What is PowerShell and what is it used for in Windows and servers?

Published on 2026-10-20 by frfrand

PowerShell explicado: cmdlets, objetos, tuberías, scripts, administración de Windows y diferencias con CMD y Bash.

PowerShell is an automation tool that combines a shell, a scripting language, and system administration functions. It is used extensively on Windows, but modern versions also run on Linux and macOS.

If you ever saw a blue or black window with commands like Get-Process, you were probably looking at PowerShell. And no, it is not simply «the new CMD».

What is it really used for?

Imagine you manage fifty computers and need to check which services are running. Clicking one by one is slow and error-prone.

PowerShell allows you to query data, filter it, and automate actions. It can manage processes, files, services, certain system settings, and products that expose compatible modules.

It is also useful on your personal computer for small tasks: renaming files following patterns, checking free space, or querying processes that consume resources.

The big difference: it works with objects

Many traditional shells connect commands by passing text. PowerShell stands out because its pipeline usually transmits structured .NET objects, with properties and methods.

For example, Get-Process returns process information. You can use Get-Process | Sort-Object CPU -Descending to sort them by accumulated CPU time, although that property does not represent an instantaneous usage percentage measurement.

The advantage is that you don't need to manually separate visual columns of text to find a property. The system provides structured data that other commands can take advantage of.

What is a cmdlet?

It is the name given to many PowerShell commands. They usually use the verb-noun structure, such as Get-Service, Get-Process, or Set-Location.

This helps discover functions. If you know the verb Get, for example, you can find commands oriented toward querying information.

There are also external commands and user-defined functions. Not everything you run in PowerShell is a cmdlet.

A safe example to practice

You can open PowerShell and type:

Get-Date
Get-Location
Get-Process | Select-Object -First 5

The first one queries the date, the second shows the current location, and the third lists some processes. They are read-only examples, useful for getting started without modifying the system.

As you learn, you will be able to work with variables, functions, and scripts saved as .ps1 files.

PowerShell vs CMD

CMD is the classic Windows command interpreter. It remains useful for many tasks and batch files.

PowerShell offers a broader language and automation ecosystem, with objects, modules, and management capabilities. The fact that PowerShell is more complete does not mean that an old CMD script will work identically when executed in any context.

PowerShell vs Bash

Bash is a traditional shell for Unix-like systems, widely used in Linux. PowerShell is also cross-platform, but its commands and object model are different.

Both can run external programs, redirect output, and automate steps. Choose according to the machine, available tools, and what you need to operate.

Does PowerShell have administrator permissions?

Only if you run it with the corresponding privileges. Opening a console does not remove system security.

It is also advisable to review scripts before executing them, especially if they request downloading remote content and executing it directly. Automation can modify hundreds of computers much faster than a person, for better or for worse.

What is Execution Policy?

In Windows, PowerShell has mechanisms called execution policies that influence script execution according to context.

They should not be confused with a complete security boundary: they do not replace system permissions, code origin controls, or corporate policies. Before changing a policy, understand why a script is blocked.

And how does it fit with ArduMaker?

You can manage ArduMaker Linux services from a Windows computer without installing Linux as the main system. PowerShell can be used to run SSH clients and other compatible tools, while commands running on the VPS depend on its own system and shell.

In summary: PowerShell allows querying and automating systems with an object-based approach. It is useful for Windows administrators and can also participate in cross-platform workflows.

Official source: Introduction to PowerShell on Microsoft Learn · Windows, macOS or Linux.