Top 10 Books To Learn PowerShell [2023]
PowerShell is a powerful command-line tool and scripting language that enables system administrators and developers to automate tasks, manage IT environments, and efficiently perform complex operations. Whether you are an advanced user or a beginner, many PowerShell books are available to help you learn and master this tool.
This blog will overview some of the best PowerShell books available today, highlighting their essential purposes. Whether you want to automate workflows, master scripting, or learn PowerShell in a month of lunches, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s dive in and get into the world of PowerShell!
Key Highlights
- Covers a range of topics, from beginner-friendly introductions to advanced scripting techniques.
- Provides practical solutions and real-world examples for system administrators and developers.
- Includes tips, best practices, and methods for writing efficient and effective scripts.
10 Best PowerShell Books
| Sr.no | Book | Author | Publish Date | Rating |
| 1 | Learn Windows PowerShell in a Month of Lunches | Don Jones | 2011 | Amazon: 4.7
Goodreads: 4.30 |
| 2 | Windows PowerShell Cookbook: The Complete Guide to Scripting Microsoft’s Command Shell | Lee Holmes | 2007 | Amazon: 4.6
Goodreads: 5 |
| 3 | PowerShell in Depth | Don Jones, Richard Siddaway, Jeffery Hicks | 2014 | Amazon: 4.7
Goodreads: 4.31 |
| 4 | PowerShell for Sysadmins: Workflow Automation Made Easy | Adam Bertram | 2020 | Amazon: 4.7
Goodreads: 4.31 |
| 5 | Windows PowerShell in Action | Bruce Payette | 2007 | Amazon: 4.3
Goodreads: 4.18 |
| 6 | Mastering Windows PowerShell Scripting: Automate and Manage Your Environment Using PowerShell Core 6.0 | Chris Dent | 2019 | Amazon: 4.6
Goodreads: 4.33 |
| 7 | PowerShell in Practice | Richard Siddaway | 2010 | Amazon: 4.3
Goodreads: 4.16 |
| 8 | Windows PowerShell Best Practices | Ed Wilson | 2014 | Amazon: 4.5
Goodreads: 4.71 |
| 9 | PowerShell for SQL Server Essentials | Donabel Santos | 2015 | Amazon: 4.1
Goodreads: 4 |
| 10 | PowerShell for SharePoint 2013 How-To | Steven Mann | 2013 | Amazon: 4.3
Goodreads: 3.75 |
Let us discuss the reviews and takeaways of the PowerShell Books:
Book #1: Learn Windows PowerShell in a Month of Lunches
Author: Don Jones
Review
This book is designed for beginners who want to learn PowerShell quickly and easily. The author, Don Jones, uses a step-by-step approach to teach readers how to automate tasks using PowerShell. The book includes practical exercises, allowing readers to apply their knowledge in real time. By the end of the book, readers get a solid understanding of PowerShell and can use it to automate repetitive tasks.
Key Takeaways
- Provides a beginner-friendly introduction to PowerShell.
- Follows a practical and hands-on approach.
- Teaches core concepts, commands, and syntax in just one month.
- Includes real-world examples and exercises to reinforce learning.
Book #2: Windows PowerShell Cookbook: The Complete Guide to Scripting Microsoft’s Command Shell
Author: Lee Holmes
Review
“Windows PowerShell Cookbook: The Complete Guide to Scripting Microsoft’s Command Shell” is an extensive guide to PowerShell scripting. It covers various topics, from basic PowerShell syntax to advanced scripting techniques. The book includes practical examples and step-by-step instructions that help readers understand how to use PowerShell effectively. The author, Lee Holmes, has a wealth of experience in PowerShell scripting and provides practical advice and tips throughout the book.
Key Takeaways
- Offers comprehensive coverage of PowerShell’s scripting capabilities.
- Features practical solutions to common scripting problems.
- Includes examples of real-world scripts that can be adapted to various scenarios.
- Provides in-depth explanations of PowerShell’s features and how to use them effectively.
Book #3: PowerShell in Depth
Author: Don Jones, Richard Siddaway, Jeffery Hicks
Review
This book is designed for advanced users who want to take their PowerShell skills to the next level. It covers advanced topics such as PowerShell workflow, debugging, and advanced functions. The book also includes practical examples and exercises, allowing readers to apply their knowledge. The authors are all experienced PowerShell users and provide expert advice throughout the book.
Key Takeaways
- Provides advanced coverage of PowerShell, including automation and scripting techniques.
- Covers topics such as remoting, debugging, and advanced functions.
- Includes best practices and tips for using PowerShell effectively.
- Suitable for intermediate to advanced users.
Book #4: PowerShell for Sysadmins: Workflow Automation Made Easy
Author: Adam Bertram
Review
“PowerShell for Sysadmins: Workflow Automation Made Easy” by Adam Bertram is designed for system administrators who want to automate repetitive tasks using PowerShell. The author, Adam Bertram, uses a practical approach to teach readers how to use PowerShell to automate workflows. The book includes practical examples and step-by-step instructions that help readers understand how to use PowerShell effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Focuses on using PowerShell for automation and workflow management.
- Includes real-world examples and use cases.
- Covers topics such as scheduled tasks, job scheduling, and event handling.
- Suitable for system administrators with some PowerShell experience.
Book #5: Windows PowerShell in Action
Author: Bruce Payette
Review
This book is a comprehensive guide to PowerShell scripting. It covers various topics, from basic PowerShell syntax to advanced scripting techniques. The book includes practical examples and step-by-step instructions that help readers understand how to use PowerShell effectively. The author, Bruce Payette, is one of the creators of PowerShell and provides expert advice and tips throughout the book.
Key Takeaways
- Offers a comprehensive overview of PowerShell’s capabilities and features.
- Includes detailed explanations of PowerShell’s syntax and scripting language.
- Provides advanced coverage of topics such as remoting and debugging.
- Suitable for intermediate to advanced users.
Book #6: Mastering Windows PowerShell Scripting: Automate and Manage Your Environment Using PowerShell Core 6.0
Author: Chris Dent
Review
“Mastering Windows PowerShell Scripting: Automate and Manage Your Environment Using PowerShell Core 6.0” by Chris Dent is designed for users who want to take their PowerShell skills to the next level. It covers advanced topics such as PowerShell Core 6.0, debugging, and advanced functions. The book also includes practical examples and exercises, allowing readers to apply their knowledge. The author, Chris Dent, is an experienced PowerShell user and provides expert advice throughout the book.
Key Takeaways
- Focuses on using PowerShell for automation and management of IT environments.
- Includes real-world examples and use cases.
- Covers topics such as scripting fundamentals, advanced functions, and error handling.
- Suitable for system administrators and developers with some PowerShell experience.
Book #7: PowerShell in Practice
Author: Richard Siddaway
Review
This book is a practical guide to PowerShell scripting. It covers various topics, from basic PowerShell syntax to advanced scripting techniques. The book includes practical examples and step-by-step instructions that help readers understand how to use PowerShell effectively. The author, Richard Siddaway, is an experienced PowerShell user and provides practical advice and tips throughout the book.
Key Takeaways
- Provides practical solutions and examples of PowerShell scripts.
- Covers a range of use cases, including system administration, network management, and database administration.
- Includes tips and best practices for writing efficient and effective scripts.
- Suitable for intermediate to advanced users.
Book #8: Windows PowerShell Best Practices
Author: Ed Wilson
Review
Windows PowerShell Best Practices” by Ed Wilson is a guide to best practices for PowerShell scripting. It covers topics such as PowerShell security, error handling, and logging. The book includes practical examples and step-by-step instructions that help readers understand how to use PowerShell effectively. The author, Ed Wilson, is an experienced PowerShell user and provides expert advice and tips throughout the book.
Key Takeaways
- Offers best practices for writing efficient and effective PowerShell scripts.
- Covers topics such as error handling, debugging, and security.
- Guides structuring scripts and using PowerShell modules.
- Suitable for intermediate to advanced users.
Book #9: PowerShell for SQL Server Essentials
Author: Donabel Santos
Review
This book is designed for SQL Server professionals who want to automate PowerShell tasks. The author, Donabel Santos, provides a practical guide to using PowerShell to manage SQL Server environments. The book covers many topics, from basic PowerShell syntax to advanced scripting techniques specific to SQL Server. It includes practical examples and step-by-step instructions that help readers understand how to use PowerShell effectively to automate SQL Server tasks.
Key Takeaways
- Focuses on using PowerShell for SQL Server administration.
- Includes real-world examples and use cases.
- Covers topics such as database backup and recovery, monitoring, and performance tuning.
- Suitable for database administrators and developers with some PowerShell experience.
Book #10: PowerShell for SharePoint 2013 How-To
Author: Steven Mann
Review
“PowerShell for SharePoint 2013 How-To” by Steven Mann is a practical guide for SharePoint administrators and developers who want to use PowerShell to automate and streamline their SharePoint tasks. The book provides a step-by-step approach to using PowerShell to perform a wide range of common SharePoint tasks, from creating sites and lists to managing users and permissions.
Key Takeaways
- Focuses on using PowerShell for SharePoint administration.
- Includes real-world examples and use cases.
- Covers topics such as site collection management, permissions, and content migration.
- Suitable for SharePoint administrators and developers with some PowerShell experience.
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