PowerShell is a command-line shell, scripting language and automation framework from Microsoft. It is used for system administration, cloud management, deployment work, diagnostics and repeatable automation.
Modern PowerShell is cross-platform and runs on Windows, Linux and macOS. It is separate from the older Windows PowerShell 5.1 line that ships with many Windows systems.
Design
PowerShell is built around commands called cmdlets. Cmdlets usually follow a verb-noun naming pattern, such as Get-Process or Set-Location. Commands can be combined through a pipeline, where structured objects pass from one command to the next.
This object pipeline is one of the main differences between PowerShell and text-focused shells. Instead of only passing plain text, PowerShell can pass .NET objects with named properties and methods.
Uses
Common uses include file and service management, Windows administration, Azure and Microsoft 365 administration, build and deployment scripts, log collection, scheduled tasks, remote sessions and repeatable troubleshooting.
PowerShell modules extend the shell with extra commands. Microsoft and third parties publish modules for Windows features, cloud services, development tools and administration tasks.
Scripting
PowerShell scripts usually use the .ps1 file extension. Scripts can define functions, accept parameters, call modules, handle errors and work with objects returned by commands.
Execution policy is a safety feature that controls whether scripts can run in some Windows contexts. It is not a full security boundary, but it helps reduce accidental script execution.
Versions
Windows PowerShell is based on the .NET Framework and is Windows-only. PowerShell 7 and later are based on modern .NET and are cross-platform. Some older modules still depend on Windows PowerShell, while newer modules usually target PowerShell 7 where possible.
See Also
References
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