PowerShell Courses & PowerShell Training to Boost Your IT Skills

Overview
This course provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skills to use Windows PowerShell for administering and automating administration of Windows servers. This course provides students the skills to identify and build the command they require to perform a specific task. In addition, students learn how to build scripts to accomplish advanced tasks such as automating repetitive tasks and generating reports. This course provides prerequisite skills supporting a broad range of Microsoft products, including Windows Server, Windows Client, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SharePoint Server, Microsoft SQL Server, System Center, and more. In keeping with that goal, this course will not focus on any one of those products, although Windows Server, which is the common platform for all of those products, will serve as the example for the techniques this course teaches.

Audience profile
This course is intended for IT Professionals who are already experienced in general Windows Server and Windows Client administration, and who want to learn more about using Windows PowerShell for administration. No prior experience with any version of Windows PowerShell, or any scripting language, is assumed. This course is also suitable for IT Professionals already experienced in server administration, including Exchange Server, SharePoint Server, SQL Server, System Center, and others.

Prerequisites
Experience with Windows networking technologies and implementation.
Experience with Windows Server administration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Experience with Windows Client administration, maintenance, and troubleshooting
Students who attend this training can meet the prerequisites by obtaining equivalent knowledge and skills through practical experience as a Windows system administrator. No prerequisite courses are required.

At course completion
After completing this course, students will be able to:
Describe the functionality of Windows PowerShell and use it to run and find basic commands.
Identify and run cmdlets for server administration.
Work with Windows PowerShell pipeline.
Query system information by using WMI and CIM.
Work with variables, arrays, and hash tables.
Write basic scripts in Windows PowerShell.
Write advanced scripts in Windows PowerShell.

Course Outline

Module 1: Getting started with Windows PowerShell
This module will introduce you to Windows PowerShell and provide an overview of the product's functionality. The module explains how to open and configure Windows PowerShell. It also explains how to run commands and use the built-in Help system in Windows PowerShell.
Lessons
Windows PowerShell overview
Understand Windows PowerShell command syntax
Find commands and get help in Windows PowerShell
Lab : Configuring Windows PowerShell, and finding and running commands
Configuring the Windows PowerShell console application
Configuring the Windows PowerShell ISE application
Finding and running Windows PowerShell commands
Using About files

Module 2: Windows PowerShell for local systems administration
This module introduces you to the different types of cmdlets commonly used for system administration. While you can search for cmdlets each time you need to accomplish a task, it is more efficient to have at least a basic understanding of these cmdlets. This module also explains how to manage Windows 10 by using PowerShell..
Lessons
Active Directory Domain Services administration cmdlets
Network configuration cmdlets
Server administration cmdlets
Windows PowerShell in Windows 10
Lab : Performing local system administration with PowerShell
Creating and managing Active Directory objects
Configuring network settings on Windows Server
Creating a website

Module 3: Working with the Windows PowerShell pipeline
This module introduces the pipeline feature of Windows PowerShell. The pipeline feature is included in several command-line shells such as the command prompt in the Windows operating system. However, the pipeline feature in Windows PowerShell provides more complex, flexible, and capable functionalities compared to other shells. This module provides you with the skills and knowledge that will help you use Windows PowerShell more effectively and efficiently.
Lessons
Understand the pipeline
Select, sort, and measure objects
Filter objects out of the pipeline
Enumerate objects in the pipeline
Send and pass pipeline data as output
Lab : Using PowerShell pipeline
Selecting, sorting, and displaying data
Filtering objects
Enumerating objects
Converting objects

Module 4: Using PSProviders and PSDrives
This module introduces the PSProviders and PSDrives adapters. A PSProvider is basically a Windows PowerShell adapter makes some form of storage resemble a hard drive. A PSDrive is an actual connection to a form of storage. You can use these two technologies to work with various forms of storage by using the same commands and techniques that you use to manage the file system.
Lessons
Using PSProviders
Using PSDrives
Lab : Using PSProviders and PSDrives with PowerShell
Creating files and folders on a remote computer
Creating a registry key for your future scripts
Create a new Active Directory group

Module 5: Querying management information by using CIM and WMI
This module introduces you to two parallel technologies: Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) and Common Information Model (CIM). Both these technologies provide local and remote access to a repository of management information including access to robust information available from the operating system, computer hardware, and installed software.
Lessons
Understand CIM and WMI
Query data by using CIM and WMI
Make changes by using CIM and WMI
Lab : Querying information by using WMI and CIM
Querying information by using WMI
Querying information by using CIM
Invoking methods

Module 6: Working with variables, arrays, and hash tables
Variables are an essential component of scripts. You can use variables to accomplish complex tasks that you can't complete by using a single command. This module explains how to work with variables, arrays, and hash tables as steps in learning how to create Windows PowerShell scripts.
Lessons
Use variables
Manipulate variables
Manipulate arrays and hash tables
Lab : Using variables, arrays, and hash tables in PowerShell
Working with variable types
Using arrays
Using hash tables

Module 7: Windows PowerShell scripting
This module explains how to package a Windows PowerShell command in a script. Scripts allow you to perform repetitive tasks and more complex tasks than cannot be accomplished in a single command.
Lessons
Introduction to scripting with Windows PowerShell
Script constructs
Import data from files
Accept user input
Troubleshooting and error handling
Functions and modules
Lab : Using scripts with PowerShell
Signing a script
Processing an array with a ForEach loop
Processing items by using If statements
Creating users based on a CSV file
Querying disk information from remote computers
Updating the script to use alternate credentials

Overview
This course provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skills to use PowerShell for administering and automating administration of Windows servers. This course provides students the skills to identify and build the command they require to perform a specific task. In addition, students learn how to build scripts to accomplish advanced tasks such as automating repetitive tasks and generating reports. This course provides prerequisite skills supporting a broad range of Microsoft products, including Windows Server, Windows Client, Microsoft Azure, and Microsoft 365. In keeping with that goal, this course will not focus on any one of those products, although Windows Server, which is the common platform for all of those products, will serve as the example for the techniques this course teaches.

Audience Profile
This course is intended for IT Professionals who are already experienced in general Windows Server, Windows client, Azure, and Microsoft 365 administration, and who want to learn more about using Windows PowerShell for administration. No prior experience with any version of PowerShell or any scripting language is assumed. This course is also suitable for IT Professionals already experienced in server administration, including Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SharePoint Server, and Microsoft SQL Server.

Job role: Administrator

Skills gained
Describe the functionality of Windows PowerShell and use it to run and find basic commands.
Identify and run cmdlets for local system administration.
Work with the Windows PowerShell pipeline.

Prerequisites
Before attending this course, students must have:
Experience with Windows networking technologies and implementation.
Experience with Windows Server administration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1: Getting started with Windows PowerShell
This module will introduce you to Windows PowerShell and provide an overview of the product’s functionality. The module explains how to open and configure Windows PowerShell. It also explains how to run commands and use the built-in Help system in Windows PowerShell.
Lessons
Windows PowerShell overview
Understand Windows PowerShell command syntax
Find commands and get help in Windows PowerShell
Lab : Configuring Windows PowerShell, and finding and running commands
Configuring the Windows PowerShell console application
Configuring the Windows PowerShell ISE application
Finding and running Windows PowerShell commands
Using About files

Module 2: Windows PowerShell for local systems administration
This module introduces you to the different types of cmdlets commonly used for system administration. While you can search for cmdlets each time you need to accomplish a task, it is more efficient to have at least a basic understanding of these cmdlets. This module also explains how to manage Windows 10 by using PowerShell..
Lessons
Active Directory Domain Services administration cmdlets
Network configuration cmdlets
Server administration cmdlets
Windows PowerShell in Windows 10
Lab : Performing local system administration with PowerShell
Creating and managing Active Directory objects
Configuring network settings on Windows Server
Creating a website

Module 3: Working with the Windows PowerShell pipeline
This module introduces the pipeline feature of Windows PowerShell. The pipeline feature is included in several command-line shells such as the command prompt in the Windows operating system. However, the pipeline feature in Windows PowerShell provides more complex, flexible, and capable functionalities compared to other shells. This module provides you with the skills and knowledge that will help you use Windows PowerShell more effectively and efficiently.
Lessons
Understand the pipeline
Select, sort, and measure objects
Filter objects out of the pipeline
Enumerate objects in the pipeline
Send and pass pipeline data as output
Lab : Using PowerShell pipeline
Selecting, sorting, and displaying data
Filtering objects
Enumerating objects
Converting objects

Module 4: Using PSProviders and PSDrives
This module introduces the PSProviders and PSDrives adapters. A PSProvider is basically a Windows PowerShell adapter makes some form of storage resemble a hard drive. A PSDrive is an actual connection to a form of storage. You can use these two technologies to work with various forms of storage by using the same commands and techniques that you use to manage the file system.
Lessons
Using PSProviders
Using PSDrives
Lab : Using PSProviders and PSDrives with PowerShell
Creating files and folders on a remote computer
Creating a registry key for your future scripts
Create a new Active Directory group

Module 5: Querying management information by using CIM and WMI
This module introduces you to two parallel technologies: Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) and Common Information Model (CIM). Both these technologies provide local and remote access to a repository of management information including access to robust information available from the operating system, computer hardware, and installed software.
Lessons
Understand CIM and WMI
Query data by using CIM and WMI
Make changes by using CIM and WMI
Lab : Querying information by using WMI and CIM
Querying information by using WMI
Querying information by using CIM
Invoking methods

Module 6: Working with variables, arrays, and hash tables
Variables are an essential component of scripts. You can use variables to accomplish complex tasks that you can't complete by using a single command. This module explains how to work with variables, arrays, and hash tables as steps in learning how to create Windows PowerShell scripts.
Lessons
Use variables
Manipulate variables
Manipulate arrays and hash tables
Lab : Using variables, arrays, and hash tables in PowerShell
Working with variable types
Using arrays
Using hash tables

Module 7: Windows PowerShell scripting
This module explains how to package a Windows PowerShell command in a script. Scripts allow you to perform repetitive tasks and more complex tasks than cannot be accomplished in a single command.
Lessons
Introduction to scripting with Windows PowerShell
Script constructs
Import data from files
Accept user input
Troubleshooting and error handling
Functions and modules
Lab : Using scripts with PowerShell
Signing a script
Processing an array with a ForEach loop
Processing items by using If statements
Creating users based on a CSV file
Querying disk information from remote computers
Updating the script to use alternate credentials

Module 8: Administering remote computers with Windows PowerShell
This module introduces you to the Windows PowerShell remoting technology that enables you to connect to one or more remote computers and instruct them to run commands on your behalf.
Lessons
Use basic Windows PowerShell remoting
Use advanced Windows PowerShell remoting techniques
Use PSSessions
Lab : Performing remote administration with PowerShell
Enabling remoting on the local computer
Performing one-to-one remoting
Performing one-to-many remoting
Using implicit remoting

Module 9: Managing Azure resources with PowerShell
This module provides information about installing the necessary modules for cloud services management. It explains how to use PowerShell commands to perform some simple administrative tasks on cloud resources such as Azure virtual machines (VMs), Azure storage accounts, and Azure subscriptions. This module also describes how to use the Azure Cloud Shell environment to perform PowerShell-based or Bash-based administration directly from the Azure portal.
Lessons
Azure PowerShell
Introduce Azure Cloud Shell
Manage Azure VMs with PowerShell
Manage storage and subscriptions
Lab : Azure resource management with PowerShell
Activating the Azure subscription and installing the PowerShell Az module
Using Azure Cloud Shell
Managing Azure resources with Azure PowerShell

Module 10: Managing Microsoft 365 services with PowerShell
This module describes how to use PowerShell to manage Microsoft 365 user accounts, licenses, and groups, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and Microsoft Teams.
Lessons
Manage Microsoft 365 user accounts, licenses, and groups with PowerShell
Manage Exchange Online with PowerShell
Manage SharePoint Online with PowerShell
Manage Microsoft Teams with PowerShell
Lab : Managing Microsoft 365 with PowerShell
Managing users and groups in Azure AD
Managing Exchange Online
Managing SharePoint
Managing Microsoft Teams

Module 11: Using background jobs and scheduled jobs
This module describes how to use background jobs and scheduled jobs. It also explains how to create scheduled jobs and retrieve job results.
Lessons
Use background jobs
Use scheduled jobs
Lab : Jobs management with PowerShell
Starting and managing jobs
Creating a scheduled job

Overview
This is a three-day course that will teach students how to automate administrative tasks using Windows PowerShell 5.1. Students will learn core scripting skills such as creating advanced functions, writing controller scripts, and handling script errors. Students will learn how to works with Windows PowerShell Workflow, the REST API and XML and JSON formatted data files, Students will also learn how to use new administration tools such Desired State Configuration (DSC) and Just Enough Administration (JEA) to configure and secure servers.

Audience profile
This course is intended for IT professionals who are experienced in general Windows Server and Windows Client administration. Students should have a foundational knowledge of Windows PowerShell, which they can obtain by taking course 10961C: Automating Administration with Windows PowerShell.

In addition, this course provides scripting guidance for developers who support development environments and deployment processes.

Prerequisites
In addition to their professional experience, students who attend this training should already have the following technical knowledge:
Experience with Windows networking technologies and implementation.
Experience with Windows Server administration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Experience with Windows Client administration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Experience with using Windows PowerShell to run commands and to create basic non-modularized scripts.

Students who attend this training can meet the prerequisites by obtaining equivalent knowledge and skills through practical experience as a Windows System Administrator. Course 10961: Automating Administration with Windows PowerShell is strongly recommended to obtain prerequisite skills in Windows PowerShell.

At course completion
After completing this course, students will be able to:
Create advanced functions.
Use Microsoft .NET Framework and REST API in Windows PowerShell.
Write controller scripts.
Handle script errors.
Use XML, JSON, and custom formatted data.
Enhance server management with Desired State Configuration and Just Enough Administration.
Analyze and debug scripts
Understand Windows PowerShell workflow.

Course Outline

Module 1: Creating advanced functions
This module explains how to parameterize a command into an advanced function.
Lessons
Converting a command into an advanced function
Creating a script module
Defining parameter attributes and input validation
Writing functions that accept pipeline input
Producing complex pipeline output
Documenting functions by using comment-based help
Supporting –WhatIf and -Confirm
Lab : Converting a command into an advanced function
Converting a command into an advanced function
Lab : Creating a script module
Creating a script module
Lab : Defining parameter attributes and input validation
Defining parameter attributes and input validation
Lab : Writing functions that accept pipeline input
Writing functions that accept pipeline input
Lab : Producing complex pipeline output
Producing complex pipeline output
Lab : Documenting functions by using comment-based help
Documenting functions by using comment-based help
Lab : Supporting –WhatIf and -Confirm
Supporting –WhatIf and -Confirm

Module 2: Using Microsoft .NET Framework and REST API in Windows PowerShell
This module explains how to use Microsoft .NET Framework and REST API to supplement functionality that Windows PowerShell commands provide.
Lessons
Using Microsoft .NET Framework in Windows PowerShell
Using REST API in Windows PowerShell
Lab : Using Microsoft .NET Framework in Windows PowerShell
Using Microsoft .NET Framework in Windows PowerShell
Lab : Using REST API in Windows PowerShell
Using REST API in Windows PowerShell

Module 3: Writing controller scripts
This module explains how to combine advanced functions that perform a specific task and a controller script that provides a user interface or automates a business process.
Lessons
Introducing controller scripts
Writing controller scripts that display a user interface
Writing controller scripts that produce reports
Lab : Writing controller scripts
Writing controller scripts that display a user interface
Writing controller scripts that implement a text-based menu
Lab : Writing controller scripts that produce HTML reports
Writing functions to be used in the controller script
Writing a controller script that produces HTML reports

Module 4: Handling script errors
This module explains how to perform basic error handling in scripts.
Lessons
Understanding error handling
Handling errors and timeouts in a script
Lab : Handling errors in a script
Handling errors in a script

Module 5: Using XML, JSON, and custom-formatted data
This module explains how to read, manipulate, and write data in XML and JSON format.
Lessons
Reading, manipulating, and writing XML-formatted data
Reading, manipulating, and writing JSON-formatted data
Reading and manipulating custom-formatted data
Lab : Reading, manipulating, and writing XML-formatted data
Testing the provided tools
Updating an XML inventory document

Module 6: Enhancing server management with Desired State Configuration and Just Enough Administration
This module explains how to write Desired State Configuration (DSC) configuration files, deploy those files to servers, and monitor servers’ configurations. This module also explains how to restrict administrative access with Just Enough Administration (JEA).
Lessons
Understanding Desired State Configuration
Creating and deploying a DSC configuration
Implementing Just Enough Administration
Lab : Creating and deploying a DSC configuration
Creating and deploying a DSC configuration
Lab : Configuring and using JEA
Configuring and using JEA

Module 7: Analyzing and debugging scripts
This module explains how to use native Windows PowerShell features to analyze and debug existing scripts.
Lessons
Debugging in Windows PowerShell
Analyzing and debugging an existing script
Lab : Analyzing and debugging an existing script
Analyzing and debugging an existing script

Module 8: Understanding Windows PowerShell Workflow
This module explains the features of the Windows PowerShell Workflow technology.
Lessons
Understanding Windows PowerShell Workflow
Lab : Creating and running a Windows PowerShell Workflow
Creating and running a Windows PowerShell Workflow