What's New in Windows PowerShell Cmdlets for Roles and Features

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

Windows PowerShell™ is a command-line shell and scripting language designed especially for system administration. Built on the Microsoft .NET Framework, Windows PowerShell helps IT professionals control and automate the administration of Windows operating systems and applications that run on Windows.

Built-in Windows PowerShell commands, called cmdlets, let you manage the computers in your enterprise from the command line. Windows PowerShell providers let you access data stores, such as the registry and certificate store, as easily as you access the file system.

What are the major changes?

The following roles and features available in Windows Server® 2008 R2 provide cmdlets that automate common system administration tasks:

• Active Directory (AD) Cmdlets

• Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS) Cmdlets

• AppLocker Cmdlets

• Best Practice Analyzer (BPA) Cmdlets

• Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) Cmdlets

• Failover Cluster Cmdlets

• Group Policy Cmdlets

• Server Manager Cmdlets

• Windows Server Backup Cmdlets

• Windows Server Migration Tools Cmdlets

Who will be interested in this feature?

IT professionals who want to control and automate the administration of Windows operating systems and applications that run on Windows might be interested in these changes.

Which editions include this feature?

This feature is available in all editions of Windows Server 2008 R2.

Additional references

In addition to the Help that is available at the command line, you can refer to the following resources for more information:

• Windows PowerShell Blog. The best resource for learning from and collaborating with other Windows PowerShell users. Read the Windows PowerShell blog, and then join the Windows PowerShell User Forum (microsoft.public.windows.powershell). Use Windows Live Search to find other Windows PowerShell blogs and resources. Then, as you develop your expertise, freely contribute your ideas.

• Windows PowerShell Help on TechNet. An updated version of the Windows PowerShell Help topics on Microsoft TechNet.

• Windows PowerShell SDK. Provides reference content used to develop cmdlets, providers, and host applications.

• Windows PowerShell Programmer's Guide. Provides tutorials for creating cmdlets, providers, and host applications. Also contains information about fundamental Windows PowerShell concepts.