Windows PowerShell

Windows PowerShell, developed by Microsoft, is a robust command-line shell and scripting language specifically designed for system administration and automation. The latest version, 7.3.6, stands out as a powerful tool in the arsenal of IT professionals and developers, built on the .NET Framework to provide unparalleled control over Windows and its applications.

This version, packed in a file of 93.4 MB, supports multiple Windows operating systems, including Windows 2000, XP, XP Professional, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11. It also includes essential file names such as powershell.exe, powershell_ise.exe, PSSetupNativeUtils.exe, PwrSuite.exe, and rundll32.exe. Users will appreciate its support for ".psc1" extensions, which makes it easy to manage and execute scripts.

One of the primary attractions of Windows PowerShell is its extensive collection of over 130 cmdlets, which allow users to perform a wide range of administrative tasks. Whether monitoring services and processes or checking the registry status, this tool effectively addresses the needs of system administrators. Among its many features, the ability to develop scripts for automation tasks—including performing object statistics, comparing text files, and sorting information returned by a process—is particularly useful for automation.

For those interested in exploring previous versions, options like 7.0, 5.0, and 2.0 are also available. Additionally, it is known by various aliases like Windows PowerShell TM CTP, Windows PowerShell TM V2 CTP, and Windows PowerShell TM V2 CTP2.

In the realm of Development Tools, categorized under the IDE subcategory, Windows PowerShell is a commendable choice. IT professionals and developers will especially value the easy download and free availability of this powerful tool.

Pros:

• Extensive collection of cmdlets.
• Seamless automation of diverse tasks.
• Broad OS support across multiple Windows versions.
• Free download from the developer's site.

Cons:

• Requires Windows Service Pack 2 and .NET 2.0.
• Large file size for download.

Windows PowerShell is undoubtedly a vital tool, fulfilling the long-standing demands of professionals seeking an efficient and powerful Windows command-line shell and scripting solution.

You may want to check out more software, such as Windows Management Framework, Windows Azure PowerShell or BizTalkFactory PowerShell Provider, which might be related to Windows PowerShell.