DOWST.DEV

January 5, 2024

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

Automated Alerts on Azure (Entra ID) Application Secret Expirations (thelazyadministrator.com)
Monitoring Azure AD (Entra ID now) application secret expirations in an enterprise is a critical

aspect of maintaining robust security and ensuring uninterrupted service. When application secrets expire without timely renewal, it can disrupt business operations by causing application failures. Proactive management of application secret expirations helps enterprises avoid last-minute issues, enabling a more secure and efficient operational environment.

(+)
By: Brad Wyatt submitted:Jan 5 2024

Automating Windows 365 part 2 – Using Graph X-Ray (sccmentor.com)
Introduction This is Part 2 of a new series of guides which will cover managing Windows 365 Cloud

PC's using PowerShell and Microsoft Graph. This mini series should help you get started with automatingContinue reading

(+)
By: SCCMentor submitted:Jan 5 2024

Copying files between Windows and Linux with SCP and PowerShell (4sysops.com)
There are various mechanisms for copying files between Windows and Linux. A proven tool for this

purpose is Secure Copy (SCP), and with the porting of PowerShell to Linux, it is suitable for this task, too. The connection runs over SSH in both cases, ensuring that files are transferred encrypted.

(+)
By: Thomas Joos submitted:Jan 5 2024

Create an Amazon Machine Image (AMI) of an EC2 instance with a Bash and PowerShell script (4sysops.com)
The provided Bash and PowerShell script helps automate the creation of Amazon Machine Images (AMIs)

from existing AWS Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instances. This is particularly useful for creating point-in-time backups or disaster recovery. I mostly use the script to quickly clone an EC2 instance for testing or troubleshooting.

(+)
By: Michael Pietroforte submitted:Jan 5 2024

How to create a maintenance mode in Azure Automation (baswijdenes.com)
An emergency button to ensure that your runbooks stop running without disconnecting the schedule in

Azure Automation Disclaimer: This post can be seen as satire. There are probably better ways, but because we were so limited with the customer at the time, we opted for a hobby approach: 'Maintenance mode the creative way'. What if... ... Continue reading How to create a maintenance mode in Azure Automation

(+)
By: Bas Wijdenes submitted:Jan 5 2024

Naming Made Easy: AI-Powered Rename Suggestions (devblogs.microsoft.com)
Ever struggled to name a variable, method, or class-finding that perfect balance between

expressiveness and conciseness? You're not alone. We've tackled this universal challenge in the latest Visual Studio Preview via our GitHub Copilot Chat extension (subscription required). Introducing: AI-powered rename suggestions.

(+)
By: Dalia Abo Sheasha submitted:Jan 5 2024

PowerShell Start Service Explained: Mastering Cmdlets for Windows Services (adamtheautomator.com)
Learn how to use PowerShell start service and other cmdlets for Windows Services in this informative

tutorial.

(+)
By: Adam Bertram submitted:Jan 5 2024

Uninstall any application in a jiffy using PowerShell and Microsoft Intune (imab.dk)
Introduction This post is a just a quick follow up on my previous post: Uninstall any application in

a jiffy using PowerShell and Configuration Manager I received a few questions whether the PowerShell script can be used with Microsoft Intune instead of Microsoft Configuration Manager. And sure! This post will explain one of many approaches available with Intune.

(+)
By: Martin Bengtsson submitted:Jan 5 2024

Using PowerShell to query your Ubiquiti UISP information (powershellisfun.com)
Two days ago, I received my new Ubiquiti UISP Console, an eight-port switch/router with 10Gbit SFP+

slots managed by the Ubiquiti UISP software running on my VPS in Docker. In this blog post, I will show you a few examples of how to query it using PowerShell.

(+)
By: Harm Veenstra submitted:Jan 5 2024

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

Audit & Report Microsoft 365 Admin Activity using PowerShell (o365reports.com)
As a Microsoft 365 admin, ever pondered how your sub-admins wield their privileged powers? We get it

- managing multiple admins is no small feat. Microsoft 365 administrators hold significant responsibilities like getting users on board, handling passwords, overseeing various

(+)
By: Shan submitted:Jan 5 2024

Reporting Entra ID Admin Consent Requests (office365itpros.com)
A question came in about how to report admin consent requests as viewed through the Entra ID admin

center. PowerShell does the trick, once you know how. The key thing is to find the right cmdlet to use. Once you know that, the rest is pretty easy as we explain in this article.

(+)
By: Tony Redmond submitted:Jan 5 2024

Books, Media, and Learning Resources

PowerCLI Tutorial: Boost Your VMware Management Skills (adamtheautomator.com)
Begin your journey with our PowerCLI tutorial and elevate your VMware infrastructure management to

expert levels. Learn essential tips and tricks today!

(+)
By: Dave Pinkawa submitted:Jan 5 2024

PowerShell for Linux admins (powershellisfun.com)
During the Cloud Expo convention in the Netherlands last month, I spoke to someone who said that

learning all the PowerShell commands as a Linux admin was difficult. PowerShell was built to make it easier for Linux admins to transition to it. In this blog post, I will show you how aliases work and how they help Linux Admins get started with basic PowerShell tasks.

(+)
By: Harm Veenstra submitted:Jan 5 2024

What’s in Windows Terminal 1.19 Preview (youtube.com)
In this video, Christopher Nguyen (PM on Windows Terminal) and Mike Griese (Senior Software Engineer

on Windows Terminal) will highlight some features from the Windows Terminal 1.19 Preview release-Including community favorites!

(+)
By: Microsoft Developer submitted:Jan 5 2024

Community

Farewell to Jordan: MVP Chrissy LeMaire Unleashes AI Wisdom (powershellpodcast.podbean.com)
In this special episode of the PowerShell Podcast, the hosts are joined by the esteemed Chrissy

LeMaire, a double Microsoft MVP and GitHub star as we bid a fond farewell to Jordan. Chrissy's wealth of expertise in the PowerShell, GitHub, and AI realms adds a unique perspective to the discussion. We talk about creating personalized chatbots with ChatGPT, uses for AI. Chrissy shares news about her upcoming AI book and the life-changing moment that got her to embrace AI. All that, and more! Don't miss this insightful conversation with a true powerhouse in the tech community.

(+)
By: The Powershell Podcast submitted:Jan 5 2024

From Engineer to Manager: Mike Kanakos on Transition, Lessons, and Community (powershellpodcast.podbean.com)
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we sit down with Microsoft MVP Mike Kanakos to explore

his journey transitioning from an engineer to a manager. Mike candidly shares the valuable lessons learned, from navigating newfound responsibilities to embracing a mentoring role. We delve into the pivotal role community involvement played in his managerial growth, touching on how insights from successful teams and best practices informed his approach. The discussion also unveils exciting changes ahead for the Research Triangle PowerShell User Group, which Mike leads. As a bonus, we get an insider's look into Mike's favorite PowerShell modules. Join us for an insightful conversation packed with lessons, community impact, and a sneak peek into the evolving PowerShell landscape.

(+)
By: The Powershell Podcast submitted:Jan 5 2024

Unlocking Secrets: Sam Erde on Open-Source Contributions and the Locksmith Module (powershellpodcast.podbean.com)
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, featuring guest Sam Erde, we delve into a myriad of

topics starting with Andrew's successful acceptance of his talk at PowerShell Summit. The episode unfolds with a spotlight on community resources. Sam Erde, our esteemed guest, shares insights into his blogging journey and his contributions to open-source projects, with a particular focus on the Locksmith module designed to uncover misconfigurations in ADCS Certificate Services. Sam also provides his unique perspective on leveraging PowerShell for various tasks. The hosts engage in a discussion about the community ethos, underscoring the importance of creating more value than capturing, and Sam shares personal experiences that have shaped his approach to community involvement. Tune in for an episode packed with valuable insights, community highlights, and the power of PowerShell in action.

(+)
By: The Powershell Podcast submitted:Jan 5 2024

Fun

Which naming convention for internal variables? (reddit.com)
Hi guys, I'm new to PowerShell and Microsoft has a guide for Approved Verbs for PowerShell Commands

and Strongly Encouraged Development Guidelines, but which naming convention do you use for internal variables?

(+)
By: u/Gincules submitted:Jan 5 2024

Do you have a suggestion for PowerShell Weekly? Do you know something that should be included? Let me know in the comments below, or on
twitter.

See you next year

PowerShell Weekly will be taking it’s annual holiday break and will be back on January 5, 2024. Be sure to check out my PowerShell Year in Review on the main site for a recap of PowerShell in 2023 as well as some fun stats about the content of PowerShell Weekly for the past 12 months.

Have a wonderful holiday and I’ll see you all again in January.

December 15, 2023

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

Automating cleanup Entra Joined AVD hosts (nielskok.tech)
This post is about automating the cleanup for Entra Joined Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) hosts.
By: Niels Kok submitted:Dec 15 2023

Entra ID Improves Registered App Security (office365itpros.com)
The preview app instance property lock feature designed to improve the security of Entra ID

registered apps is becoming the default for new apps. In this article, we describe how to update the app instance property lock to reflect the new default setting using cmdlets from the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK, including a script you can download and run.

(+)
By: Tony Redmond submitted:Dec 15 2023

Exchange Online: How to set Junk Settings for Shared Mailboxes (sid-500.com)
When working with shared mailboxes, there is a problem: the user connected to this mailbox cannot

configure the Junk Mail Settings for this shared mailbox in Outlook itself.

(+)
By: Patrick Gruenauer submitted:Dec 15 2023

Microsoft Graph API Endpoint Adds Last Successful Sign-In Date Time (thelazyadministrator.com)
Previously, if you wanted to find a user's last successful sign-in to your Microsoft 365 tenant

using the Microsoft Graph REST API, you would have to iterate through Entra ID sign-in logs. With new recent additions to the Microsoft Graph API Beta Endpoint, you can now return the UTC value just by parsing the user details and properties. The Microsoft documentation regarding the signInActivity resource type can be found here.

(+)
By: Brad Wyatt submitted:Dec 15 2023

Microsoft Intune PowerShell Additional Requirement Rules (powershellisfun.com)
In my last blog post, I showed you how to use Detection scripts in Intune. In this blog post, I will

show you how the additional requirement rules work and how you can use PowerShell for those.

(+)
By: Harm Veenstra submitted:Dec 15 2023

Powershell Global Variable: Mastering Scope and Usage with Examples (spguides.com)
PowerShell global variables are an essential aspect of scripting in Windows PowerShell. They offer a

way to store and manipulate data across functions, scripts, and cmdlets. In this tutorial, I will explain to you how to define, set, and use global variable in PowerShell.

(+)
By: Bijay Kumar submitted:Dec 15 2023

Recurring PowerShell Update Issue Easily Fixed – Ed Tittel (edtittel.com)
Deja vu! With the introduction of version 7.4.0, MS once again changed the PowerShell (PS)

installer. That means Winget won't update PS directly; one must visit the GitHub PS page and grab a new installer from there. Afterward, as shown in the lead-in graphic, old(er) version(s) of PS still show up when WinGet upgrade is ... Continue reading Recurring PowerShell Update Issue Easily Fixed ?

(+)
By: Ed Tittel submitted:Dec 15 2023

Send Telegram Messages from a PowerShell Script (woshub.com)
You can use your Telegram messenger as a notification tool to get instant reports on various

infrastructure events, script execution results, or scheduler tasks. This article shows you how to...

(+)
By: Windows OS Hub submitted:Dec 15 2023

Using GitHub Copilot to Upgrade PowerShell Scripts to the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK (practical365.com)
In this blog, Andy Scheider deep dives into GitHub Copilot and how it can be used to upgrade

PowerShell Scripts to the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK.

(+)
By: Andy Schneider submitted:Dec 15 2023

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

Credential Harvesting with PowerShell and SpecterInsight (practicalsecurityanalytics.com)
Credential harvesting, also known as credential theft or credential stealing, refers to the

collection sensitive authentication information from individuals or systems. The goal of credential harvesting is to obtain usernames, passwords, or other authentication tokens that allow access to protected resources. This post will cover a variety of different credential harvesting techniques, how to leverage those techniques using SpecterInsight, and how to view the data in Kibana.

(+)
By: PracSec submitted:Dec 15 2023

PSEtw (github.com)
PowerShell module for capturing ETW events in realtime. Currently this supports Manifest and Trace

Logging ETW providers

(+)
By: Jordan Borean submitted:Dec 15 2023

Books, Media, and Learning Resources

GitHub – wgross/ps-module-to-module-call: Example for showing propagation of Debug/Verbose between PS Script modules (github.com)
Example for showing propagation of Debug/Verbose between PS Script modules - GitHub -

wgross/ps-module-to-module-call: Example for showing propagation of Debug/Verbose between PS Script modules

(+)
By: W.Gross submitted:Dec 15 2023

Intro to REST API calls with Powershell (youtube.com)
Making a REST API call with no Auth Token
By: Code Doge submitted:Dec 15 2023

Mastering Microsoft 365 PowerShell Scripting (practical365.com)
A common question at conferences is how to start with Microsoft 365 PowerShell scripting. We all

have our own approach. This article lays out a simple three-step method to write scripts to interact with Microsoft 365 objects.

(+)
By: Tony Redmond submitted:Dec 15 2023

Community

Code in Action: Embracing Hands-On Learning with Jeff Hicks (powershellpodcast.podbean.com)
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, guest Jeff Hicks leads a dynamic discussion on the power

of hands-on learning with PowerShell and the numerous benefits of learning by doing. Jeff challenges the community with a scripting challenge, encouraging active participation. The episode also features a showcase of some outstanding community blogs, including topics like PowerShell performance testing, web scraping, and module development. Jeff shares insights into his own remarkable modules, and the hosts delve into noteworthy community projects. Don't miss Jeff's scripting challenge and be sure to check out the community blogs and links discussed in this episode!

(+)
By: The Powershell Podcast submitted:Dec 15 2023

Fun

Good practice questions for Powershell? (reddit.com)
I have few as a suggestions here, but i needed better suggestions from this forum as always, please

help..

(+)
By: u/yashaswiu submitted:Dec 15 2023

Upcoming Events

PowerShell + DevOps Global Summit (powershellsummit.org)
April 8-11, 2024 - Bellevue, WA
By: The DevOps Collective submitted:Dec 15 2023

Do you have a suggestion for PowerShell Weekly? Do you know something that should be included? Let me know in the comments below, or on
twitter.

December 8, 2023

Announcements!

Long time PowerShell contributor Sean Kearney needs some help (gofundme.com)
One of the founding fathers of the PowerShell community, the man once dubbed The Honorary Scripting Guy, Sean Kearney, has fallen on some hard times and can use all the help and support he can get.
By: The PowerShell Community submitted:Dec 8 2023

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

Azure Arc Setup on Windows Server (thomasmaurer.ch)
With Windows Server 2022 and later you now get the Azure Arc Setup integrated on your Windows

Server. This allows you to onboard your Windows Server through a graphical wizard. With the wizard, you can easily onboard your Windows Server machine to Azure Arc. The wizard takes care of the following steps for you: verifying ...

(+)
By: Thomas Maurer submitted:Dec 8 2023

Azure Bastion: Enable Azure Bastion Standard SKU features with Azure PowerShell (wmatthyssen.com)
In this blog post, you'll learn how to use an Azure PowerShell script to enable all Azure Bastion

Standard SKU.

(+)
By: Wim Matthyssen submitted:Dec 8 2023

Azure Functions, PowerApps and Exchange Online (ingogegenwarth.wordpress.com)
Lately we were approached by different teams to help with some scenarios. These scenarios were a bit

tricky and complex as there is currently no solution out-of-the-box. Here some examples:

(+)
By: Ingo Gegenwarth submitted:Dec 8 2023

Entra ID Captures Timestamp for Last Successful Sign In for User Accounts (office365itpros.com)
Entra ID captures the lastSuccessfulSignInDateTime property to record the last successful sign-in

action against user accounts. The new property is available through the Graph beta endpoint. Quite a difference can exist between the last successful sign in and the last sign in, as explored in this article.

(+)
By: Tony Redmond submitted:Dec 8 2023

How to Export MS Teams Chat History with PowerShell (woshub.com)
In this article, we'll look at how to access and export the history of Microsoft Teams chat

conversations using PowerShell.

(+)
By: Windows OS Hub submitted:Dec 8 2023

Mastering PowerShell Graph API: Easy-to-Follow Insights (adamtheautomator.com)
Master the PowerShell Graph API with our concise guide. Learn to access, read, and manage data

effortlessly, enhancing your API skills quickly and efficiently.

(+)
By: Alex Asplund submitted:Dec 8 2023

PowerShell get file size (spguides.com)
Do you want to check file size in PowerShell? In this PowerShell tutorial, I will explain everything

about PowerShell get file size with various methods and examples. To check the file size using PowerShell, you can use the Get-Item command followed by the .Length property.

(+)
By: Bijay Kumar submitted:Dec 8 2023

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

PoshCVE (github.com)
A PowerShell module for querying the National Vulnerability Database. Search for CVEs by ID, vendor,

product, and more.

(+)
By: Dan Gough submitted:Dec 8 2023

PowerCLI script to check Cluster Overcommitment ratio (powershell.ro)
Efficient resource utilization is a key factor in maintaining a healthy VMware vSphere environment.

As virtualization environments grow, it becomes crucial to monitor and optimize resource allocation to prevent overcommitment, ensuring the smooth operation of virtual machines. In this blog post, we'll explore a PowerCLI script designed to check the Cluster Overcommitment Ratio

(+)
By: Catalin Cristescu submitted:Dec 8 2023

Community

Breaking Down Barriers in PowerShell and Management with Kevin Cefalu (powershellpodcast.podbean.com)
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we engage in a dynamic discussion with Kevin Cefalu.

Kevin shares managerial insights, valuable lessons from the Summit, and the workings of Azure Durable Functions. The conversation shifts to the power of Pair Programming and Call for Presentations (CFP) and how this involved Andrew. We explore the usage of the .vscode folder and Plaster for workspace customization and conclude with Kevin's intriguing thoughts on AI applications. A powerful blend of knowledge, experience, and technology.

(+)
By: The Powershell Podcast submitted:Dec 8 2023

Fun

fish shell (fishshell.com)
Billed as a command line shell for the 90s
By: fish shell submitted:Dec 8 2023

Do you have a suggestion for PowerShell Weekly? Do you know something that should be included? Let me know in the comments below, or on
twitter.

December 1, 2023

Announcements!

PowerShell + DevOps Global Summit Early Bird Tickets Now on Sale (powershell.org)
Unlock Your PowerShell Potential: PowerShell + DevOps Global Summit Tickets Now on Sale! Are you

ready to elevate your PowerShell and DevOps skills to new heights? The wait is over!

(+)
By: James Petty submitted:Dec 1 2023

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

Ask Jeff November 2023 (jeffhicks.substack.com)
I am amazed at how quickly the year is flying by, and there is so much left on my to-do list for

2023. I guess we'd better get right to the monthly wrap-up.

(+)
By: Jeff Hicks submitted:Dec 1 2023

Automate Text Summarization with OpenAI and PowerShell (devblogs.microsoft.com)
This easy-to-follow guide shows you how to use PowerShell to summarize text using OpenAI's GPT-3.5

API.

(+)
By: Piyush Tripathi submitted:Dec 1 2023

Generating PowerShell module documentation with platyPS (mikefrobbins.com)
Creating accurate and efficient documentation is paramount in technical writing, especially for

PowerShell modules. platyPS, an open-source module, emerged as a solution for generating Markdown-based reference content for PowerShell modules. This article provides a comprehensive guide for using platyPS to create and maintain high-quality reference documentation for your PowerShell module, enhancing the experience for both module authors and users.

(+)
By: Mike F Robbins submitted:Dec 1 2023

Getting Download Links from Webpages using PowerShell (blog.griff.systems)
Introduction I recently had the need to update the Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server on a

collection of Windows servers.

(+)
By: Griff submitted:Dec 1 2023

Microsoft Intune PowerShell Detection scripts (powershellisfun.com)
When I deploy Win32 packages in Intune, I use PowerShell detection scripts to detect if the software

is installed on a system. In the blog post, I will show you how they work and why they are more flexible than file and registry checks. What are detection scripts in Intune?

(+)
By: Harm Veenstra submitted:Dec 1 2023

PowerShell Perfomance-Test: Get the Maximum (devdojo.com)
Efficiency is key when working with PowerShell, and maximizing performance is a common goal for

script developers. In this post, we'll explore various techniques for retrieving the maximum number from arrays of different sizes, comparing well-known approaches like Measure-Object, Sort-Object and a more mathematical method.

(+)
By: Christian Ritter submitted:Dec 1 2023

Reporting User and Group Assignments for Enterprise Applications (office365itpros.com)
A reader asked how to report user and group assignments for enterprise apps. As it turns out, this

isn't particularly difficult, if you know where to look. Our script uses the Graph SDK to check service principals, filters out the apps to check, and extracts the user and group assignments before reporting what it finds.

(+)
By: Tony Redmond submitted:Dec 1 2023

Streamlining Security: Converting CRT Certificates to PEM (adamtheautomator.com)
Dive in and learn how to use and to convert CRT certificates to PEM via PowerShell scripts in this

ATA Learning tutorial!

(+)
By: Arman Castillote submitted:Dec 1 2023

Terminal Chat in Windows Terminal Canary (devblogs.microsoft.com)
At Build 2023, we announced that Windows Terminal users will be able to take advantage of natural

language AI to recommend commands, explain errors and take actions within Windows Terminal. Since then, we have been listening to customer feedback and iterating on our AI chat experiments in Windows Terminal.

(+)
By: Christopher Nguyen submitted:Dec 1 2023

Using a specific PowerShell profile for a Console session, Windows Terminal, PowerShell ISE, or Visual Studio Code (powershellisfun.com)
I ran into this somewhere during this week. I wanted to have different PowerShell profiles for other

applications. (I don't need all my functions and scripts being loaded in every PowerShell session or by a Scheduled Task) In this blog post, I will show you how to change your PowerShell profiles and make them specific for an application.

(+)
By: Harm Veenstra submitted:Dec 1 2023

Using PowerShell and Twilio API for Efficient Communication in Contact Tracing (devblogs.microsoft.com)
Learn to integrate PowerShell with Twilio API and streamline communication for COVID-19 contact

tracing initiatives.

(+)
By: Piyush Tripathi submitted:Dec 1 2023

Where the heck is the PowerShell Module loading from? (blog.darrenjrobinson.com)
If you're anything like me you always have PowerShell open, and often both PowerShell and Windows

PowerShell. And PowerShell in VSCode and Terminal (and sometimes Jupyter Notebook, and WSL - Windows Subsystem for Linux).

(+)
By: Darren Robinson submitted:Dec 1 2023

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

PowerShell-ALC (github.com)
Example ALC structures to use with in a PowerShell module - GitHub - jborean93/PowerShell-ALC:

Example ALC structures to use with in a PowerShell module

(+)
By: Jordan Borean submitted:Dec 1 2023

Wingetposh v1.0.1 (github.com)
Winget helper written in Powershel
By: yves848 submitted:Dec 1 2023

Books, Media, and Learning Resources

AI-Powered Coding: Unleashing Data and SQL Mastery with GPT Function Calling (youtube.com)
Experience the synergy of AI and coding - tune in to see how GPT Function Calling transforms

external tools and database management with Doug Finke on the Microsoft VS Code Livestream.

(+)
By: Doug Finke submitted:Dec 1 2023

Community

In Code We Trust: Being Thankful for PowerShell (powershellpodcast.podbean.com)
In this special gratitude-filled episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we take time to appreciate the

wonderful world of PowerShell - where tech and community coalesce. We highlight some splendid community projects, highlighting their large impacts and innovative approaches. As we recall our podcast journey, we revel in a nostalgic look back while also envisioning a powerful future. From personal anecdotes revealing how PowerShell has shaped our tech lives to a thought-provoking expose on error handling, the episode is a wholesome tableau of learning, reflection, and connection. It's a delightful mix of the cerebral and the personal - with plenty to be thankful for!

(+)
By: The Powershell Podcast submitted:Dec 1 2023

OnRamp2024 Program Unveiled (powershell.org)
The PowerShell + DevOps Global Summit proudly announces the OnRamp Program for 2024 to foster

inclusivity and provide opportunities for aspiring IT professionals.

(+)
By: James Petty submitted:Dec 1 2023

PowerShell Pulse: Monthly Tech Talks & Community Showcase (meetup.com)
Welcome to PowerShell Pulse, a monthly virtual gathering that brings the vibrancy and innovation of

the PowerShell community right to your screen! Call for speakers now open.

(+)
By: Doug Finke submitted:Dec 1 2023

PowerShell Summit & More: A Chat with James Petty (powershellpodcast.podbean.com)
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we were joined by Microsoft MVP and PowerShell.org CEO

James Petty. We dove into the core of what PowerShell.org brings to the community and James' instrumental role in driving this platform forward. James shared insightful details about the future of the eagerly awaited PowerShell Summit, highlighting the significant and welcome changes in store for next year. The conversation also hailed his latest literary creation, 'Learn PowerShell Scripting in a Month of Lunches,' as we explored the evolution in content and approach compared to its predecessor. Adding to this rich mix were James' anecdotes from his time as a professor teaching PowerShell at a college, providing a truly riveting podcast that celebrates the wide-reaching influence of PowerShell.

(+)
By: The Powershell Podcast submitted:Dec 1 2023

Fun

Automating life tasks (reddit.com)
Been automating a lot of my task at work away with powershell. What are some things in your daily

life that you could use powershell to automate away?

(+)
By: u/wrestler0609 submitted:Dec 1 2023

Let’s have a look at what commands we use (gist.github.com)
Let's have a look at what commands we use. GitHub Gist: instantly share code, notes, and snippets.
By: Joel Bennett submitted:Dec 1 2023

Upcoming Events

Advent of Code 2023 (adventofcode.com)
Today is the first day!
By: Advent of Code submitted:Dec 1 2023

Do you have a suggestion for PowerShell Weekly? Do you know something that should be included? Let me know in the comments below, or on
twitter.

November 17, 2023

Announcements!

PowerShell 7.4 General Availability (devblogs.microsoft.com)
PowerShell 7.4 GA has been released.
By: Steve Lee submitted:Nov 17 2023

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

Azure Arc-enabled servers: Automate scripts with Bicep & Azure DevOps (markou.me)
Azure Arc empowers you to extend Azure management and services to any infrastructure. One powerful

way to leverage Azure Arc is by automating script execution

(+)
By: George Markou submitted:Nov 17 2023

Best Practices Make Perfect (jeffhicks.substack.com)
Over the last several weeks, I've been sharing and demonstrating techniques for writing effective

PowerShell functions. I know I've mentioned a few recommended best practices. But since they are important, I want to review and re-emphasize them. These practices will make your code easier to write, debug or troubleshoot and more secure. I'd like to think some of them are simply common sense, but sometimes we need someone to remind us. These items are not in any particular order.

(+)
By: Jeff Hicks submitted:Nov 17 2023

Building a Notion PowerShell Module: Part 3 (adamtheautomator.com)
Learn the next steps of building a PowerShell Notion module in this in-depth PowerShell tutorial by

ATA Learning!

(+)
By: Adam Listek submitted:Nov 17 2023

Customizing the Microsoft 365 User Profile Card with the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK (office365itpros.com)
This article describes how to use the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK to customize the user account

properties shown by the Microsoft 365 user profile card. Previously this was possible using a Graph API request to the beta endpoint. Now everything is in production and Graph SDK cmdlets are available to make customization a tad easier.

(+)
By: Tony Redmond submitted:Nov 17 2023

PowerShell: Search for Empty Folders (and delete them) (sid-500.com)
We live in times of Big Data. Too much data in too short a time. You may have empty folders in your

environment and if you want to search for them

(+)
By: Patrick Gruenauer submitted:Nov 17 2023

Security Update: PowerShell Universal CVE TBD (blog.ironmansoftware.com)
Learn about CVE TBD in PowerShell Universal.
By: Adam Driscoll submitted:Nov 17 2023

Speeding up PowerShell module development with RestartableSession (mdgrs.hashnode.dev)
Let's assume you are developing a PowerShell module. You would add small modifications to the module

and test if they work as expected iteratively. In each iteration, after you edit the module code, how do you test the modification?

(+)
By: mdgrs submitted:Nov 17 2023

Using Power Automate and Azure Automation to Manage the Lifecycle of SharePoint Sites (practical365.com)
A key aspect of a well-managed Microsoft 365 environment is to ensure that SharePoint sites are

removed when they are no longer needed. In this blog, Sean McAvinue explores how to combine relatively basic PowerShell and Azure Automation skills with Power Automate to create a clean, robust way to manage the lifecycle of SharePoint sites in your Microsoft 365 tenant.

(+)
By: Sean McAvinue submitted:Nov 17 2023

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

Get Microsoft 365 License Usage Count Using PowerShell (thesysadminchannel.com)
Keeping an eye on the available licenses in your Microsoft tenant is essential to ensuring you and

your users have what is needed to keep the business running. Whether you assign licenses directly or you use Group Based Licensing

(+)
By: Paul Contreras submitted:Nov 17 2023

PSZoom v 2.0.4.2 (powershellgallery.com)
A collection of Powershell tools to interface with the Zoom Api.
By: Joseph McEvoy submitted:Nov 17 2023

Community

Emil Larsson: Creating Communal Tech Waves with PowerShell (powershellpodcast.podbean.com)
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we had Emil Larsson join us! We had a healthy amount of

community blogs in this episode, with lots of great conversation all throughout. We discussed how helpful contributing to PowerShell docs can be. We learned about Emil's evolution with PowerShell and how the industry has changed in his 10+ years of experience. Emil and Andrew revisited their early IT days of grappling with upgrades from Windows XP to Windows 7, making all of us a bit nostalgic. We also had a fair bit of discussion around what the PowerShell community is all about.

(+)
By: The Powershell Podcast submitted:Nov 17 2023

Fun

Happy 17th Birthday PowerShell – Ed Tittel (edtittel.com)
On November 14, 2023, I wish "Happy 17th Birthday PowerShell" to express my thanks for this

powerful, flexible open source command line.

(+)
By: Ed Tittel submitted:Nov 17 2023

What are some of the coolest things you’ve built outside of your job? (reddit.com)
As in, things for personal use or personal projects you've created?
By: u/teddy022 submitted:Nov 17 2023

Do you have a suggestion for PowerShell Weekly? Do you know something that should be included? Let me know in the comments below, or on
twitter.

November 10, 2023

Announcements!

New version of PowerShell AI (github.com)
Support latest OpenAI API models gpt-4-1106-preview and gpt-3.5-turbo-1106. Add Get-ChatCompletion

to the list to support Azure Open AI. Add function ConvertTo-JsonL

(+)
By: Doug Finke submitted:Nov 10 2023

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

Automating maintenance tasks with Azure Functions and PowerShell – Part 2: Deployment (jannemattila.com)
Janne Mattila's blog | From programmer to programmer - Programming just for the fun of it
By: Janne Mattila submitted:Nov 10 2023

Git Status – Clayton Errington (claytonerrington.com)
Quick way to get the status of multiple repositories at a time
By: Clayton Errington submitted:Nov 10 2023

Reporting the Storage Used by Loop Workspaces (office365itpros.com)
When Microsoft put the Loop app into preview, they didn't impose any restrictions in terms of

licensing or workspace storage. MC678308 announces that Loop workspace storage will count against the tenant SharePoint Online storage quota. This article explains how to use the Get-SPOContainer cmdlet to fetch information about Loop workspaces and the storage they consume.

(+)
By: Tony Redmond submitted:Nov 10 2023

Send Emails with Microsoft Graph API and PowerShell (woshub.com)
To send e-mail through an SMTP server from PowerShell scripts, you can use the built-in

Send-MailMessage cmdlet. Its major drawback is that it can only use Basic SMTP authentication and...

(+)
By: Windows OS Hub submitted:Nov 10 2023

Use symlinks to version-control your PowerShell profile with Git (mikefrobbins.com)
PowerShell is a versatile command-line shell and scripting environment that empowers system

administrators and developers to automate tasks and manage systems more efficiently. One of PowerShell's features is its profile, a script that runs when you start a PowerShell session. Storing your PowerShell profile in a Git repository is an excellent option when working across multiple systems or when you want to version-control your setup. This article discusses using symbolic links to manage your PowerShell profile with Git.

(+)
By: Mike F Robbins submitted:Nov 10 2023

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

MailPolicyExplainer 1.3.0 (powershellgallery.com)
Explains a domain's email DNS records, including MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and more.
By: Colin Cogle submitted:Nov 10 2023

Removing stale devices from Entra/Intune (randriksen.net)
Today, I continued the cleanup process of our Entra Directory. There were about 7500 Stale devices

in the directory, and I'm not that fond of clicking my mouse. So I needed a quicker method to deal with the devices. And as you've probably figured out already, that means PowerShell.

(+)
By: Ole submitted:Nov 10 2023

Books, Media, and Learning Resources

PowerShell 101: The No-Nonsense Guide to Windows PowerShell (leanpub.com)
What does the flower on the cover of this book have to do with PowerShell? Flowers grow from the

ground up. My goal with this book is to help you build your PowerShell skills from the ground up and be well on your way to writing PowerShell code that's as beautiful as the daylily on the cover of this book by the time you finish it.

(+)
By: Mike F. Robbins submitted:Nov 10 2023

Community

Entra Insights and Merill Fernando’s Toolbox: Powering the Community (powershellpodcast.podbean.com)
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we had an enlightening conversation with Merill Fernando,

a Principal Product Manager on Microsoft's Entra team. Our discussion unveiled an in-depth look at Microsoft Entra, providing listeners with tips and tricks. Merill generously shared his journey in becoming a PM, emphasizing the pivotal role of learning and sharing knowledge within our tech community. We also delved into the emerging importance of transitioning from the AzureAD module towards a more streamlined approach using Graph. Not to miss, Merill spotlighted his widely acclaimed tools such as [akasearch.net](http://akasearch.net), idPowerToys, and entra. news, and more, opening up an array of exciting possibilities for our listeners. Join us as we explore these topics and a whole lot more in yet another riveting session of the PowerShell Podcast.

(+)
By: The Powershell Podcast submitted:Nov 10 2023

Fun

ASCIIWRITE v 1.0.1 (powershellgallery.com)
Write ASCII Block Font
By: Robin Granberg submitted:Nov 10 2023

Do you have a suggestion for PowerShell Weekly? Do you know something that should be included? Let me know in the comments below, or on
twitter.

November 3, 2023

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

10 PowerShell Commands Always On VPN Administrators Should Know (directaccess.richardhicks.com)
Managing a secure and reliable VPN infrastructure is critical for supporting today's highly mobile

workforce. For Always On VPN administrators, PowerShell is an indispensable tool for achieving this goal. Not only can PowerShell be used to automate the installation and configuration of Windows Server Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) server

(+)
By: Richard M. Hicks submitted:Nov 3 2023

Automating Windows 365 part 1 – Introducing Graph and setting up Visual Studio code (sccmentor.com)
Introduction This is Part 1 of a new series of guides which will cover managing Windows 365 Cloud

PC's using PowerShell and Microsoft Graph. This mini series should help you get started with automating

(+)
By: SCCMentor submitted:Nov 3 2023

Building a Notion PowerShell Module: Part 2 (adamtheautomator.com)
Learn the next steps of building a PowerShell Notion module in this in-depth PowerShell tuto
By: Adam Listek submitted:Nov 3 2023

Navigating the Nuances of PowerShell Syntax with Get-Help and Get-Command (mikefrobbins.com)
When working with PowerShell, it's essential to understand the tools available for exploring cmdlets

and their syntax. Both Get-Help and Get-Command are invaluable resources for discovering and understanding cmdlet syntax in PowerShell.

(+)
By: Mike F Robbins submitted:Nov 3 2023

New version of MGNestedGroups (randriksen.net)
I've just released a new version of my MGNestedGroups module. It's a pretty niche module, but it's

something I've found usefull at work, so I've improved it a little bit now.

(+)
By: Ole submitted:Nov 3 2023

PowerShell: List and document all Hyper-V VMs with the most important properties (sid-500.com)
So you have multiple Hyper-V VMs and may have lost track of them. In this post I will show you how

to retrieve all Hyper-V VMs with the most important properties and [...]

(+)
By: Patrick Gruenauer submitted:Nov 3 2023

Using Get-ManagementRole to get the permissions required for Exchange-specific cmdlets (powershellisfun.com)
I ran into an issue where one of my Exchange scripts didn't work, "a parameter could not be found

that matches the parameter..." Strange error because the parameter is there... Or is it? In this blog post, I will show you how Get-ManagementRole works in Exchange and how it can help you with issues like this.

(+)
By: Harm Veenstra submitted:Nov 3 2023

Using Microsoft Graph SDK Cmdlets to Create a SharePoint Online List (office365itpros.com)
An article last week discussed how to create SharePoint lists with the PnP.PowerShell module. In

this article, we do the same with cmdlets from the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK. The results achieved with the Graph SDK aren't as good as those gained with PnP.PowerShell. Some of the SDK cmdlets don't function as expected and the resulting list is not as functional as the one generated by PnP. Oh well...

(+)
By: Tony Redmond submitted:Nov 3 2023

Zabbix: How to Get Data from PowerShell Scripts (woshub.com)
In this article, we will look at configuring the Zabbix Agent to retrieve monitoring data from

PowerShell scripts. Let's look at two PowerShell scripts to get some data into Zabbix....

(+)
By: admin submitted:Nov 3 2023

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

SlackWeb v0.2 (powershellgallery.com)
Enables you to work with Slack via the web-API rather then the regular API. This allows you to

automate Slack actions w/o registering an application in your workspace.

(+)
By: Kirill Nikolaev submitted:Nov 3 2023

TimeKeeping Assistant (reddit.com)
Unexpectedly received some interest when posting my 'what have you used Powershell for this month'

and have been asked to share - below is the script I mashed together to improve my logging of how I spend my time at work.

(+)
By: u/baron--greenback submitted:Nov 3 2023

Books, Media, and Learning Resources

AI Meets PowerShell: OpenAI Developments & Exciting Upcoming Events! (youtube.com)
Join Doug, a Microsoft MVP, AI developer, and seasoned PowerShell expert, as he delves into the

latest advancements from OpenAI and their implications for PowerShell users. Get the inside scoop on the upcoming OpenAI developer conference and anticipate announcements from tech titans like OpenAI, Microsoft and Nvidia.

(+)
By: Doug Finke submitted:Nov 3 2023

Microsoft Azure Management with PowerShell – Introduction (youtube.com)
blank
By: Luke Murray submitted:Nov 3 2023

Community

DSC, Community, and PowerShell: A conversation with Michael Greene (powershellpodcast.podbean.com)
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we were joined by Michael Greene, a prominent figure from

the PowerShell team at Microsoft. Our enlightening discussion revolved around his instrumental role in the progression from DSC 2.0 to 3.0, largely influenced by invaluable customer feedback. Greene's key involvement in co-authoring the Infrastructure Release Pipeline whitepaper with Steven Murawksi was another topic of conversation. Catapulting to being a Product Manager, he shared his journey, highlighting the importance of being accessible, empathetic, and staying focused on the community. Furthermore, the conversation took an intriguing turn toward the future, debating the possibilities of AI and terminal experiences in the future.

(+)
By: The Powershell Podcast submitted:Nov 3 2023

Do you have a suggestion for PowerShell Weekly? Do you know something that should be included? Let me know in the comments below, or on
twitter.

October 27, 2023

Announcements!

PowerShell 7.4 Release Candidate 1 (learn.microsoft.com)
PowerShell 7.4-rc.1 includes the following features, updates, and breaking changes.
By: The PowerShell Team submitted:Oct 27 2023

PowerShell Extension for Visual Studio Code Fall 2023 Update (devblogs.microsoft.com)
PowerShell Extension for Visual Studio Fall 2023 Update
By: Sydney Smith submitted:Oct 27 2023

v7.3.9 Release of PowerShell (github.com)
Come get the latest version of PowerShell
By: The PowerShell Team submitted:Oct 27 2023

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

Automatically remove and disable unwelcome objects from privileged on-premises Active Directory groups using Microsoft Sentinel (imab.dk)
Introduction Active Directory is a prime target for attackers - and for most organizations something

that's considered the crown jewels. This is due to Active Directory still being the bread and butter for most organizations in regard to authentication and authorization. When it comes to security, automation is your best friend and keeping a close eye on privileged group membership should be on top of your list. This post will walk you through, how you can make sure no unwelcome objects make their way into privileged groups in on-premises AD, by leveraging Microsoft Sentinel and its option to run playbooks automated. This breaks down to Microsoft Sentinel generating an alert, which triggers the associated Playbook, which triggers a Logic app, which triggers a Runbook in an Automation Account, which ultimately runs a PowerShell script on an on-premises server.

(+)
By: Martin Bengtsson submitted:Oct 27 2023

Azure Arc: Provision an Extended Security License with an Azure PowerShell script (wmatthyssen.com)
In this blog post, you'll learn how to use an Azure PowerShell script to provision an Extended

Security License (ESU)

(+)
By: Wim Matthyssen submitted:Oct 27 2023

Check for non-Microsoft signed Windows Services (powershellisfun.com)
I have a lot of Windows Services on my Windows 11 laptop, mainly from Microsoft itself or

third-party, but Microsoft signed are safe(r). In this blog post, I will show you how you can scan your system for non-Microsoft signed Windows Services and create a report on those.

(+)
By: Harm Veenstra submitted:Oct 27 2023

DCToolbox – An Easy Approach to Deploy Conditional Access Policies (o365reports.com)
When it comes to Conditional Access policies in Microsoft 365, the task isn't a walk in the park for

administrators; it is a critical task to do! While our primary concern is safeguarding our data with these policies, it's equally important

(+)
By: Thiraviam submitted:Oct 27 2023

SharePoint Management Shell [How to use] (spguides.com)
Do you want to know how to use the SharePoint management shell? In this PowerShell tutorial, I will

explain how to connect with SharePoint sites from Microsoft PowerShell. I will show you how to use the SharePoint Online management shell to connect with SharePoint Online sites and also how to work with SharePoint on-premises sites.

(+)
By: Bijay Kumar submitted:Oct 27 2023

Simple HTTP Server (claytonerrington.com)
Setting up a simple web server with PowerShell
By: Clayton Errington submitted:Oct 27 2023

Use PowerShell to integrate OpenAI GPT with context menu (itconstructors.com)
Do you know that it's possible to use PowerShell to integrate OpenAI GPT with context menu in

Windows? It's even really simple and with help of this article everyone can make it. In this example, I'll add a new item to context menu (when you right click on a file). It appears only for PowerShell ...

(+)
By: Wiktor Mrowczynski submitted:Oct 27 2023

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

PowerServe (github.com)
Run pwsh scripts repeatedly in a high performance manner and get JSONified results.
By: Justin Grote submitted:Oct 27 2023

Community

The eye of the Tyger: Clayton Tyger, A PowerShell Rising Star (powershellpodcast.podbean.com)
In the latest episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we dove deep into the world of guest Clayton Tyger,

a rising figure in the PowerShell community. Clayton shared his intriguing journey into the world of PowerShell, shedding light on his first steps and his continuous involvement in the community. Of particular significance was our discussion about his experience developing the impactful 365AutomatedLab module. Also, Clayton's "Getting Started with 365AutomatedLab module" blog received special attention, serving as a fantastic resource for fellow developers. The episode provided remarkable insights, demonstrating Clayton's expertise and his dedication to sharing knowledge with the community.

(+)
By: The Powershell Podcast submitted:Oct 27 2023

Do you have a suggestion for PowerShell Weekly? Do you know something that should be included? Let me know in the comments below, or on
twitter.

October 20, 2023

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

An easy way to figure out what old scripts actually do, document them and maybe even improve them (randriksen.net)
In most of my jobs in the last 12 years, I've encountered situations where my predecessors had

already left before I started, and I had to search far and wide for documentation on how they had set up the systems.

(+)
By: Ole Rand-Hendriksen submitted:Oct 20 2023

Automatically convert a PowerShell command to use splatting (mikefrobbins.com)
You have a lengthy multi-parameter PowerShell command that you'd like to convert to use splatting.

For example, you want to convert the following command for

(+)
By: Mike F. Robbins submitted:Oct 20 2023

Automating Azure Resource Deployments in PowerShell: Part 1 (adamtheautomator.com)
Learn the many ways to get started with automating Azure resource deployments in part one of this

three part series.

(+)
By: Adam Listek submitted:Oct 20 2023

Azure Arc: Remove an Extended Security License with an Azure PowerShell script (wmatthyssen.com)
In this blog post, you'll discover how to utilize an Azure PowerShell script for removing an

Extended Security License (ESU)Continue Reading

(+)
By: Wim Matthyssen submitted:Oct 20 2023

Get and set IP address with PowerShell (4sysops.com)
Setting the IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS of your network card is one of the

most basic tasks you're expected to do as an administrator. This guide will teach you how to use PowerShell to get and set the IP address.

(+)
By: Emanuel Halapciuc submitted:Oct 20 2023

How to use PowerShell to change the publish date of a news page in SharePoint Online (menzel.it)
Introduction In this blog post, we will explore how to use PowerShell to change the first publish

date of a news page in SharePoint Online. This can be useful if you need to update the publish date of a news page to reflect changes in the content or to correct errors in the original publish date.

(+)
By: Oliver Menzel submitted:Oct 20 2023

Regex a UNC path – Clayton Errington (claytonerrington.com)
While working with files and paths I needed a way to extract a UNC path.
By: Clayton Errington submitted:Oct 20 2023

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

Active Directory: List all Network Shares from all Windows Servers (sid-500.com)
In today's blog post I show how to retrieve all network shares from all servers in an Active

Directory domain to get a nice list in the output.

(+)
By: Patrick Gruenauer submitted:Oct 20 2023

TeamViewerPS v 1.5.2 (powershellgallery.com)
TeamViewerPS allows to interact with the TeamViewer Web API as well as a locally installed

TeamViewer client.

(+)
By: TeamViewer Germany GmbH submitted:Oct 20 2023

Books, Media, and Learning Resources

Get PowerShell Working With The Gitlab GraphQL API (youtube.com)
Learn how to interact with GitLab via PowerShell
By: iAutomate submitted:Oct 20 2023

Community

Joe Houghes; Soft Skills, Community, and Professional Growth (powershellpodcast.podbean.com)
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we were thrilled to sit virtually with none other than

Joe Houghes, engaging him in an insightful discussion about his dynamic journey and participation in community activity. Woven throughout with humor and knowledge, our ponderings with Joe centered around the significance of building relationships within the community. We ventured further into the dialogue surrounding the emphasis on soft skills and their interaction with professional growth. The conversation pivoted towards effective communication as an investment into one's self, bringing about palpable value in the workplace. Walk away with a newfound reflective insight and tangible advice for involvement in the community, all courtesy of Joe's enlightening experiences.

(+)
By: The Powershell Podcast submitted:Oct 20 2023

PowerShell + DevOps Global Summit 2024: Call for Papers (sessionize.com)
Submit your sessions now for summit 2024.
By: The DevOps Collective submitted:Oct 20 2023

Fun

Friday the 13th Fun (jdhitsolutions.com)
It is that time of year again. But instead of being freaked out by Friday the 13th, let's have a

little fun. Here is a collection of PowerShell one-liners, all celebrating 13. And maybe you'll even pick up something new about PowerShell. Manage and Report Active Directory, Exchange and Microsoft 365 withManageEngine ADManager Plus -...

(+)
By: Jeff Hicks submitted:Oct 20 2023

I always knew PowerShell could be evil (bsky.app)
Now I have proof!
By: James Brundage submitted:Oct 20 2023

Do you have a suggestion for PowerShell Weekly? Do you know something that should be included? Let me know in the comments below, or on
twitter.

newer

older

PowerShell Weekly – Your weekly round up of all things PowerShell

Categories

Archive