Course Description
Windows PowerShell helps you automate the management of Active Directory users, the management of VMs in Hyper-V, reports generation, performance monitoring, email sending and other tasks. You will set up workflows to avoid constantly doing menial tasks. It’s a key tool that will allow you to streamline your Windows Server operations and focus on highest-priority tasks. This course will teach you how to install PowerShell 5.1, understand PowerShell syntax, and manage Active Directory with Powershell.
In this course we will cover the following major topics:
- The basics of Windows PowerShell
- Windows PowerShell system requirements
- Installing and Updating Windows PowerShell
- How to use the CLI (Command Line Interface)
- How to use the ISE (Intelligent Scripting Environment)
- How to get help and find commands within the CLI
- Getting Started with Windows PowerShell
- Getting Help and Finding Commands
- The Language of PowerShell – Command Syntax, Objects and Properties, and the Pipeline
- Setup your own PowerShell On Premises IT Lab
- Basic Active Directory Domain Administration with Windows PowerShell
- An introduction to Desired State Configuration made simple!
- And MUCH more!
Once we have covered this foundation, we will move on to writing PowerShell scripts. We will start with simple tasks before moving on to more advanced and complicated script writing.
What skills will I learn?
- Understand the Powershell command line
- Install and Update Windows PowerShell
- How to write Powershell scripts to automate redundant tasks
- Learn the Basics of Windows PowerShell 5.1
- Introduction to the Text Based Console and Intelligent Scripting Environment (ISE)
- Understand the PowerShell Pipeline
- Create and Delete Organizational Units with PowerShell
- Utilize the PowerShell Help System
- Understand Objects, Properties and Methods
- Create and Manage Active Directory Users with PowerShell
Course Curriculum
Course Introduction • 5min
0 / 2 lessons complete
Getting Started with Windows PowerShell • 56min
0 / 8 lessons complete
The Basics of PowerShell
Free Preview Lesson
Video | 7 min min
Installing and Updating PowerShell
Free Preview Lesson
Video | 7 min min
The Text Based Console Part 1- An Overview
Full Access Account Required
Video | 7 min min
Text Based Console Part 2 - An Overview
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
The ISE (Intelligent Scripting Environment) Part 1
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
The ISE (Intelligent Scripting Environment) Part 2
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
Setting up Visual Studio Code for PowerShell
Full Access Account Required
Video | 14 min min
Use the OGV Command to Easily View console data!
Full Access Account Required
Video | 6 min min
Getting Help and Finding Commands • 39min
0 / 6 lessons complete
Getting Help and Finding Commands Part 1
Full Access Account Required
Video | 7 min min
Getting Help and Finding Commands Part 2
Full Access Account Required
Video | 3 min min
Getting Help and Finding Commands Part 3
Full Access Account Required
Video | 4 min min
Help System LAB Questions
Full Access Account Required
Video | 6 min min
Help System Lab Answers 1-4
Full Access Account Required
Video | 9 min min
Help System Lab Answers 5-9
Full Access Account Required
Video | 10 min min
PowerShell Command Syntax • 33min
0 / 5 lessons complete
Command Syntax Part 1
Full Access Account Required
Video | 8 min min
Command Syntax Part 2
Full Access Account Required
Video | 8 min min
Command Syntax Part 3
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
Command Syntax Lab Questions
Full Access Account Required
Video | 4 min min
Command Syntax Lab Answers
Full Access Account Required
Video | 8 min min
PowerShell Objects and Properties • 35min
0 / 6 lessons complete
Objects, Properties and Methods Part 1
Full Access Account Required
Video | 3 min min
Objects, Properties and Methods Part 2
Full Access Account Required
Video | 8 min min
Objects, Properties and Methods Part 3
Full Access Account Required
Video | 7 min min
Questions 1-9 for Objects, Properties and Methods
Full Access Account Required
Video | 2 min min
Answers to Questions 1-7 O-P-M
Full Access Account Required
Video | 11 min min
Answers to Questions 8,9 O-P-M
Full Access Account Required
Video | 4 min min
The PowerShell Pipeline • 24min
0 / 2 lessons complete
The Pipeline Part 1
Full Access Account Required
Video | 11 min min
The Pipeline Part 2
Full Access Account Required
Video | 13 min min
PowerShell Providers • 30min
0 / 5 lessons complete
What are PowerShell Providers
Full Access Account Required
Video | 3 min min
Using PS Drive
Full Access Account Required
Video | 6 min min
PowerShell Provider CMDlets -1
Full Access Account Required
Video | 12 min min
PowerShell Providers CMDlets -2
Full Access Account Required
Video | 7 min min
Student Assignments
Full Access Account Required
Text | 2 min min
PowerShell Arrays and Variables • 28min
0 / 4 lessons complete
PowerShell Variables
Full Access Account Required
Video | 9 min min
PowerShell Arrays
Free Preview Lesson
Video | 12 min min
PowerShell Variables Challenge
Full Access Account Required
Video | 2 min min
PowerShell Variables Solution
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
PowerShell Loops • 19min
0 / 3 lessons complete
For Loops
Free Preview Lesson
Video | 7 min min
While Loops
Free Preview Lesson
Video | 7 min min
For Each Loop
Free Preview Lesson
Video | 5 min min
PowerShell Conditional Statements • 11min
0 / 1 lessons complete
On Premises Lab Setup • 36min
0 / 8 lessons complete
Should You Watch This Section?
Full Access Account Required
Video | 2 min min
Downloading and Installing VirtualBox
Full Access Account Required
Video | 2 min min
Downloading Windows Server 2019
Full Access Account Required
Video | 3 min min
Creating Your Virtual Network
Full Access Account Required
Video | 2 min min
Creating Your Virtual Machines
Full Access Account Required
Video | 7 min min
Installing VirtualBox Guest Additions
Full Access Account Required
Video | 2 min min
Installing Windows Server
Full Access Account Required
Video | 8 min min
Installing the Active Directory Domain Services Role
Full Access Account Required
Video | 10 min min
Basic Domain Administration with Windows PowerShell • 2hr 27min
0 / 10 lessons complete
Configuring PowerShell Execution Policy with Group Policy
Full Access Account Required
Video | 13 min min
Installing Windows Server Roles and Features with Powershell
Full Access Account Required
Video | 6 min min
Running Powershell Scripts as Scheduled Tasks
Free Preview Lesson
Video | 8 min min
Creating Organizational Units with Powershell
Full Access Account Required
Video | 11 min min
Creating and Managing Active Directory User Accounts with PowerShell
Full Access Account Required
Video | 19 min min
Move all AD Users in a Group to a Specific Organizational Unit
Full Access Account Required
Video | 7 min min
Generate a list of AD Users and their OU
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
PowerShell Splatting
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
Bulk Install Windows MSU Files Automatically with PowerShell
Full Access Account Required
Video | 13 min min
Lab: Domain Administration with Windows PowerShell
Full Access Account Required
Lab | 60 min min
Send Emails with PowerShell • 22min
0 / 2 lessons complete
Send Emails from Gmail with PowerShell
Full Access Account Required
Video | 9 min min
Create Password Expiration Notification Script
Full Access Account Required
Video | 13 min min
PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC) Basics • 1hr 48min
0 / 6 lessons complete
DSC Overview
Full Access Account Required
Video | 9 min min
Enabling PSRemoting with Group Policy
Full Access Account Required
Video | 9 min min
The DSC Resource Kit
Full Access Account Required
Video | 7 min min
Configuring The Local Config Manager for DSC Push
Free Preview Lesson
Video | 14 min min
Uninstalling Windows Features with DSC
Full Access Account Required
Video | 9 min min
Lab: Desired State Configuration (DSC)
Full Access Account Required
Lab | 60 min min
PowerShell Modules • 58min
0 / 7 lessons complete
Finding and installing PowerShell modules
Free Preview Lesson
Video | 17 min min
Creating a Custom PowerShell Module: Files and Folders
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
Writing the New-Greeting Function
Full Access Account Required
Video | 4 min min
Writing the Get-GreetingMessage Function
Full Access Account Required
Video | 3 min min
Creating the PSM1 PowerShell Module File
Full Access Account Required
Video | 9 min min
Creating a PowerShell Module Manifest and Importing our Custom Module
Full Access Account Required
Video | 8 min min
Writing automated module tests with Pester
Full Access Account Required
Video | 12 min min
Powershell Challenges • 1hr 55min
0 / 23 lessons complete
Section Overview
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
The Trusted Hosts List Challenge
Full Access Account Required
Text | 5 min min
The Trusted Hosts List Answer
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
Starting a Remote Session Challenge
Full Access Account Required
Text | 5 min min
Starting a Remote Session Answer
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
Rename a Computer Challenge
Full Access Account Required
Text | 5 min min
Rename a Computer Answer
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
Change a Password on a Remote Computer Challenge
Full Access Account Required
Text | 5 min min
Change a Password on a Remote Computer Answer
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
How to Copy Files To-From a Remote Machine Challenge
Full Access Account Required
Text | 5 min min
How to Copy Files To-From a Remote Machine using VSC Answer
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
How to Export Logs to a CSV File Challenge
Full Access Account Required
Text | 5 min min
How to Export Logs to a CSV File Answer
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
How to Create Multiple Folders on the Host Machine using Powershell
Full Access Account Required
Text | 5 min min
How to Create Multiple Folders on the Host Machine using Powershell Answer
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
Who Rebooted the Server ID1074 Challenge
Full Access Account Required
Text | 5 min min
Who Rebooted the Server
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
How can you get Info on all your Hard Drives Challenge
Full Access Account Required
Text | 5 min min
How can you get Info on all your Hard Drives Answer
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
How can I get a list of CPU's and Installed Printers, Last Boot-up Time Challenge
Full Access Account Required
Text | 5 min min
How can I get a List of CPU's and Installed Printers, Last Boot-up Time Answer
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
How can I Automate Tasks with Task Scheduler Challenge
Full Access Account Required
Text | 5 min min
How can I Automate Tasks with the Task Scheduler Answer
Full Access Account Required
Video | 5 min min
Course Conclusion • 1min
0 / 1 lessons complete
What labs will I complete?
IT labs allow you to get hands-on experience so you can learn by doing. This is much more effective than simply watching videos and taking quizzes. Listed below are all the hands-on IT labs you will complete in this course.
You can learn more about our IT labs by clicking here.
About your instructors

Paul Hill
Expert IT Instructor
Paul is an IT Professional with over 14 years of experience currently working as a Network Administrator in contract support of various Federal Agencies in the United States.
He has been teaching online courses for the past 5 years and taught over 250k students in 195 countries.

Robert Hill
Expert IT Instructor
Robert has worked in the IT field for more than 30 years primarily in support of the US Government. Robert's experience ranges from Windows Server, various server hardware and networking. Robert is an MCSA, MCP and CNE Novell Netware certified.
Join Server Academy
Get Instant access to this course plus all other courses at Server Academy when you sign up
Preview course
Course Preview
Administration and Automation with Windows PowerShell
Free lessons:
Join Server Academy
Get Instant access to this course plus all other courses at Server Academy when you sign up
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Included in this course
- 13 Hours of Content
- 84 Video Lessons
- 2 Hands-on IT Labs
- 13 Articles
Server Academy also includes
- 13 Courses with 79 Hours of Content
- 351 On-Demand Video Lessons
- 157 Articles and Quizzes
- 54+ Hands-on IT Labs