Getting Started with the Get-Help Cmdlet in PowerShell
Welcome back to Wahmans PowerShell blog! Today we’re diving into one of the most useful cmdlets in PowerShell for both beginners and pros alike: Get-Help.
The Get-Help cmdlet is your gateway to understanding how PowerShell works. Whether you’re exploring a new command or brushing up on syntax, Get-Help provides detailed information about cmdlets, functions, workflows, aliases, and PowerShell concepts.
What does Get-Help do?
According to the Microsoft documentation: “Displays information about PowerShell commands and concepts.” Not only does it give you syntax examples and parameter definitions, but it can also show you related commands and usage notes, especially when updated with the latest help files.
Let’s walk through four practical examples of how Get-Help can be used, from beginner to advanced:
1. Basic Help on a Cmdlet
Get-Help Get-ProcessThis shows you basic information about the Get-Process cmdlet, including a summary of its purpose, syntax, and parameters. Great for getting started!
2. Display Full Help Information
Get-Help Get-Service -FullBy using the -Full parameter, you get the complete help documentation, including detailed descriptions of all parameters, inputs, outputs, and more. This is ideal when you’re preparing scripts or functions and want to grasp everything about a command.
3. Get Examples Only
Get-Help Copy-Item -ExamplesIf you’re just looking for examples of how to use a cmdlet, -Examples is what you need. It’s fast and lets you see common usage scenarios, which is great when you need some inspiration or validation.
4. Search Help Across PowerShell
Get-Help *service*Want to discover cmdlets or help topics that contain the word “service”? This wildcard query will return all help topics matching that term. It’s super useful for discovering new commands or tools related to your interests.
Bonus Tip: Update Your Help Files
Update-HelpRun this to download and install the latest help content for all your modules. An internet connection and admin rights may be required.
Using Get-Help effectively will boost your PowerShell productivity and help you write better, more maintainable scripts.
Happy scripting, and I will see you in the next post!
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