The best cmdlets for PowerShell

The Horse's Mouth

PowerShell in Windows 7 and 8

To display the existing recovery points for a system in PowerShell (Figure 4), launch PowerShell via the Welcome page, then click the tile above the context menu and run PowerShell as administrator. To see the system restore points, you need to enter the command Get-ComputerRestorePoint.

Figure 4: Managing recovery points in PowerShell.

Typing Restore-Computer <SequenceNumber> resets the computer at the time of the restore point specified in SequenceNumber . To discover this number, run Get-ComputerRestorePoint, after which, the wizard goes about its task without a prompt.

To create a recovery point in PowerShell, use:

Checkpoint-Computer -description <description>

However, you can only create one recovery point every 24 hours in this way. Later, you can manage the recovery point in the graphical interface, like all the others. Detailed help for the cmdlet is available on Microsoft TechNet [3] [4]. The PowerShell also lets you schedule the creation of system recovery points.

Managing Office 365 in PowerShell

Administrators can manage all editions of Office 365 in PowerShell, even without running local servers (Figure 5). Microsoft provides the required cmdlets for free [5], with additional help online [6].

Figure 5: Office 365 can also be managed in PowerShell.

To manage Office 365, follow the Microsoft Online Services Module for Windows PowerShell link in the Microsoft Online Services program group or load the appropriate cmdlets with import-module MSOnline. The Connect-MSOLService cmdlet connects the console to Office 365, and get-command *mso* gives an overview of the available commands. Settings such as the password expiration date can be made with the Set-MSOLUser cmdlet.

The Author

Thomas Joos is a freelance IT consultant and has been working in IT for more than 20 years. In addition to his projects, he also writes hands-on books and papers on Windows and other Microsoft topics. Online, you can meet him at http://thomasjoos.spaces.live.com.

Buy ADMIN Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • Top PowerShell Cmdlets

    Windows is no longer the system for mouse pushers. In the latest server version, the default installation installs without a GUI, and management via PowerShell is a part of everyday life for Windows administrators.

  • Remotely managing web access servers
    The Windows PowerShell web-based console lets you run PowerShell commands and scripts in your browser.
  • Use PowerShell to manage Exchange Online
    Exchange Online in Office 365 can be managed just like its local counterpart with similar, sometimes identical, PowerShell cmdlets.
  • PowerShell Part 1: Retrieving System Information

    Windows administrators, like Unix or Linux administrators, look for ways to perform their duties with ease and elegance through automation. PowerShell allows administrators to gather information, change Registry parameters, work with Active Directory, manipulate services, look at events, work with Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), and much more. PowerShell is a Windows administrator’s best friend.

  • Security with PowerShell 5
    Despite the growing exploitation of PowerShell's scripting language by hackers, the tool's security features also offer a line of defense.
comments powered by Disqus
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs



Support Our Work

ADMIN content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you've found an article to be beneficial.

Learn More”>
	</a>

<hr>		    
			</div>
		    		</div>

		<div class=