Introduction
PowerShell is a modern solution for cross-platform task automation comprising a command-line shell, a scripting language, and a configuration management framework. In general, PowerShell supports all the platforms such as Windows, Linux, and macOS. Microsoft developed PowerShell and is widely used by developers for configuration purposes and automating administrative tasks.
PowerShell is built on the .NET framework that allows working with different syntax objects, and properties inline shell, and enables automating tasks such as batch processing and creating system management tools for everyday operations in the development and IT management.
Currently, the knowledge of PowerShell is one of the most sought-after skills, and upskilling with some of the top PowerShell courses can add an extra dimension for developers to gain some of the top job positions in the industry.
Related reading: Top 15 Online Courses to Learn Python
1. Getting Started with Azure by Learn Quest – Coursera
Additional topics focus on cloud security, including network security groups and firewall and resource policies. Besides, the learners will delve into the concepts of Azure cloud resources, storage options, and virtual machines deployment and how PowerShell helps in deployment stages in an organization. For learners looking to enroll in this course, they can find the listing of this program on Coursera.
The course curriculum includes:
Week 1:
- Introduction
- Azure Portal
- Custom Portal Dashboard
Week 2: Azure Network Security
- Network Security Groups
- Filter Network Traffic
- Security Responsibilities
Week 3: Deploying an Azure Network
- Deploying an Azure Network
- Using PowerShell
- Installing PowerShell and Creating VM
- Network Addressing in VNets
Week 4: Firewall Configurations and Resource Groups
- Azure Firewall Ports
- Azure Resource Groups
- Deploying Azure Firewall and PowerShell
Week 5: Storage
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Kenny Mobley
Level: Beginner
Duration: 20 hours
User Review: 4.4/5
No. of Reviews: 449
Price: Free Enrollment (Additional charges for certification may apply for certification)
2. Microsoft Future Ready: DevOps Development Implementation and Azure Automation – FutureLearn
Next, the concepts on implementing Microsoft Azure automation techniques and tools are covered in-depth, including demonstrations and configurations for Azure automation. Additional concepts like Chef deployments, Puppet deployments, and applying Azure resource manager templates. The basics of desired state configuration and importing procedures are provided across modules.
Finally, the learners will delve into the concepts of ARM templates, create pipelines and help build an efficient process by reducing the production time. The program also covers essential topics on designing scripts for infrastructure as Code and allows learners to become familiar with ensuring that the codes and tools are set up to run multiple times without errors and consistently.
To implement infrastructure as a Code, the program covers essential tools such as the Windows PowerShell IDC, Docker, and cloud-provided tools like Azure resource management templates.
Some of the key takeaways from the course include:
- Process of Microsoft Azure Automation
- Implementation and configuration of runbooks
- Implementing the PowerShell workflows
- Understanding the basics of desired state configuration
- DSC and Azure VMs for automation
- Implementing, configuring, and applying Azure resource manager templates
- Azure services and container environments
- Azure Dev test labs
- Source control for configurations and integrating infrastructure as a code into the deployment pipeline
- Implementing third-party tools in Azure such as Chef, Puppet, Ansible, and SaltSack
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Industry Professionals
Level: Beginner
Duration: 3 weeks
User Review: NA
No. of Reviews: NA
Price: Enrollment details and fee available on sign up
3. Windows PowerShell Boot Camp – Udemy
Finally, the advanced concepts on PowerShell function and scripting data server system will be covered with the help of various follow-along examples. Besides, the concepts on invoking active directory administration using PowerShell are covered in depth. The learners will thoroughly understand the standard PowerShell terms and the basic PowerShell syntax at the end of the course.
Additionally, the learners will develop basic to advanced PowerShell skills and learn processes like error handling in PowerShell and designing and implementing basic automation scripts to increase productivity.
Finally, the learners will understand the uses of conditional statements to develop SMART scripts and learn the advanced PowerShell terms and functions.
The course curriculum includes:
Introduction to PowerShell
- Basic PowerShell Commands
- PowerShell Scripting Crash Course
- Remote Administration using PowerShell
Intermediate PowerShell Skills
- PowerShell Commands
- Script Development with PS Session
- Building Scripts for Automating Administration Tasks
Advanced PowerShell Functions
- Overview
- Advanced PowerShell Functions Demo
- Advanced PowerShell Functions: Added Complexity
Administrating Active Directory using PowerShell
- Introduction
- Configuring the Environment to Support Active Directory using PowerShell
- Using Get ADuser
- Using New ADuser
- Using Remove ADuser
- Additional Active Directory and PowerShell Cmdlet
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Helderberg Learning
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Duration: 5 hours 35 minutes
User Review: 4.5/5
No. of Reviews: 467
Price: $42.4
4. Master Microsoft PowerShell – Udemy
The learners will learn about installing and using PowerShell, different data types, comparison operators, and PowerShell cmdlets throughout the course. Besides, there are additional concepts on aliases, working with objects, sorting, filtering, writing functions with parameters, and writing PowerShell scripts.
The course curriculum includes:
Getting Started
- Introduction
- Installation and Launching PowerShell
PowerShell Basics: Overview
- PowerShell Console
- Basic Data Types
- Comparison Operators
- Cmdlets Basics
- Aliases
Working with Objects
- Objects
- Sorting
- Filtering using the Where Cmdlet
- Filtering using Loops
- Foreach Loops
- Arrays
- Hash Tables
Formatting, Saving, and Importing Data
- Formatting Output
- Saving Output
- Importing Data
Creating Functions and Scripts
- Integrated Scripting Environment
- Creating your First Function
- Another Function: Parameters, Cmdlets and .NET functions
- Creating the First Script
Practice: Writing a Script to Organize Files
- Requirements
- Defining Parameters
- Check-Folder Function
- Display-FolderStats Function
- Main Processing
- Completed Script
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Tom Meservy
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Duration: 2 hours 3 minutes
User Review: 4.5/5
No. of Reviews: 8888
Price: $25.4
5. PowerShell: Scripting for Advanced Automation – LinkedIn Learning
This is an advanced PowerShell course available on LinkedIn Learning. The learners can discover how to use PowerShell for Desired State Configuration (DSC).
In addition, the learners will learn about advanced automation for Windows Server and gain practical skills to understand how to use DSC for automating specific parts of the Windows network. Besides, the learners will learn deep dive into role-based administration concepts using JEA and PSScript Analyzer to run quality control on PowerShell scripts.
The course contents are:
Introduction
- Advanced topics in PowerShell automation
Automated Administration with DSC
- What is DSC? How does it Work?
- Working with DSC Resources
- Pushing a DSC Configuration
- Setting Up a DSC Pull Server
- Configuring a DSC Pull Client
Role-Based Administration using Just Enough Administration (JEA)
- Concepts of JEA
- Best Practices in JEA
- Creating a Role Capability File
- Creating JEA Session Configurations
- Registering the JEA Endpoint
Troubleshooting PowerShell scripts
- Understanding PowerShell Workflows
- Troubleshooting in Windows PowerShell
- Debugging in PowerShell ISE
- Quality Control using PSScript Analyzer
- Conclusion
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Scott M Burrell
Level: Advanced
Duration: 1 hour 18 minutes
User Review: NA
No. of Reviews: NA
Price: 1-month Free Trial (Charges applicable after trial period)
6. Introduction to PowerShell – Pluralsight
The course is offered on the Pluralsight platform. In this program, the learners will learn about the features of the scripting language, learn the basics of PowerShell and customize the user interfaces. Next, the learners will understand the PowerShell commands, variables, loops, branching, script blocks, files, and user input processing. Furthermore, the learners will learn how to create and extend functions.
The course curriculum includes:
Beginning PowerShell
- Introduction
- Basics of PowerShell
- Customizing PowerShell Interfaces
- How Aliases make PowerShell Easy to Learn and Use
- Basic PowerShell Commands
- PowerShell Providers
- .NET in PowerShell
PowerShell Variables
- Cmdlets
- Strings
- Arrays
- Hash Tables
- Built-in PowerShell Variables
PowerShell Programming
- Introduction and Branching
- PowerShell Looping
- Script Blocks
- Variable Scope
PowerShell Advanced Programming
- Introduction and Functions
- Custom Help
- Handling Errors
- Working with Files
- Putting it All Together
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Robert Cain
Level: Beginner
Duration: 2 hours 41 minutes
User Review: 4.6/5
No. of Reviews: 1409
Price: 10-Day Trial (Charges applicable after trial period)
7. Manage Resources in Azure – Coursera
Microsoft offers this course on Coursera. The course is part of Microsoft Azure Developer Associated AZ-204 Test Prep Specialization, but learners can enroll separately for this module.
The program focuses on providing learners with the know-how of the Azure command line and the web portal to create, manage, and control cloud-based resources. The learners will begin with deploying cloud resources and learn to make informed decisions. Next, the learners will understand how to leverage the resources for specific services.
The learners will also deep device into the concepts of Azure’s service models and learn how these models help determine the services to begin with for Azure deployment. Furthermore, the learners will learn to install Azure CLI locally and manage different Azure resources. Besides, the learners will explore the concepts of using Azure PowerShell interactively for writing scripts to automate repetitive tasks.
The program also emphasized allowing learners to learn about significant factors that influence the cost of running in the cloud. The learners will gain hands-on experience with some of the critical tools to estimate the cost of running the workloads on Azure and learn to use the essential service for a specific task.
The learners will work with Azure Resource Manager and various features associated with organizing resources, enforcing standards, protecting critical Azure resources from accidental deletion.
The learners will delve deep into the features and examine different features assigned incorrectly in Azure. Furthermore, the learners will also assess the resources that can be moved and validated.
Finally, the learners will understand how to verify resources between Azure resources groups and take up practice exams that can help clear the Microsoft Certified Azure Developer Associate Certification exam. By the end of the course, the learners will have sufficient knowledge and expertise to develop solutions for Microsoft Azure.
The course curriculum includes:
- Deploy Cloud Resources
- Automate Azure Tasks using Scripts with PowerShell
- Plan and Manage your Azure Cost
- Organize Resources in Microsoft Azure
- Practice Exam
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Microsoft Professionals
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 11 hours
User Review: 4.7/5 (for the entire specialization)
No. of Reviews: 26
Price: Free Enrollment (Additional charges for certification may apply for certification)
8. Accessing SQL Server Databases from Windows PowerShell – Pluralsight
The course is offered on the Pluralsight platform. This certification program offers critical concepts on using PowerShell to read and write data from SQL Server databases. Besides, the learners will discover how the PowerShell module is used and connect the local and remote SQL server. In addition, the learners will explore the concepts of using PowerShell to read data from SQL tables with the help of practical examples.
Finally, the learners will delve into using PowerShell to write information to an existing SQL database and a new SQL database.
The course curriculum includes:
- Introduction to SQL
- Getting the SQL Server PowerShell Module
- Connecting to a Local SQL Server
- Connecting to a Remote SQL Server
- Encrypting Credentials
- The Basics of Reading Data
- Filtering and Views
- The Basics of Writing Data in a SQL Database
- Writing Data to a New SQL Table
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Vlad Catrinescu
Level: Beginner
Duration: 55 minutes
User Review: 4/5
No. of Reviews: 56
Price: 10-Day Trial (Charges applicable after trial period)
9. Your First Day with Windows PowerShell – Pluralsight
This is another course on PowerShell available on Pluralsight. The training program offers PowerShell fundamentals and provides the concepts of using the PowerShell program efficiently. In addition, the learners will become familiar with the critical skills of the PowerShell help system and learn to use commands, and get introduced to aliases, cmdlets, providers, and PSdrivers. Besides, the learners will explore the concepts of configuration and navigation to gain the most out of the PowerShell console.
The course curriculum includes:
- Introduction
- Setting Up the Lab Environment
- Related Materials
- Exploring the Traditional PowerShell Console
- The PowerShell ISE
- Updating PowerShell Help
- Learning to Find and Interpret Help
- Using Help in the PowerShell
- Learning to run the PowerShell Commands
- Discovering Commands
- How to Run Non-PowerShell Commands?
- Using Aliases
- Using the Show-Command
- Navigating the Shell
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Jeff Hicks
Level: Beginner
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
User Review: 4.5/5
No. of Reviews: 165
Price: 10-Day Trial (Charges applicable after trial period)
10. Administration and Automation with Windows PowerShell – Udemy
This is among the high-rated courses available on Udemy to learn PowerShell. The program focuses on introducing the basics of Windows PowerShell for administering and automating administration on Windows systems.
The learners will become familiar with the files and folders and the automation task directory and learn to build commands to perform specific tasks. In addition, the learners will gain a thorough understanding of building scripts to perform advanced tasks such as automating repetitive tasks and report generation. Additional components are covered in the program, such as Windows Server, Windows clients, and Microsoft Exchange server.
The course curriculum includes:
Introduction to Windows PowerShell
- Overview
- PowerShell Versions and Editions
- Command-Line Fundamentals
- Introduction to Windows Terminal
- Understanding Cmdlet Structure
- Finding Commands
- Working with PowerShell Modules
Using the Command line for Administration
- General Server Management
- Networking Settings
- Overview of Hyper-V
- PowerShell Comparison Operators
- Querying Active Directory
- Customizing AD Searches
- Administering Active Directory
- Introducing Azure PowerShell
- Using the PowerShell Pipeline
- Introduction to the Pipeline
- Understanding Get-Member
- Formatting Pipeline Output
- Passing Pipeline Data ByValue
- Passing Pipeline Data ByPropertyName
- Using Parentheses to Change the Order of Operations
- Measuring Objects
- Sorting Objects
- Selecting Objects
- Creating Calculated Properties Using Select-Object
- Filtering and Enumerating Objects
- Piping Output to Files
Using PsProviders and PSDrivers
- What are PsProviders and PS Drivers?
- Working with FileSystem Provider
- Working with Registry Provider
- Working with Certificate Provider
- Working with WSMAN Provider
Querying Systems using WMI and CIM
- What are WMI and CIM?
- WMI-CIM Architecture
- Discovering WMI/CIM Classes, Properties, and Methods
- Basic WMI Queries Using the Filter Parameter
- Working with WQL Syntax
- Additional WMI Language
- Working with the Registry Using WMI
Working with Variables, Arrays, and Hash Tables
- Variable Fundamentals
- Using Variables and Strings
- Casting Variable Types
- Working with Variable Properties and Methods
- Working with Strings
- Working with Dates
- Arrays and Array Operators
- Importing Data from Files
- Working with .NET ArrayLists
- Hash Tables and Custom Hash Tables
Fundamental PowerShell Scripting Concepts and Techniques
- Introduction to Scripting
- Understanding Script Security
- Script Formatting Best Practices
- Using an Editor
- Understanding IF
- Working with SWITCH Statements
- Understanding FOR and ForEach
- Understanding Do/While Looping
- Break and Continue
Advanced PowerShell Scripting Techniques
- Gathering User Input
- Parameterizing Scripts
- Adding Comment-Based Help to the Scripts
- Scripting Errors
- Error Handling
- Introduction to Debugging
- Introduction to Functions and Scope
- Script Modules
Using PowerShell to Manage Remote Systems
- PowerShell Remoting
- Remoting Security
- Understanding Trusted Hosts
- One-to-One Remoting
- One-to-Many Remoting with Invoke-Command
- Sending Parameters to Remote Systems with Argument List
- Sending Parameters to Remote Systems with $using Scope Modifier
- Multi-Hop Remoting
- Using PS Sessions
- Implicit Remoting
Using Scheduled Tasks, PowerShell Background Jobs, and Schedule Jobs
- Working with Scheduled Tasks
- Background Job Commands
- Working with Job Results
- Scheduled Background Jobs
PowerShell Profiles and Advanced Techniques
- PowerShell Profiles
- Profile Script Locations
- Regular Expression Syntax
- Regex Match
- Regex using Select-String
- Regex using Replace and Switch
- Using the Format Operator
- Format Operator with Calculated Properties
- Running External Commands
- Logging PowerShell Activity
- Assessments
- Conclusion and Bonus
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Intellezy Trainers
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 10 hours and 34 minutes
User Review: 4.7/5
No. of Reviews: 456
Price: $46.4
Conclusion
Microsoft developed PowerShell in 2003. Since then, PowerShell has been of immense value for various activities, such as automating administrative tasks using the command line or a GUI. PowerShell is suitable for different platforms like Windows, Linux, and macOS and is widely accepted in the industry for IT management, cloud services, or DevOps as it allows it to perform critical tasks more efficiently.
While there was a lack of certificates in the previous years, the industry has a high demand for certified PowerShell professionals. The working knowledge of PowerShell offers tremendous opportunities for developers. According to talent.com, the average salary of a PowerShell developer in the USA is around $117,000, while the highest salary ranges around $128,000, respectively. These figures highlight the importance of PowerShell developers and can be considered among the potential jobs with high salaries.
