Ever have that experience when you wake up and realize that event, or project, or whatever that you have been working hard at avoiding or denying is “Upon You”?
Very, very soon down in the coal mine, the opportunity to have Windows PowerShell natively installed on all our Windows desktop system will be realized.
I’ve been doing some old-school “BAT” files and even some very light VBS scripts for a while now to help automate some IT sysadmin functions from the CLI to avoid use of EXE based third-party tools and utilities where possible. Sometimes this has proved wildly successful. Other-times, not so much.
What I probably need to do is hunker down and pound my head into the desk and keyboard and learnz me some Ruby or Perl or Python.
However, for whatever reason, those still seem super-overwhelming to try to figure out how to tackle.
Instead (for now), what I think I really need to do is take the big-boy step of getting some basic familiarity and comfort with PowerShell usage under my belt.
Since the base PowerShell should be on all our deploying Windows 7 systems (and upgradable to what, PS 4.0 now?) that would present a great opportunity to extend system and network administration tasks and increase efficiency. And since I’m fairly comfortable with the Windows BAT file writing/debugging process, this jump may be a bit easier to make.
So anyway, this is just a list of initial PowerShell references I’m dumping so that I can start my learning process.
If my dear readers have any additional recommendations -- books, URL’s, on-line videos, blogs, etc. -- for helping someone get up to speed with learning PowerShell and its support for system and network administration tasks, please drop your tips into the comment jar.
Windows PowerShell - TechNet Script Center Introduction - Windows PowerShell 2.0, Windows PowerShell 3.0, Windows PowerShell 4.0
Getting Started with PowerShell 3.0 | Channel 9 - A nine-part Microsoft video series - “This Jump Start is designed to teach the busy IT Professionals about this powerful management tool. Learn how PowerShell works and how to make PowerShell work for you from the experts Jeffrey Snover, the inventor of PowerShell, together with Jason Helmick, Senior Technologist at Concentrated Technology. IT Professionals, Admins, and Help Desk persons learn how to improve your management capabilities, automate redundant tasks and manage your environment in scale.”
Advanced Tools and Scripting with PowerShell 3.0 - Windows Virtualization Team Blog - Coming August 1st - Free Microsoft Virtual Academy online presentation training event -- “Find out how to turn your real time management and automation scripts into useful reusable tools and cmdlets. You’ll learn the best patterns and practices for building and maintaining tools and you’ll pick up some special tips and tricks along the way.” I expect it will also be up on Channel 9 a week or so later.
PowerShell Script to Manage Java Browser Plug-In and Java Security Level - SANS Windows Security Blog
Download Windows PowerShell Quick Reference - Microsoft Download Center - “Quick-reference guide to commonly-used Windows PowerShell commands.”
Download Windows PowerShell 3.0 Step By Step Guide - Microsoft Download Center - “Microsoft by default has decided to display Windows PowerShell in the Windows 8.1 WinX Power Menu, although you can change it back to Command Prompt, if you wish. But for those of you who’d like to try you hand at learning Windows PowerShell 3.0, you can download these step by step guides released by Microsoft.”
The Windows PowerShell Toolbox - TechNet Script Center - Loads of links and references for using Windows PowerShell
Scripting with Windows PowerShell - TechNet Script Center - Webcast series links and references, scripts, download sources and usage guides.
Discover the Easy Way to Begin Learning Windows PowerShell - Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog
Download Windows Management Framework 3.0 - Microsoft Download Center - Contains Windows PowerShell 3.0 among other bits.
Download Windows Management Framework 4.0 Preview - Microsoft Download Center - Not yet ready for production release, this contains the bits for the next generation of Windows PowerShell. Consider carefully before deployment as some big system incompatibilities haven’t yet been resolved.
Windows PowerShell 4.0 Preview - Rick Barber's Blog. From Rick’s brief summary post…
“You should note that the supported operating systems do not include Windows 8 or anything earlier than Windows 7 SP1. Sources tell me that PowerShell 4.0 will be included with Windows 8.1 when it is released as well as Windows Server 2012 R2.
“Pay close attention to the link above as the Management Framework 4.0 Preview is not compatible with some Microsoft Server applications including all versions of Exchange server, SharePoint server, and other applications. You really shouldn’t be installing a preview in a production environment, anyway, but rather using it locally on your workstation or laptop for testing and familiarization.“
PowerGUI.org - Free Windows Powershell Community. When we did a big rollover from Novell to Active Directory, the AD pros who were brought in had PowerGUI prominently displayed on their secondary monitor as they powered through the transitional operations.
PowerShell Pro! - website with tons of on-line tutorials for Windows PowerShell. It doesn’t look like it has been updated for a number of years, but if you are just getting started from the ground up, most of the material here should still be valuable, especially considering the rich illustrations and screen captures that accompany the primary guide texts.
PowerShell Analyzer - (now free) GUI tool to manage PowerShell scripting. Old TechNet Mag review here: Toolbox: New Products for IT Pros
PowerShell.com – PowerShell Scripts, Tips, Forums, and Resources. Community website.
learn windows powershell - YouTube search results on the terms
learn windows powershell - DuckDuckGo search results on the terms.
Cheers!
Claus Valca
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