How Do I Run PowerShell?

On every Windows Server running a variation of Windows Server 2008 or higher, PowerShell is installed and can be used for administration purposes. By default, the PowerShell application appears in the Windows taskbar. Right-clicking the application button displays available menu options, as shown in Figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1. The PowerShell application button provides a menu of options.

Selecting Import System Modules launches PowerShell and loads all modules from all services and server applications running on the current server. This is useful when scripting code for more than one set of services (such as SharePoint and SQL Server).

Selecting the Windows PowerShell ISE launches a pseudo-development environment in which you can create, execute, test, and debug PowerShell scripts. It is a glorified text editor but is helpful in creating and running scripts.

Selecting the Windows PowerShell menu item launches PowerShell in plain vanilla form (no additional modules or support for server applications—including SharePoint—are loaded). If you are not logged on as an administrator, select the Run As Administrator menu item to launch PowerShell with administrative privileges.