System administrators rarely have it easy when it comes down to managing complex infrastructures with large numbers of computers. However, a small component included by default into both Windows client and Windows Server operating systems is designed specifically to streamline management tasks for admins. With the advent of the latest iteration of Windows releases, namely Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, administrators can now leverage version 2.0 of PowerShell. In addition, Microsoft is supplying them with a variety of resources set up to further simplify their work, including a downloadable Windows PowerShell Cheat Sheet.

The Windows PowerShell Quick Reference is currently up for grabs via the Microsoft Download Center, and as the label implies, the resource is essentially a document summarizing a quick reference guide to using Windows PowerShell. Admins are able to access the resource for free and download the “Quick reference guide to commonly-used Windows PowerShell commands. For best results, open the file in Microsoft Word, print the contents to legal-sized paper (8 inches by 14 inches), and fold the resulting printout in half, making a four-page booklet,” Microsoft stated.

PowerShell 2.0 is integrated into both Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, but Microsoft has also worked to backport the component to older versions of Windows, replacing v1.0. The Redmond company released the Windows Management Framework in 2009, containing Windows PowerShell 2.0, WinRM 2.0, and BITS 4.0. The Windows Management Framework is designed for Windows Vista SP1 and SP2, Windows XP SP3 and Windows Server 2008 SP1 and SP2.

“Windows PowerShell is a command-line shell and scripting language that is designed for system administration and Automation. Built on the Microsoft .NET Framework, Windows PowerShell enables IT professionals and developers to control and automate the administration of Windows and applications,” the company explained. 

Windows Management Framework is available for download here.

Windows PowerShell 2.0 Software Development Kit (SDK) is available for download here.