Windows 10: How the Power Shell works

Actually, the Power Shell in Windows 10 or Windows 10 Pro is such an ingenious tool that everyone should use it. But many users who buy Microsoft Office think it’s only for professionals. Far from it! Because with the Power Shell, any number of tasks can be done on the computer with just a few entries. Instead of making endless clicks through submenus and system settings, the Power Shell is all you need. We explain here exactly how to work with it and what advantages this tool brings.

This is the Power Shell in Windows 10

On Windows 10 and Windows 10 Pro the commands for the computer can be entered in two ways: Firstly, with the classic command prompt or cmd.exe. And secondly with the Power Shell programme. This allows commands to be executed in a short way, which – if possible at all in Windows 10 – are extremely complicated via mouse click and the settings. This means that the command prompt with PowerShell is much easier, less time-consuming and makes working on the computer more effective. At its core, PowerShell is an up-to-date version of the familiar command prompt. All the „old“ commands work one way or the other, but Power Shell adds some new functions that are denied to users of the old command prompt. As an example, only If commands are mentioned here. After the Buying Microsoft Office one way to recognise working with PowerShell is that the display uses a blue background with white lettering. Tip: If one enters the command „cmd“ or „cmd.exe“ in the Power Shell, the commands can be entered as in the usual command prompt.

Start Power Shell via command prompt

In order to be able to execute the Power Shell commands under Windows 10, it must of course first be started . After the command prompt (key combination) „WINDOWS + R“, the command „PowerShell“ is typed in. Alternatively, the PowerShell can also be called up via the Start menu.

Run Power Shell as administrator

The start menu also allows you to start the programme as an administrator and execute commands. The advantage of this is that more commands can be executed than with the simple command prompt.

  • To do this, type „PowerShell“ in the start menu, then click on the corresponding entry.
  • Click on PowerShell with the right mouse button and select „Run as administrator“.

Now all functions of the PowerShell input console can be used.

These are the advantages of using the Power Shell with Windows 10

One of the biggest advantages is that commands no longer have to be laboriously entered via the command prompt or cmd.exe, but can be written directly into an input window . In addition, useful functions can be called up with a simple command. These include, for example, analysing the processor load, restoring a defective start button, reading out the Windows serial number or even uninstalling apps. The most useful functions and commands are:

  • get-command + Enter: This basic command shows an overview of all commands.
  • F7 key: In older Windows 10 versions, this displays the last lines entered.
  • clear + Enter: The current command line is displayed, while the last lines entered are hidden.
  • && + Enter: The combination is used to enter several commands at the same time. These are separated from each other with the double ampersand (without spaces).
  • Charmap + Enter: This displays the Windows character table, which lists special characters that are not directly available on the keyboard.
  • dir (filename) + Enter: This command can be used to search for files in the system even if you do not know the full name of the file. Instead of the unknown letters, simply type the asterisk symbol * and Power Shell will automatically search for files that match the incomplete file name.
  • dir /?: A short command that explains the details of the dir functions.

PowerShell also offers the possibility to open file paths directly in the programme. This means that the path is dragged from the header in Explorer into PowerShell, eliminating the need for further typed input.

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