Windows PowerShell Basics - Introduction

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) built into the Windows command prompt. The Windows PowerShell console makes it simple to type short commands and to receive sorted, filtered, formatted results. These results easily display to the console, but can redirect to XML, CSV, or text files. The Windows PowerShell console offers several advantages such as speed, low memory overhead, and a comprehensive transcription service that records all commands and command output.

There is also the Windows PowerShell ISE. The Windows PowerShell ISE is an Integrated Scripting Environment, but this does not mean you must use it to write scripts. In fact, many Windows PowerShell users like to write their code in the Windows PowerShell ISE to take advantage of the color syntax-highlighting, drop down lists, and automatic parameter revelation features. In addition, the Windows PowerShell ISE has a feature, called the _Show Command Add-On _that permits using a mouse to create Windows PowerShell commands from a graphical environment. Once created, the command either runs directly, or adds to the script pane (the choice is up to you).

Working with Windows PowerShell

Because navigating to the Start screen and typing _pow _each time I want to launch Windows PowerShell is a bit cumbersome, I prefer to Pin the Windows PowerShell console (and the Windows PowerShell ISE) to both the Start page and to the Windows desktop taskbar. This technique of pinning shortcuts to the applications provides single click access to Windows PowerShell from wherever I may be working.

On Windows Server 2012 (and on Windows Server 2012 R2), it is not necessary to go through the Start screen / Search routine because an icon for the Windows PowerShell console exists by default on the taskbar of the desktop.

NOTE : The Windows PowerShell ISE (the script editor) does not exist by default on Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2. You add the Windows PowerShell ISE as a feature.