Windows PowerShell is a modern command-line shell used in this operating system. It was first included with Windows 7 in 2009. In the latest, tenth version of this OS, it has almost replaced the traditional cmd.exe shell, which was used in the entire NT family. In our article, we will talk about the general principles of its operation and the installation method on Windows XP.
Windows Command Prompt
The command line shell existed on all Microsoft operating systems. True, the improvement of the graphical interface as new versions were released pushed it into the background. At least in terms of utility for the average user. The ability to work with the command line has always belonged to the prerogative of system administrators. The fact is that the features that it allows you to use (for example, to configure the network) have never had an appropriate graphical interface.
Widespread in the corporate environment and the increasing complexity of the network architecture required the introduction of new administration and automation tools, which led to the creation of Windows PowerShell by developers from Redmond. What does this give the user and the administrator?
From the perspective of a user who rarely uses the command line, nothing will change. But a convenient tool falls into the hands of a network administrator, which allows you to automate part of daily operations and work with remote machines.
Tasks and Features of PowerShell
Windows PowerShell was developed based on the .NET Framework, and Microsoft initially positioned the new shell as a tool for professional administration. The main difference in the documentation is the ability to work with .NET objects, which significantly distinguishes it from analogues. Specialists working on a new software product approached the matter creatively.
To ensure compatibility and unification of commands with command-line shells, which are also used in other operating systems, an in-depth analysis was performed. The result was a significant extension of command syntax in Windows PowerShell. What this gives the administrator of complex networks, no need to explain.
Many high-performance servers run on Linux, while client machines run on Windows. The unification of the syntax allows you to administer both sectors of the network using identical commands, which reduces the load on IT staff.
Windows 7 and PowerShell Development
As we already said, this operating system was the first to include PowerShell tools. Windows 7 used version 2.0, in conjunction with the .Net Framework 4.0. As the command shell improved and its capabilities grew, Microsoft released Management Framework packages that allowed it to be updated to the current state. The main changes were related to the Windows Powershell Integrated Scripting Environment. What does this mean, we show on the numbers.
The version of ISE 2.0 script editor included 20 modules and 350 integrated commands, in version 3.0 their number increased to 71 modules and 2,305 commands. Of course, this increase in productivity has positively affected the administrative capabilities of the shell. The presence of an integrated scripting environment that allows you to interact with objects of the operating system and in functionality similar to a programming language makes this product an excellent working tool.
Not surprisingly, in Windows 10, the new shell came out in first place. Although cmd.exe is still present on the system, PowerShell is the default tool for working with the command line. Microsoft is betting on this shell and developing it, continuing to add new features. It is likely that the next version of the OS will completely lose the classic command line, which will give way to a more modern and flexible toolkit.
Installation on Windows XP
After the release of the "seven", initially without PowerShell, Windows XP was able to install it as a service pack. Required to work. NET Framework 3.5 was installed separately. This step of Microsoft is explained by the need to implement a new administration tool in a widely used OS at that time.
Installation required a third service pack of updates in the operating system. Thus, it was possible to install this shell only on an up-to-date version of XP. For system administrators, who by tradition did not favor big cumulative updates, this was an additional call to action.
Further updates for XP were not issued by the company. Having shown the capabilities of Windows PowerShell, and what this gives the administrator, Microsoft showed corporate users the path that was preferable for her. Everyone who wanted to expand the capabilities of the internal network had to switch to more modern operating systems.
Despite the end of XP technical support in 2014, this system, according to various estimates, still occupies from 7 to 10 percent of all installed Windows. To some extent, the influence of the new command shell, which allows you to remotely maintain these machines, also affects here.
Finally
We provided only some general information about the modern Windows shell. Everyone can familiarize themselves with its capabilities in detail by discovering the world of the command line.