Welcome to PowerShell Core Documentation

This section provides comprehensive documentation for PowerShell Core, the cross-platform, open-source edition of PowerShell. Whether you're new to PowerShell or an experienced user, you'll find the information you need to leverage its powerful capabilities.

What is PowerShell Core?

PowerShell Core (often referred to as PowerShell 7 and later) is a modern, cross-platform shell and scripting language built on .NET Core. It combines the power of Windows PowerShell with the capabilities of modern development tools, enabling you to manage systems across different operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Key Features of PowerShell Core:

Cross-Platform: Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Open Source: Developed and maintained by Microsoft and the community on GitHub.
Modern .NET Core: Built on the latest .NET platform, offering improved performance and new features.
PowerShell Compatibility: High compatibility with Windows PowerShell cmdlets and scripts.
Extensibility: Supports modules, providers, and CIM/WMI for system management.

Getting Started

To begin your journey with PowerShell Core, follow these steps:

1. Installation

PowerShell Core can be installed via various methods depending on your operating system. The most common methods include:

Package Managers: For example, using winget on Windows, brew on macOS, or apt/dnf on Linux.
Direct Download: Download the latest release from the official PowerShell releases page on GitHub.

For detailed installation instructions for your specific OS, please refer to the official Microsoft documentation.

2. Your First PowerShell Session

Once installed, you can launch PowerShell Core from your terminal. For example:

pwsh

You will be greeted with the PowerShell prompt (e.g., PS /home/user> or PS C:\Users\User>). Try running a simple command:

Get-Command

This command lists all available cmdlets and functions in your current session.

Tip:

Use Get-Help to learn more about any cmdlet. For example, Get-Help Get-Command will provide detailed information about the Get-Command cmdlet.

Navigation

Use the sidebar on the left to navigate through different sections of the documentation. You can find information on core commands, scripting fundamentals, module management, and more.

Let's explore the power of PowerShell Core. Start by checking out the list of common commands.