PowerShell from Beginner To Sheller And Scri…

Have you always found PowerShell and scripting intimidating, but you have always wanted to learn how to automate using PowerShell?

This course is meant for the complete non-programming beginner who wants to know about PowerShell and some cool scripting with PowerShell. We will start at the beginning, using PowerShell Cmdlets and then moving on to scripting in which those same Cmdlets can and will be used.

This course is intended for people who don’t know how to program or script and want to learn how to not only use PowerShell one-liners in the shell, but also have always wanted to learn how to script but never thought they could.

We will go through the material step by step, starting at Cmdlets and parameters, filtering properties and moving on to scripting, using if/elsif/else statements, using arrays with foreach loops and combining it all plus much more. Everything is done step by step. No knowledge is assumed and no steps omitted and it is going to be fun, which is important to keep learning.

At the end you should know how to use PowerShell, using its Cmdlets and knowing how to do very effective PowerShell scripting .

Welcome to PowerShell from Beginner to Sheller and Scripter.

What's inside

Learning objectives

You will be able to use powershell cmdlets and use nice 'one-liners' and create your own!
You will be able to automate tasks
You will understand what variables are
You will understand how to create a powershell script from the ground up

You will understand if statements
You will understand what arrays are
You will understand loops like while and foreach

You will be able to use powershell cmdlets and use nice 'one-liners' and create your own!
You will be able to automate tasks
You will understand what variables are
You will understand how to create a powershell script from the ground up
You will understand if statements
You will understand what arrays are
You will understand loops like while and foreach

Syllabus

Getting to know about the prerequisites, PowerShell and what we can use PowerShell for

Introduction. Also don't forget to check out the bonus video!

Starting the PowerShell shell
Using the PowerShell shell
Why we already know PowerShell

What are Cmdlets ?
Using Cmdlets and parameters
What are properties ? Do not belong to Cmdlets
EXAMPLES:
Get-Service
Stop-Service
Start-Service

Looking online
Get-LocalUser
Set-LocalUser
To quote or not to quote

Using Help with Cmdlets using the Cmdlet Get-Help to get the parameters and values it needs.
Using the internet to find out about Cmdlets
Updating help with Update-Help

How do you find the right Cmdlet for the job to do ?
Is it Set-LocalUser or Disable-LocalUser for disabling a local user ?

What are modules ?
Using Get-Command

What is the PowerShell pipeline ?
EXAMPLES:
Get-Service –Name ‘spooler’ | Stop-Service
Get-Service –Name ‘spooler’ | Start-Service
Get-LocalUser –Name ‘Dave’ | Set-LocalUser –Description ‘My Lovely Account’

What is the PowerShell pipeline ?
EXAMPLES:
Get-Item -Path ’C:\Source\1.txt' (Retrieve one item)
Copy-Item -Path 'C:\Source\1.txt' -Destination 'C:\Target'
Get-Item -Path ’C:\Source\1.txt' | Copy-Item -Destination 'C:\Target'

What is the PowerShell pipeline ?
EXAMPLES:
Get-ChildItem -Path ’C:\Source' (Retrieve all items in a directory)
Get-ChildItem -Path ’C:\Source' | Copy-Item -Destination 'C:\Target'

How do we output to a text file ?
EXAMPLES:
Get-Service | Out-File –FilePath ‘c:\test\services.txt’

Look at properties again and why parameters are not properties.
Drop a word called ‘object’ on you and see how you respond

How do we format data in PowerShell ?
EXAMPLES:
Get-Service | Format-List –Property
Get-Service | Format-Table –Property
Get-Service | Format-Table –Autosize | Out-File –FilePath ‘C:\test\test.txt’

PowerShell Objects a deeper look what they are and where they come from !

How can we find out the properties and methods of an object?
EXAMPLES:
Get-Service | Get-Member
Get-LocalUser | Get-Member

How can we find out the kind of properties of an object?
EXAMPLES:
Get-Service | Get-Member

How can we find out the kind of parameters we need ?
EXAMPLES:
Get-Service

How can we find out the kind of parameters we need ?
EXAMPLES:
Get-Service

How can we get only the stuff we need based on a property of an object ?

EXAMPLES:

Get-Service | Where-Object {$PSItem.status –eq ‘running’} | Out-File –FilePath ‘C:\reports\report.txt’

How can we get only the stuff we need based on a property of an object ?

EXAMPLES:

Get-LocalUser | Where-Object {$PSItem.enabled –eq $false} | Set-LocalUser ` –Description ‘Disabled Account’

How do we select specific information ?
EXAMPLES:
Get-Service | Select-Object –First 5
Get-Service | Select-Object –Last 5
Get-Service | Select-Object –Property name,status –First 5 | Out-File –FilePath ‘C:\test\services.txt’

How can we group in alphabetical order or from high to low and vice versa?
EXAMPLES:
Get-Service | Sort-Object –Property ‘Status’

How can we output to CSV in a simple way ?

Getting it all together + some gotchas

A nice Mini Challenge to think about!

A nice Mini Challenge to think about...again!

Moving on to a script
What is a PowerShell script ?

Using and exploring the PowerShell ISE (Integrated Scripting Environment)
Running a small script
Set-ExecutionPolicy

Writing our first PowerShell Script “Hello Wonderful People!”

Variables in PowerShell
What is a variable ?
Defining a variable in PowerShell

Different types of variables in PowerShell (DataTypes) and why important ?
Example string,int,datetime and many many more.
Integer (int)
String (str or text)
Boolean (bool)
DateTime (Store Date)

Using [string]$DogType or [int]$Number to tell PowerShell what datatype you want.
Using $MyVariable.GetType() to see what kind of variable you have.

Getting data from the user using Read-Host.
Using this data in a PowerShell Script.

What are Arythmic Operators ?
+ Add, - Subtract, * Multiply, / Divide, % Mod(Remainder)

Objects 2 the return of the killer object…
Putting an object into a variable and using its properties and methods, more specifically it is an instance from a command.
EXAMPLES:
$Service = Get-Service –Name ‘spooler’
$Service | Get-Member

How to use If Statement to make decisions in your script

Creating multiple decisions in your script with If/ElseIf/Else Statement
And some gotchas

If/Elseif/Else statement.
Scripting Example : if a local user is enabled, disable it and if a local user is disabled enable it.
STEPS:
Which Cmdlets do I need ? Look at the internet to find out.
Which Parameters of Cmdlets am I going to use ?
What variables am I going to use.
Which properties of the object which is in the variable do I need and what are the possible values of the properties.

If/Elseif/Else statement. And some extra tips and tricks added continuing part 3!
Scripting Example : if a local user is enabled, disable it and if a local user is disabled enable it.
STEPS:
Which Cmdlets do I need ? Look at the internet to find out.
Which Parameters of Cmdlets am I going to use ?
What variables am I going to use.
Which properties of the object which is in the variable do I need and what are the possible values of the properties.

If/Elseif/Else statement. And let's make a sentence continuing part 4!
Scripting Example : if a local user is enabled, disable it and if a local user is disabled enable it.
STEPS:
Which Cmdlets do I need ? Look at the internet to find out.
Which Parameters of Cmdlets am I going to use ?
What variables am I going to use.
Which properties of the object which is in the variable do I need and what are the possible values of the properties.

Nested If/ElseIf/Else statement.

Continuing Nesting If/ElseIf/Else statement. (That bird doesn't have it easy)

What are comparison operators ?

What are logical operators ?

Are you ready to program the next gaming sensation ?

Explanation of what a loop is and what a While loop does

PowerShell Arrays
Indexing in an Array

Using the Foreach to loop through a PowerShell array

PowerShell Arrays with LocalUsers
Indexing in an Array with LocalUsers

Using the Foreach to loop through a PowerShell array of Local User Objects

Using a combination Foreach and If

Mmmm nothing more descriptive to add here

Creating Local Users from a simple text file

Creating Directories or files from a simple text file

Well...just in case you didn't know how

Using and exploring the Import-Csv Cmdlet

Using the Import-Csv Cmdlet to create Local Users

You will need to finish the set up lab environment to follow along, or use your own setup
Moving to Active Directory
Creating an Active Directory User with PowerShell
Since the Active Directory Cmdlets are tricky, I have added them here in the scripting part

Moving to Active Directory
Retrieving a user in Active Directory
Since the Active Directory Cmdlets are tricky, I have added them here in the scripting part

Moving to Active Directory
Set AD user properties
Since the Active Directory Cmdlets are tricky, I have added them here in the scripting part

Moving to Active Directory
Creating an Organizational Unit
Move Active Directory users from one OU to another OU

Selecting more Active Directory Users with Where-Object

Nothing more to add here, except that maybe you can do this yourself and then watch the video!
Just create a file with some names and add them to Active Directory in any OU you want !

Again, nothing more to add here, except that maybe you can do this yourself and then watch the video!
Just import a CSV file we created earlier for the Local Users!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches foundational PowerShell from the ground up

Suitable for beginners to PowerShell and scripting

Provides lessons in a step-by-step manner

Course materials are comprehensive, covering topics from Cmdlets and parameters to scripting

Covers essential concepts such as variables, arrays, and loops

May require additional resources for advanced learners seeking more in-depth knowledge

Reviews summary

Powershell: beginner to scripting

According to the course design, learners can expect a step-by-step introduction to PowerShell, specifically crafted for complete non-programming beginners. The curriculum is structured to provide a solid foundation, moving from basic Cmdlet usage and the PowerShell pipeline to essential scripting concepts like variables, conditionals, and loops. It aims to equip students with the ability to automate tasks effectively and includes practical applications, even touching on Active Directory management. The approach emphasizes hands-on learning and practical examples to ensure a smooth progression from novice to proficient 'Sheller and Scripter'.

Introduces basic Active Directory management using PowerShell.

"It's a nice bonus that the course includes an introduction to managing Active Directory users and OUs."

"The AD Cmdlets section provided useful insights for common IT administration tasks."

"I gained an understanding of how to automate user creation in Active Directory using scripts."

Focuses on hands-on examples and challenges for real-world use.

"The numerous examples and labs truly helped solidify my understanding and application of PowerShell."

"I appreciate the focus on practical one-liners and how to automate various tasks immediately."

"The challenges encouraged me to apply concepts, making the learning process engaging and effective."

Covers essential Cmdlets, pipeline, objects, and scripting fundamentals.

"I learned a wide array of PowerShell Cmdlets and how to use the pipeline effectively."

"The explanations of variables, data types, if/else statements, and loops were very clear and fundamental."

"The course helped me understand how to create a PowerShell script from scratch to automate tasks."

Designed for learners with no prior programming experience.

"I found the course truly starts at the beginning, assuming no prior coding knowledge."

"Every step is explained, which made it easy for me, a complete non-programming beginner, to follow."

"The instructor doesn't skip steps, ensuring that even complex topics become understandable."

Lack of direct student feedback impacts course assessment.

"As a prospective learner, I was unable to find actual student reviews to guide my decision."

"It's challenging to gauge the practical experience or instructor responsiveness without past student comments."

"I cannot determine if the course content has been updated based on student feedback over time."

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