Where-Object
Filter objects in the pipeline
Get-ChildItem | Where-Object { $_.Extension -eq '.md' }
Copy-Paste PowerShell
Commands to copy. Scripts that preview before they change anything. Builders that fill in the blanks. Everything explained in plain English.
Start here
New to PowerShell?
Read these in order. Then skip around.
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What is PowerShell?
A shell and a scripting language that works with objects, not just text.
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Open PowerShell
Windows Terminal, pwsh, and the old Windows PowerShell 5.1 host.
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Execution policy
Why a script is blocked, what each policy means, and what to change (if anything).
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Run a script
Download a .ps1, unblock it, and run it with parameters from the right folder.
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Pipelines
Left to right, objects not text, and why Format-Table has to be last.
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Safety
WhatIf, Confirm, and why you should not paste blindly from the internet (including this site).
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Objects and properties
Why PowerShell output is not just text, and how to see and pick the parts you want.
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Variables
Store a value with $name = ..., reuse it, and know when quotes expand it.
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Comparison operators
-eq, -like, -match, and why > writes a file instead of comparing.
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Your profile and modules
Make shortcuts that load every time, and add commands others have written.
Cheat sheet
Six to learn first
These cover most of week one.
Get-ChildItem
List files in a folder
Get-ChildItem -Path .\docs
Get-Process
List running processes
Get-Process | Sort-Object CPU -Descending | Select-Object -First 10
Test-Connection
Ping a host
Test-Connection -ComputerName 1.1.1.1 -Count 2
Get-Content
Read a text file
Get-Content -Path .\notes.txt
Get-Help
Read help for a command
Get-Help Get-ChildItem -Full
The commands
Grouped the way you look them up
Tools
When copying is not enough
Translate
From bash or cmd
Know grep, ls -la, or ipconfig? Find the PowerShell way, plus the gotchas.
Explain
What does this command do?
Paste a line you found online. See each step in plain English, with warnings for anything risky.
Build
Fill in the blanks
Forms that write the script for you: copy, rename, clean up, zip, schedule.
One-page cheat sheet
Every command on two sides of paper. Tape it next to your monitor.