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AI Instructor Live Labs Included

AZ-040: Automating Administration with PowerShell

Master PowerShell with 16 hands-on labs covering scripting fundamentals, Active Directory management, Windows Server administration, Azure resource management, and Microsoft 365 automation.

Advanced

1d 12h 50m

32 Lessons

AZ-040

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About This Course

Master PowerShell for enterprise administration and automation with this advanced course featuring 16 hands-on labs covering Windows Server, Azure, and Microsoft 365 management. You'll progress from PowerShell fundamentals to advanced scripting techniques, building the automation skills that modern IT administrators need daily.The course begins with PowerShell foundations understanding the command-line environment, discovering and executing cmdlets, working with the pipeline, and filtering and formatting output. You'll learn to navigate the object-oriented nature of PowerShell, using properties and methods to extract and manipulate data from any source. Core scripting topics include variables, arrays, hash tables, conditional logic, loops, error handling, and building reusable functions with parameters.You'll apply these skills to real-world administration scenarios: managing Active Directory users, groups, and organizational units; configuring Windows Server roles and features; managing Azure resources including virtual machines, storage accounts, and resource groups with the Az PowerShell module; and administering Microsoft 365 users, licenses, and Exchange Online mailboxes. Advanced topics include working with REST APIs, parsing JSON and XML data, creating scheduled tasks for automated reporting, and using PowerShell remoting for managing multiple servers simultaneously.Each lab is guided by an AI instructor who teaches concepts interactively and walks you through progressively complex exercises. This course is ideal for system administrators, IT professionals, and DevOps engineers who want to automate repetitive tasks, build consistent management workflows, and dramatically increase their operational efficiency.

Course Curriculum

32 Lessons

AI Lesson

Review Windows PowerShell

45m

Introduction to Windows PowerShell, its versions, host applications (console, ISE, VS Code), and how to configure and customize the PowerShell environment.

Lab Exercise

Review Windows PowerShell - Lab Exercises

1h 20m 2 Exercises

Introduction to Windows PowerShell, its versions, host applications (console, ISE, VS Code), and how to configure and customize the PowerShell environment.

Configuring the Windows PowerShell console application Configure the Windows PowerShell console application, including font, colors, layout, and starting a transcript. ~20 min

Configuring the Windows PowerShell ISE application Open and customize the Windows PowerShell ISE application appearance and layout. ~15 min

AI Lesson

Understanding Command Syntax and Finding Commands

45m

Learn PowerShell's verb-noun command naming convention, how to discover commands using Get-Help and Get-Command, and how to use the built-in About files for reference.

Lab Exercise

Understanding Command Syntax and Finding Commands - Lab Exercises

1h 30m 2 Exercises

Learn cmdlet structure, parameters, tab completion, and how to discover commands with Get-Command, Get-Help, and About files.

Finding and running Windows PowerShell commands Find commands that accomplish specified tasks and run commands to perform specific administrative operations. ~30 min

Using About files Locate and review About help files to find information about PowerShell operators, environment variables, and code signing. ~15 min

AI Lesson

Managing Active Directory with PowerShell

45m

Learn to use PowerShell cmdlets from the ActiveDirectory module to create and manage users, groups, organizational units, and other AD objects.

Lab Exercise

Managing Active Directory with PowerShell - Lab Exercises

1h 5m 1 Exercises

Use PowerShell to manage Active Directory objects including users, groups, organizational units, and computer accounts.

Creating and managing Active Directory objects Create and manage Active Directory organizational units, groups, users, and computer accounts using PowerShell. ~20 min

AI Lesson

Configuring Network Settings and Windows Server with PowerShell

45m

Learn to configure IP addresses, DNS settings, and network adapters using PowerShell, and automate Windows Server role installation including IIS.

Lab Exercise

Configuring Network Settings and Windows Server with PowerShell - Lab Exercises

1h 20m 2 Exercises

Configure network adapters, IP addresses, DNS, test connectivity, install Windows Server roles, and manage IIS using PowerShell.

Configuring network settings on Windows Server Test network connections and configure IP address, DNS, and default gateway settings on Windows Server using PowerShell. ~20 min

Creating a website Install the Web Server (IIS) role and create an IIS website using PowerShell. ~15 min

AI Lesson

Understanding the PowerShell Pipeline

45m

Learn how the PowerShell pipeline passes objects between commands, and how to use Select-Object, Sort-Object, and Format cmdlets to shape output.

Lab Exercise

Understanding the PowerShell Pipeline - Lab Exercises

1h 15m 1 Exercises

Learn how objects flow through the PowerShell pipeline and use Select-Object, Sort-Object, Measure-Object, Group-Object, and formatting cmdlets.

Selecting, sorting, and displaying data Practice selecting, sorting, and displaying data using PowerShell pipeline commands. ~30 min

AI Lesson

Filtering and Enumerating Objects in the Pipeline

45m

Learn to use Where-Object for filtering and ForEach-Object for enumeration, comparison operators, and efficient pipeline data processing.

Lab Exercise

Filtering and Enumerating Objects in the Pipeline - Lab Exercises

1h 30m 2 Exercises

Filter pipeline objects with Where-Object using comparison operators and enumerate objects with ForEach-Object for transformation.

Filtering objects Practice filtering objects in the PowerShell pipeline using Where-Object and other filtering techniques. ~25 min

Enumerating objects Practice enumerating objects in the PowerShell pipeline using ForEach-Object and related techniques. ~20 min

AI Lesson

Sending Pipeline Data as Output and Passing Pipeline Objects

45m

Learn to convert and export PowerShell objects to various formats including CSV, XML, HTML, and JSON for reporting and system integration.

Lab Exercise

Sending Pipeline Data as Output and Passing Pipeline Objects - Lab Exercises

1h 5m 1 Exercises

Export and convert pipeline data to CSV, HTML, XML, and JSON formats. Understand pipeline parameter binding by value and by property name.

Converting objects Practice converting objects to different data formats including HTML, XML, and CSV using PowerShell pipeline. ~20 min

AI Lesson

Using PSProviders and PSDrives

45m

Learn the PSProvider abstraction model that provides unified navigation across file systems, registry, Active Directory, and certificate stores.

Lab Exercise

Using PSProviders and PSDrives - Lab Exercises

1h 30m 3 Exercises

Work with PSProviders and PSDrives to manage file systems, registry, certificates, and Active Directory using a consistent set of cmdlets.

Creating files and folders on a remote computer Practice creating files and folders on remote computers using PSProviders and PSDrives. ~15 min

Creating a registry key for your future scripts Practice creating registry keys and values using PowerShell PSProviders. ~15 min

Creating a new Active Directory drive Practice creating a PSDrive mapped to Active Directory and managing AD objects through the drive. ~15 min

AI Lesson

Querying Information with CIM and WMI

45m

Learn the difference between WMI and CIM, how to query system information programmatically, and invoke management methods on remote computers.

Lab Exercise

Querying Information with CIM and WMI - Lab Exercises

1h 40m 3 Exercises

Query management information using CIM and WMI cmdlets, discover classes and namespaces, connect to remote computers, and invoke methods.

Querying information by using WMI Query IP addresses, operating system version, computer system hardware, and service information using WMI commands. ~20 min

Querying information by using CIM Query user accounts, BIOS information, network adapter configuration, and user group information using CIM commands. ~20 min

Invoking methods Invoke CIM and WMI methods to restart a computer and change service start modes. ~15 min

AI Lesson

Working with Variables, Arrays, and Hash Tables

45m

Learn PowerShell data structures including variables with automatic typing, arrays as ordered collections, and hash tables as key-value stores for scripting.

Lab Exercise

Working with Variables, Arrays, and Hash Tables - Lab Exercises

1h 40m 3 Exercises

Create and manage variables with proper data types, work with arrays and array lists, and use hash tables and custom objects in PowerShell.

Working with variable types Work with string variables and DateTime variables in PowerShell. ~20 min

Using arrays Use arrays to update department information for users and work with array lists. ~20 min

Using hash tables Create and manipulate hash tables in PowerShell. ~15 min

AI Lesson

Creating and Running PowerShell Scripts

45m

Learn script execution policies, code signing, and control flow constructs (ForEach, If) for automating multi-step administrative tasks.

Lab Exercise

Creating and Running PowerShell Scripts - Lab Exercises

1h 45m 3 Exercises

Create, sign, and run PowerShell scripts. Use execution policies, ForEach loops, If/Switch statements, and other scripting constructs.

Signing a script Install a code signing certificate, digitally sign a script, and set the execution policy. ~20 min

Processing an array with a ForEach loop Create a test group and a script to configure the ipPhone attribute using a ForEach loop. ~20 min

Processing items by using If statements Create a services text file and a script that starts stopped services using If statements. ~20 min

AI Lesson

Advanced Scripting Techniques

45m

Learn parameterized scripts, CSV data import, remote querying patterns, and credential management for production-ready PowerShell automation.

Lab Exercise

Advanced Scripting Techniques - Lab Exercises

1h 30m 3 Exercises

Import data from files, accept user input with parameters, handle errors with Try/Catch, debug scripts, and create reusable functions and modules.

Creating users based on a CSV file Create AD DS users from a CSV file using a PowerShell script. ~15 min

Querying disk information from remote computers Create a script that queries disk information from remote computers with current credentials. ~15 min

Updating the script to use alternate credentials Update the disk information script to use alternate credentials for remote connections. ~15 min

AI Lesson

PowerShell Remoting

45m

Learn WinRM-based remoting including one-to-one sessions, one-to-many execution, implicit remoting, and persistent session management.

Lab Exercise

PowerShell Remoting - Lab Exercises

2h 15m 5 Exercises

Enable and use PowerShell remoting for one-to-one and one-to-many administration, implicit remoting, and persistent PSSessions.

Enabling remoting on the local computer Enable PowerShell remoting for incoming connections and review session configurations. ~15 min

Performing one-to-one remoting Connect to a remote computer, install features, test multi-hop remoting, and observe remoting limitations. ~20 min

Performing one-to-many remoting Retrieve network adapters from multiple computers and compare local vs remote command output. ~15 min

Using implicit remoting Create persistent remoting connections, import and use modules from a server, and manage remoting sessions. ~20 min

Managing multiple computers Create PSSessions to multiple computers, generate firewall and disk reports, and manage sessions. ~20 min

AI Lesson

Managing Azure Resources with PowerShell

45m

Learn the Azure Az PowerShell module, Azure Cloud Shell, and how to manage Azure resources including VMs, resource groups, and storage with PowerShell.

Lab Exercise

Managing Azure Resources with PowerShell - Lab Exercises

1h 55m 3 Exercises

Install the Az module, connect to Azure, use Cloud Shell, and manage Azure resources including VMs, networking, and storage with PowerShell.

Activating the Azure subscription and installing the PowerShell Az module Open the Azure portal and install the Azure Az module for PowerShell. ~20 min

Using Azure Cloud Shell Use Azure Cloud Shell to create a resource group using both PowerShell and Bash interfaces. ~20 min

Managing Azure resources with Azure PowerShell Create an Azure VM, add a disk, and delete Azure resources using PowerShell. ~30 min

AI Lesson

Managing Microsoft 365 with PowerShell

45m

Learn to manage Microsoft Entra ID, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and Microsoft Teams using PowerShell modules for bulk administration.

Lab Exercise

Managing Microsoft 365 with PowerShell - Lab Exercises

2h 5m 4 Exercises

Manage Microsoft 365 services including Entra ID users and groups, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and Microsoft Teams using PowerShell.

Managing users and groups in Microsoft Entra ID Connect to Microsoft Entra ID, create users, assign licenses, and manage groups using PowerShell. ~25 min

Managing Exchange Online Connect to Exchange Online, create a room mailbox, and verify resource booking. ~20 min

Managing SharePoint Online Connect to SharePoint Online and create a new site using PowerShell. ~15 min

Managing Microsoft Teams Connect to Microsoft Teams, create a team, add members, and verify access. ~20 min

AI Lesson

Using Background Jobs and Scheduled Jobs

45m

Learn Start-Job, Receive-Job for background processing and Register-ScheduledJob for recurring automation tasks in production environments.

Lab Exercise

Using Background Jobs and Scheduled Jobs - Lab Exercises

1h 25m 2 Exercises

Create and manage local jobs, remote jobs, and scheduled jobs. Use job triggers, scheduled tasks, and retrieve job results from history.

Starting and managing jobs Start remote and local PowerShell jobs, review and manage job status, and receive job results. ~20 min

Creating a scheduled job Create job options and triggers, register a scheduled job, and use a PowerShell script as a scheduled task. ~20 min

Under Maintenance

This course is currently being updated. Check back soon!

This course includes:

24/7 AI Instructor Support
Live Lab Environments
16 Hands-on Lessons
Completion Badge

Earn Your Badge

Complete all lessons to unlock the AZ-040: Automating Administration with PowerShell achievement badge.

Skill Level Advanced

Total Duration 1d 12h 50m

AZ-040: Automating Administration with PowerShell

About This Course

Course Curriculum

Review Windows PowerShell

Review Windows PowerShell - Lab Exercises

Understanding Command Syntax and Finding Commands

Understanding Command Syntax and Finding Commands - Lab Exercises

Managing Active Directory with PowerShell

Managing Active Directory with PowerShell - Lab Exercises

Configuring Network Settings and Windows Server with PowerShell

Configuring Network Settings and Windows Server with PowerShell - Lab Exercises

Understanding the PowerShell Pipeline

Understanding the PowerShell Pipeline - Lab Exercises

Filtering and Enumerating Objects in the Pipeline

Filtering and Enumerating Objects in the Pipeline - Lab Exercises

Sending Pipeline Data as Output and Passing Pipeline Objects

Sending Pipeline Data as Output and Passing Pipeline Objects - Lab Exercises

Using PSProviders and PSDrives

Using PSProviders and PSDrives - Lab Exercises

Querying Information with CIM and WMI

Querying Information with CIM and WMI - Lab Exercises

Working with Variables, Arrays, and Hash Tables

Working with Variables, Arrays, and Hash Tables - Lab Exercises

Creating and Running PowerShell Scripts

Creating and Running PowerShell Scripts - Lab Exercises

Advanced Scripting Techniques

Advanced Scripting Techniques - Lab Exercises

PowerShell Remoting

PowerShell Remoting - Lab Exercises

Managing Azure Resources with PowerShell

Managing Azure Resources with PowerShell - Lab Exercises

Managing Microsoft 365 with PowerShell

Managing Microsoft 365 with PowerShell - Lab Exercises

Using Background Jobs and Scheduled Jobs

Using Background Jobs and Scheduled Jobs - Lab Exercises

This course includes:

Earn Your Badge

AZ-040: Automating Administration with PowerShell

Skills You'll Earn