100 Recommended PowerShell Cmdlets

CmdletDescriptionCommon Use Case
Get-HelpDisplays information about PowerShell commandsLearning about cmdlets and their parameters
Get-CommandLists all available commandsDiscovering available cmdlets
Get-MemberShows the properties and methods of objectsExploring object structure
Get-ProcessRetrieves information about running processesMonitoring system processes
Stop-ProcessStops one or more running processesTerminating unresponsive applications
Get-ServiceRetrieves information about servicesChecking service status
Start-ServiceStarts one or more stopped servicesStarting required services
Stop-ServiceStops one or more running servicesStopping unnecessary services
Get-EventLogRetrieves events from event logsTroubleshooting system issues
Write-EventLogWrites an event to an event logLogging custom events
Get-ChildItemLists items in a specified locationListing files and folders
Copy-ItemCopies an item from one location to anotherBacking up files
Move-ItemMoves an item from one location to anotherOrganizing files
Remove-ItemDeletes one or more itemsCleaning up temporary files
New-ItemCreates a new itemCreating new files or folders
Set-ContentWrites or replaces the content in an itemUpdating file contents
Get-ContentRetrieves the content of an itemReading file contents
Test-PathDetermines if a path existsChecking for file or folder existence
Invoke-WebRequestSends HTTP and HTTPS requests to web pagesDownloading files from the internet
ConvertTo-JsonConverts an object to a JSON-formatted stringPreparing data for API requests
ConvertFrom-JsonConverts a JSON-formatted string to an objectProcessing API responses
Export-CsvExports objects to a CSV fileCreating reports
Import-CsvCreates objects from CSV file contentsImporting data for processing
Select-ObjectSelects specified properties of an objectFiltering object properties
Where-ObjectSelects objects from a collection based on criteriaFiltering data
ForEach-ObjectPerforms an operation on each item in a collectionBatch processing
Sort-ObjectSorts objects by property valuesOrganizing data
Group-ObjectGroups objects by a specified propertyCategorizing data
Measure-ObjectCalculates numeric properties of objectsAnalyzing data
Compare-ObjectCompares two sets of objectsFinding differences between datasets
New-AliasCreates a new aliasCreating shortcuts for commands
Get-AliasRetrieves aliases for the current sessionListing available command shortcuts
Set-AliasCreates or changes an aliasModifying command shortcuts
Get-DateGets the current date and timeTimestamping operations
Set-DateChanges the system time on the computerAdjusting system clock
Start-SleepSuspends the activity in a script for a specified periodAdding delays to scripts
Write-HostWrites customized output to the consoleDisplaying formatted text
Read-HostReads a line of input from the consoleGetting user input
Out-FileSends output to a fileSaving command results to a file
Out-GridViewSends output to an interactive tableViewing data in a sortable, filterable grid
Invoke-CommandRuns commands on local and remote computersExecuting remote commands
New-PSSessionCreates a persistent connection to a local or remote computerSetting up remote management sessions
Enter-PSSessionStarts an interactive session with a remote computerInteracting with remote systems
Exit-PSSessionEnds an interactive session with a remote computerClosing remote sessions
Get-WmiObjectGets instances of WMI classesRetrieving system information
Invoke-WmiMethodCalls WMI methodsExecuting system management tasks
New-ObjectCreates an instance of a .NET Framework or COM objectCreating objects for scripting
Add-MemberAdds custom properties and methods to an instance of a PowerShell objectExtending object functionality
Get-RandomGets a random numberGenerating random values
Set-ExecutionPolicySets the PowerShell execution policyConfiguring script execution settings
Get-ExecutionPolicyGets the PowerShell execution policyChecking current script execution settings
Start-JobStarts a PowerShell background jobRunning tasks asynchronously
Get-JobGets PowerShell background jobs running in the current sessionMonitoring background tasks
Receive-JobGets the results of PowerShell background jobsRetrieving results from background tasks
Stop-JobStops a PowerShell background jobTerminating background tasks
New-ModuleCreates a new dynamic moduleCreating reusable code modules
Import-ModuleAdds modules to the current sessionLoading additional PowerShell functionality
Get-ModuleGets the modules imported in the current sessionListing loaded modules
Remove-ModuleRemoves modules from the current sessionUnloading modules
New-VariableCreates a new variableDeclaring variables
Get-VariableGets the variables in the current consoleListing defined variables
Set-VariableSets the value of a variableModifying variable values
Remove-VariableDeletes a variable and its valueCleaning up variables
New-TimeSpanCreates a TimeSpan objectCalculating time differences
Measure-CommandMeasures the time it takes to run script blocksBenchmarking code performance
Test-ConnectionSends ICMP echo request packets to one or more computersChecking network connectivity
Restart-ComputerRestarts the operating system on local and remote computersRebooting systems
Stop-ComputerStops (shuts down) local and remote computersShutting down systems
Get-NetAdapterGets the basic network adapter propertiesRetrieving network interface information
Test-NetConnectionDisplays diagnostic information for a connectionTroubleshooting network issues
Get-NetIPAddressGets IP address configurationRetrieving IP addressing information
New-NetIPAddressCreates an IP addressConfiguring IP addresses
Remove-NetIPAddressRemoves an IP addressRemoving IP address configurations
Get-DnsClientServerAddressGets DNS server addresses from network interfacesRetrieving DNS server settings
Set-DnsClientServerAddressSets DNS server addresses on network interfacesConfiguring DNS server settings
Resolve-DnsNamePerforms DNS name resolutionLooking up DNS records
Clear-DnsClientCacheClears the DNS client cacheFlushing DNS cache
Get-NetFirewallRuleRetrieves firewall rulesReviewing firewall configurations
New-NetFirewallRuleCreates a new firewall ruleConfiguring firewall settings
Set-NetFirewallRuleModifies existing firewall rulesUpdating firewall configurations
Remove-NetFirewallRuleRemoves firewall rulesDeleting firewall rules
Get-DiskGets one or more disks visible to the operating systemRetrieving disk information
Initialize-DiskInitializes a RAW disk for first usePreparing new disks
New-PartitionCreates a new partitionPartitioning disks
Format-VolumeFormats one or more existing volumesFormatting partitions
Get-VolumeGets the specified volume objectsRetrieving volume information
Get-PSDriveGets drives in the current sessionListing available drives
New-PSDriveCreates temporary and persistent mapped network drivesMapping network drives
Remove-PSDriveDeletes temporary PowerShell drivesRemoving mapped drives
Get-AclGets the security descriptor for a resourceRetrieving file/folder permissions
Set-AclChanges the security descriptor of a specified itemModifying file/folder permissions
New-SelfSignedCertificateCreates a new self-signed certificateGenerating certificates for testing
Get-ChildItem Cert:Retrieves certificate objects from certificate storesListing installed certificates
Export-CertificateExports a certificate from a certificate store into a fileBacking up certificates
Import-CertificateImports one or more certificates into a certificate storeInstalling certificates
Get-CredentialGets a credential object based on a username and passwordSecurely handling credentials
ConvertTo-SecureStringConverts plain text to secure stringsSecuring sensitive data
Get-ADUserGets one or more Active Directory usersRetrieving user information from AD
New-ADUserCreates a new Active Directory userCreating new AD user accounts
Set-ADUserModifies an Active Directory userUpdating AD user properties
Remove-ADUserRemoves an Active Directory userDeleting AD user accounts
Get-ADComputerGets one or more Active Directory computersRetrieving computer information from AD
Get-ADGroupGets one or more Active Directory groupsRetrieving group information from AD
Add-ADGroupMemberAdds one or more members to an Active Directory groupManaging AD group memberships

Active Directory Cmdlets

CommandDescriptionCommon Parameters
Get-ADUserRetrieves one or more Active Directory users-Identity, -Filter, -Properties, -SearchBase
New-ADUserCreates a new Active Directory user-Name, -SamAccountName, -UserPrincipalName, -Path
Set-ADUserModifies properties of an existing Active Directory user-Identity, -EmailAddress, -Enabled, -PasswordNeverExpires
Remove-ADUserRemoves an Active Directory user-Identity, -Confirm
Get-ADGroupRetrieves one or more Active Directory groups-Identity, -Filter, -Properties, -SearchBase
New-ADGroupCreates a new Active Directory group-Name, -GroupScope, -GroupCategory, -Path
Set-ADGroupModifies properties of an existing Active Directory group-Identity, -Description, -ManagedBy
Remove-ADGroupRemoves an Active Directory group-Identity, -Confirm
Add-ADGroupMemberAdds one or more members to an Active Directory group-Identity, -Members
Remove-ADGroupMemberRemoves one or more members from an Active Directory group-Identity, -Members, -Confirm
Get-ADComputerRetrieves one or more Active Directory computer objects-Identity, -Filter, -Properties, -SearchBase
New-ADComputerCreates a new Active Directory computer object-Name, -SAMAccountName, -Path
Set-ADComputerModifies properties of an existing Active Directory computer object-Identity, -Description, -Enabled
Remove-ADComputerRemoves an Active Directory computer object-Identity, -Confirm
Get-ADOrganizationalUnitRetrieves one or more Active Directory organizational units-Identity, -Filter, -Properties, -SearchBase
New-ADOrganizationalUnitCreates a new Active Directory organizational unit-Name, -Path
Set-ADOrganizationalUnitModifies properties of an existing Active Directory organizational unit-Identity, -Description, -ProtectedFromAccidentalDeletion
Remove-ADOrganizationalUnitRemoves an Active Directory organizational unit-Identity, -Confirm
Get-ADDomainRetrieves information about the current or specified Active Directory domain-Identity, -Server
Get-ADForestRetrieves information about the current or specified Active Directory forest-Identity, -Server
Get-ADDomainControllerRetrieves one or more Active Directory domain controllers-Identity, -Filter, -Server
Move-ADObjectMoves an Active Directory object from one container to another-Identity, -TargetPath
Rename-ADObjectRenames an Active Directory object-Identity, -NewName
Set-ADAccountPasswordSets the password of an Active Directory account-Identity, -NewPassword, -Reset
Unlock-ADAccountUnlocks an Active Directory account-Identity
Enable-ADAccountEnables an Active Directory account-Identity
Disable-ADAccountDisables an Active Directory account-Identity
Get-ADGroupMemberRetrieves members of an Active Directory group-Identity, -Recursive
Search-ADAccountSearches for Active Directory accounts based on specific criteria-AccountDisabled, -AccountExpired, -AccountInactive, -PasswordExpired
This table covers the most commonly used Active Directory cmdlets in PowerShell. There are additional cmdlets and parameters available for more specific tasks. Always refer to the official Microsoft documentation for the most up-to-date and complete information on Active Directory PowerShell cmdlets.