Canonical: https://screensie.com/knowledge-base/command-line/powershell/powershell-basics/

Open PowerShell, discover commands, and work with objects safely. Start with Get-Help, Get-Command, Get-Location, Get-ChildItem, and Get-Process in a.

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Command Line


# PowerShell Basics for Beginners




## Which PowerShell commands should I learn first?




Start with Get-Help, Get-Command, Get-Location, Get-ChildItem, and Get-Process in a non-administrator window.




Open PowerShell, discover commands, and work with objects safely.




Updated 
September 2, 2026
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 7 min
Applies to: Windows, Windows 10, Windows 11


 


Follow the steps in order and stop if the screen or target does not match what is described. Use administrator access only when the task requires it.




**Before you begin**


Save open work. Confirm that you are working on the intended computer and that you are authorized to make the change.




## Open PowerShell




Open Start, type PowerShell or Terminal, and open a normal non-administrator session.




## Discover commands




Search command names with Get-Command.




Command

```
Get-Command *printer*
```




## Read help




Use Get-Help before changing a system.




Command

```
Get-Help Get-Process -Examples
```




## Inspect location and files




Use Get-Location and Get-ChildItem.




Command

```
Get-Location
Get-ChildItem
```




## Inspect processes




Get-Process returns structured objects that can be sorted and filtered.




Command

```
Get-Process | Sort-Object CPU -Descending | Select-Object -First 10
```




## Close without changes




Run exit or close the window.




Command

```
exit
```




**Verify the result**


Repeat the relevant check and confirm the intended result before considering the task complete.


 


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