Windows PowerShell
Microsoft Windows PowerShell command line shell and scripting language helps IT professionals achieve greater control and productivity. Using a new admin-focused scripting language, more than 130 standard command line tools, and consistent syntax and utilities, Windows PowerShell allows IT professionals to more easily control system administration and accelerate automation. Windows PowerShell is easy to adopt, learn, and use, because it works with your existing IT infrastructure and existing script investments, and because it runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2003. Windows PowerShell is now included as part of Windows Server 2008 and can be evaluated in Windows Server 2008 Beta 3. Exchange Server 2007, System Center Operations Manager 2007, System Center Data Protection Manager V2, and System Center Virtual Machine Manager also leverage Windows PowerShell to improve administrator control, efficiency, and productivity.
Windows PowerShell included as part of Windows Server 2008
Windows PowerShell for the first time is included as part of the Windows operating system. Windows PowerShell is one of the numerous manageability enhancements of Windows Server 2008 including the new Server Manager, Server Core, new Event Viewer, new Task Scheduler and new Reliability and Performance Monitor.
Download Windows PowerShell 1.0
Windows PowerShell 1.0 is available as a download or can be evaluated as part of Windows Server 2008 evaluation versions. Download Windows PowerShell 1.0 for Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003 or Windows Vista via our Windows PowerShell download page.
Leverage our partners' products based on Windows PowerShell
The following partners have developed products that leverage Windows PowerShell to help with management of Windows or to improve applications running on Windows. Most of these products have a free component that can be used by all Windows administrators.
F5 Networks: Support use of Windows PowerShell to manage F5's BIG-IP network hardware.
Full Armor: Group-Policy Management via Windows PowerShell.
/n Software: Network management, messaging and ability to remotely manage Windows via Windows PowerShell.
PowerGadgets: Visualization product that allows users to run real-time Gadgets such as charts, gauges and maps. Uses Windows PowerShell to allow users or administrators to easily create Windows Vista Sidebar gadgets.
PowerGUI by Quest Software: Graphical user interface for executing Windows PowerShell commands and writing scripts.
PowerShell Analyzer by Shelltools: Graphical User Interface for developers as well as administrators.
Quest Software: Active Directory Management including new Windows Server 2008 features including read-only domain controllers and new user configuration.