Alias cmdlet with a wild card p...
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Find Dynamic Parameters
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to discover dynamic parameters for his favorite cmdlets. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I submitted my session for SQL Saturday in Atlanta, Georgia. To be honest, I was not going to do so because it is only two weeks prior to TechEd in New Orleans—but hey, there are a lot of cool people that attend SQL Saturday. I think we will probably have an all-day Windows PowerShell track at SQL Saturday in Atlanta. We did last year, and it was an absolute blast. The question came up when I was on the PowerScripting po...
PowerTip: Easily Find the Value of a PowerShell Variable
Summary: Learn how to return only the value of a Windows PowerShell variable. How can I use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to return only the value of a particular variable? Use the Get-Variable cmdlet, and specify the name of the variable and the –valueonly switch. This technique is shown here using the home variable: PS C:\> Get-Variable -Name home -ValueOnly C:\Users\ed.IAMMRED
Learn to Use the PowerShell Variable: Drive
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the Windows PowerShell Variable: drive. Hey, Scripting Guy! What is a Variable: drive? It sounds somewhat “iffy.” —AS Hello AS, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Charlotte Windows PowerShell User Group meeting last night was great. The Scripting Wife and I had a great time, as did the other attendees. Windows PowerShell MVP, Jim Christopher, and user group supporter, Brian Wilhite, continue to amaze me at how they manage the group. They are doing a fine job. This morning I am listening to a CD that the Scri...
PowerTip: Find All Defined One-Letter PowerShell Aliases
Summary: Learn how to find all the one-letter Windows PowerShell aliases. How can I find all the defined Windows PowerShell aliases that are exactly one letter in length? Use the Get-Alias cmdlet and choose a one-letter wildcard pattern: Get-Alias ?
Working with the PowerShell Alias: Drive
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about how to work with the Windows PowerShell Alias: drive. Hey, Scripting Guy! Can you tell me what an Alias: drive is? Is it anything like a virtual drive? —EC Hello EC, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have the Windows PowerShell User Group meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Microsoft office. The Scripting Wife has been talking about the meeting all week, and there are several new people signed up to attend. It will be fun. We are planning to do another miniscripting games event. Those are always fun. It is not t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Commands from Imported Modules
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find commands from imported modules. How can I use the Get-Command cmdlet to list commands that support a specific verb, but suppress the auto module import feature of Windows PowerShell 3.0? Use the –ListImported parameter with the Get-Command cmdlet (gcm is an alias for Get-Command): gcm -Verb get -ListImported
Learn How to Use the PowerShell Env: PSDrive
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the Windows PowerShell Env: PSDrive. Hey, Scripting Guy! I was attending a Windows PowerShell user group meeting the other day, and I overheard someone talking about using an Environment PowerShell Drive. Huh? I did not want to ask him about this, because I would feel foolish. I have been using Windows PowerShell for a while now, but I do not have an Environmental PowerShell drive that I know of. Can you explain what this is, how I would get one, and why I would even want to use such a thing? —BB Hello BB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Code-Signing Certificates
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find code-signing certificates on the local computer. How can I find if a computer contains a code-signing certificate in its local certificate store? Use the Certificate PS Drive and perform a recursive search by using the Get-ChildItem cmdlet while specifying the –CodeSigningCert parameter. Get-ChildItem -Path cert: -Recurse -CodeSigningCert
Use PowerShell to Find Certificates that are About to Expire
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find certificates that are about to expire. Hey, Scripting Guy! We recently implemented an internal certification authority that we use for various scenarios, such as issuing code-signing certificates for our developers and certain admins as well as for user authentication scenarios. Now, of course, we have a problem. My pointy headed boss is worried that people with certificates will not renew them properly, so he wants me to write a script that can find out when scripts are about to expire. Is this something that I can do...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Application Hangs
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find applications that are hanging. How can I find which applications are hanging on my desktop computer that is running Windows 8? Use the Get-EventLog cmdlet to query the application log for InstanceID 1002 and a source of *hang*. Select TimeWritten and Message to see what applications are hanging and when these hangs occur. Get-EventLog -LogName application -Newest 20 -InstanceId 1002 -source *hang*| select timewritten, message
Use PowerShell to Find Detailed Windows Profile Information
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find detailed Windows profile information. Hey, Scripting Guy! I am in a bind. I need to find out who is using what profile on a desktop computer. I also need to find out when the profile was last used. This is because many of the computers in our lab have rather small hard disk drives, and these drives are nearly filled up with user profiles. After I know who has been using a profile and when it was last used, I can decide if I want to remove the profile. —KG Hello KG, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is her...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell Out-GridView with NetStat
Summary: Learn to use Windows PowerShell Out-GridView to filter NetStat output. How can I use NetStat to check TCP port connections, and additionally have a graphical tool to filter the output? Use the NetStat command inside Windows PowerShell, and pipe the results to the Out-GridView cmdlet. Then use the Filter parameter to filter the output: netstat -a | Out-GridView The Out-GridView control is shown here.
Weekend Scripter: The PowerShell Community State of the Union
Summary: The Scripting Wife provides a status update on the Windows PowerShell Community and insights on upcoming activities. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I was busy working on a Windows PowerShell script when the Scripting Wife came floating in and asked me if she could write a guest blog. When that happens (for that matter, whenever the Scripting Wife asks for anything), the answer is always, “Yes, of course.” So without further delay, here is Teresa Wilson, aka The Scripting Wife. PowerShell User Group update Hello Scripters. Hope you are having a wonderful day. I asked Ed if ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Return Only Processes that Display a Start Time
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to display processes that return a StartTime property value. How can I filter process information so that only processes that return a StartTime display? Use Where-Object with the Get-Process cmdlet. Then filter on StartTime. Get-Process | ? starttime | select name, starttime The following command uses Windows PowerShell 2.0 syntax: Get-Process | ? { $_.starttime} | select name, starttime
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Display Process Name and Uptime
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create a custom table that displays the process name and uptime. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Sometimes it seems as if the Scripting Neighbors are crazy. Yep, it is early on a Saturday morning, and at least one of my neighbors is outside mowing the grass. Dude, it is not even June yet—what’s up with that? Oh well, their lawn mower makes a cheap alarm clock. I guess that is what neighbors are for—even Scripting Neighbors. So, while I am making a pot of tea, and wondering how long the neighbors hav...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Easily Compare Running Processes
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily compare running processes on local or remote computers. How can I compare running processes on my local computer or on two remote computers? Use the Get-Process cmdlet to retrieve running process information (this can be used remotely). Store the results in a variable. Do the same thing again against other computers or against the local computer after things have possibly changed. Then use the Compare-Object cmdlet to compare the two objects. PS C:\> $a = Get-Process PS C:\> notepad PS C:\> $b = Get-Process PS C:\> C...
Use PowerShell to Explore Windows Audio Drivers
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to explore Windows audio drivers. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a problem with one of my computers—the audio driver is causing me fits. I would like to know if I can use Windows PowerShell to explore this issue. I think it would be really valuable, because I might have this issue come up again. Can you help me? —DB Hello DB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Hey, it is almost the weekend. In celebration of almost the weekend, I decided to get up early, fix a pot of Irish steel-cut oats, and a nice pot...
PowerTip: Determine How Long a PowerShell Command Takes
Summary: Figure out how long a Windows PowerShell command takes to run. You want to know how long a particular Windows PowerShell command takes to run so you can optimize your code. How can you do this? Use the Measure-Command cmdlet and specify the code in the –expression script block. Measure-Command -Expression {Get-Process}
Use PowerShell to Explore Process Threads in Windows
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy talks about using Windows PowerShell to explore process threads in Windows. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a problem. On our system, every once in a while, we have this application where the threads go crazy. I need an easy way to check threads. Can you help? —BC Hello BC, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well it is official; there will be a Microsoft Scripting Guy booth at TechEd 2013 in New Orleans. The Scripting Wife will also be at the booth. We are planning to share our booth with the Windows PowerShell community from PowerShell.org as well. It will ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Easily Find How Long a Process Runs
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to show easily how long a process runs. You need to find how long a particular process has been running. How can you easily do this with Windows PowerShell? Use the New-TimeSpan cmdlet and specify the –Start parameter as the results from Get-Process on a process and the StartTime property. This is shown here using Notepad as an example. PS C:\> New-TimeSpan -Start (get-process notepad).StartTime Days : 0 Hours : 6 Minutes : 53 Seconds &n...
Get Exchange Online Mailbox Size in GB
Summary: Microsoft PFE, Brian Jackett, talks about using Windows PowerShell to get Exchange Online Mailbox size in GB. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to welcome back guest blogger, Brian T. Jackett. Brian T. Jackett is a premier field engineer at Microsoft who has specialized in SharePoint development, Project Server, and Windows PowerShell for over four years. Brian is a steering committee member of the Buckeye SharePoint User Group, and he enjoys giving back to the community through giving presentations, planning and volunteering at conferences, maintaining a SharePoint/.NET-centric b...
PowerTip: Find the Number of Entries in Event Logs
PowerTip: Find the Number of Entries in Event Logs Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the number of entries in all event logs and ETL logs? How can you use Windows PowerShell to show how many entries exist in all traditional event logs as well as ETL logs? Use the Get-WinEvent cmdlet and pass a wild card to the –ListLog parameter. Sort the recordcount in a descending manner, and select both the recordcount and logname. To tighten up the output, pipe the results to the Format-Table cmdlet and use –autosize. Get-WinEvent -ListLog * -ea 0 | sort recordcount -Descending | sele...
Use PowerShell to Show Update Messages from a Specific App
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to display Windows Update messages from specific apps in Windows 8. Hey, Scripting Guy! I need to find out how often I am getting Windows Update messages for various apps in Windows 8. It seems like I am having to update things quite often, but I want to make sure. Can you help me? —JS Hello JS, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. My Scripting Neighbor who works nights is out washing his motor vehicle right now. I know, because the window in my home office looks out over my front yard and into his driveway....
PowerTip: Get a Quick Update on Event Log Status via PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get a quick event log status update. How can I quickly obtain a status update on my event logs? Things such as the retention policy, overflow action, and numbers of event in the logs? Use the Get-EventLog cmdlet with the * after it, as shown here. Get-EventLog *
Use PowerShell to Find Windows 8 Modern App Updates
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find information about Windows 8 Modern App updates. Hey, Scripting Guy! I love my Windows 8 laptop, and I also love my Windows RT Surface. One of the things that is a bit annoying is that it seems every time I turn on the computer, or my Surface, the Store says that updates are available. I mean, dude, this is crazy. Every day it is a different app. I am wondering if this information is logged anywhere. Maybe it's my imagination, and it's not really every day. Can you help? —EP Hello EP, Microsoft Scr...
PowerTip: Learn About PowerShell Format Files
Summary: Learn about Windows PowerShell format files. Where can I get good information about the various *format.ps1xml files that Windows PowerShell uses? On Windows PowerShell 3.0, after you have updated Help by running the Update-Help command, use Help to display the format Help content. Here is the command that I use to do this: help format -Category helpfile
Weekend Scripter: Two Way-Cool PowerShell Text File Tricks: Tail and Wait
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about two way-cool new Windows PowerShell parameters: Tail and Wait. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Some things in Windows PowerShell are just so cool that I get all carried away with them and lose focus on whatever I am supposed to be doing. It happens that way sometimes. Luckily, it is the weekend, so I am covered for frittering away my time. But hey, it is for a good cause. Note Today I talk about reading from a log file as it updates. I also talk about reading from the end of a log file. I am using the script I wrote yesterday to add to th...
PowerTip: Easily Send Output to Both the PowerShell Console and a Variable
Summary: Learn how to send output to both the Windows PowerShell console and to a variable. How can I easily send Windows PowerShell output to both the console and to a variable? Use the Tee-Object cmdlet and specify a variable name, as shown here. PS C:\> gps | select name -Last 1 | Tee-Object -Variable a Name ---- ZeroConfigService PS C:\> $a Name ---- ZeroConfigService >
Weekend Scripter: Creating a Sample Log File by Using PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to create sample textual log output by using Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, it is the weekend. It seems like it has been a rather long week, but I guess in reality it was no longer than any other week. I did get a cool book that finally showed up by the package delivery van. I started on it last night; it is a great book about the philosophy of mathematics—neat stuff, actually. Oh, the other cool thing that happened this week is the Scripting Brother’s new baseball book is now available for pre-order. I read...
PowerTip: Find Dynamic Parameters for Certain PowerShell Providers
Summary: Learn how to find out about dynamic parameters for certain Windows PowerShell providers. How can I easily find out about parameters that are added to cmdlets when they are used with a specific Windows PowerShell provider? Use the Get-Help cmdlet and look for the Help topic related to the provider. Near the bottom of the article is a section about dynamic parameters. The following illustrates this technique for the FileSystem provider. Get-Help FileSystem
Use PowerShell to Find Installed Video Codecs on Windows 8
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find installed video codecs on Windows 8. Hey, Scripting Guy! Dude, I am in trouble. Big time! Last week, I installed Windows 8 on the laptops used by all our department heads and front-line supervisors. I thought the responsiveness and the apps would be very useful and a welcome upgrade—I mean, Windows 8 has gotten great reviews, and personally, I love it. But no!!!!! Come to find out, I guess the only thing these people use their laptops for is to watch DVDs when they are on the road. (I imagine they ...
PowerTip: Count the Number of Commands Exposed by Imported Modules
Summary: Learn how to count the number of commands exposed by imported Windows PowerShell modules. I want to know how many commands are available through the modules I have imported into my current Windows PowerShell session. How can I do this? Use the Get-Module cmdlet and pipe the results to the Foreach-Object cmdlet (% is an alias). Inside the script block, use the Get-Command cmdlet to return the commands from each module. Send the results to the Measure-Object (measure is an alias) cmdlet, as shown here. Get-Module | % {Get-Command -Module $_...
Use PowerShell to Perform an Orderly Shutdown of a Server Running Hyper-V
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to shut down all virtual machines on a server running Hyper-V prior to shutting down the server. Hey, Scripting Guy! From time to time I need to shut down one of our servers that is running the Hyper-V role. The problem is that these servers have multiple virtual machines running, and I do not want to crash the virtual machines. So, right now, I use the Hyper-V Manager, target the server running Hyper-V, and right-click every running virtual machine and select Shut Down. I do not mind doing this, but some of the virtual machin...
PowerTip: Turn Off PowerShell Module Autoload
Summary: Learn how to turn off Windows PowerShell module auto-loading. I want to disable the Windows PowerShell 3.0 module automatic loading of modules. How do I do this? Set the value of the $PSModuleAutoloadingPreference automatic variable to none, as shown here. $PSModuleAutoloadingPreference = "none" Note I do not recommend you make this change except in very specific situations and for very specific reasons. The number of Windows PowerShell cmdlets and functions in Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8 would make knowing which module a particular command...
Use PowerShell to Find Servers that Need a Reboot
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to find servers that need to be rebooted. Hey, Scripting Guy! My boss is a Falstaff sort of character, but every once in a while he does actually have a good idea. When he recently logged on to a server console (don’t ask me why my boss was actually logging on to the console of a server), a message popped up that stated the server needed to reboot to complete installing updates. No one knows how long the server was in that state. So he “challenged” me (a euphuism for telling me to do it) to write a scri...
PowerTip: Change PowerShell to Display More Info by Default
Summary: Change Windows PowerShell so that it will display more information by default. I pipe information and select certain properties, but the information in my table is truncated. Using Autosize or Wrap does not help. How can I change Windows PowerShell so that it displays the information contained in the property? You are running into $FormatEnumerationLimit. By default, it is set to 4, but by changing it to a higher number, you can force Windows PowerShell to display additional information. The default behavior is shown here: PS C:\> Get-Service -Name winmgmt | ft name, DependentSer...
Use a PowerShell Function to See If a Command Exists
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, writes a Windows PowerShell function to see if a command exists before calling the command. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This Thursday, February 21, 2013, I will be on the PowerScripting Podcast. I always enjoy talking with Jon and Hal, and while I am not sure of the actual agenda, I do know that we will be talking about my new Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step book. We might talk about the 2013 Scripting Games, Windows PowerShell Saturday, TechEd, or other things I am doing at the Microsoft TechNet Script Center, and of course, the Hey, Scripting Guy...
PowerTip: Keep Output from Scrolling Off the PowerShell Console
Summary: Learn how to keep content from scrolling off the Windows PowerShell console. How can I keep content from scrolling off the Windows PowerShell console and, instead, display content a page at a time? Pipe the results to the More function to display content in the Windows PowerShell console one page at a time. Keep in mind that the More function does not work inside the Windows PowerShell ISE, as shown here. Get-Command * -CommandType cmdlet | more
Use PowerShell and a Web Service to Find Holidays
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to find the date for a specific holiday by using a web service. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a problem. I guess you hear that a lot. Anyway, my boss has given me what I think is an impossible task—to find the holidays we have coming up this year. Not just a list of the standard holidays, but the actual days they will be celebrated. I know there is a holiday thing I can turn on in Microsoft Outlook, and I thought about trying to write a script that would find holidays marked in my Outlook Calendar, but I suspect that m...
PowerTip: Find Your Personal PowerShell Aliases
Summary: Learn how to find your personally created Windows PowerShell aliases. I need a way to identify personally created Windows PowerShell aliases. How can I easily do this? When creating a custom alias, specify the Description property. You can then search for aliases that use that description, as shown here. New-Alias -Name dog -Value get-content -Description 'mred alias' Get-Alias | ? description -match 'mred'
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell for ADM Cleanup—The Exciting Conclusion
Summary: Two Microsoft PFEs conclude their three-part series on cleaning up old ADM files from AD DS. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have the conclusion of a three-part series written by PFEs Mark Morowczynski and Tom Moser. Be sure to read the blog for Friday and Saturday first if you have not already done so. Mark Morowczynski (@markmorow) and Tom Moser (@milt0r) are Premier Field Engineers (PFE) out of Chicago and Metro Detroit, respectively. They, with a group of contributing platform PFEs, write on the AskPFEPlat blog, covering a wide range of operating system, Active Directory, ...
PowerTip: Find the Start Mode and Startup Account for Services
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the start mode and startup account used by services. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the startup account and the start mode of services on my system? You need to use WMI and query the Win32_Service class. With Windows PowerShell 3.0, use the Get-CimInstance cmdlet, as shown here. PS C:\> Get-CimInstance -ClassName win32_service -Property startmode, startname, name | select startname, startmode, name With Windows PowerShell 1.0 and 2.0, use the Get-WmiObject cmdlet to query the Win32_Service WMI class, as shown her...
Weekend Scripter: Backup and Remove Old ADMs
Summary: Two Microsoft PFEs talk about a couple of functions to back up and remove old ADMs by using a Windows PowerShell function. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Welcome back to two PFEs Mark Morowczynski and Tom Moser for part two of a three-part series. Please read yesterday’s blog to catch up if you missed reading it. Mark Morowczynski (@markmorow) and Tom Moser (@milt0r) are Premier Field Engineers (PFEs) out of Chicago and Metro Detroit, respectively. They, with a group of contributing platform PFEs, write on the AskPFEPlat blog, covering a wide range of operating system, Active Director...
PowerTip: Use a PowerShell Cmdlet to Obtain AD DS Replication Information
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet from the ActiveDirectory module to obtain information about replication connections. I need to find information about the connections established for Active Directory replication. How can I use Windows PowerShell to do this? Use the Get-ADReplicationConnection cmdlet from the ActiveDirectory module, as shown here. Get-ADReplicationConnection
Use PowerShell to Simplify Removing Old ADM Files from AD DS
Summary: Two Microsoft PFEs talk about a Windows PowerShell script to remove old ADM files from Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) after converting to a central store. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is the first of a three-part series written by two Microsoft PFEs Mark Morowczynski and Tom Moser. First a little bit about Mark and Tom. Mark Morowczynski (@markmorow) and Tom Moser (@milt0r) are Premier Field Engineers (PFEs) out of Chicago and Metro Detroit, respectively. They, with a group of contributing platform PFEs, write on the AskPFEPlat blog, covering a wide range of operating syst...
PowerTip: Easily Create a Script that Creates PowerShell Aliases
Summary: Learn how to run a one-line Windows PowerShell command to create a Windows PowerShell script that automatically recreates all of your aliases. I want to create a script that will create a standardized set of Windows PowerShell aliases for my environment. I need to do this in a single line. How can I easily do this? Use the Export-Alias cmdlet and specify the –As script parameter. Provide a path to store the script, as shown here. Export-Alias -As script -Path c:\fso\aliases.ps1
The PowerShell LoveOMatic Revisited for Valentine’s Day
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, revisits the LoveOMatic, a Windows PowerShell Script that sends random email messages at random times. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Several months ago, I wrote a Windows PowerShell script I called the LoveOMatic (See Weekend Scripter: Introducing the Scripting Guys PowerShell LoveOMatic). It was named after the Scripting Guys famous ‘omatic tools, such as the ScriptOMatic. The point of the script was to illustrate sending email by using the Windows PowerShell cmdlet Send-MailMessage. This is an extremely important technique from a monitoring persp...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell 3.0 Cmdlet to Find PowerTips and Links
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell 3.0 cmdlet to find PowerTip articles and the associated links. How can I use a Windows PowerShell 3.0 cmdlet to find PowerTip articles and associated links to those articles? Use the Invoke-WebRequest cmdlet and specify the URI for the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog. Use the links property and match the word “PowerTip” that starts the title for each PowerTip article. Finally, select the innertext and the href properties, as shown here. $hsg = Invoke-WebRequest -Uri http://www.scriptingguys.com/blog $hsg.Links | ? innertext...
PowerShell Workflows: A Practical Example
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy and PowerShell MVP Richard Siddaway concludes his exciting series on Windows PowerShell workflows with a practical example. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have the last article in the most excellent Richard Siddaway workflow 8-part series. Note The first article, PowerShell Workflows: The Basics, introduced the basic concepts of Windows PowerShell workflow. The second article, PowerShell Workflows: Restrictions, discussed the restrictions encountered with working with Windows PowerShell workflows. The third article was PowerShell Workflows: Nesting. Th...
PowerTip: Start Your PowerShell 3.0 Script in PowerShell 2.0
Summary: Learn how to start your Windows PowerShell 3.0 script in Windows PowerShell 2.0 mode. I have a Windows PowerShell script I wrote several years ago. The script runs fine on a computer running Windows 7 with Windows PowerShell 2.0, but it does not work on my Windows 8 computer. I want to see if I can make the script work. What is the easiest thing to do? Start Windows PowerShell in version 2.0 mode. To do this, use the Run command and launch powershell -version 2. You can use the $psversionTable automatic variable to confirm you are now run...
Learn How to Easily Troubleshoot PowerShell Remoting
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows you how to easily troubleshoot Windows PowerShell remoting. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a problem. I am running Windows 8 on my desktop, and I have upgraded our Hyper-V servers to Windows Server 2012. For those computers, I can easily use Windows PowerShell remoting and I have not seen a single problem. But when I attempt to connect to our servers running Windows Server 2008 R2, and even the Windows Server 2008 servers, then it seems to be hit or miss. I need an easy way to troubleshoot this without doing a lot of special logging and goin...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Reveal the Size of an [int16]
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to show the minimum value and the maximum value of an [int16]. I need to use an [int16], but I am not sure if it is big enough to hold the number I want to use. How can I determine the minimum and the maximum value of an [int16]? Use the static MinValue and MaxValue properties from the [int16], as shown here. 13:11 C:\> [int16]::MaxValue 32767 13:11 C:\> [int16]::MinValue -32768 Note This technique also works for [int32], [int64], and [double].
Clean Up Your PowerShell History to Remove Error Entries
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to remove all error commands from your Windows PowerShell command history. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the great things about being involved with a Windows PowerShell user group is all the great people I meet and all the cool ideas that arise. It seems that every time I attend a Windows PowerShell user group meeting, I come away with at least one idea for a Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog post. (The Charlotte PowerShell User Group meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Microsoft office in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the United Stat...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Obtain Permissions Report for a GPO
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to obtain a permissions report for a specific Group Policy Object (GPO). How can I use Windows PowerShell to obtain a report of permissions for a specific Group Policy Object (GPO)? Use the Get-GPPermission cmdlet, specify the name of the GPO and use –all to obtain permissions for all users, as shown here. Get-GPPermission –name backuponlogoff -all
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find GPOs Without a Description
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find GPOs without a description. How can I use Windows PowerShell to assist in detecting GPOs that do not have a description? Use the Get-GPO cmdlet with the –all switch. Pipe the results to the Where-Object and look for an absence of the description property, as shown here. 14:38 C:\> Get-GPO -all | where {-not $_.description} | select displayname, description DisplayName &nb...
Weekend Scripter: Playing Around with PowerShell Namespace ApartmentState
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about exploring the Windows PowerShell namespace ApartmentState property. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Ah, it is the weekend. It is not that I “live for weekends” or anything like that. It is just that weekends are different. I generally spend more time preparing my breakfast—Irish steel-cut oats are not out of the question (and it takes me a good 45 minutes to cool steel-cut oats). I take extra care in preparing just the right pot of tea to suit my mood, and I spend long hours playing around with Windows PowerShell—often w...
PowerTip: Easily Find the PowerShell ApartmentState
Summary: Easily find the Windows PowerShell ApartmentState. How can I easily find the Windows PowerShell ApartmentState? Use the $host automatic variable, and select the ApartmentState property from the RunSpace object, as shown here. PS C:\> $Host.RunSpace.ApartmentState STA
Use PowerShell to Find Group Policy RSoP Data
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to generate a Group Policy Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP) report. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I can tell you that spring is definitely heating up. Not necessarily temperature-wise, but in the world of Windows PowerShell. We have the MVP summit coming up in Redmond in which Microsoft MVPs from all over the world will converge on Redmond to make and to reinforce contacts with both the product groups and with themselves. This year, there is an awesome group of presentations about Windows PowerShell for the PowerShell M...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get a Listing of All GPOs in a Domain
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet from the RSAT tools to display all GPOs defined in a domain. How can I get a listing of all the GPOs defined in my domain? Use the Get-GPO cmdlet from the RSAT tools. Instead of specifying a GPO name or GUID, use the –all switch, as shown here. Get-GPO -all
Use PowerShell to Generate and Parse a Group Policy Object Report
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to generate and parse a Group Policy Object report. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. So, I am working on my MCSE: Server Infrastructure certification and having passed the Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 exam (70-410), I am now studying for the Administering Windows Server 2012 exam (70-411). According to the 70-411 exam guidelines, 15 to 20 percent of the exam is related to Configuring and Managing Group Policy. Note I have been taking Microsoft Certification exams since my first MCSE (on Wind...
PowerTip: Use a PowerShell Cmdlet to Find Group Membership
Summary: Learn how to use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to find group membership. I want to use Windows PowerShell to find all members of a particular group in Active Directory. I would like to do this even if the membership is through other groups (indirect). What can I do? Use the Get-ADGroupMember cmdlet from the ActiveDirectory module with the –Recursive parameter. The following illustrates this technique. Get-ADGroupMember -Identity 'Domain Admins' -Recursive
PowerShell Workflows: Design Considerations
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP and Honorary Scripting Guy Richard Siddaway talks about design considerations for Windows PowerShell workflows. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have the seventh article in the most excellent Richard Siddaway workflow series. Note The first article, PowerShell Workflows: The Basics, introduced the basic concepts of Windows PowerShell workflow. The second article, PowerShell Workflows: Restrictions, discussed the restrictions encountered with working with Windows PowerShell workflows. The third article was PowerShell Workflows: Nesting. The fourth ar...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Check Your AD DS Domain Mode
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet from the ActiveDirectory module to check for the domain mode of your AD DS domain. How can I easily find out the domain mode of my Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) domain by using a Windows PowerShell cmdlet? Use the Get-ADDomain cmdlet and select the domainMode property. It is also a good idea to select the DistinguishedName at the same time. This technique is shown here. 11:51 C:\> Get-ADDomain | select domainMode, DistinguishedName &nbs...
Use PowerShell to Obtain Domain Controller Hardware Info
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to do a hardware inventory of domain controllers needing an upgrade. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Wow, it seems like a major holiday. The Scripting Wife ordered me some organic spearmint, licorice root, and orange peel from my favorite spice house. I just made myself a pot of tea with a pinch of orange peel, licorice root, English breakfast tea, lemon grass, hibiscus flower, and crushed cinnamon stick. Dude, the stuff is good. Along with just about a half a spoonful of local honey—my Scripting Guys special blen...
PowerTip: Use a PowerShell Cmdlet to Get the Default AD DS Domain Password
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet from the ActiveDirectory module to obtain details about the default AD DS domain password policy. How do I use Windows PowerShell to find the default Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) domain password policy? Use the Get-ADDefaultDomainPasswordPolicy cmdlet. No arguments are required. Here is an example: 11:25 C:\> Get-ADDefaultDomainPasswordPolicy ComplexityEnabled : True DistinguishedName : DC=nwtraders,DC=msft ...
Use PowerShell to Prepare for a Domain Upgrade
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to obtain operating system version information from domain controllers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The weather in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been a bit strange of late. There were tornados in Georgia recently, and the temperatures around here rose to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). It was so warm, the Scripting Wife and I opened the windows and turned off the heat. Well, today, it’s like 35 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 degrees Celsius), and I do not have the windows open. But I am sitting on the la...
PowerTip: Find All of the Common Approved PowerShell Verbs
Summary: Learn how to find all of the approved Windows PowerShell verbs that are in the Common group. I want to produce a list of all approved common Windows PowerShell verbs. How do I do it? This answer comes from my new Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step Microsoft Press book. Use Get-Verb and pipe the results to the Where-Object cmdlet. Match the group property with the word “common” and send the results to Format-Wide. The command is shown here. Get-Verb | where group -match 'common' | Format-Wide verb -auto The command and associated o...
Weekend Scripter: Create a SendTo Notepad Shortcut
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create a SendTo Notepad shortcut. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I absolutely love using Windows 8. To me, it is the best operating system we have ever released at Microsoft. I am especially proud that some of the Help articles I wrote are actually included with Windows PowerShell Help—it is so cool! Anyway, one of my favorite things to do is to have a shortcut to Notepad in the SendTo special folder. This way, I can open and look at a lot of things without having to change file associations. I simply rig...
PowerTip: Find Processes That Use A Lot of Virtual Memory
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to find processes that use more than 1,000 MB of virtual memory. How can I produce a listing of processes on my computer that use more than 1,000 MB of virtual memory? Use the Get-Process cmdlet to return a listing of all processes. Then pipe the results to the Where-Object and choose the VM alias property. Finally, send the output to the Format-Wide cmdlet and select the name property. Note gps is an alias for Get-Process, sort is an alias for Sort-Object, ? is...
Weekend Scripter: Sort Process Names by Length of Name
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, takes some time out to play around with the Format-Wide cmdlet. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, the Scripting Wife and I are hanging out on the beach this weekend. Because I have a long weekend (thanks to a way cool Scripting Manager) I feel like it is a holiday or something. Well, what do I like to do when I have a holiday? I enjoy playing around with Windows PowerShell—that’s what. Well, I was reviewing the Formatting Windows PowerShell Output chapter for my forthcoming Windows Windows PowerShell 3.0 First Steps book by Microsoft Press ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Add Printers to Windows Server 2012
Summary: Learn how to use a Windows PowerShell function to add a printer to your server running Windows Server 2012. How do I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to add a printer to my print server running Windows Server 2012? Use the Add-Printer function. Specify the name of an existing print driver and an existing printer port. The following illustrates this technique: Add-Printer -Name "My 9pin" -DriverName "Generic IBM Graphics 9pin" -PortName "LPT1:"
Use PowerShell to Create and to Use a New Event Log
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create and to use a new event log. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, it’s the weekend, baby! At least for the Scripting Wife and me. You see, the Scripting Manager gave me today and Monday off as sort of “comp time” because of all the long hours I have been working recently. I said cool, and Teresa said, “I know, let’s go to the beach,” so we are back at the beach. And I am back at the coffee house, sitting near the sand and playing around with Windows PowerShell. Now, if...
PowerTip: Find Windows Hotfixes Installed After a Certain Date
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find hotfixes installed on your laptop running Windows 8 that were installed after a certain date. How can I find Windows hotfixes installed after a certain date on my Windows 8 laptop by using Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-Hotfix function to return installed hotfixes on your Windows 8 laptop, and pipe the results to the Where-Object cmdlet and filter by the installedon property. The following illustrates this technique (? is an alias for the Where-Object cmdlet). 12:35 C:\> Get-HotFix | ? installe...
Create a Custom Hyper-V Resource Metering Reset Report
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows you how to create a custom Hyper-V Resource Metering reset report by using Windows PowerShell 3.0. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, I found a pretty cool Pandora app for my Windows RT Surface, and so I am listening to a cool Rolling Stones song as I type this. Actually I am surprised at the quality of the music my little Surface RT is spewing out. United States FTC disclaimer: The Microsoft Scripting Guys work for the Microsoft Corporation. I have been provided with a Windows Surface RT. In addition, the Microsoft Corporation prov...
PowerTip: Find Workflow Help on PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to find help on workflows with Windows PowerShell. I open the Windows PowerShell console and type Get-Help -Category helpfile workflow and nothing returns. How can I fix this problem? Assuming you have updated your Help file content by using Update-Help, the problem is that you have not loaded the module that contains your cmdlets. The following illustrates Help before loading the modules: 07:45 C:\> help -Category helpfile workflow about_Modules HelpFile &...
PowerShell Workflows: Using Parameters
Summary: Honorary Scripting Guy and Windows PowerShell MVP Richard Siddaway continues his Windows PowerShell workflow series with a discussion on parameters. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have the sixth in a series of guest blog posts written by Windows PowerShell MVP and Honorary Scripting Guy Richard Siddaway dealing with Windows PowerShell workflow. Note The first article, PowerShell Workflows: The Basics, introduced the basic concepts of Windows PowerShell workflow. The second article, PowerShell Workflows: Restrictions, discussed the restrictions encountered with working with Windows...
PowerTip: Change the Startup of Your Hyper-V Virtual Machine
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell 3.0 on Windows 8 to change the startup order of your Hyper-V virtual machine. How can I change the startup order of my virtual machine on my laptop running Windows 8? You can verify the startup order of your virtual machine by piping the results of Get-VM to the Get-VMBios cmdlet, as shown here. 08:11 C:\> get-vm c2 | Get-VMBios VMName StartupOrder NumLock...
Use PowerShell to Reset Hyper-V Resource Metering
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell 3.0 to reset Hyper-V Resource Metering. Hey, Scripting Guy! Ok, I have this problem here at work. We have upgraded our servers running Windows Server 2008 R2 to Windows Server 2012. We are running Hyper-V, and we need to get a resource report each month to cross-charge other departments for the computing resources they use. Here is the problem. I read your article last week about resource metering, and I told my boss I had found the problem. He immediately said, “Well that may work this month, but wha...
PowerTip: Easily Find the Memory Configuration of Your Virtual Machines
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 on Windows Server 2012 to easily find the memory configuration of your Hyper-V virtual machines. How can I easily find the memory configuration on my Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V virtual machines by using Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-VM cmdlet and pipe the results to the Get-VMMemory function, as shown here. Get-VM | Get-VMMemory
Use PowerShell to Configure Hyper-V Resource Metering
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell 3.0 to configure Hyper-V Resource Metering on Windows Server 2012. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, today is Monday, and the first thing I do on Monday is update the Help on Windows PowerShell 3.0. I use the command that is shown here. Update-Help -Module * -Force Note I need to open the Windows PowerShell console with admin rights to update Help. Once I have updated Help, I am prepared to start the week. Exam note One of the objectives on the Exam 70-410: Installing and Confi...
PowerTip: Find Printers That Use 32-bit or 64-bit drivers
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 on Windows 8 to find print devices that use 32- or 64-bit drivers. How can I find print devices on my computer running Windows 8 that use 32-bit or 64-bit drivers? Use the Get-PrinterDriver cmdlet and use the Where-Object (? Is an alias) to filter out the printerenvironment property. Use the match operator to find either 64 or 32 as your needs require. Below are examples of this technique. Get-PrinterDriver | ? printerenvironment -match 64 Get-PrinterDriver | ? printerenvironment -match 32
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Meter Resources on Hyper-V Windows Server 2012
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell 3.0 to do Hyper-V Resource Metering on Windows Server 2012. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, Charlotte looked like someone had taken a huge can of polyurethane and sprayed the entire city—multiple times. Ok, so it is sort of pretty the way the city glistens in the sun with a thick layer of ice encapsulating the city, but dude, it is dangerous. So, the Scripting Wife and I headed out to the beach. I am sitting in one of those funky coffee houses near the beach, writing my blog posting for today, watc...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Printers Published in Active Directory
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell on Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 to find printers published in Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). How do I use Windows PowerShell on Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 to find printers published in AD DS? Use the Get-Printer function and pipe it to the Where-Object while filtering for the published property. The simple Windows PowerShell 3.0 syntax is shown here, where ? is an alias for Where-Object. Get-Printer -ComputerName dc1 | ? published
Weekend Scripter: Easily Publish all Printers on a Print Server to Active Directory
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to publish printers in Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. While I was studying for one of the tests for the new MCSE for server infrastructure, Exam 70-410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012, I ran across the Configure print and document services exam objective, and I began to think about publishing printers to Active Directory. Note Actually, the cool thing about Windows PowerShell on Windows Server 2012 is that nearly everything that needs to...
PowerTip: Install the File and Storage Services Tools
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to install the File and Storage Services tools. How can I add all of the File and Storage Services tools by using Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-WindowsFeature cmdlet to enumerate the required tools for File and Storage Services and pipe the results to the Add-WindowsFeature cmdlet. (On Windows Server 2012 with Windows PowerShell 3.0, Add-WindowsFeature is an alias for the Install-WindowsFeature cmdlet.) This technique is shown here. Get-WindowsFeature *file* | Add-WindowsFeature
Use PowerShell to Remove the GUI on Windows Server 2012
Summary: A reader needs MCSE help with Microsoft exam 70-410 and wants to know how to use Windows PowerShell to add GUI elements from Windows Server 2012. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have heard that it is possible to remove the graphical user interface (GUI) in Windows Server 2012 after you install the operating system. I have looked around the Internet but not found anything about this. I am concerned, because I am going to be doing my MCSE, and I am studying for my first test, the 70-410 exam, and that just seems like it would make a good question. So, can you help me out here? —PH Hello P...
PowerTip: Find the Status of File and Storage Services
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the status of File and Storage Services on your computer running Windows Server 2012. How do I use Windows PowerShell to find the status of File and Storage Services on my computer running Windows Server 2012? Use the Get-WindowsFeature cmdlet. You can use a wildcard, as shown here. Get-WindowsFeature *file*
Use PowerShell to Change IP Behavior with SkipAsSource
Summary: Microsoft support engineer James Kehr talks about using Windows PowerShell to change IP behavior by implementing SkipAsSource. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have guest blogger James Kehr, a support engineer here at Microsoft. Take it away, James … When James was asked to write a guest blog post for the “Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog”, he felt honored. The Scripting Guy asked James to write in the first person so James immediately started his post in the third-person, which, in James’ opinion, is the absolute worse point of view to write a blog post in. Maybe E...
PowerTip: Use a PowerShell Function to Determine DirectAccess Connection Status
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell function on Windows 8 to determine DirectAccess connection status. How can I use Windows PowerShell on my computer running Windows 8 to determine the status of my DirectAccess connection back to work? Open the Windows PowerShell console and use the Get-DAConnectionStatus function, as shown here. Get-DAConnectionStatus Note This function does NOT require admin rights. A regular user can run it. If DirectAccess is working properly, the function returns Status: ConnectedRemotely. If DirectAccess is not configured, an error a...
PowerShell Workflows: Restarting the Computer
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP Richard Siddaway continues with part five of his awesome Windows PowerShell workflow basics articles. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have the fifth in a series of guest blog posts written by Windows PowerShell MVP and Honorary Scripting Guy Richard Siddaway dealing with Windows PowerShell workflow. Note The first article, PowerShell Workflows: The Basics, introduced the basic concepts of Windows PowerShell workflow. The second article, PowerShell Workflows: Restrictions, discussed the restrictions encountered with working with Windows PowerShell ...
PowerTip: Use a PowerShell Function to Find Scheduled Task Info
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell function to find running scheduled tasks on your computer running Windows 8. How can I find information about running scheduled tasks on my computer running Windows 8? Use the Get-ScheduledTask function and pipe the resulting list to the Where-Object to identify a running state. Choose a couple of properties such as taskname and state. The following command illustrates this technique. Get-ScheduledTask | select taskname, state | ? state -eq running
Use a .NET Framework Class to Open a File Dialog Box
Summary: Microsoft PFEs Adam Haynes and Shubert Somer talk about using a .NET Framework class to open a file dialog box. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have part 5 of 5 guest blogs written by Adam Haynes with help from his friend Shubert Somer. If you have not read parts 1, 2, 3, and 4, you will want to go back and read them before you read today’s blog post. Take it away, Adam ... <SCRIPT > [reflection.assembly]::loadwithpartialname("System.Windows.Forms") | Out-Null $openFile = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.OpenFileDialog $openFile.Filter = "txt files (*.txt)|*.txt|Al...
PowerTip: Find Out From Whence a Command Comes
Summary: Find out information about where a Windows PowerShell command comes from by looking at the module information. I need to find out who authored a cmdlet. How do I go about finding out this information? The first thing you need to do is to find the module that supplies the cmdlet. You can use the Get-Command cmdlet to do this. Next, you need to use the Get-Module cmdlet to obtain the author or company information from the module. These commands appear here by using the gcm alias for Get-Command and using the Get-WsusUpdate cmdlet as an exam...
Using .NET Framework Assemblies in Windows PowerShell
Summary: Guest bloggers Microsoft PFEs Adam Haynes and Shubert Somer continue their .NET Framework Essentials post by talking about assemblies. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is part 4 of a 5-part series written by guest blogger Adam Haynes with help from his friend Shubert Somer. You will want to go back and read part 1, part 2, and part 3 (if you have not already done so) before you read today’s blog. Here’s Adam … Shubert warned me about this “simple” blog post on .NET Framework Essentials. I am paraphrasing here, but it’s like getting too close t...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell Find all Enabled Group Policy Objects
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to find all enabled Group Policy objects in an Active Directory domain. How can I easily find all enabled Group Policy objects in an Active Directory domain? Use the Get-Gpo cmdlet, specify the domain, and use the –all switch. Pipe the resulting objects to the Where-Object and look for a status that matches enabled. Note that ? is the alias for Where-Object. The following is Windows PowerShell 3.0 syntax: get-gpo -Domain iammred.net -all | ? gpostatus -match 'enabled' The following is Windows Pow...
Weekend Scripter: Using .NET Framework Enumerations in Windows PowerShell
Summary: Guest bloggers Microsoft PFEs Adam Haynes and Shubert Somer talk about using .NET Framework enumerations with Active Directory. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is part 3 of a 5-part series by guest blogger Adam Haynes with help along the way from his friend Shubert Somer. You will want to go back to read part 1 and part 2 (if you have not already) before you read today’s blog post. Here’s Adam … In parts 1 and 2 of this series, Shubert and I opened up a can of worms and described several very important concepts and terms regarding the .NET Framework and how it can be...
PowerTip: Check the Secure Boot Policy on Windows 8
Summary: Use a Windows 8 cmdlet to detect Secure Boot policy. How can I check my Secure Boot policy on Windows 8? Use the Get-SecureBootPolicy cmdlet. This cmdlet must run with Admin rights. If your computer does not support Secure Boot, an error returns.
Weekend Scripter: Basics of .NET Framework Language
Summary: Two Microsoft PFEs discuss the basics of .NET Framework language elements as they relate to Windows PowerShell with examples from Active Directory. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is part 2 of a 5-part series written by guest blogger Adam Haynes with some help from his friend Shubert Somer. You can read about them and part 1 in yesterday’s Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog post. Take it away, Adam … Welcome back. In this post I would like to introduce a developer PFE friend of mine, Shubert Somer. Shubert helped me understand what all of the gibberish on our MSDN site meant and how...
PowerTip: Get the Default Domain Password Policy
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to return the default domain password policy. How can I find the default domain password policy? Use the Get-ADDefaultDomainPasswordPolicy cmdlet from the RSAT tools, as shown here. 19:05 C:\> Get-ADDefaultDomainPasswordPolicy ComplexityEnabled : True DistinguishedName : DC=nwtraders,DC=msft LockoutDuration : 00:30:00 LockoutObservationWindow : 00:30:...
Use a PowerShell Script to Show Active Directory Backup Status Info
Summary: Microsoft Active Directory PFE Adam Haynes talks about a Windows PowerShell script he wrote to find Active Directory backup status without using repadmin. Ed Wilson is here. Today is the first of five guest blogs written by Microsoft PFE Adam Haynes with some help along the way from his friend Microsoft PFE Shubert Somer. Here is a little bit of information about Adam and Shubert. Adam Haynes: I started with Microsoft in the phone queues and later made the move to Premier Field Engineering. My specialty is Active Directory, but I like to be a jack-of-all-trades. I have a pretty short attention span and a...
PowerTip: Find Information About Attached Mice
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find information about mice attached to your system. How can I use Windows PowerShell to return information about mice on my system? Query the Win32_PointingDevice WMI class. You can use the Get-WmiObject cmdlet, as shown here. Get-WmiObject win32_pointingdevice On Windows PowerShell 3.0, use the Get-CimInstance cmdlet, as shown here. Get-CimInstance win32_pointingdevice
Use PowerShell to Change the Mouse Pointer Scheme
Summary: Guest blogger and Honorary Scripting Guy Brian Wilhite talks about using Windows PowerShell to change a user’s mouse scheme. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have a guest blogger—Brian Wilhite is an Honorary Scripting Guy and member of the Charlotte PowerShell Users Group. See previous blogs by Brian here. Take it away, Brian … Can Windows PowerShell change the mouse pointer scheme? Have you ever encountered a problem where you almost gave up and thought, "Well ... I guess it can’t be done.” I ran into that exact situation just the other day. One of my...
PowerTip: Get DNS Server Cache Details
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to get details about the DNS server cache. How can I find information such as the maximum TTL on my remote DNS server running Windows Server 2012? Use the Get-DNSServerCache function from the DNSServer module, as shown here. 18:34 C:\> Get-DnsServerCache -Cn dc3 MaxTTL : 1.00:00:00 MaxNegativeTTL &nb...
PowerShell Workflows: Job Engine
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP Richard Siddaway continues his workflow series by talking about the job engine. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have the fourth in a series of guest blog posts written by Windows PowerShell MVP and Honorary Scripting Guy Richard Siddaway dealing with Windows PowerShell workflow. Note The first article, PowerShell Workflows: The Basics, introduced the basic concepts of Windows PowerShell workflow. The second article, PowerShell Workflows: Restrictions, discussed the restrictions encountered with working with Windows PowerShell workflows. The third ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Quickly Find Virtual Machine Network Adapters
Summary: Learn how to use a couple of functions to find quickly virtual machine network adapter information by using Windows PowerShell 3.0. How can I find information about all network adapters used by all virtual machines running Windows Server 2012 with the Hyper-V role? Pipe the results of Get-VM to the Get-VMNetworkAdapter function, as shown here. 17:34 C:\> get-vm -comp hyperv3 | Get-VMNetworkAdapter Name IsManagementOs VMName SwitchName MacAddress Status IP...
Use PowerShell to Create Multiple DHCP Scopes on DHCP Servers
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use functions from the DHCPServer module to create multiple IPv4 scopes. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One thing that is great about Windows PowerShell is that, in general, it always behaves in a similar fashion. This means that techniques I learned when working with Active Directory should also carry over when I am working with Microsoft Exchange Server. Of course, there are some idiosyncrasies, but in general, PowerShell is PowerShell is PowerShell. This is why it is important to learn the fundamentals of working with Windows PowerShell. D...
PowerTip: Find Files Using the Wrong Year
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find files using the wrong year in the file name. I have files that use the month, day, and year in their file names. I recently discovered that some years are not using the new year in their file names. How can I easily find these files? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet to find the files in the folder. Use a wild card pattern in the Where-Object command to filter out these files. The following illustrates this technique by using Windows PowerShell 3.0 syntax, where gci is the alias for Get-ChildItem and ? is th...
Use PowerShell to Create IPv4 Scopes on Your DHCP Server
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create IPv4 scopes on a Windows Server 2012 DHCP server. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. As I expected, it is cold, wet, and rainy in Redmond this week. Oh well, the cool thing is getting together with my teammates. The neat thing about Microsoft is that everyone is smart. The bad thing is that, working remotely, I do not get the benefit of spending time with them. So when we have meetings, it is always a great time for breakfast meetings, lunch meetings, dinner meetings, and even evening conversations. Luckily, I br...
PowerTip: Test the Presence of a Remote Share by Using PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to test the presence of a remote share. How can I use Windows PowerShell to test for the presence of a share on a remote server? Use the Test-Path cmdlet and supply a UNC path, as shown here. 13:55 C:\> Test-Path \\Server1\downloads True
Weekend Scripter: Parsing the DHCP Database? No Way!
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about a Windows PowerShell function from the DHCPServer module that permits parsing the DHCP database. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Give us enough time, and eventually we get it right. Yes, it is now possible to use Windows PowerShell to parse the DHCP server database of IPv4 leases (you can also parse the IPv6 lease database as well). Why is this good news? Well, first of all, DHCP uses an .mdb file format and, as most people know, that is a “standard jet database” format. Microsoft Access used to use an .mdb file format, and so one s...
PowerTip: Test PowerShell Remote Connections
Summary: Learn how to test a workstation for Windows PowerShell remoting connectivity. How can I test a workstation to ensure that Windows PowerShell remoting can make a connection? Use the Test-WSMan cmdlet and specify the name of the remote workstation, as shown here. 13:53 C:\> Test-WSMan dc1 wsmid : http://schemas.dmtf.org/wbem/wsman/identity/1/wsmanidentity.xsd ProtocolVersion : http://schemas.dmtf.org/wbem/wsman/1/wsman.xsd ProductVendor : Microsoft Corporation ProductVersion : OS: 0.0.0 SP: 0.0 Stack...
Weekend Scripter: DHCP Address Conflict Detection
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to configure DHCP address conflict detection. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, it’s the weekend here in Charlotte, North Carolina. This morning it is foggy, and the air is crisp but not cold. The naked trees in my front yard seem content despite the occasional forlorn abandoned bird nest. I decide to open the windows on our lanai and sip on a cup of English Breakfast tea with a bit of organic rose petals and a cinnamon stick. I think back over the week and decide there are still a couple of things I want to d...
PowerTip: Use a PowerShell Function to Find DNS Server Block List
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell function from Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 to find the DNS server global query block list. How can I use a function from Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 to find the DNS server global query block list? Use the Get-DNSServerGlobalQueryBlockList function and specify the name of the DNS server, as shown here. 15:19 C:\> Get-DnsServerGlobalQueryBlockList -ComputerName dc1 Enable : True List : {wpad, isatap}
Use PowerShell Functions to Authorize DHCP Servers
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using functions from Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 to authorize DHCP servers in AD DS. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, today it is sunny and about 70 degrees in Charlotte, North Carolina. This is a good thing because I head to Redmond, Washington, next week for a series of meetings, and I do not believe it will be sunny and warm there. In fact, according to my Get-InternationalWeather function I wrote a couple of years ago, it is 37.0 degrees F (2.0 degrees C) in Seattle right now—but at least it is not raining. Yester...
PowerTip: Float Your PowerShell Help
Summary: Learn how to create a floating window for your Windows PowerShell Help. How can I open Windows PowerShell 3.0 Help in a new window without tying up my Windows PowerShell console? Use the –ShowWindow parameter with Get-Help, as shown here. help Get-DhcpServerInDC -ShowWindow
Use PowerShell to Query AD DS for DHCP Servers
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to query the Active Directory configuration context to return DHCP servers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things about Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8 is the numerous cmdlets and functions available. After installing the Remote Server Admin Tools (RSAT) on Windows 8, all the administrator Windows PowerShell modules become available. Therefore, in addition to just having DHCP client cmdlets and functions, I also have the DHCP server cmdlets and functions available as well. First find th...
PowerTip: Find All PowerShell Registry Drives
Summary: Find all Windows PowerShell drives that are rooted in the Windows registry. How can I find all of my Windows PowerShell registry drives? Use the Get-PSDrive cmdlet and specify a provider of registry, as shown here. Get-PSDrive -PSProvider registry
PowerShell Workflows: Nesting
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP Richard Siddaway talks about nesting Windows PowerShell workflows. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have the third in a series of guest blog posts written by Windows PowerShell MVP Richard Siddaway dealing with Windows PowerShell workflow. Note The first article, PowerShell Workflows: The Basics, introduced the basic concepts of Windows PowerShell workflow. The second article, PowerShell Workflows: Restrictions, discussed the restrictions encountered with working with Windows PowerShell workflows. You should read those articles prior to reading today&rsqu...
PowerTip: Find Records that Do Not Exist in DNS Cache
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find records that do not exist in the client DNS cache. How can I easily find records that do not exist in the DNS client cache on Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 (or Microsoft Surface)? Use the –Status property of the Get-DNSClientCache function and specify NotExist, as shown here. Get-DnsClientCache -Status NotExist
Replace NSLookup with a Built-in Windows 8 PowerShell Function
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, continues his discussion about using Windows PowerShell on Windows 8 to troubleshoot DNS issues. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Yesterday, I talked about using some of the functions from the DNSClient module to troubleshoot networking issues. Specifically, I talked about looking at the configured DNS server and at the DNS client cache. Today, I want to continue that discussion by examining a couple of more functions. Resolving DNS names To make a connection, I need to resolve a DNS host name to an IP address. Actually, I do not need to do this; my co...
PowerTip: Find Parameter-Specific Help Information
Summary: In Windows PowerShell 3.0, see how to find detailed Help information for a specific Windows PowerShell parameter. How do I find detailed Help information for a specific parameter of a Windows PowerShell cmdlet? Use the –Parameter parameter and specify the parameter name. An example of this is shown here. 17:11 C:\> help New-Partition -Parameter size -Size <UInt64> Specifies the size of the partition to create. If not specified, then the units will default to bytes. The acceptable value for this paramete...
Use PowerShell to Troubleshoot Client DNS
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to troubleshoot client DNS. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It seems that when I travel invariably at some point on the trip I end up in a hotel that has DNS issues. In the past, that meant opening up the CMD prompt and typing a bunch of cryptic commands. Not anymore. On my Windows 8 laptop (and even on my Windows Surface RT), I can use functions from the dnsclient module to do my troubleshooting. Of course, with Windows PowerShell 3.0 (which comes on Windows 8, Windows Surface, and Windows Serv...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell 3.0 to Find Size of Volumes and Partitions
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 on Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 to find the size of disks, partitions, and volumes. How can I find disk space information for disks, partitions, and volumes on Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012? Use the Get-Disk, Get-Partition, and Get-Volume functions. Note This command requires Admin rights. An example is shown here: 15:23 C:\> Get-Disk | Get-Partition | Get-Volume DriveLetter FileSystemLabel FileSystem DriveType HealthStatus SizeRemaining Size -----------&n...
Weekend Scripter: Messing Around with Disks
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the Windows 8 storage module to create partitions and to format disks. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, I thought I would spend a bit more time playing around with the Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 cmdlets in the storage module. To find these cmdlets, use the Get-Command cmdlet (gcm is the alias) and specify the storage module as shown here. Gcm –module storage On my laptop there are 84 cmdlets—this is shown here. 15:44 C:> gcm -Module storage | measure Count : 84 Average : S...
PowerTip: Quickly Show Folders and Subfolders in PowerShell 3.0
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to quickly show folders and subfolders. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to quickly show folders and subfolders? Use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet with the –Directory and the –Recurse switch. Select only parent and name. This command is shown here. Sort on the parent property. gci -Recurse -Directory | select parent, name | sort parent Note gci is an alias for Get-ChildItem, select is an alias for Select-Object, and sort is an alias for Sort-Object.  ...
Weekend Scripter: Sorting Folders by Size
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, uses Windows PowerShell 3.0 to sort folders by size. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is amazing how things continue to go in circles … I know I have written a script to sort folders by size many times in many different languages. I recently ran across a function written by Jeff Wouters that caused me to decide to write this script yet again. It may be partially because, hey, it is the weekend, and on the weekends, I like to play around with Windows PowerShell (my buddy Don Jones used to write a column called PowerShell with a purpose—w...
PowerTip: Easily Find the Location of Current User Profile
Summary: Easily find the location of the Windows PowerShell current user current host profile. How can I find the location of the current Windows PowerShell profile for your current host? Use the $profile automatic variable, as shown here: 13:25 C:\> $profile C:\Users\ed.IAMMRED\Documents\WindowsPowerShell\Microsoft.PowerShell_profile.ps1
Understanding and Using PowerShell Profiles
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about understanding and using Windows PowerShell profiles. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, I thought I would provide another excerpt from my new Microsoft Press book: Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step, which is available for pre-order now. Today’s excerpt is from the chapter on Windows PowerShell profiles. Six different PowerShell profiles Windows PowerShell profiles are a bit confusing. There are, in fact, six different ones. Both the Windows PowerShell console and the Windows PowerShell ISE have their own profiles. In addition, there...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Active Directory cmdlets
Summary: Find all of the Windows PowerShell Active Directory Domain Services cmdlets. How can I find all of the Windows PowerShell Active Directory cmdlets? On a domain controller, or a computer that has the Remote Server Admin tools (RSAT) installed, import the ActiveDirectory module (using Import-Module, where ipmo is the alias), and then use the Get-command cmdlet (gcm is the alias) to list the cmdlets, as shown here. ipmo act* gcm -Module act*
Use PowerShell to Deploy a New Active Directory Forest
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to deploy a new Active Directory forest. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, I thought I would provide another excerpt from my new Microsoft Press book: Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step, which is available for pre-order now. Today’s excerpt is from the chapter on using Windows PowerShell to deploy Active Directory Domain Services. Using the Active Directory module to deploy a new forest Deploying Active Directory Domain Services is not a simple matter. There are prerequisites that must be met and multiple it...
PowerTip: Find All of the One-Letter PowerShell Aliases
Summary: See how to find all of the Windows PowerShell aliases that use a single letter. How can I find all of the Windows PowerShell aliases that use a single letter? Use the single wildcard character with the Get-Alias cmdlet, as shown here, where gal is an alias for the Get-Alias cmdlet. gal ?
PowerShell Workflows: Restrictions
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP Richard Siddaway talks about restrictions on Windows PowerShell workflows. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have the second in a series of guest blog posts written by Windows PowerShell MVP Richard Siddaway dealing with Windows PowerShell workflow. Note The first article, PowerShell Workflows: The Basics, introduced the basic concepts of Windows PowerShell workflow. You should read that article prior to reading today’s article. Richard has written a number of guest Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts and has also written two books o...
PowerTip: Get-Community Help
Summary: Use Twitter to get Windows PowerShell Help. How can I quickly get help to a Windows PowerShell problem? According to Matthew Moore, a member of the Atlanta Windows PowerShell user group, use the #PowerShell tag and ask your question on Twitter—answers often arrive within minutes.
New Year’s PowerShell Predictions for 2013
Summary: Microsoft Windows PowerShell MVP (and honorary Scripting Guy) Don Jones makes his Windows PowerShell predictions for the New Year. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. A couple of years ago, I had this bright idea—I would make Windows PowerShell predictions for the New Year. Now, to be fair, I deliberately chose a non-product ship year to ensure that “I played fair” and that I did not violate any confidentiality agreements I have in place. Anyway, I failed miserably. So this year, I decided to ask Microsoft Windows PowerShell MVP and honorary Scripting Guy Don Jones to be ...
PowerTip: Pause a PowerShell Script
Summary: Learn how to pause a Windows PowerShell script. How can I pause a Windows PowerShell script? In Windows PowerShell 3.0 use the pause function, as shown here. 23:10 C:\> pause Press Enter to continue...: 23:11 C:\>
Using Windows PowerShell Jobs
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows an excerpt from his new step-by-step book about using Windows PowerShell jobs. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to share a portion of my new Microsoft Press Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step book. This book is available now for preorder. Using Windows PowerShell Jobs You can begin a new Windows PowerShell job by using the Start-Job cmdlet. The command to run as a job is placed in a script block, and the jobs are sequentially named Job1, Job2 … This is shown here. PS C:> Start-Job -ScriptBlock {get-process} Id Name PSJobTypeNam...
PowerTip: Change the PowerShell Console Title
Summary: Learn how to change the Windows PowerShell console title. How can I change the title of the Windows PowerShell console? One way to do this is to use the WindowTitle property from $host.ui.rawui, as shown here. $host.ui.RawUI.WindowTitle = "Changed Title"
Understanding PowerShell Remote Management
Summary: Understanding Windows PowerShell remote management. Weekend Scripter: Enabling Windows remote management Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I thought I would share a portion of my new Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step book published by Microsoft Press. This book is available for pre-order now. WinRM – Windows Remote Management Windows Server 2012 installs with WinRm configured and running to support remote Windows PowerShell commands. WinRm is Microsoft’s implementation of the industry standard WS-Management Protocol. As such, WinRM provides a firewall friendly method of acc...
PowerTip: Find Which PowerShell Cmdlets Have Most Aliases
Summary: Find out which Windows PowerShell cmdlets have the most defined aliases. How can I determine which Windows PowerShell cmdlets have the most aliases? Use the Get-Alias cmdlet and group by the definition. Sort the count in a descending manner, and select the top 10 items. The following command accomplishes this task where gal is an alias for Get-Alias, group is an alias for Group-Object, sort is an alias for Sort-Object, and select is an alias for Select-Object. gal | group definition | sort count -Descending | select -F...
Weekend Scripter: Finding In-Use Phone Extensions
Summary: Guest blogger Tim Bolton talks about using Windows PowerShell to determine what phone extensions are currently in use. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is amazing the number of manual tasks that can be safely eliminated by using a little bit of Windows PowerShell. In fact, it is also amazing, in general, how little time it actually takes to create something useful in Windows PowerShell. The funny thing is that even people who “know PowerShell” still fall into the trap of doing something manually—at least I know that I do! Yes, I admit it … there are still times whe...
PowerTip: Easily Pause a PowerShell Script for a Process to End
Summary: Learn how to pause a Windows PowerShell script and wait for another process to end prior to continuing. How can you easily pause a Windows PowerShell script and wait for a specific process to end prior to continuing execution? Use the Wait-Process cmdlet. It will wait for either a process name, a process ID, or even a specified time-out interval, as shown here. Wait-Process -Name notepad
Protect Your PowerShell Scripts with Version Control
Summary: Guest blogger and Microsoft PFE Stefan Stranger talks about using version control to protect your Windows PowerShell scripts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I am pleased to present a guest blog post written by Senior Premier Field Engineer Stefan Stranger. The Scripting Wife and I were privileged to hear Stefan speak at the first-ever Dutch Windows PowerShell user group meeting. Following Stefan’s presentation, I asked him if he would write up his presentation as a guest blog post. Today is the result of that request. Take it away, Stefan ... Protect your PowerShell scripts with...
PowerTip: Use Windows PowerShell to Create a Checkpoint
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to create a checkpoint restore point for your computer. How can you create a checkpoint restore point for your computer? Start the Windows PowerShell console with admin rights. Use the Checkpoint-Computer cmdlet to create the restore point. You must supply the Description parameter value, as shown here. Checkpoint-Computer -Description "everythings groovy"
Use PowerShell to Find the Location of a Locked-Out User
Summary: Guest blogger and Microsoft PFE Jason Walker talks about using Windows PowerShell to find a locked-out user’s location. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have a guest blog post written by Microsoft Premier Field Engineer (PFE) Jason Walker. Jason has written a number of extremely popular Hey, Scripting Guy! blog posts and today’s article is no exception. Finding a locked-out user’s location Have you ever been asked to unlock a user account, and then five minutes later, asked again to unlock the same account? Or, maybe you have changed the password for a service acco...
PowerTip: Checkpoint Virtual Machine by Using PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 and Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 to checkpoint all virtual machines on a system. How can I checkpoint all of my virtual machines by using Windows PowerShell 3.0 and either Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012? Use the Get-VM cmdlet and pipe the results to the Checkpoint-VM cmdlet, as shown here. get-vm -ComputerName hyperv2 | checkpoint-vm
PowerShell Workflows: The Basics
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP Richard Siddaway talks about the basics of Windows PowerShell 3.0 workflows. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we are fortunate to have a guest blog post by Windows PowerShell MVP Richard Siddaway. Richard has written a number of guest Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts, and he has also written two books on Windows PowerShell. His most recent book, PowerShell in Depth, is co-written with fellow MVPs Don Jones and Jeffrey Hicks. Now, take it away, Richard … PowerShell Workflows: The Basics Thanks, Ed. Now, if you’ve read anything I’ve ...
PowerTip: Get ISCSIConnections on Remote Server
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 on Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 to get ISCSI connections from a remote server. How can I get ISCSI connection information from a remote server? First, create a new CIM session by using the New-CimSession cmdlet and specify the target server and credentials appropriate for that machine. Next, use the Get-ISCSIConnection cmdlet / function to retrieve the information, as shown here. $hyperv2 = New-CimSession -ComputerName hyperv2 -Credential nwtraders\administrator Get-IscsiConnection -CimSession $hyperv2
It’s a Wonderful Shell—Chapter 5
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP and honorary Scripting Guy Sean Kearney continues with part 5 his five-part holiday series. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have part five of a five-part series of It’s a Wonderful Shell staring George Shelley. These are written by Windows PowerShell MVP Sean Kearney. For more information about the series, Sean’s biography, and a link to the series video teaser see the Scripting Guys Announce the Holiday Lineup blog post. It’s a Wonderful Shell—Chapter 5 They sat back and looked at each other. George and his best friend, the develope...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Shut Down a Remote Computer
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to shut down a remote computer. I need to shut down a remote computer, but the account that I am logged on to does not have rights. What should I do? Use the Stop-Computer cmdlet and specify both the name of the remote computer and the credentials to use for the operation. When the cmdlet runs, you will be prompted for a password, as shown here. Stop-Computer –computer DC1 –Credential nwtraders\administrator
It’s a Wonderful Shell—Chapter 4
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP and honorary Scripting Guy Sean Kearney continues with part 4 his five-part holiday series. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have part four of a five-part series of It’s a Wonderful Shell staring George Shelley. These are written by Windows PowerShell MVP Sean Kearney. For more information about the series, Sean’s biography, and a link to the series video teaser see the Scripting Guys Announce the Holiday Lineup blog post. It’s a Wonderful Shell—Chapter 4 George stared into the ceiling and began to count stucco holes, partly to ...
PowerTip: Find the Most Recent DNS Client Warnings
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the most recent DNS client warning messages. How can I use Windows PowerShell to find the five most recent DNS client warning messages? Use the Get-EventLog cmdlet, choose the system log, and then specify a source of *dns*. Make sure you retrieve warning messages and select the number of recent messages to retrieve. The following retrieves five of the most recent DNS client warning messages from the system event log. Get-EventLog -LogName system -Source *dns* -EntryType warning -Newest 5
It’s a Wonderful Shell—Chapter 3
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP and honorary Scripting Guy Sean Kearney continues with part 3 his five-part holiday series. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have part three of a five-part series of It’s a Wonderful Shell staring George Shelley. These are written by Windows PowerShell MVP Sean Kearney. For more information about the series, Sean’s biography, and a link to the series video teaser see the Scripting Guys Announce the Holiday Lineup blog post. It’s a Wonderful Shell—Chapter 3 The smell of Mint tea permeated through the air as Clarence Scripto and George ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Update DNS IP Address
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 on either Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 to update the DNS server IP addresses on a client. How can I update my DNS server IP addresses on my Windows 8 client? According to Brian Wilhite, Charlotte Windows PowerShell user group member: Luckily, there is a Windows PowerShell cmdlet that does this very thing. The Set-DnsClientServerAddress is just the ticket to perform this task. It’s in the DnsClient module. We’ll also use the InterfaceAlias and ServerAddresses parameters. Set-DnsClientSer...
It’s a Wonderful Shell—Chapter 2
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP and honorary Scripting Guy Sean Kearney continues with part two his five-part holiday series. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have part two of a five-part series of It’s a Wonderful Shell staring George Shelley. These are written by Windows PowerShell MVP Sean Kearney. For more information about the series, Sean’s biography, and a link to the series video teaser, see the Scripting Guys Announce the Holiday Lineup blog post. It’s a Wonderful Shell—Chapter 2 And so, Clarence Scripto sat down with his good friend George. “Yo...
PowerTip: The Easy Way to Create a Custom PowerShell Object
Summary: Create a custom Windows PowerShell object with the PSCustomObject type accelerator. What’s the easiest way to create a custom object? Charlotte Windows PowerShell User group member Brian Wilhite says: One of the easiest ways to create a custom object is to use the PSCustomObject type accelerator. This “shortcut” will not only create the custom object, but it will arrange the key/value pairs in the order in which they were entered. $CustomObject = [PSCustomObject]@{a=1;c=3;b=2;d=4} $CustomObject | Get-Member
It’s a Wonderful Shell—Chapter 1
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP and honorary Scripting Guy Sean Kearney begins his five-part holiday series. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have part one of a five-part series of It’s a Wonderful Shell staring George Shelley. These are written by Windows PowerShell MVP Sean Kearney. For more information about the series, Sean’s biography, and a link to the series video teaser, see the Scripting Guys Announce the Holiday Lineup blog post. George Shelley, IT admin, is having a miserable week. Too many projects on the go, a critical company file inadvertently wiped, and to top i...
PowerTip: View Static Members of a Type Accelerator
Summary: Learn how to view static members of a type accelerator in Windows PowerShell. How can I view the static methods and properties of the [math] type accelerator? Charlotte Windows PowerShell user group Brian Wilhite says: To view the methods and properties of the [math] type accelerator, you’ll use the Get-Member cmdlet with the -Static parameter. [math] | Get-Member -Static
Scripting Guys Announce the Holiday Lineup
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, announces the holiday lineup. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I am pleased to announce the holiday lineup for this year’s holiday season. Once again, it is written by Windows PowerShell MVP and Honorary Scripting Guy Sean Kearney. Here is Sean’s updated biography: One day a little boy looked up at his Dad and said, "I'm going to be an Architect!" Fortunately, for the rest of the world, he was half right. Where Sean completely lacked in designing tall, scary unstable buildings that would readily collapse, he makes up in his infras...
PowerTip: Search for Inactive User Accounts in Windows Server 2012 Active Directory
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to search for inactive user accounts in Active Directory for Windows Server 2012. How can I query inactive user accounts in my Windows Server 2012 Active Directory environment? Charlotte Windows PowerShell user group member Brian Wilhite says: You can use the ActiveDirectory module that contains the Search-ADAccount cmdlet used to query inactive user and computer accounts. For user accounts only, you’ll use the UsersOnly parameter. Search-ADAccount -AccountInactive -UsersOnly You can also use the TimeSpan p...
Send an Email Message with Service Status Via PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to send an email message with service status info. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a number of services on a remote server that I would like to monitor. I would like to see the status of these services and receive these status updates via an email message. I have looked around on the Internet and not found a satisfactory script—everything looks too complicated. Can you help me? —DB Hello DB, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, it is sort of cold and rainy down here in Charlotte, North Carolina. But t...
PowerTip: Select the Next-to-Last Item in a PowerShell Array
Summary: Learn how to select the next-to-last item in a Windows PowerShell array. I have a collection of objects in an array, and I need to select the next-to-last item in the array. How can this be done? Good question … Charlotte Windows PowerShell user group member Brian Wilhite says: Every now and then, there are times where I have to do just such a thing. Consider the following example: $Objects = @(‘First’,’Second’,’Third’,’Fourth’,’Fifth’) The example below will select the first item in the array. $Objects[0] If you us...
Use PowerShell to Find Non-Starting Automatic Services
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to troubleshoot non-starting automatic services. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have this server in a remote office that is running SharePoint. I do not know what version, but I am not certain that is a problem because it used to work. The problem is the workers in this remote office use this SharePoint server every day—they update copies of an Excel spreadsheet that tracks their daily business activity. Anyway, the server is sort of old, and routinely runs with nearly 100 percent of the memory utilized, and 90 percent of the CPU...
PowerTip: Collect VM Performance by Using PowerShell
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 and Windows Server 2012 to collect virtual machine performance information. How do I collect performance data on a daily basis for a specific Hyper-V virtual machine? Charlotte Windows PowerShell User group member Brian Wilhite says: There are two cmdlets that we’ll use first, enable monitoring, or metering as the cmdlet states, and then the actual data collection cmdlet after metering is enabled. To enable monitoring of the virtual machine, you’ll need to use Enable-VMResourceMetering, and then you’ll need to capture the data b...
Use PowerShell to Map Disk Drives and Partitions
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell and the CIM cmdlets to use WMI to map disk drives to partitions. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is definitely a cliché that the more things change, the more they stay the same. This is certainly true in the world of computers. I have been an IT Pro for nearly a quarter of a century (dude, that sounds like a long time when I express it that way), and I have seen many changes in this fascinating field. But the fact of the matter is that I am still doing the same sorts of things I did nearly forty years ago when...
PowerTip: Use the Get-Cimclass Cmdlet to Find WMI Properties
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to find specific WMI properties. How do I find what WMI class contains the Service Pack property? Charlotte PowerShell User Group member Brian Wilhite says: The easiest way to find the WMI class or classes that contain the “Service Pack” property, you’ll use theGet-CimClass cmdlet with the -PropertyName parameter and specify a wild card search. Get-CimClass -PropertyName *servicepack*
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell and WMI Associations to Find User Group Membership
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell and WMI associations to find user group membership. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is sort of a mellow day. I just finished reading a mystery story called Some Like it Hawk by Donna Andrews. Donna is really a nice person, and her book is downright funny. Anyway, when I finish reading a book, I am always a little mellow … it is like I want more, but also am not quite ready to go to my unread book pile, and grab another one—just yet. So instead, I grab my laptop and begin playing around with Windows Po...
PowerTip: Use the PowerShell 3.0 Get-CimInstance Cmdlet
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to connect to servers running Windows Server 2003 with the Get-CimInstance cmdlet. How can I use Get-CimInstance to connect to servers running Windows Server 2003 in my legacy environment? Charlotte Windows PowerShell user group member Brian Wilhite says: The new CIM cmdlets use the WSMan protocol by default, which isn’t supported on Windows Server 2003. However, you can use the New-CimSessionOption cmdlet with the Protocol parameter and the New-CimSession cmdlet to creat...
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Find Local Administrators on a Computer
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell and WMI CIM associations to find local administrators. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, we have been really lucky the past couple of days in Charlotte, North Carolina—at least weather wise. Yesterday, it was 60 degrees Fahrenheit and it was sunny with a clear blue sky. I am sitting on the lanai sipping a nice cup of green tea with a cinnamon stick, lemon grass, Jasmine flowers, and just a little bit of lavender. It tastes as great as it smells—certainly a nice way to relax and ease into the day. Use WMI ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Compare Two Objects
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to compare two objects to view differences and similarities. How can I compare two objects and see the values that differ and exist in both? Charlotte Windows PowerShell User Group member Brian Wilhite says: There is a cmdlet that will make life easy for you. The cmdlet is Compare-Object, and it will compare two objects and detail the results. The IncludeEqual parameter will list the properties that exist in both objects. $OneToFive = 1..5 $OneToTen = 1..10 Compare-Object -DifferenceObject $OneToFive -ReferenceObject $OneToTen –IncludeEqual Inp...
Use PowerShell to Check the Status of Exchange Databases
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to simplify checking the dirty status of Exchange Mailbox databases. Hey, Scripting Guy!, I have a large number of Exchange servers, and when I do a database restore, often I am unable to mount the database because it says that the database is dirty. So how can I use Windows PowerShell to fix and to mount these databases? —SH Hello SH, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, it is nearly the weekend—it certainly does not quite seem like it should be nearly the weekend because the preceding days hav...
PowerTip: Adjusting the Case of a String
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to adjust the case of an entire string. How can I adjust the case of an entire string? Charlotte PowerShell User Group member Brian Wilhite says: One way to adjust the case (upper or lower) of an entire string object is to call the ToUpper or ToLower methods of the string object. (‘this string should be upper case’).ToUpper() (‘THIS STRING SHOULD BE LOWER CASE’).ToLower()
Use PowerShell CIM Cmdlets to Discover WMI Associations
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the Windows PowerShell 3.0 CIM cmdlets to discover WMI class associations. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things about the new Windows PowerShell 3.0 CIM cmdlets is the way they enhance WMI discoverability. Indeed, one of the primary questions I get relates back to WMI discoverability. With literally thousands of WMI classes in dozens of WMI namespaces, finding the specific WMI class to solve a particular problem is often a challenge. Indeed, I used to spend hours searching for a particular WMI class to solve a ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell 3.0 to View IP Address Info
Summary: View detailed IP address information for non-virtual network adapters. How can I obtain detailed IP address information from a non-virtual network adapter? Charlotte PowerShell User Group member Brian Wilhite says: Luckily, there is a cmdlet that does this very thing. The Get-NetIPConfiguration cmdlet with the -Detailed parameter will return meaningful IP information for non-virtual network adapters. Get-NetIPConfiguration -Detailed gip -Detailed
Create a Custom PowerShell Object to Simplify Appending CSV files
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to create a custom Windows PowerShell object to simplify appending to CSV files. Hey, Scripting Guy! Yesterday, you talked about creating two objects, exporting them to CSV files, and then manipulating the strings to combine the CSV files. Is there a cleaner way of doing this? —CS Hello CS, Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning I am sitting on the lanai and sipping a cup of Assam black tea. I brought the leaves back from Munich, Germany (by the way, if you bring back several bags of tea leaves, be prepared for...
PowerTip: Query Running Scheduled Tasks
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to query running scheduled tasks. How do I query “running” scheduled tasks on my computer? Charlotte PowerShell User Group member Brian Wilhite says the following: With Windows PowerShell 3.0, we have a ton of new cmdlets, and we’ll see one of those cmdlets here. Get-ScheduledTask can be used to query scheduled tasks configured for a computer. The following expression will query running tasks on your computer: Get-ScheduledTask | Where-Object State -eq Running
Use PowerShell to Add Two Pieces of CSV Data Together
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about adding together two pieces of CSV information and making the rows wider, not longer. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a problem at work. Our company is in the midst of massive acquisitions and mergers. I mean every few weeks our network completely changes, and we have to absorb a new domain or forest into our central Active Directory infrastructure. To make matters worse, we are getting ready for a SOX audit. I mean, like really. Anyway, what I have decided to do is to store certain information into a SQL Express database. The problem, of course, is that I do no...
PowerTip: Find the path to Exchange mailbox database
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to find the path to the Exchange mailbox databases. How can I find the path to the Exchange mailbox database on my Exchange Server? Use the Get-MailboxDatabase cmdlet, and select the EdbFilePath property, as shown here. Get-MailboxDatabase -Status | select edbfilepath
New User Exchange & Lync Settings
Summary: Guest blogger Tim Bolton discusses a script to create new Exchange uses and Lync settings. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a special treat – a cool Windows PowerShell script to create new Exchange users and the associated Lync settings. Tim has written a very popular guest blog article earlier this year in which he talked about a real-world example that led him to learning Windows PowerShell. You can read his previous article, and see his biography here: Why should I learn PowerShell? Real world example saves the day! Take it away, Tim. Following the rule of POSH, i...
PowerTip: Finding Out the Number of Words in the About_ conceptual Help Files
Summary: Learn how to find out the number of words in the Help About_ conceptual files. How can I determine how many words are in the Help About_ conceptual files? Use the Get-Help cmdlet to find all of the About_ conceptual files. Then, pipe the results to a Foreach-object cmdlet. Inside the process script block, call the Get-Help cmdlet again to retrieve the information. Pipe the results to the Measure-Object cmdlet, as shown here. Get-Help about* | % { get-help $_.name } | measure -Word
Weekend Scripter: Reasons to Get Excited About PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, discusses why he is excited about Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. A couple of months ago I was out in Redmond, WA, to meet with various people from the Windows PowerShell team, to talk to colleagues, and of course, to have one-on-one sessions with various managers, managers’ managers, and even managers’ managers’ managers. During one of these sessions, one of these managers asked, “Why are you even at Microsoft?” not in an accusative manner, but it struck more as a sincere attempt to ascertain my reasoning ...
PowerTip: How Many about_ conceptual Help Files Exist?
Summary: Find out how many about_ conceptual Help files exist on a Windows 8 Windows PowerShell installation. How can I get a listing of all the about_ conceptual Help files on my computer running Windows 8? Use the Get-Help cmdlet and search for about*, as shown here. Get-Help about* To find out how many articles this is, pipe the results to the Measure-Object cmdlet, as shown here. Get-Help about* | Measure-Object
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Count Pictures on a Picture Volume
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to count pictures and to display free space on his picture volume. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the cool things about visiting places is the opportunity to take pictures—at least that is a major attraction for me. Don’t get me wrong. Charlotte, North Carolina, is a pretty city, and there are lots of nice places to take pictures, but dude, nothing in Charlotte compares with the castle in Prague that we saw while the Scripting Wife and I were visiting Windows PowerShell MVP David Moravec and his love...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell 3.0 to Find an IP Address
Summary: Using Windows PowerShell 3.0 on Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 to display the IP address. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 on Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 to display IP address configurations? Use the Get-NetAdapter cmdlet and filter for net adapters that have a status of up. Pipe the results to the Get-NetIPAddress cmdlet. To produce a nice output, send the results to the Format-Tablecmdlet, as shown here. Get-NetAdapter | ? status -eq 'up' | Get-NetIPAddress -ea 0 | ft ipaddress, interfacealias, prefixorigin -a
Use PowerShell to Create a Holiday Snow Person
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell here-strings to create an ASCII holiday snow person. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Scripting Wife and I returned from our European tour yesterday, just in time for the Windows PowerShell users group in Charlotte. Yesterday, we did a script share type of event where everyone brought a script to share with the other members of the group. Note By the way, the Scripting Guys holiday series this year is written by honorary Scripting Guy and Microsoft PowerShell MVP Sean Kearney. It begins on December 21, 20...
PowerTip: Find the Top 10 Most-Utilized PowerShell Verbs
Summary: Learn how to find the top 10 most-utilized Windows PowerShell verbs. How can I find out the top 10 Windows PowerShell verbs? Use the Get-Command cmdlet and select all of the verbs. Next, group the verbs, sort them, and select the first ten. This is shown here, where gcm is an alias for Get-Command, group is an alias for the Group-Object cmdlet, sort is an alias for Sort-Object, and select is an alias for Select-Object. gcm -Verb * | group verb -NoElement | sort count -Descending | select -First 10...
Use the PowerShell Best Practices Module to Configure Servers
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using the Windows PowerShell Best Practices module to audit configuration of servers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, tonight is the Charlotte Windows PowerShell user group. We are doing a mini version of the Scripting Games, and so if you are in the area, you should check it out. It is a great learning experience to see how four or five different people approach the same problem. Exploring the Best Practices module Today, I decided to play around with the Best Practices module on my domain controller running Windows Server 2012. To ...
PowerTip: How Long Does It Take to Document PowerShell 3.0
Summary: Learn how long it will take to document every cmdlet in Windows PowerShell 3.0. If I write a blog post every day, and I spend one day on each Windows PowerShell cmdlet (cim function), how long will it take before I have written one blog post about every Windows PowerShell cmdlet (cim function) in Windows 8? It would take over 5.5 years to write one blog post a day for each of the new cmdlets and cim functions in Windows 8. Here is the command I used to find this information. Get-Module -ListAvailable | Import-Module (Get-Command -CommandType function, cmdlet...
Use Hidden WMI Classes and PowerShell to Discover HID Info
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using two WMI classes from the root\wmi namespace to reveal additional HID hardware information. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, the Scripting Wife and I returned from Europe yesterday. It is good to be home, but we will miss our friends and all the great food. I fell in love with several new types of food that I have absolutely no hopes of ever finding in Charlotte, North Carolina. While there is a pretty good German restaurant in Charlotte, I have yet to find a Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Swiss, Polish, Czech, or even Swiss restaurant i...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Identify ODBC Drivers on Windows 8
Summary: Learn how to use a simple Windows PowerShell cmdlet to identify ODBC drivers on your computer running Windows 8. How can I get a listing of ODBC drivers on my laptop running Windows 8? Use the Get-OdbcDriver cmdlet, as shown here. Get-OdbcDriver
Use Oracle ODP.NET and PowerShell to Simplify Data Access
Summary: Guest blogger and Windows PowerShell Guru Klaus Schulte talks about using Oracle ODP.NET and Windows PowerShell to simplify data access to Oracle databases. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is early in the morning in Frankfurt, Germany, and the Scripting Wife and I just returned from Prague where we had a wonderful time visiting with one of the new Windows PowerShell MVPs David Moravec. David is a super nice person, and he took the time to show us around his lovely city. I must have taken nearly 500 pictures—won’t know until I upload them to my portable USB hard drive. Anyway, ...
PowerTip: Examine the Value of PowerShell Default Parameter Values
Summary: Learn how to check to see what, if any, default Windows PowerShell parameter values are in effect. How can I quickly check to see in Windows PowerShell is using any default parameter values? Examine the value of the $PSDefaultParameterValues automatic variable, as shown here. $PSDefaultParameterValues
Use PowerShell Default Parameter Values to Simplify Scripts
Summary: Microsoft PowerShell MVP and guest blogger Dave Moravec talks about using default parameter values to simplify Windows PowerShell scripts. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, our European Tour is drawing down, but it’s not over yet. Yesterday, we had a great time with Bartek in Warsaw, and last night we took the train back from Warsaw to Berlin. This morning, we are on a train to Prague to see Windows PowerShell MVP Dave Moravec. We will not have too much time—only about six hours before we have to hop back on a train to Frankfurt. But when Dave began talking to the Scripting W...
PowerTip: Find All Cmdlets When Searching by a Specific Noun or Verb
Summary: Use this trick to find all cmdlets when searching by a specific noun or verb. When I just open up Windows PowerShell 3.0, an error arises when I try to search for a cmdlet by a noun or verb. The error is “Object reference not set to an instance of an object.” Is there something I can do to solve this problem? Load all of the modules prior to attempting to search for cmdlets by noun or verb. This approach is shown here, where gmo is an alias for Get-Module, ipmo is an alias for Import-Module, and gcm is an alias for Get-Command...
Weekend Scripter: Some PowerShell Automation Is Better than No Automation
Summary: Microsoft Windows PowerShell MVP Bartek Bielawski discusses Windows PowerShell automation. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, the Scripting Wife and I are in Warsaw, Poland, to meet with a very special person—Microsoft Windows PowerShell MVP Bartek Bielawski. Bartek is a past winner of the Scripting Games, and has written a number of guest blog articles. He loves Windows PowerShell and is a fun person to hang out with. I thought it would be great to provide him another chance to talk to you. Take it away, Bartek … Windows PowerShell is all about automation. It’s u...
PowerTip: Find Updatable WMI Classes
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to easily find WMI classes you can update. How can I find WMI classes that support updating? Use the Get-Cimclass cmdlet and a wild card for the WMI class name. Then, look for the class qualifier of supportsupdate, as shown here. Get-CimClass -ClassName * -QualifierName supportsupdate
Weekend Scripter: Run All Cmdlets from a Module
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about running all Get cmdlets from a specific Windows PowerShell module. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, the Scripting Wife and I are once again on a train—this time we are heading to Warsaw to visit Windows PowerShell MVP Bartek Bielawski. Bartek won the Scripting Games two years ago and got a free pass to TechEd in Atlanta. The Scripting Wife and I met him at the Atlanta airport, and we got to spend a lot of time with him at TechEd. He is a special person and really loves Windows PowerShell. Time on the train gives me a great chance to...
PowerTip: Find All Modules on a System by Using PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to find all modules on a system by using Windows PowerShell. How can I find all of the modules on my system by using Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-Command cmdlet and specify all of the modules. Pipe the results to the Group-Object cmdlet, and sort the results to make it easier to read, as shown here. Get-Command -Module * | Group-Object module -NoElement | sort-object name
Use PowerShell and WMI to Find Wireless Keyboard & Mouse
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell and WMI to find a wireless keyboard or mouse attached to a system. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Yesterday, we had a great time at the Windows PowerShell user group meeting at the Microsoft Office in Munich (actually just outside of Munich). It was great to be back—as it had been five years since I was in the building. The Scripting Wife and I got to see a lot of our old friends. Today, we are supposed to meet with Windows PowerShell Guru Oliver Lipkau. We'll see him in either Munich or in Regensburg—not s...
PowerTip: Start All Virtual Machines on Remote Servers Running Hyper-V
Summary: See how to start all virtual machines on remote servers running Hyper-V by using Windows PowerShell. How can I start all virtual machines on several remote servers running Hyper-V by using Windows PowerShell? Use the pattern Get-VM | Start-VM but with the Get-VM cmdlet to specify an array of servers running Hyper-V, as shown here. get-vm -Computer hyperv3,hyperv2 | start-vm Use the Get-VM cmdlet to determine the status of the remote virtual machines, as shown here. PS C:\> get-vm -Computer hyperv3,hyperv2 Name State C...
The Impromptu PowerShell Summit in Zurich
Summary: I talk about meeting up with MOW, Fermin, and other friends in Zurich. Well, the Scripting Wife and I arrived in Zurich following our excursion to CERN. It was a beautiful train trip, and I was able to get a decent amount of work completed on my new Windows PowerShell 3.0 book. Our hotel in Zurich was probably the best one in which we have stayed this trip (thanks to lots of hotel points), and it set the stage perfectly for our impromptu Windows PowerShell summit. Here is a picture of one of the trains taken from our hotel window … pretty cool huh … Originally, the plan was to visit my old...
Use PowerShell to Set the Power Plan on Networked Servers
Summary: Use a couple of simple Windows PowerShell commands to report the power plan settings on servers as well as setting them. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, today the Scripting Wife and I travel to The Netherlands for the sold-out Dutch Windows PowerShell user group meeting. This all-day user group meeting is sort of like a Dutch version of Windows PowerShell Saturday, except it is on Friday and there is a single track. But oh, what track it is. Richard Siddaway is speaking about Windows PowerShell and WMI via Lync from the UK; and then I am talking about Windows PowerShell remoting; Jaap ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Determine if a Laptop Is Running on Battery
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to determine if a laptop is running on battery. How can I use Windows PowerShell to determine if my laptop is running on battery? Use the Win32_Battery WMI class and look for a BatteryStatus of 1—this means the battery is discharging (in use). Here is an example using either the Get-WmiObject or the Get-CimInstance cmdlets. Get-WmiObject Win32_Battery Get-CimInstance Win32_Battery
Dortmund, Geneva, Zurich
Summary: Our trip now takes us from the Netherlands to Dortmund to Geneva and then on to Zurich. Well, the Scripting Wife and I had a wonderful time at the first-ever Dutch PowerShell user group. I delivered two presentations and made dozens of new contacts and friends. The following day, Jeff Wouters took Teresa and me out and showed us around. On the way, Teresa made a new friend as seen here. Of course, no trip to the Netherlands is complete without a picture of a windmill. So, here is the windmill. Teresa and I have known Jeff as an active participant in the PowerShell community for years. He has written gu...
Use PowerShell to Detect Power State and to Set Power Plan
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to detect the power state on his laptop and to set the appropriate power plan. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This evening in Oslo, Norway, the Scripting Wife and I are attending the Microsoft Technology User Group meeting. The meeting runs from 18:00 until 20:00 (CET). Interestingly enough, the lows in Oslo and in Charlotte, North Carolina, are about the same. The big difference is the 30-degree temperature between high and low in Charlotte. Oh well, and the other big difference is a bit of snow! WOO HOO!!! Detect pow...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Easily View Contents of VBScript
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to view contents of a VBScript file. How can I use Windows PowerShell to easily view the contents of a VBScript file, such as SLMGR.VBS? I do not know the path to the file. You do not need to know the path to the file. Use the Windows PowerShell Get-Command cmdlet to find the script (listed, incidentally, as an application) and pipe the results to Get-Content, as shown here. Get-Command -Name slmgr.vbs | Get-Content | more You can find the path to all of these types of VBScripts by using a wild card for the name, as shown here. Get...
Use PowerShell and WMI or CIM to View and to Set Power Plans
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell and WMI or CIM cmdlets to view and to set power plans on his laptop. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Tomorrow, the Scripting Wife and I are at the Microsoft Technology User Group in Oslo, Norway. I will be talking about using Windows PowerShell 3.0 to manage a remote Windows 8 workstation. Last night we were in Stockholm with the Stockholm PowerShell User Group, and today is a travel day. We are taking the beautiful train from Stockholm to Oslo. In addition to being a great way to travel, it provides stu...
PowerTip: Open Windows 8 Control Panel Items from PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to open Windows 8 Control Panel items from within Windows PowerShell. How can I open a Control Panel item, such as Windows Firewall, from within Windows PowerShell? Use the Show-ControlPanelItem cmdlet. To get a list of openable Control Panel items, use the Get-ControlPanelItem cmdlet, as shown here. Show-ControlPanelItem *firewall* Get-ControlPanelItem 'Windows Firewall'
The First-Ever Dutch PowerShell User Group
Summary: Ed Wilson speaking at the first-ever Dutch Windows PowerShell User Group. The Scripting Wife and I left Oslo and traveled to Copenhagen via train. There we boarded a sleeper train, and woke up the next day in The Netherlands. We were met in Utrecht at the train by Microsoft PFE Stefan Stranger, and shuttled immediately to the first ever Dutch Windows PowerShell User Group. We arrived just in time for Stefan to make his presentation. He made an excellent presentation about using Visual Studio Team Services for source control for Windows PowerShell. He has written a module that permits checking scripts in ...
Use PowerShell 3.0 and the CIM Cmdlets to Explore WMI Classes
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell 3.0 and the CIM cmdlets to explore WMI classes. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, the Scripting Wife and I are on the train from Dortmund to Geneva. Teresa was really smart and found tickets for us to tour the Particle Accelerator at Cern. This is a nice train ride, and in addition to being a great place to work, the scenery outside is wonderful as well. While in Dortmund, we had time to spend the day with Windows PowerShell Guru Klaus Schulte. In addition to talking about Windows PowerShell, we walked around ...
The Visit to the Oslo PowerShell User Group
Summary: Ed Wilson visits the Oslo Windows PowerShell User Group. Well, things have been very busy for Teresa and me. In Oslo, we met up with Windows PowerShell MVP Jan Egil Ring. We went out for a nice dinner and got to see the state theatre, the Parliament building, and other cool and interesting things in Oslo. Here is a picture of Jan and me. My presentation for the Oslo Windows PowerShell user group was at the university where they have an awesome facility. Teresa was busy showing off her Windows Surface to the members of the group – many who had never seen the device. They were soon filled with envy ...
PowerTip: Find the Status of Disk Drives in Windows 8 with PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to find the status of disk drives on Windows 8. How can I check on the status of disk drives on my computer running Windows 8? Use the Get-Disk cmdlet, as shown here. PS C:\> Get-Disk Number Friendly Name Operational Status Total Size Partition Style ------ ------------- ------------ ---------- ----------- 0 INTEL ...
Weekend Scripter: The Easy Way to Manage Disk Drives
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell 3.0 to manage disk drives on his Windows 8 laptop. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, the Scripting Wife and I are back in Dortmund, Germany. We will spend the day with Windows PowerShell Guru Klaus Schulte. Our first day in Germany was spent in Dortmund where we had dinner at the Florian tower with Klaus, his lovely wife, Susanne, his daughter, Micah, and two sons, Janus and Marcos. The Florian tower is in the Westfalenpark, which has a great botanical garden, lots of jogging trails, and neat places for w...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Disable Quickly All Net Adapters
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to quickly disable all network adapters on a laptop. How can I easily disable all network adapters on my Windows 8 laptop with Windows PowerShell 3.0? Use the Get-NetAdapter cmdlet to retrieve all network adapters and pipe the results to the Disable-NetAdapter cmdlet. Make sure you suppress the confirmation prompts, as shown here. Get-NetAdapter | Disable-NetAdapter -Confirm:$false Note The above command requires Admin rights.
Weekend Scripter: Working with Windows Error Reporting
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell 3.0 to configure Windows Error Reporting settings on Windows 8. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, yesterday was awesome—the Scripting Wife and I spent the day with the Dutch Windows PowerShell User group. It was an all-day user group meeting, and I made two presentations and got to listen to several other awesome sessions. It was fun, educational, and very productive. On the train from Oslo to Norway, I spent part of the time playing around with various Windows PowerShell cmdlets—just to see wh...
PowerTip: Find All Events from All Logs Related to PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to use the Get-WinEvent cmdlet to return all events from all logs related to Windows PowerShell. How can I easily find events from all the event logs—both standard and the ETW logs that are related to Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-WinEvent cmdlet and use a wild card pattern for the provider name, as shown here. Get-WinEvent -ProviderName *powershell* Note You may want to run the command with Admin rights because some logs require Admin rights for access.
Exploring the PowerShell PSDiagnostics Module
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about exploring the Windows PowerShell PSDiagnostics module. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Let’s see, so today is November 23, 2012, which means that the Scripting Wife and I are in The Netherlands, and today, we are at the day-long Dutch PowerShell Group meeting. We get to see Jeff Wouters (yesterday’s guest on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog) and Stefan Stranger, who is a Microsoft PFE, as well as dozens of other way-cool Windows PowerShell people. A quick look at the PSDiagnostics module The PSDiagnostics module contains 10 functions th...
PowerTip: Identify Disconnected PowerShell Sessions
Summary: Learn how to identify Windows PowerShell 3.0 disconnected sessions. How can I find out which Windows PowerShell 3.0 sessions are disconnected? Use the Get-PSSession cmdlet and look for sessions that have a state of disconnected, as shown here. PS C:\> Get-PSSession Id Name ComputerName State ConfigurationName Availability -- ----  ...
The Basics of Windows PowerShell Workflow: When to Use It and Why
Summary: Guest blogger Jeff Wouters talks about the basics of Windows PowerShell 3.0 workflows: when to use it and why. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, The Scripting Wife and I are traveling on our way from Oslo, Norway, to Eindhoven, The Netherlands, where I will speak at the Dutch PowerShell User Group event tomorrow. Tonight, we will spend the night in a sleeper car on the train for the last part of the journey between Copenhagen, Denmark, and Utrecht in The Netherlands. I have ridden in a sleeper car before, but this will be Teresa’s first time and she is all excited. Once we ar...
PowerTip: Receive Results from a Disconnected PowerShell Session
Summary: Learn how to receive results from a Windows PowerShell disconnected session. How can I receive results from a disconnected Windows PowerShell session in Windows PowerShell 3.0? Use the Receive-PSSession cmdlet, and specify the name, session name, or the instance ID of the disconnected session, as shown here. Receive-PSSession -Id 3
Use PowerShell to Configure the NIC on Windows Server 2012
Summary: Guest blogger and Microsoft MVP Jan Egil Ring talks about using Windows PowerShell 3.0 to automatically configure the NIC on Windows Server 2012. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Yesterday, The Scripting Wife and I traveled from Stockholm, Sweden, to Oslo, Norway, and had dinner with MVP Jan Egil Ring. Today, I will speak at the User group here in Oslo. Therefore, today seems like a good day to have Jan as our guest blogger. Read more about Jan and see his previous post. Take it away, Jan. With the release of Windows Server 2012, Microsoft provided native Windows PowerShell sup...
Stockholm to Oslo
Last night we had an absolutely awesome time in Stockholm. The Scripting Wife and I met Niklas Goude, Windows PowerShell MVP, and all around nice guy, at our hotel. By the way, Niklas is an Honorary Scripting Guy and has an awesome blog posting out today on using PowerShell Workflow to Ping computers in Parallel —it is a great article. The hike to the training center We hiked across town to the location that was to host the rebooted Windows PowerShell user group. This was an awesome walk, in and of itself. While we walked, I took 283 pictures as I hoofed it behind Teresa and Niklas. Along the way,...
PowerTip: Run a Remote PowerShell Command in a Disconnected Session
Summary: Learn how to use the Windows PowerShell 3.0 Invoke-Command cmdlet to create a disconnected session. How can I run a command on a remote computer running Windows PowerShell 3.0 in a disconnected session? Use the Invoke-Command cmdlet with the Disconnected parameter, as shown here. Note that icm is an alias for Invoke-Command. icm -ComputerName dc2 -ScriptBlock {1..20 | %{get-date;gps;sleep 600} } -Disconnected
Use PowerShell Workflow to Ping Computers in Parallel
Summary: Guest blogger and Microsoft MVP Niklas Goude talks about using Windows PowerShell workflow to ping computers in parallel and save time. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Yesterday was an awesome time spent in Stockholm and the User group there. The Scripting wife and I had a great time with Niklas Goude and friends. So, it seems like a good day to host a guest blog written by none other than MVP Niklas Goude. Read more about Niklas and his other guest blog posts. Here’s the keyboard, Niklas. The Test-Connection cmdlet is used to send ICMP echo request packets ("ping") to one or more remo...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Get a List of Computers and IP Addresses from Active Directory
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell and the Active Directory module to get a listing of computers and IP addresses from Active Directory. How can I get a list of all computers, the operating system version, the service pack, and the IP address from Active Directory? Use the Get-ADComputer cmdlet and specify the ipv4Address, OperatingSystem, and OperatingSystemServicePack properties, as shown here. Get-ADComputer -Filter * -Properties ipv4Address, OperatingSystem, OperatingSystemServicePack | Format-List name, ipv4*, oper*
Ed Wilson: Hanging Out in Stockholm
Well, the Scripting Wife and I basically took a “down day” yesterday. I had a lot of work I needed to get done, and she snoozed a bit. I needed to complete the page proofs for two chapters of my new Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step by Step book that is coming out soon on Microsoft Press. I also took the opportunity to write a couple of Hey, Scripting Guy! blog posts, play with Windows PowerShell, sip some excellent tea, and listen to the Allen Parsons Project on my Zune. Yep, all in all it was a great day. We were able to get out and take some pictures. Here is a pretty cool picture of the harbor (act...
Generate an HTML Report for Exchange Distribution Group Members
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to generate an HTML report for Exchange Server 2012 Distribution groups. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, I would like to introduce a new guest blogger: Serkan Varoğlu. Serkan Varoğlu is a Windows PowerShell enthusiast and a Microsoft Exchange Server fanatic. He describes himself as: “A regular IT pro who loves sharing what he learns with the community.” He blogs about Microsoft Exchange Server in Turkish on his personal blog (http://www.get-mailbox.org) and tweets in English @SRKNVRGL. Feel free to contact him. Creating Exchange reports I always hate...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Easily See Process Start Time
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to view process start time information. How can I see the name and the start time of each process on my system? Start Windows PowerShell with admin rights. Use the Get-Process cmdlet and select name and starttime, as shown here. Get-Process | select name, starttime Note If you do not start Windows PowerShell with admin rights, you will not see system process information.
PowerTip: Automatically Search PowerShell 3.0 Help
Summary: Learn how to automatically search Windows PowerShell 3.0 Help. How can I search Windows PowerShell 3.0 Help files for a topic such as trustedhosts? Use Get-Help and supply the topic. Windows PowerShell Help automatically searches the content of the files, as shown here. PS C:\> get-help trustedhosts Name Category Module &nbs...
The first ever PowerShell user group meeting in Copenhagen
SUMMARY: In this blog article I talk about my presentation to the first ever Windows PowerShell user group meeting in Copenhagen. One of the great things about PowerShell: community One of the great things about the Windows PowerShell community is the way they all pitch together to help one another. This is expressed via Twitter, Facebook groups, Liinked in groups, blogs, forums, and even videos. The community is extremely rich. Of course when talking about the Windows PowerShell community, it is hard to talk very long without speaking of the Scripting Wife. Teresa is just awesome when it comes to community. In f...
Weekend Scripter: What’s up with the Windows PowerShell Summit?
Summary: Guest blogger and PowerShell MVP Don Jones talks about the Windows PowerShell summit. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Scripting Wife has signed up and sent her money in for the Windows PowerShell Summit coming up in April 2013. She is helping out behind the scenes, as is usual for her; she is not much for being in the limelight. While talking with Windows PowerShell MVP Don Jones about his blog yesterday on PowerShell.org, I also asked him about helping out and writing up a post about the upcoming summit. I am one of the speakers (in fact, I am making three presentations), but I’m ...
PowerTip: Always view the latest PowerShell online Help
Summary: Learn how to view online Help by using the -Online switch. How can I always view the latest Help information? Use the -Online switch with the cmdlet. For example, to view online Help for the Get-Process cmdlet, use the syntax shown here. (Keep in mind the output displays in a browser.) Get-Help Get-Process -Online
Introducing PowerShell.Org
Summary: Guest blogger Don Jones, PowerShell MVP, talks about PowerShell.org. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I was thinking about the PowerShell Summit and contacted PowerShell MVP Don Jones to ask him for a blog post to share information about PowerShell.org and what exciting things are happening over there. Take it away, Don. Introducing PowerShell.Org By the PowerShell.org Team If you haven’t yet visited PowerShell.org, it’s worth your time. The site is the successor to PowerShellCommunity.org (PoshComm.org), and its main purpose is to serve as a Q&A site for all things Wind...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to View Trusted Hosts
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to view trusted hosts on a local computer. How can I find out if any trusted hosts are configured on my local computer? Use the Get-Item cmdlet and view the trusted hosts from the WSMan drive, as shown here. Get-Item WSMan:\localhost\Client\TrustedHosts
Digging into PowerShell Remote Authentication
Summary: Guest blogger Windows PowerShell MVP Don Jones talks about remote Windows PowerShell authentication. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, I have a special treat for you. Windows PowerShell MVP Don Jones just had a new book released for publication and we have a sample from that book to share. Digging Deeper into Remoting Authentication Windows PowerShell remoting employs mutual authentication, which means the remote machine must also prove its identity to you. In other words, if you run Enter-PSSession -computerName DC01, the computer named DC01 has to prove it’s really DC01 b...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Check on Status of CredSSP
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to check on status of CredSSP delegation. How can I determine the status of credential delegation (CredSSP) on my computer? Use the Get-WSManCredSSP cmdlet. Make sure to start Windows PowerShell with Admin rights because the cmdlet requires elevation, for example: PS C:\> Get-WSManCredSSP The machine is not configured to allow delegating fresh credentials. This computer is not configured to receive credentials from a remote client computer
Enable PowerShell "Second-Hop" Functionality with CredSSP
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the dreaded "second-hop" problem with Windows PowerShell and how to overcome it with CredSSP. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. First, a description of the problem In yesterday’s article, I talked about using the Windows Update module to update drivers, patches, etc. on my local computer. This worked really great. Note For more information about the Windows Update module and using it to update a local system, see yesterday’s blog post: Use a PowerShell Module to Run Windows Update. By storing the module in a centrali...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Find Domain-Enabled Firewall Rules
Summary: Learn how to identify domain firewall rules by using Windows PowerShell 3.0 on Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012. How can I find specific Domain profile firewall rules on my computer running Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012? Use the Get-NetFirewallRule cmdlet and specify the enabled parameter as true and filter on the domain profile, as shown here. Get-NetFirewallRule -Enabled true | Where profile -eq 'Domain'
Use PowerShell to Create a Bunch of Folders Based upon the Date
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to create a bunch of folders based upon the date. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, this morning I took the Scripting Wife to the Charlotte airport to begin our trip to Europe. It is beyond me why Teresa must fly nearly 1,200 miles in the opposite direction—to Dallas, Texas—before she gets on another air plane, and then flies 1,200 miles back towards Charlotte, North Carolina, on her way to Frankfurt, Germany. Anyway, I leave this evening and will meet her at the train station at the Frankfurt airpo...
Use PowerShell to Create New Windows Firewall Rules
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to create new Windows Firewall rules on local and remote systems. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we are off to Europe. The Scripting Wife and I are actually on separate flights—it’s the way the airline miles worked out for the flight. Luckily, the Scripting Wife is an excellent traveler. When I was working in Vienna a few years ago, she flew into Frankfurt, hopped a train to Vienna, and navigated the local S-Bahn trains from the Ost-Bahnhoff to the hotel without incident. Anyway, from Frankfurt, once ...
PowerTip: Use a PowerShell Cmdlet to Get Default Group Policies
Summary: Learn how to use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to receive information about default domain policies. How can I use a Windows PowerShell cmdlet to find information about default group policies in our domain? Use the Get-GPO cmdlet (available from the RSAT tools) and pipe the results to a Where-Object cmdlet. This is required because the Get-GPO cmdlet does not permit the use of wildcards. Here is an example by using Windows PowerShell 3.0 syntax: get-gpo -Domain iammred.net -...
Force a Domain-Wide Update of Group Policy with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to force a domain-wide update of Group Policy by using Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, tomorrow, the Scripting Wife and I leave for a three-week European Windows PowerShell tour. We will be doing five Windows PowerShell user groups and meeting with over a dozen Windows PowerShell MVPs, and other people from the Windows PowerShell community. I will be making extra blog postings about the trip, so stay tuned for details. If you are anywhere near where we will be, I encourage you to catch up with us. The Scripting Guys comm...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Cmdlets that Support the PassThru Parameter
Summary: Learn how to find required parameters by using the Windows PowerShell Get-Command cmdlet in Windows PowerShell 3.0. How can I find cmdlets in Windows PowerShell 3.0 that support the PassThru parameter? Use the ParameterName parameter from the Get-Command cmdlet, as shown here. Get-Command -ParameterName PassThru
Weekend Scripter: Working with Windows Libraries
Summary: Microsoft PFE Chris Wu writes a guest blog article about using Windows PowerShell to work with Windows Libraries. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we welcome guest blogger and Microsoft PFE Chris Wu back to the keyboard. Read more about Chris and his previous guest blogs here. The keyboard is yours, Chris. When engaged in Windows 7 deployment projects, one question I have been asked is how to manage Libraries. A Windows Library provides a way to organize and access files in an aggregated view regardless of where they are physically stored. Out-of-box four libraries are creat...
PowerTip: Start a Process in a Minimized Window by Using PowerShell
Summary: Learn how to start a process in a minimized window by using Windows PowerShell. How can I start a new process in a minimized window? Use the Start-Process cmdlet and specify a window style of minimized, as shown here. Start-Process notepad -WindowStyle Minimized
Weekend Scripter: The Greatest SharePoint 2010 Cmdlet
Summary: Guest blogger Microsoft PFE Chris Weaver talks about the greatest SharePoint 2010 Windows PowerShell cmdlet. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This weekend is going to be a guest blogger weekend. Today we have back with us Microsoft PFE Chris Weaver. Read more about Chris and his previous guest blog posts here. Take it away, Chris ... I was trying to think of the greatest cmdlet I have used within the SharePoint 2010 arsenal, and the first thing that came to mind was Merge-SPLogFile. Now, this might just be because of working in support, but I find this cmdlet saves me and my custome...
PowerTip: Identify Virtual Switches by Using PowerShell 3.0
Summary: Learn how to use a single cmdlet to identify the existence of Hyper-V virtual switches. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 on Windows 8 to identify Hyper-V virtual switches? Use the Get-VMSwitch cmdlet from the Hyper-V module.
Automatically Create Hyper-V Virtual Machines from VHD
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to automatically create Hyper-V virtual machines from VHD by using Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. As the Scripting Wife and I get ready for our European Scripting Tour, I need to make sure my Windows 8 laptop is in top-working order. Good thing I checked. I have a really small disk drive on my laptop, but luckily, the Scripting Wife and friends stopped at a really cool computer store on the way back from the Windows PowerShell Saturday event in Atlanta and brought me a nice USB 3.0 key fob. USB 3.0 is decent en...
PowerTip: Import a PowerShell Module from a Shared Location
Summary: Learn how to import a Windows PowerShell module from a shared location. I have a module that will run on multiple servers, and I want to be able to access it from a single location. How can I import a Windows PowerShell module from a central location? Use the Import-Module cmdlet and specify the complete path to the folder containing the module. You can then use cmdlets from the module as if it were installed locally. &nb...
Use a PowerShell Module to Run Windows Update
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using a free Windows PowerShell module to run Windows Update on a computer. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One thing that is a bit disappointing is that Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 do not come with cmdlets to permit me to run Windows Update from inside Windows PowerShell. A couple years ago, I wrote a series of scripts and functions that talk about using the Windows Update API to do this, but I do not want to mess around with a bunch of scripts. Luckily, I do not have to. Michal Gajda wrote a Windows Update PowerShell Module th...
PowerTip: Run a PowerShell Command on Multiple Servers at the Same Time
Summary: Run a Windows PowerShell cmdlet on multiple servers at the same time. How can I run a Windows PowerShell cmdlet on multiple servers at the same time? To run a Windows PowerShell cmdlet on multiple servers at the same time use the New-PSSession cmdlet and save the returned session object in a variable. Now use the Invoke-Command cmdlet with the session object to run the command. Use the ScriptBlock parameter to specify the cmdlet to run. $session = New-PSSession -cn dc2,dc3 -cred iammred\administrator Inv...
Post Windows Server 2012 Migration PowerShell Cleanup Work
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about Windows PowerShell cleanup work to do following a migration to Windows Server 2012. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, following any migration, there is always a bit of cleanup work. Luckily, Windows Server 2012 enables Windows PowerShell remoting by default. This means that the cleanup is not too bad. Note Read about my experience upgrading my group of servers to Windows Server 2012 in yesterday’s Hey, Scripting Guy! blog post: The 32-hour Upgrade to Windows Server 2012. First Windows PowerShell task—e...
PowerTip: How Can I Determine What Version of PowerShell Is Running?
Summary: Learn how to determine the version of Windows PowerShell that is running on your computer. How can I determine the version of Windows PowerShell that is running on my computer? Use the $psversiontable automatic variable. This variable was introduced in Windows PowerShell 2.0. If the variable is unavailable, you have Windows PowerShell 1.0. Otherwise, it reports the correct version. This command and associated output is shown here. PS C:\> $psversiontable Name ...
The 32-hour Upgrade to Windows Server 2012
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, describes the long weekend he took to upgrade his servers to Windows Server 2012 including lessons learned. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, I was told this past weekend was really nice down here in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the United States. With no aftermath of hurricane Sandy, we were lucky. I decided to go ahead and take the plunge to upgrade my six servers to Windows Server 2012. I figured it would be a relatively simple matter—previous operating system upgrades had gone flawlessly. My only concern was for one of my older ser...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Show How Many Days Until the End of the Year
Summary: Learn how to use the New-TimeSpan cmdlet to see the number of days until the end of the year. How can I use Windows PowerShell to see the number of days until the end of the year? Use the New-TimeSpan cmdlet. Use Get-Date for the start and the day you wish for the end. The following shows this technique by using a U.S. English cultural setting. &n...
Use PowerShell to Easily Compare the Time Between Two Computers
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to easily compare the time between two computers. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. In two days, I will be speaking to the AZPOSH Windows PowerShell user group in Phoenix, Arizona. No, I am not flying out there—I have enough travel coming up. Instead, I am speaking via Lync. Lync does an excellent job, and it is just about like being there in person (except for missing all the great restaurants they have out there). I will be speaking about using the Windows PowerShell 3.0 remoting capabilities for management purpose...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Obtain a Listing of Windows Drivers
Summary: Use the Get-WindowsDriver cmdlet to obtain a quick list of Windows drivers. How can I use Windows PowerShell 3.0 on a computer running Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 to obtain a list of drivers? Use the Get-WindowsDriver cmdlet and specify the –online switch. Get-WindowsDriver -Online
Announcing the 2012 Honorary Scripting Guys
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, announces the 2012 Honorary Scripting Guys— A Recognition for Outstanding Windows PowerShell Community Support. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, I have an exciting announcement! Drum roll please: dadadadadadada…CLING! Yes, for the second time ever, we have more official Honorary Scripting Guys! Yes, that’s right. What does it take to become an official Honorary Scripting Guy? It takes an extreme commitment to the scripting community, a remarkable dedication helping to spread the good word about Windows PowerShell, and a relentless...
PowerTip: Display the Current Time and Date on a Remote Computer
Summary: See how to use Windows PowerShell to display the current date and time on a remote computer. How can I display the current date and time on a remote computer by using Windows PowerShell? Use Windows PowerShell remoting, and the Invoke-Command cmdlet to run Get-Date. invoke-command -ComputerName dc1 -ScriptBlock {get-date}  ...
Weekend Scripter: Scripting Wife Grabs the Keyboard
Summary: The Scripting Wife reviews various community resources for learning Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is the weekend and today we have a special guest blogger. She probably will not directly answer any specific questions about a script, nor will she solve a scripting scenario, but she does know who to go to for the answers. And, sometimes, that skill of knowing who to ask is just as important as knowing how to answer. I am talking, of course, about the lovely Scripting Wife. The floor is yours, Teresa. Happy Saturday, everyone. The last couple of months have been busy wi...
PowerTip: Automatically Format Your PowerShell Table
Summary: Set a default preference variable and avoid typing –autosize and –wrap with Windows PowerShell 3.0. How can I avoid always having to type –autosize and –wrap with the Format-Table cmdlet? I am using Windows PowerShell 3.0. Set the $PSDefaultParameterValues automatic variable with the appropriate default values. This can be done on a Windows PowerShell session basis or stored in your Windows PowerShell profile. Here...
Use PowerShell to Update Address Info in Active Directory
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to update address information in Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Yesterday, at the Charlotte Windows PowerShell user group meeting, one of the members was talking about adding mailing information to all of the users in a particular organizational unit. There are many reasons that this information may change: Street names are renamed all the time in the United States; cities incorporate other cities; postal codes change due to shifting populations. These are all reasons outs...
PowerTip: Use Show-Command to Obtain a Floatable Command Window
Summary: Use the Show-Command cmdlet Windows PowerShell cmdlet to obtain a floatable command window. How can I see the parameters for a cmdlet at the same time as I am trying to write a script in Windows PowerShell 3.0? Use the Show-Command cmdlet. It is smart enough to even use aliases. This appears here (to show the command syntax for the Get-Process cmdlet). Show-Comm...
Use PowerShell to Standardize Titles in Active Directory
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to standardize user titles and descriptions in Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Well, the weather in Charlotte, North Carolina, has certainly turned—it’s cold outside, gray, and our friends just a few miles north of us are shoveling snow. Some of this is the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy I imagine, but then I only had one course in weather-guessing at the university, so I am not really qualified to say. Tonight, the Charlotte Windows PowerShell user group meets at ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell Get-Member to See Properties of Active Directory Users
Summary: Learn how to use the Windows PowerShell Get-Member cmdlet to see all the properties of an Active Directory user account. How can you use the Get-Member cmdlet to see all of the properties of a user account in Active Directory? Use the Get-ADUser cmdlet from the ActiveDirectory module, and use a wildcard for the value of the Properties parameter. Pipe the result to the Get-Member cmdlet. Get-ADUser -Filter * -Properties * ...
Use PowerShell to Modify Existing User Accounts in Active Directory
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to modify existing user accounts in Active Directory.Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The other day, I recorded a TechNet Radio podcast with Blain Barton and Matt Hester named, “The 10 non-scary things about Windows PowerShell 3.0.” It should be released today, and it will be available through my Learn Windows PowerShell page at the Script Center. All of the TechNet Radio podcasts are linked at the bottom of the page. I have been doing a monthly series with Blain for more than a year, so there are quite a few ...
PowerTip: Use a Single Line PowerShell Command to List All Users in an OU
Summary: Use a single line Windows PowerShell command to list all users in an OU. How can I list all users in a particular organizational unit (OU)? Use the Get-ADUser cmdlet from the ActiveDirectory Module (available from the RSAT tools). Specify the SearchBase as the name of the OU, and use a wildcard pattern for the Filter. Get-ADUser -Filter * -SearchBase "ou=testou,dc=iammred,dc=net" &...
Create Test Users in a Test Active Directory Environment by Using PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, creates a bunch of test users in a test AD DS environment by using Windows PowerShell. Hey, Scripting Guy! I have a problem at work. It seems that the people who fill out titles and descriptions for the users in Active Directory do not follow a standard naming convention—heck, they do not even follow any sort of standard at all. For a decade, this was not really much of a problem as most people did not even know what Active Directory was, nor did they notice when you changed the name either. Anyway, our users are now using Outlook to try to search Acti...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Aliases for Cmdlets from a Specific Module
Summary: See how to find all Windows PowerShell aliases for cmdlets and functions exposed by a specific module. How can I find all of the aliases defined for commands (functions or cmdlets) in a specific module? Use the Get-Command cmdlet (gcm is alias) to return all the commands from the module, and then use the Get-Alias cmdlet (gal is alias) to look for aliases with a definition of the command name. gcm -Module *utility* | % {gal -Definition $_.name -ea 0} Note *utility* is a wildcard pattern for the Microsoft.PowerShell.Utility module.
How to Run PowerShell Scripts from a Shared Directory
Summary: Guest bloggers Judith Herman and June Blender discuss how to run Windows PowerShell scripts from a shared directory. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have a guest blog with two writers Judith Herman and June Blender. June has been a guest blogger before (see more here), but this is the first time for Judith. Judith has this to say about herself: I work in Windows Server as a Senior Technical Writer. I have been involved with testing and documenting Group Policy since Windows 2000. Before coming to work at Microsoft, I worked on movies, rockets, and computer networks. Here is a photo...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Enable the Windows Firewall
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell to enable the Windows Firewall. How can I use Windows PowerShell to enable the Windows Firewall on my computer? On Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012, use the Set-NetFirewallProfile cmdlet. Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain,Public,Private -Enabled True On earlier versions of Windows, use NetSh. netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state on
Weekend Scripter: Playing Around with Windows Firewall
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to work with Windows Firewall on Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Scripting Wife returned home from the Windows PowerShell Saturday #003 event in Atlanta, Georgia, last night, and she was exhausted—happy, but exhausted. First of all we had pre-ordered a Surface for her that was delivered after she left for Alpharetta, but PowerShell MVP Jim Christopher came to the rescue. Jim was kind enough to stop by the house and pick up the Surface and hand deliver...
PowerTip: Use Saved Help Files to Update PowerShell Help
Summary: Learn how to use saved Help files to update Windows PowerShell Help on servers without Internet access. How can I update Windows PowerShell 3.0 Help on a server without Internet access? Use the Save-Help cmdlet to save the help to an accessible destination, and then use the update-Help cmdlet with the source parameter. Save-Help -DestinationPath c:\fso\help -Module * -Force Update-Help -SourcePath c:\fso\help -Module * -Force Note To use Update-Help, you must start Windows PowerShell with admin rights.
Weekend Scripter: Getting Directory Listings from Remote Servers
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to get a directory listing from remote servers by using Windows PowerShell and how to write results to an CSV file. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is here: Windows PowerShell Saturday #003 in Atlanta, Georgia (Alpharetta). The speaker’s dinner last night was great, and it gave the Scripting Wife a chance to meet new friends and to renew acquaintances with people we rarely get to see. Overall, it was great for everyone except me as I am still at home with no voice to speak of and a stuffy head.Today, more than 100 people will gather and ...
PowerTip: Easily Load all Windows PowerShell Modules
Summary: See how to load all Windows PowerShell modules into a current session. How can I load all Windows PowerShell modules I have on my system? Use the Get-Module cmdlet with the ListAvailable switch, and pipe the results to the Import-Module cmdlet. Get-Module -ListAvailable | Import-Module
Use PowerShell to Create a Bootable USB Drive
Summary: Microsoft PFE Jason Walker talks about creating a Windows PowerShell script to create a bootable USB drive. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, The Scripting Wife and others will be heading to Atlanta for the PowerShell Saturday #003 event that takes place tomorrow. Sadly, I woke up with no voice and a stuffy head amd am staying home.Jason Walker, a speaker at the event, is our guest blogger and shares with us a script and his blog about that script. Be sure to come to the Microsoft Alpharetta Office tomorrow to see Jason and several other Windows PowerShell speakers share their...
PowerTip: Use the Force Switch in PowerShell
Summary: Many times Windows PowerShell cmdlets display additional information when using the Force switch. How can I display hidden and system files when using Windows PowerShell? Use the Get-Item or Get-ChildItem cmdlet and use the Force switch—this works with other cmdlets as well. Get-ChildItem -force
PowerShell Fundamentals for Beginners
Summary: Mike Robbins, guest blogger, talks about Windows PowerShell fundamentals for beginners. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. We are getting closer by the minute to Windows PowerShell Saturday #003 in Atlanta—just two more days, and you, too, can listen to our guest blogger at the event. For today, he talks about Windows PowerShell Fundamentals for Beginners. If you have not registered, there is still time, just go to www.powershellsaturday.com/003. Mike F Robbins is a Senior Systems Engineer with almost 20 years of experience as IT pro who currently works for a healthcare company located i...
PowerTip: Replacing a String Inside Another String with PowerShell
Summary: Learn two different techniques to replace strings inside another string by using Windows PowerShell. I have the following string: this`"is a string. I want to remove the quotation mark (") and replace it with nothing—no space, just nothing. I want the results to look like this: thisis a string. The backtick (`) is used to “escape” the quotation mark. How can I use the Replace method to replace the quotation mark with nothing, if the string is held in a variable $arr? There are several approaches to this. Here are a couple of sol...
PowerShell Saturday: The Iron Scripter
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shares information about the Windows PowerShell Saturday #002 Iron Scripter Event. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, I will share the Iron Scripter event and winning script from Windows PowerShell Saturday #002 in Charlotte, NC. Jim Christopher, Windows PowerShell MVP and leader of the Charlotte PowerShell Users Group, provided the scenario and source files. Jonathon Tyler won the event, and we will hear his thoughts later in this post. This is timely because Jim will host another Iron Scripter event at Windows PowerShell Saturday #003&...
PowerTip: Create a Number Array
Summary: Learn how to create a 16-bit integer array. How can I specify the number 1 as a 16-bit integer array? Cast the number as an integer, and then specify the array. $a=[int16[]][int16]1
Check for Daylight Savings Time by Using PowerShell
Summary: Brian Wilhite, guest blogger, discusses a function to check for transition to daylight savings time. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today, we have a guest blogger. Brian Wilhite has been a guest in the past, and you can see his previous posts here. Brian is speaking at the Atlanta Windows PowerShell Saturday event (Alpharetta) on October 27, 2012. He is reprising his talk from the Charlotte Windows PowerShell Saturday event (it was standing-room only and was very well received). Tickets are still available for the event. For information about Windows PowerShell Saturday in Atlanta (Alpharet...
PowerTip: Find WMI Association Classes Related to Sessions
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell 3.0 cmdlet to find WMI classes related to sessions. How can you use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to easily find WMI association classes related to sessions? Use the Get-CIMClass cmdlet and specify the association qualifier name, and then use a wildcard to find the WMI classes containing the letters session. Get-CimClass -QualifierName association -ClassName *session*
Use PowerShell to Parse SQL Server 2012 Error Logs
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to parse SQL Server 2012 error logs. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Scripting Wife and I have been in a number of email threads with Mark Schill, the leader of the Atlanta Windows PowerShell User Group, and the person in charge of putting together Windows PowerShell Saturday #003 in Atlanta (Alpharetta, Georgia) this Saturday, October 27, 2012. He has an Xbox to give away, as well as a truckload of swag from an amazing raft of sponsors. Tickets are still available for this five-star event. I am making a couple ...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Quickly Determine the Network Connection Profile
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to get the network connection profile. How can you easily determine the network connection profile on your computer running Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 by using Windows PowerShell 3.0? Use the Get-NetConnectionProfile cmdlet and a wildcard for the network interface alias as shown here. Get-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceAlias *inter*
Weekend Scripter: Easily Back Up All SQL Server Databases by Using PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use the SQL Server 2012 provider for Windows PowerShell to easily back up all databases on an instance. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I am still playing around with SQL Server 2012, and, today, I want to check on my backups by using Windows PowerShell. Note This is the fourth article in a series of articles discussing using Windows PowerShell to manage SQL Server 2012. You should read the first three articles in this series prior to reading this article. In the first article, I introduced the SQL Server 2012 p...
PowerTip: Find WMI Classes That Permit You to Create Things
Summary: Use a Windows PowerShell 3.0 cmdlet to find WMI classes that permit you to create things. How can you easily find WMI classes that permit you to create stuff? Use the Get-Cimclass cmdlet and specify a method name of create: Get-CimClass -MethodName create
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Work with SQL Server 2012 Database Objects
Summary: Ed Wilson, the Microsoft Scripting Guy, shows you how to use the SQL Server 2012 provider for Windows PowerShell to work with database objects. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to continue my series of articles that explore the SQL Server 2012 provider for Windows PowerShell. Note This is the third article in a series of articles discussing using Windows PowerShell to manage SQL Server 2012. You should read the first two articles in this series prior to reading this article. In the first article, Introduction to the SQL Server 2012 PowerShell Provider, I int...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell 3.0 to Find Updatable WMI Classes
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to find updatable WMI classes. How can you use a Windows PowerShell 3.0 cmdlet to easily find WMI classes that support updating? Use the Get-CimClass cmdlet and specify the SupportsUpdate qualifier: Get-CimClass -QualifierName supportsupdate
Use PowerShell to Work with the SQL Server Object
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about using Windows PowerShell to examine the SQL Server object. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today I want to continue exploring the SQL Server provider for Windows PowerShell. We will dive into the named instance node of SQL Server. Note Yesterday I introduced the SQL Server provider for Windows PowerShell. You should definitely read Introduction to the SQL Server 2012 PowerShell Provider prior to reading today’s blog. It provides essential background information, including the installation of the optional features that are...
PowerTip: Save PowerShell Help Files
Summary: Save Windows PowerShell Help files for use on other machines. How can you download Windows PowerShell 3.0 Help files to update Help on other computers? Use the Save-Help cmdlet and specify a network share as the destination: save-help -Module * -Force -Verbose -DestinationPath \\server1\help
Introduction to the SQL Server 2012 PowerShell Provider
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, provides an introduction to the SQL Server 2012 provider for Windows PowerShell. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the really cool things about SQL Server 2012 is the SQL Server provider for Windows PowerShell. By using the SQL Server provider, you gain access to a driver that permits working with SQL Server 2012 in the same way that you might work with the file system. It becomes another drive, just like the other Windows PowerShell drives. Note For more information about the various Windows PowerShell drives, see this...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Cmdlets Related to Jobs
Summary: Find Windows PowerShell cmdlets that support the Job or the AsJob parameters. How can you find Windows PowerShell cmdlets that relate to jobs? Use the Get-Command cmdlet and the ParameterName parameter to search for parameters with the name Job or AsJob: Get-Command -ParameterName asjob,job
Use PowerShell 3.0 to Optimize Hyper-V VHD Size
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to optimize Hyper-V VHD disk size. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of my favorite Windows 8 features is that (depending on the age of your laptop) you can add real-live, honest-to-goodness Hyper-V. This is such a cool feature because Microsoft Hyper-V technology is awesome. To be able to run it on a laptop with Windows 8 is also awesome. What is even better is that Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 include an extremely well thought out Hyper-V module for use from within Windows PowerShell...
PowerTip: Find PowerShell Providers that Support Transactions
Summary: Use the Get-PSProvider cmdlet to find Windows PowerShell providers that support transactions. How can you find out which Windows PowerShell providers on your system support transactions? Use the Get-PSProvider cmdlet and pipe the results to Where-Object to filter out capabilities that include transactions. In Windows PowerShell 3.0: Get-PSProvider | ? capabilities -match transactions In Windows PowerShell 2.0: Get-PSProvider | ? {$_.capabilities -match 'transactions'}
Easily Update PowerShell Type Data by Using a Cmdlet
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to easily update Windows PowerShell type data by using a built-in cmdlet. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. This morning, the Scripting Wife and I are heading back to Charlotte, North Carolina. We were in Raleigh, North Carolina, so I could speak at the Triangle SQL Server User Group meeting last night. It is a pretty good drive from Charlotte to Raleigh, and it is much safer to spend the night and make the drive in the morning. We had a great time, and we were able to see many of our friends. I spoke at the SQL Server Saturday event in Raleigh, an...
PowerTip: Suppress PowerShell Module Import Warning Messages
Summary: Learn how to use the warning redirection operator to suppress Windows PowerShell warning messages when importing a module. How can you hide the warning message from a Windows PowerShell module when you import it if the module contains an unapproved verb? Use the warning stream redirection operator when importing the module, and redirect the warning message to $null: Import-Module *sql* 3>$null
Use PowerShell to Mount ISO Files in Windows 8
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell 3.0 to mount ISO files in Windows 8. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things I love about interacting with the community is that I always come away with something. At times, it is a scenario where an IT Pro is attempting to do something, and the available Windows PowerShell cmdlets do not make the scenario easy. These become great ideas for Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog posts. At other times, I learn something. I do not know everything about everything—no one does. In fact, I consider it to be the m...
PowerTip: Use the Get-Command Cmdlet to View Syntax
Summary: Learn how to use the Windows PowerShell cmdlet, Get-Command, to view the syntax of a command. How can you use the Get-Command cmdlet to view the syntax of a Windows PowerShell cmdlet? Use the Syntax switch (gcm is an alias for the Get-Command cmdlet): gcm new-vm -Syntax
Weekend Scripter: Configure a New Virtual Machine with PowerShell
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, discusses using Windows PowerShell 3.0 to configure a virtual machine on his laptop. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. One of the things I really appreciate is weekends. Most of the time, I do not even open my email. Freedom from email is something I dream about. Recently, my cell phone went on a walkabout, so my dreams are coming more and more true. Anyway, I am sitting on the lanai sipping a cup of white tea with a few organic blueberries in it. It is a nice refreshing cup of tea and a great way to start the day. I have my laptop, freshly built with W...
PowerTip: Find Commands from a PowerShell Module
Summary: Learn how to find specific types of commands from a Windows PowerShell module. How can you list only cmdlets from a module that make new stuff? Use the Get-Command cmdlet with the Module parameter, and specify the New verb (gcm is an alias for Get-Command): gcm -Module hyper* -Verb new
Weekend Scripter: Use PowerShell to Create a New Virtual Machine
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use Windows PowerShell to easily create a new virtual machine on a computer running Windows 8. Playing around with the Hyper-V module Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It is autumn in Charlotte, North Carolina in the United States—as autumn as we get in the Deep South. The Scripting Wife and I are heading to Raleigh, North Carolina for the North Carolina State Fair (they have a horse show), and we will be speaking at the Tri-Pass SQL Server User Group while we happen to be in the area. The Tri-Pass SQL Server User Group is a very active gr...
PowerTip: Search Help Files in PowerShell
Summary: Use the Category parameter to assist in searching Help files in Windows PowerShell. How can you search the about* Help files in Windows PowerShell for a specific topic? Specify HelpFile for the Category parameter, and use a wild card for the value of the Name parameter. The following example returns all the about* Help files that contain the letters “power” in the name. Get-help -Name *power* -Category helpfile
Understanding Simplified Foreach Syntax in PowerShell 3.0
Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, talks about the simplified Foreach syntax in Windows PowerShell 3.0 and provides guidance on when to use which syntax. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. I finally had a bit of time to get some stuff done that I had been needing to do, such as submitting my session proposals for the Windows PowerShell Summit, and registering for Windows PowerShell Saturday in Atlanta. It is amazing how much time simple things seem to take. Both of these events will be really cool. Of course, the one I am concentrating on right now is Windows PowerShell Saturday #003 in Atlant...
PowerTip: Write PowerShell Output in Color Without Using Write-Host
Summary: Write colorized output to the Windows PowerShell console without using the Write-Host cmdlet. How can you write output to the Windows PowerShell console without using the Write-Host cmdlet? Set ForegroundColor to a different color by using $host.Ui.RawUi, and then use the Write-Output cmdlet to write the output. When you are finished, set the ForegroundColor back to its original color. PS C:\> $t = $host.ui.RawUI.ForegroundColor PS C:\> $host.ui.RawUI.ForegroundColor = "DarkGreen" PS C:\> Write-Output "this is green output" this ...
Using Categories to Help Search PowerShell Help
Summary: Learn how to use advanced features in the Windows PowerShell Get-Help cmdlet to quickly find PowerShell Help information. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. It seems that my schedule keeps getting fuller. Tonight is the Windows PowerShell User Group in Charlotte. We will be having a script club, so it should be a really cool learning opportunity. If you have never been to a script club meeting, they are a bit different. For example, tonight we will have a scenario, and everyone will have a certain amount of time to solve the scenario. Then each participant will have a chance to explain their sc...
Use PowerShell 3.0 to Filter Files Based on Advanced Attributes
Summary: Learn how to use Windows PowerShell 3.0 for file attribute filtering. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. The Scripting Wife and I will be at the Copenhagen Windows PowerShell User Group in a about a month. Teresa has been corresponding with Windows PowerShell MVP, Claus T. Nielsen, about the agenda for the meeting. It is official, I will be talking about the new features in Windows PowerShell 3.0. The initial details are available on the Copenhagen Windows PowerShell User Group website. It will be awesome because Teresa and I have not been in Copenhagen for more than five years. We are really l...
PowerTip: Use PowerShell to Check Status of Windows Error Reporting
Summary: Use the Get-WindowsErrorReporting cmdlet to check the status of Windows Error Reporting. How do I check the status of Windows Error Reporting on my computer? Use the Get-WindowsErrorReporting cmdlet from the WindowsErrorReporting module: PS C:\> Get-WindowsErrorReporting Enabled
PowerTip: Easily Track Which Modules Update PowerShell Help
Summary: See how to track which Windows PowerShell modules update Help. How can you easily track which modules update Help? Use the Verbose parameter when calling the Update-Help cmdlet, and then redirect the verbose stream to a text file: Update-Help -module * -force -verbose 4>>c:\fso\helpupdate.txt
Finding Read-Only and System Files by Using PowerShell 3.0
Summary: Learn how to use new parameters with the enhanced Get-ChildItem cmdlet in Windows PowerShell 3.0. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. There are a number of really cool new things in Windows PowerShell 3.0. Some of these make my life a lot easier, and yet they are not the “big” things. I have written about one of my favorite things—and that is the “automatic foreach” feature that permits me to directly access a property from a collection. I use the feature nearly every day. Enhanced file and folder work One new feature that has received virtually no press, is th...
PowerTip: Find Cmdlets that Work with JSON or REST
Summary: Find Windows PowerShell cmdlets that work with JSON or REST. How can you use a single cmdlet to look for cmdlets that work with either JSON or REST? The Get-Command cmdlet accepts an array—even an array of wildcard characters. Configure an array of wildcards to represent either JSON cmdlets or REST method cmdlets: PS C:\> gcm -Noun *json*, *rest*m* CommandType Name &n...
Use PowerShell to Convert to or from JSON
Summary: Windows PowerShell MVP, Doug Finke, discusses using a simple Windows PowerShell command to convert to or from JSON. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have guest blogger, Doug Finke. Microsoft Windows PowerShell MVP, Doug Finke is the author of Windows PowerShell for Developers. He works in New York City for Lab49, a company that builds advanced applications for the financial service industry. Doug is a developer, author, and speaker working with numerous technologies. Blog: Hi, I'm Doug Finke! JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) is a lightweight, text-based, open-standard that is desig...
PowerTip: Create a Module Manifest
Summary: Use Windows PowerShell to easily create a module manifest. What is the easy way to create a Windows PowerShell module manifest? Use New-ModuleManifest and specify the appropriate parameters: New-ModuleManifest -Path c:\fso\newmodulemanifext.psd1
Weekend Scripter: Build Your Own PowerShell Cmdlet: Part 9 of 9
Summary: Microsoft Windows PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, continues a series of guest blogs detailing building your own cmdlet. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Guest blogger and Windows PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, has written a series about building cmdlets. For more about Sean, see his previous guest blog posts. Note This is Part 9 of a nine-part series about building your own Windows PowerShell cmdlet. Read the entire series as it unfolded. Here’s Sean with the conclusion… Working with a module Perhaps the best and easiest part about having cmdlets of your very own is that you can put...
PowerTip: Easily Search PowerShell About Files
Summary: Learn how to use a switch to cause Get-Help to search _About files. How can you easily search the Windows PowerShell _About files for topics that are related to a string? Use the Category parameter and look for HelpFiles: PS C:\> get-help parameter -Category helpfile Name Category Module Synopsis ---- -------- ------ -------- about_CommonParameters HelpFile Describes t... about_Functi...
Weekend Scripter: Build Your Own PowerShell Cmdlet: Part 8 of 9
Summary: Microsoft Windows PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, continues a series of guest blogs detailing building your own cmdlet. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Guest blogger and Windows PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, has written a series about building cmdlets. For more about Sean, see his previous guest blog posts. Note This is Part 8 of a nine-part series about building your own Windows PowerShell cmdlet. Read the entire series as it unfolds. Here’s Sean… Having a cmdlet to help make life easier is one thing. Enabling others to easily understand how to leverage it is an especially wonder...
PowerTip: Enter a PowerShell Nested Prompt Directly
Summary: Learn how to directly enter a Windows PowerShell nested prompt. How can you directly enter a nested prompt without going through a cmdlet and using Suspend? Use the EnterNestedPrompt method from the $host object: PS C:\> $host.EnterNestedPrompt() PS C:\>> exit
Build Your Own PowerShell Cmdlet: Part 7 of 9
Summary: Microsoft Windows PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, continues a series of guest blogs detailing building your own cmdlet. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Guest blogger and Windows PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, has written a series about building cmdlets. For more about Sean, see his previous guest blog posts. Note This is Part 7 of a nine-part series about building your own Windows PowerShell cmdlet. Read the entire series as it unfolds. Here’s Sean… Begin, Process, and End blocks So far, we haven’t discussed three sections for your cmdlet. They are Begin, Process, and End. ...
PowerTip: Split PowerShell Output Between Console and Variable
Summary: Learn an easy way to save Windows PowerShell output in a variable and still output to the console. What is an easy way to display Windows PowerShell output from a cmdlet to the console, and yet store the results in a variable at the same time? Use the OutVariable parameter: GSV -OutVariable S
Build Your Own PowerShell Cmdlet: Part 6 of 9
Summary: Microsoft Windows PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, continues a series of guest blogs detailing building your own cmdlet. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Guest blogger and Windows PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, has written a series about building cmdlets. For more about Sean, see his previous guest blog posts. Note This is Part 6 of a nine-part series about building your own Windows PowerShell cmdlet. Read the entire series as it unfolds. Here’s Sean… Parameters within cmdlets If you don’t enable [CmdletBinding()], you can still extend features of your advanced function as...
PowerTip: See Detailed Information When Importing a Module
Summary: Learn how to see detailed information when you import a Windows PowerShell module. How can you receive detailed information when importing a module? Use the Verbose parameter when you import the module: Import-Module bits -verbose
Build Your Own PowerShell Cmdlet: Part 5 of 9
Summary: Microsoft Windows PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, continues a series of guest blogs detailing building your own cmdlet. Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Guest blogger and Windows PowerShell MVP, Sean Kearney, has written a series about building cmdlets. For more about Sean, see his previous guest blog posts. Note This is Part 5 of a nine-part series about building your own Windows PowerShell cmdlet. Read the entire series as it unfolds. Here’s Sean… Yesterday, we introduced some common parameters that are now available to our cmdlet: Now we can modify our existing advance...
PowerTip: Rename a Computer by Using Windows PowerShell 3.0
Summary: Rename a computer by using Windows PowerShell 3.0. How can you easily rename a computer by using Windows PowerShell 3.0? Use the Rename-Computer cmdlet.