Key Points
- PowerShell uses a powerful verb-noun command structure to automate administrative tasks, manage systems efficiently, and execute operations locally or remotely at scale.
- Use essential cmdlets like Get-Service, Get-Process, Get-EventLog, Set-ExecutionPolicy, and Test-Connection to manage services, monitor processes, review logs, control script security, and test connectivity.
- Leverage formatting and output commands such as Format-Table, Format-List, Out-File, and ConvertTo-HTML to organize and export command results for reporting and documentation.
- Filter and manipulate data with pipeline tools like Where-Object, Select-Object, and ForEach-Object to perform bulk operations and precise system management.
- Expand automation capabilities by using help tools (Get-Help, Get-Command), managing history (Get-History, Clear-History), and integrating scripts and modules from trusted repositories.
- Execute remote commands and automate at scale: PowerShell enables administrators to run commands remotely, perform bulk operations across multiple systems, and automate repetitive tasks in enterprise environments to improve efficiency and reduce manual errors.
Windows PowerShell is a practical tool for system administrators. It provides a clear interface and a wide range of commands. PowerShell includes an extensive command library for automating repetitive tasks. It also allows you to execute commands remotely across multiple computers.
These capabilities improve productivity and reduce manual errors. Designed for IT professionals who need a fast, reliable reference for common cmdlets, our PowerShell commands cheat sheet will help you automate at scale.
Reasons to use PowerShell
PowerShell provides an efficient command-line interface. Graphical user interfaces help with simple tasks but limit automation and large-scale administration. PowerShell executes complex tasks faster and with greater precision. It uses fewer system resources than a GUI.
PowerShell automates repetitive tasks and performs bulk operations. It manages remote systems from a single interface. Use PowerShell for network operations to reduce time and administrative effort across your Windows infrastructure.
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See how NinjaOne script deployment works.
How PowerShell syntax works
PowerShell commands, also known as cmdlets, follow a verb-noun pattern. The verb represents the action you want to perform, and the noun represents the target of the action.
For example, the command Get-Process retrieves information about running processes on your system. PowerShell also supports the use of parameters, which allow you to modify the behavior of a command. Parameters are specified using a hyphen followed by the parameter name and value, such as -Name “PowerShell.exe”. Familiarizing yourself with PowerShell’s syntax will make writing and understanding commands easier.
Essential PowerShell commands for everyday use
While there are many cmdlets available in PowerShell, there are some that you’ll use more regularly. Here are the 5 essential Windows PowerShell commands you should know:
- Get-Service: This command retrieves information about the services running on your system. Use it to check the status of a specific service, restart multiple services at once, or start or stop a service. For example, type Get-Service -Name “Print Spooler” to display the status of the Print Spooler service.
- Get-Process: With this command, you can retrieve information about the processes running on your system. It allows you to view the process ID, CPU usage, memory consumption, and other details. See this command in action by typing Get-Process -Name “notepad” to display information about all instances of the Notepad process.
- Get-EventLog: This command allows you to access the Windows event logs and retrieve information about events that have occurred on your system. You can filter events based on various criteria such as the event ID, source, or time range. Use it by typing Get-EventLog -LogName “Application” -After (Get-Date).AddDays(-1) to display the application events that occurred in the last 24 hours.
💡 Note: According to official Microsoft documentation, the API used by Get-EventLog is deprecated, so this command is only available in Windows PowerShell 5.1. PowerShell 7+ users should enter Get-WinEvent instead. For example: Get-WinEvent -LogName Application -MaxEvents 50
- Set-ExecutionPolicy: PowerShell has a built-in security feature that prevents the execution of scripts by default. This command allows you to modify the execution policy to enable or disable script execution. For example, you can allow scripts downloaded from the internet to execute by typing Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned.
- Test-Connection: This command allows you to check the connectivity between your computer and a remote computer or network device. It sends ICMP echo request packets (commonly known as ping) to the target computer and displays the results. To execute it, type Test-Connection -ComputerName “google.com” and it will test the connectivity to Google’s servers.
Which version of PowerShell are you running?
Not all cmdlets work across all PowerShell versions. Before using this cheat sheet, you should find out which version of PowerShell you’re running.
You can confirm your version by entering this command:
powershell
$PSVersionTable.PSVersion
PowerShell 5 vs 7
- Windows PowerShell 5.1: Pre-installed on Windows 10/11, supports Get-EventLog and other legacy cmdlets, but provides limited cross-platform support.
- PowerShell 7+ (Core): This is actively maintained and comes with cross-platform support. Available as a free install from Microsoft. Replaces deprecated cmdlets and adds new functionality.
While PowerShell 5.1 is Windows-only, PowerShell 7 runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it the better fit for IT teams that need cross-platform compatibility. For strictly Windows-only environments, 5.1 remains fully functional, but it is currently in maintenance mode. PowerShell 5.1 may continue to receive security patches, but it will receive no new features. PowerShell 7, by contrast, is under active development and regularly introduces new scripting language features and expanded module support.
Module compatibility is another major difference between PowerShell 5 vs 7 that IT teams need to consider. Not all Windows PowerShell 5.1 modules carry over to PowerShell 7, which can silently break existing scripts during migration.
For most IT teams, the practical path forward is to write new automation in PowerShell 7 while keeping 5.1 available for legacy scripts that rely on Windows-specific cmdlets or older module versions. Most cmdlets in this cheat sheet work in both versions, but newer environments should use PowerShell 7+.
The essential PowerShell commands cheat sheet
In addition to the 5 essential commands above, we’ve compiled a list of other commonly used commands. Here is the essential Windows PowerShell commands cheat sheet:
| Command | Description |
| Get-Service | Retrieve information about services |
| Get-Process | Retrieve information about processes |
| Get-EventLog | Retrieve information from event logs |
| Set-ExecutionPolicy | Modify the script execution policy |
| Test-Connection | Test the connectivity to a remote computer |
| Out-File | Write PowerShell output to a file |
| Get-Help | Display information about concepts and commands |
| Get-History | Retrieve recent commands in your current session |
| Get-Command | Retrieve all available PowerShell commands |
| ConvertTo-HTML | Create an HTML file from PowerShell output |
| Copy-Item | Copy a file to a specific location |
| Clear-History | Clear entries from your command history |
| Add-History | Add entries to your command history |
| Format-Table | Format PowerShell output as a table |
| Format-List | Format PowerShell output as a list |
| Clear-Content | Retain an item while deleting the contents of that item |
| Checkpoint-Computer | Set a restore point on your machine |
| ForEach-Object | Perform an operation on each item in a specified group |
| Where-Object | Select objects with a certain property |
| Select-Object | Select specific properties of an object or group of objects |
| Out-File | Create a local file to save cmdlet output |
| Write-Progress | Display a progress bar in a PowerShell window |
| Debug-Process | Attach a debugger to a running process |
| Get-WinEvent | Display Windows event logs |
| Wait-Job | Suppress the command prompt until background jobs finish running |
Keep this Windows PowerShell commands cheat sheet handy and refer to it whenever you need to perform common administrative tasks.
You might also find our PowerShell Error Handling Guide helpful.
PowerShell commands cheat sheet: Additional resources
The cheat sheet above covers some of the PowerShell commands you’ll need for common operations. For additional commands, take a look at these PowerShell resources:
- Microsoft documentation: The official Microsoft documentation provides comprehensive information about Windows PowerShell, including a complete list of cmdlets, detailed examples, and best practices.
- PowerShell gallery: PowerShell Gallery is a community-driven repository of PowerShell modules and scripts. You can find a wide range of pre-built cmdlets and scripts to help you automate common administrative tasks.
- Online communities: Engaging with online communities such as forums, blogs, and social media platforms can be a great way to learn from other PowerShell users. You can ask questions, share your knowledge, and stay updated with the latest developments in the PowerShell community.
- NinjaOne’s script library: NinjaOne offers detailed, step-by-step instructions for many PowerShell operations. See the entire NinjaOne Window PowerShell command library.
NinjaOne’s Script Hub empowers you to move beyond PowerShell cheat sheets with pre-built scripts for automation.
Browse the Script Hub library.
Next-level IT automation with NinjaOne
This PowerShell commands cheat sheet covers basic capabilities, but you can also use advanced functions for managing Windows systems.
In complex IT environments, PowerShell combined with NinjaOne’s IT automation tools reduces time spent on resource-intensive, multi-step tasks. Start a free trial of NinjaOne to evaluate its features and performance, including its ranking as the #1 IT Management software on G2.
