Cmdlet reference

PowerShell Commands with Examples

The PowerShell commands you’ll use most, grouped by task. Each one has a plain-English description, a copy-ready example and a link to a full tutorial or Microsoft’s documentation.

By Bijay Kumar, 13-time Microsoft MVP

Browse the commands Get the 100 cmdlets PDF

91Commands with examples
11Task groups
38Aliases explained
7 & 5.1Examples checked in both

Updated September 30, 2026

# Find every command that works with services
PS C:\> Get-Command -Noun Service | Select-Object -Property Name

Name
----
Get-Service
New-Service
Remove-Service
Restart-Service
Resume-Service
Set-Service
Start-Service
Stop-Service
Suspend-Service

PS C:\>

Real output from PowerShell 7.6Find any command

Read any command

How PowerShell Commands Work

PowerShell commands are called cmdlets. Once you know these four ideas, you can read almost any script.

Verb-Noun names
The verb says what happens and the noun says to what: Get-Service, Stop-Process. Microsoft keeps a list of approved verbs.
Parameters
Options start with a dash, like -Path or -Recurse. Press Tab to complete names as you type.
The pipeline
The | passes objects, not text, from one command to the next: Get-Service | Sort-Object Status.
Aliases
Short names like ls and cd run full cmdlets. Handy at the prompt, but use full names in scripts.

1. Find a command
```
Get-Command *-Item
```
Lists every command whose name ends in -Item.
2. Learn how to use it
```
Get-Help Copy-Item -Examples
```
Shows ready-made examples for that command.
3. See what it returns
```
Get-Item C:\Windows | Get-Member
```
Lists the properties you can select, sort or filter on.

Microsoft explains the basics in Discover PowerShell commands. New to PowerShell? Start with the step-by-step learning path.

The command list

PowerShell Commands by Category

Each example uses real parameters that exist in both PowerShell 7 and Windows PowerShell 5.1. Commands that change or delete things include -WhatIf, so you can try them safely.

Filter commands Showing all 91

Find commands and get help5
Files and folders17
Filter, sort and shape objects9
Show output and ask for input8
CSV, JSON and HTML data6
Processes and services7
Windows system information12
Network and web7
Variables and environment6
Users, security and scripts8
Remoting and modules6

Find commands and get help

Three commands that teach you every other command. Learn these first.

5 commands

Get-CommandFinds commands by name, verb, noun or module.
```
Get-Command -Noun Service
```
Docs
Get-HelpShows help, syntax and examples for any command.
```
Get-Help Get-ChildItem -Examples
```
Docs
Get-MemberLists the properties and methods of the objects a command returns.
```
Get-Process | Get-Member -MemberType Property
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-AliasShows which command an alias such as ls or cd runs.
```
Get-Alias -Name ls, cd, cat
```
Docs
Get-HistoryLists the commands you've run in the current session.
```
Get-History -Count 10
```
Tutorial Docs

Files and folders

Navigate, create, copy, move, read and delete files and folders.

17 commands

Get-ChildItemLists files and folders, with filters and recursion.
```
Get-ChildItem -Path C:\Reports -Filter *.csv -Recurse
```
Tutorial Docs
Set-LocationChanges the current folder (cd).
```
Set-Location -Path C:\Reports
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-LocationShows the current folder (pwd).
```
Get-Location
```
Tutorial Docs

New-ItemCreates a file or folder.

New-Item -Path C:\Reports\2026 -ItemType Directory

Tutorial Docs

Copy-ItemCopies files and folders.

Copy-Item -Path C:\Reports\*.csv -Destination D:\Backup

Tutorial Docs

Move-ItemMoves files and folders.

Move-Item -Path C:\Reports\old.csv -Destination C:\Archive

Tutorial Docs

Rename-ItemRenames a file or folder.

Rename-Item -Path C:\Reports\sales.csv -NewName sales-2026.csv

Tutorial Docs

Remove-ItemDeletes files and folders.
```
Remove-Item -Path C:\Temp\*.log -WhatIf
```
Tutorial Docs
Test-PathChecks whether a file or folder exists.
```
Test-Path -Path C:\Reports\sales.csv
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-ContentReads a text file, line by line.
```
Get-Content -Path C:\Logs\app.log -Tail 20
```
Tutorial Docs
Set-ContentWrites text to a file, replacing what's there.
```
Set-Content -Path C:\Reports\note.txt -Value 'Done'
```
Tutorial Docs
Add-ContentAppends text to the end of a file.
```
Add-Content -Path C:\Logs\run.log -Value (Get-Date)
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-ItemGets one file or folder and its properties.
```
(Get-Item -Path C:\Reports\sales.csv).LastWriteTime
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-FileHashCalculates a file's hash to check it hasn't changed.
```
Get-FileHash -Path .\setup.exe -Algorithm SHA256
```
Tutorial Docs
Split-PathGets the folder or file name part of a path.
```
Split-Path -Path C:\Reports\sales.csv -Leaf
```
Tutorial Docs
Unblock-FileRemoves the downloaded-from-internet block from files.
```
Get-ChildItem -Path .\Scripts | Unblock-File
```
Tutorial Docs

Compress-ArchiveCreates a .zip file from files or folders.

Compress-Archive -Path C:\Reports\* -DestinationPath C:\reports.zip

Docs

Filter, sort and shape objects

The pipeline commands that turn raw output into exactly what you need.

9 commands

Where-ObjectKeeps only the objects that match a condition.
```
Get-Service | Where-Object Status -eq 'Running'
```
Tutorial Docs
Select-ObjectPicks properties, or the first or last few objects.
```
Get-Process | Select-Object -First 5 -Property Name, CPU
```
Tutorial Docs
Sort-ObjectSorts objects by one or more properties.
```
Get-ChildItem | Sort-Object -Property Length -Descending
```
Tutorial Docs
ForEach-ObjectRuns a script block for every object in the pipeline.
```
1..5 | ForEach-Object { $_ * 10 }
```
Tutorial Docs
Group-ObjectGroups objects that share a property value.
```
Get-Service | Group-Object -Property Status
```
Docs
Measure-ObjectCounts objects and sums, averages or finds min and max.
```
Get-ChildItem | Measure-Object -Property Length -Sum
```
Tutorial Docs
Compare-ObjectShows the differences between two lists.
```
Compare-Object -ReferenceObject $list1 -DifferenceObject $list2
```
Tutorial Docs
Select-StringSearches text and files for a pattern, like grep.
```
Select-String -Path C:\Logs\*.log -Pattern 'error'
```
Tutorial Docs
Tee-ObjectSaves output to a file and passes it on.
```
Get-Process | Tee-Object -FilePath C:\Temp\procs.txt
```
Tutorial Docs

Show output and ask for input

Display results, format them and read what the user types.

8 commands

Write-HostWrites colored text straight to the screen.
```
Write-Host 'Backup complete' -ForegroundColor Green
```
Tutorial Docs
Write-OutputSends objects down the pipeline (the default output).
```
Write-Output 'Processing 42 files'
```
Tutorial Docs
Format-TableShows output as a table with chosen columns.
```
Get-Service | Format-Table -Property Name, Status -AutoSize
```
Tutorial Docs
Format-ListShows each property on its own line.
```
Get-Process -Id $PID | Format-List -Property *
```
Tutorial Docs

Out-FileSaves output to a text file.

Get-Service | Out-File -FilePath C:\Reports\services.txt

Tutorial Docs

Out-GridViewOpens output in an interactive, filterable window.
```
Get-Process | Out-GridView
```
Tutorial Docs
Read-HostPrompts the user to type a value.
```
$name = Read-Host -Prompt 'Enter your name'
```
Tutorial Docs
Start-TranscriptRecords everything in the session to a log file.
```
Start-Transcript -Path C:\Logs\session.txt
```
Tutorial Docs

CSV, JSON and HTML data

Import, export and convert structured data.

6 commands

Import-CsvReads a CSV file into objects, one per row.
```
Import-Csv -Path C:\Data\users.csv
```
Tutorial Docs

Export-CsvSaves objects to a CSV file.

Get-Process | Export-Csv -Path C:\Reports\procs.csv -NoTypeInformation

Tutorial Docs

ConvertTo-JsonTurns objects into JSON text.
```
Get-Service -Name Spooler | ConvertTo-Json -Depth 2
```
Tutorial Docs
ConvertFrom-JsonTurns JSON text into objects.
```
Get-Content -Path .\config.json -Raw | ConvertFrom-Json
```
Tutorial Docs

ConvertTo-HtmlTurns objects into an HTML table or report.

Get-Service | ConvertTo-Html -Property Name, Status | Out-File services.html

Tutorial Docs

ConvertTo-CsvTurns objects into CSV text without writing a file.
```
Get-Date | ConvertTo-Csv -NoTypeInformation
```
Tutorial Docs

Processes and services

See what's running, then start, stop and configure it.

7 commands

Get-ProcessLists running processes with CPU and memory use.
```
Get-Process -Name chrome, msedge
```
Tutorial Docs
Start-ProcessStarts a program, optionally as administrator.
```
Start-Process -FilePath notepad.exe
```
Tutorial Docs
Stop-ProcessStops a process by name or ID.
```
Stop-Process -Name notepad -WhatIf
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-ServiceLists Windows services and their status.
```
Get-Service -Name Spooler, W32Time
```
Tutorial Docs
Restart-ServiceStops and starts a service.
```
Restart-Service -Name Spooler -WhatIf
```
Tutorial Docs

Set-ServiceChanges a service's startup type.

Set-Service -Name Spooler -StartupType Automatic -WhatIf

Tutorial Docs

Start-JobRuns a command in the background.

Start-Job -ScriptBlock { Get-ChildItem C:\ -Recurse }

Docs

Windows system information

Check the computer, its hardware, updates, events and settings.

12 commands

Get-ComputerInfoGets Windows, hardware and BIOS details.
```
Get-ComputerInfo -Property OsName, OsVersion, CsTotalPhysicalMemory
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-CimInstanceQueries Windows (WMI) classes, such as disks and BIOS.
```
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_OperatingSystem
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-DateGets the current date and time, or formats a date.
```
Get-Date -Format 'yyyy-MM-dd'
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-WinEventReads Windows event logs.
```
Get-WinEvent -LogName System -MaxEvents 20
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-HotFixLists installed Windows updates.
```
Get-HotFix | Sort-Object -Property InstalledOn
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-PSDriveLists drives, including free and used space.
```
Get-PSDrive -PSProvider FileSystem
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-ScheduledTaskLists scheduled tasks.
```
Get-ScheduledTask | Where-Object State -eq 'Ready'
```
Tutorial Docs

Get-PrinterLists installed printers.

Get-Printer | Select-Object -Property Name, DriverName

Tutorial Docs

Get-TimeZoneShows the time zone (Set-TimeZone changes it).
```
Get-TimeZone
```
Tutorial Docs
Restart-ComputerRestarts a local or remote computer.
```
Restart-Computer -ComputerName PC-SALES-07 -WhatIf
```
Tutorial Docs
Rename-ComputerRenames the computer.
```
Rename-Computer -NewName PC-SALES-08 -WhatIf
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-WindowsOptionalFeatureLists optional Windows features (needs admin).
```
Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online | Where-Object State -eq 'Enabled'
```
Tutorial Docs

Network and web

Test connections, check IP settings and call web APIs.

7 commands

Test-ConnectionPings a computer, like ping.

Test-Connection -ComputerName learn.microsoft.com -Count 2

Docs

Test-NetConnectionTests a TCP port and the route to a host.
```
Test-NetConnection -ComputerName learn.microsoft.com -Port 443
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-NetIPAddressShows the computer's IP addresses.
```
Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-NetTCPConnectionLists TCP connections and listening ports.
```
Get-NetTCPConnection -State Listen
```
Tutorial Docs
Resolve-DnsNameLooks up DNS records, like nslookup.
```
Resolve-DnsName -Name learn.microsoft.com
```
Docs
Invoke-WebRequestDownloads a web page or file over HTTP.
```
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri https://example.com -OutFile page.html
```
Tutorial Docs
Invoke-RestMethodCalls a REST API and turns JSON into objects.
```
Invoke-RestMethod -Uri https://api.github.com/repos/PowerShell/PowerShell
```
Tutorial Docs

Variables and environment

Create, read and remove variables and environment variables.

6 commands

New-VariableCreates a variable, optionally read-only.
```
New-Variable -Name TaxRate -Value 0.0825 -Option ReadOnly
```
Tutorial Docs
Set-VariableSets a variable's value.
```
Set-Variable -Name City -Value 'Austin'
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-VariableLists variables and their values.
```
Get-Variable -Name PS*
```
Tutorial Docs
Clear-VariableEmpties a variable but keeps it.
```
Clear-Variable -Name City
```
Tutorial Docs
Remove-VariableDeletes a variable.
```
Remove-Variable -Name City
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-ChildItem Env:Lists environment variables.
```
Get-ChildItem -Path Env: | Sort-Object -Property Name
```
Tutorial Docs

Users, security and scripts

Local accounts, permissions, certificates and script execution.

8 commands

Get-LocalUserLists local user accounts.

Get-LocalUser | Select-Object -Property Name, Enabled

Tutorial Docs

New-LocalUserCreates a local user account (needs admin).
```
New-LocalUser -Name helpdesk -NoPassword -WhatIf
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-LocalGroupMemberLists the members of a local group.
```
Get-LocalGroupMember -Group Administrators
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-CredentialAsks for a user name and password securely.
```
$cred = Get-Credential
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-AclShows the permissions on a file or folder.
```
Get-Acl -Path C:\Reports | Format-List
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-ExecutionPolicyShows whether scripts are allowed to run.
```
Get-ExecutionPolicy -List
```
Tutorial Docs

Set-ExecutionPolicyAllows or blocks scripts for a scope.

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

Tutorial Docs

New-SelfSignedCertificateCreates a self-signed certificate for testing.

New-SelfSignedCertificate -DnsName app.contoso.local -CertStoreLocation Cert:\CurrentUser\My

Tutorial Docs

Remoting and modules

Run commands on other computers and add new commands with modules.

6 commands

Enable-PSRemotingTurns on WinRM so other PCs can connect (needs admin).
```
Enable-PSRemoting -Force
```
Tutorial Docs
Invoke-CommandRuns a script block on one or more remote computers.
```
Invoke-Command -ComputerName PC-SALES-07 -ScriptBlock { Get-Service Spooler }
```
Tutorial Docs
Enter-PSSessionOpens an interactive session on a remote computer.
```
Enter-PSSession -ComputerName PC-SALES-07
```
Tutorial Docs
Get-ModuleLists loaded or installed modules.
```
Get-Module -ListAvailable
```
Tutorial Docs
Install-ModuleInstalls a module from the PowerShell Gallery.
```
Install-Module -Name PnP.PowerShell -Scope CurrentUser
```
Tutorial Docs
Import-ModuleLoads a module into the session.
```
Import-Module -Name ActiveDirectory
```
Tutorial Docs

No command matches that word. Try a shorter word, or search the whole site.

100 PowerShell Cmdlets free PDF ebook by Bijay Kumar

Free PDF download

Keep 100 PowerShell Cmdlets in One PDF

A printable companion to this page: 100 cmdlets, each with a short explanation and an example you can run.

You’ll also get new PowerShell tutorials by email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Send Me the Ebook

Shortcuts and translations

PowerShell Aliases and CMD Equivalents

Common aliases

Taken from Get-Alias in PowerShell 7.6 and 5.1. Run Get-Alias to see yours. More in about_Aliases.

Get-ChildItemls, dir, gci
Set-Locationcd, sl
Get-Locationpwd, gl
Get-Contentcat, gc, type
Set-Contentsc5.1 only. In PowerShell 7, sc runs sc.exe.
Add-Contentac
Copy-Itemcp, copy, cpi
Move-Itemmv, move, mi
Remove-Itemrm, del, ri
Rename-Itemren, rni
New-Itemni
Get-Itemgi
Where-Object?, where
ForEach-Object%, foreach
Select-Objectselect
Sort-Objectsort
Group-Objectgroup
Measure-Objectmeasure
Compare-Objectdiff, compare
Select-Stringsls
Tee-Objecttee
Format-Tableft
Format-Listfl
Out-GridViewogv
Write-Outputecho, write
Clear-Hostcls, clear
Get-Processps, gps
Stop-Processkill, spps
Get-Servicegsv
Invoke-WebRequestiwr, curl, wgetcurl and wget are 5.1 only. In PowerShell 7, curl runs curl.exe.
Invoke-RestMethodirm
Invoke-Commandicm
Enter-PSSessionetsn
Import-Moduleipmo
Get-Commandgcm
Get-Membergm
Get-Aliasgal
Get-Historyh, history

Command Prompt and Linux to PowerShell

Already know CMD or Bash? This is what to type in PowerShell instead. See PowerShell vs. Command Prompt.

CMD	Linux	PowerShell
dir	ls	Get-ChildItem
cd	cd	Set-Location
copy	cp	Copy-Item
move	mv	Move-Item
del	rm	Remove-Item
type	cat	Get-Content
findstr	grep	Select-String
tasklist	ps	Get-Process
taskkill	kill	Stop-Process
ipconfig	ip addr	Get-NetIPAddress
ping	ping	Test-Connection
netstat	netstat / ss	Get-NetTCPConnection
nslookup	dig	Resolve-DnsName
systeminfo	uname -a	Get-ComputerInfo
shutdown /r	reboot	Restart-Computer
sc query	systemctl	Get-Service
cls	clear	Clear-Host
echo	echo	Write-Output

PowerShell Commands: FAQs

What are PowerShell commands called?

Most are cmdlets (pronounced command-lets), named with a Verb-Noun pattern such as Get-Service. PowerShell can also run functions, aliases, scripts and regular programs like ping.exe.

How do I list all PowerShell commands?

Run Get-Command. Narrow it with -Verb, -Noun or -Module, for example Get-Command -Noun Service, or use wildcards like Get-Command *-Item.

How do I get help for a PowerShell command?

Run Get-Help followed by the command name, such as Get-Help Get-ChildItem -Examples. Add -Online to open the Microsoft Learn page, and run Update-Help once to download full help files.

Are PowerShell commands case-sensitive?

No. Get-Process, get-process and GET-PROCESS all work. Using the standard capitalization just makes scripts easier to read.

What is the difference between a cmdlet and an alias?

A cmdlet is the command itself. An alias is a short name for it, like ls for Get-ChildItem. Use aliases at the prompt, but full names in scripts.

Why do some aliases work differently in PowerShell 7?

PowerShell 7 removed a few aliases that clashed with real programs. In Windows PowerShell 5.1, curl and wget run Invoke-WebRequest and sc runs Set-Content; in PowerShell 7, curl and sc run curl.exe and sc.exe.

How many commands does PowerShell have?

It depends on the modules installed on your computer. Run (Get-Command).Count to see your total. This page covers the commands you’ll use most.

Go deeper

PowerShell Guides by Topic

Written by Bijay Kumar, a 13-time Microsoft MVP with 18+ years of hands-on experience. Every example on this page was checked against the real cmdlets in PowerShell 7 and Windows PowerShell 5.1. Found a problem? Email bijay@powershellfaqs.com.

About PowerShell FAQs

PowerShell Commands with Examples

How PowerShell Commands Work

Verb-Noun names

Parameters

The pipeline

Aliases

PowerShell Commands by Category

Find commands and get help

Files and folders

Filter, sort and shape objects

Show output and ask for input

CSV, JSON and HTML data

Processes and services

Windows system information

Network and web

Variables and environment

Users, security and scripts

Remoting and modules

Keep 100 PowerShell Cmdlets in One PDF

PowerShell Aliases and CMD Equivalents

Common aliases

Command Prompt and Linux to PowerShell

PowerShell Commands: FAQs

What are PowerShell commands called?

How do I list all PowerShell commands?

How do I get help for a PowerShell command?

Are PowerShell commands case-sensitive?

What is the difference between a cmdlet and an alias?

Why do some aliases work differently in PowerShell 7?

How many commands does PowerShell have?

PowerShell Guides by Topic