pwshguy

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

• Getting Started with GitHub Copilot in the CLI
  It was announced recently that GitHub Copilot in the CLI has reached General Availablity for all Individual, Business, and Enterprise customers. In this post, I will show you how you can get download and install the CLI and Copilot extension, authenticate to use Copilot, and the available commands and use cases.
• Graph and PowerShell Hiccups for the Groups and Teams Report Script
  The Microsoft 365 Groups and Teams Activity Report is a PowerShell script that I've worked on since 2016 (not all the time). Some recent Graph hiccups meant that I had to apply some fixes and workarounds. At the same time, some users hit the infamous 'not recognized as a valid datetime' problem, so another update was needed. All good, clean fun.
• 365AutomatedLab V2.8.0 is released and 365 Dev Tenant Announcement Feelings
  I know it’s been a bit, but life has been a bit hectic. Also a bit saddened about the Microsoft announcement that you can no longer create new Free 365 Dev Tenants. I’m really hoping they revert that decision, or make the Dev Tenant even better. I honestly don’t think it’s a money grab, but more for security. If it is toot easy to create a temp tenant it is a great tool for bad actors. I’ll leave it at that for now, and will probably do a bigger blog post on it in the future.
• Use PowerShell to create report of a DTS Compliant NPS log
  One of our customers had issues authenticating clients using NPS. One of the first things you do is… I read the NPS logs, and they were DTS Compliant formatted, a bit of a pain to read and search 🙁 So, I used PowerShell to create a nice log for me in either a GridView or … Continue reading Use PowerShell to create report of a DTS Compliant NPS log
• Practical PowerShell: Functions & Parameterization
  In the second installment of the Practical PowerShell series, I will discuss how to leverage code’s reusability through functions and scripts.
• With PowerShell (7) having all of the same capabilities of other languages, why isn't there a larger ecosystem around data analysis or ML/AI, and similar functions that most just automatically gravitate to other languages for?
  An interesting conversation with a bunch of great insight.
• Reliable way to log all console PowerShell output to a file? Start-Transcript doesn't work.
  I need to run various interactive PS scripts and log all ouput to log files. I thought I had found the perfect way to do this in the Start-Transcript command, but I can't make it work correctly. It does create log files, but it's always missing lines in the log files. Some lines are logged, some ate missing from the file, despite clearly being visible in the console. Anyone has any tips on the best way to do this? Thanks!

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

• 15 Most Useful MS Graph PowerShell Scripts for Microsoft 365 IT Pros
  Are you among the many admins preparing for the retirement of AzureAD and MSOnline PowerShell modules? Transitioning to MS Graph PowerShell can be daunting, especially when searching for equivalent cmdlets. But fret not! I’ve curated a collection of essential PowerShell scripts tailored to manage your Microsoft 365 environment, all powered…
• PSBashCompletions v 1.2.5
  PSBashCompletions offers the ability to process bash completions into PowerShell.

Books, Media, and Learning Resources

• Jeff Hicks - PSStyle - PowerShell with Style
  Many people think of PowerShell as a scripting language and forget that it is also a shell. But this is not the shell from DOS, or even from Windows 10. The new, modern PowerShell console is a rich, and colorful environment.

Community

• MVP Spotlight: Clayton Tyger's Story
  Join us for an inspiring episode of the PowerShell Podcast as we sit down with newly crowned Microsoft MVP, Clayton Tyger. Clayton shares his remarkable journey from being a PowerShell novice to achieving MVP status, highlighting the importance of a growth mindset and perseverance along the way. We delve into recent developments to his 365AutomatedLab module, exploring how it streamlines lab creation processes for PowerShell users. Additionally, Clayton discusses his adventures with ProxMox and PowerShell, offering valuable insights and practical tips. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with personal anecdotes, professional insights, and a deep dive into the world of PowerShell with Clayton Tyger.

Events

• DFWSMUG April Fools Day Meetup
  Join us for a fun-filled April Fools Day Meetup with DFWSMUG, where laughter and mischief await on April 1, 2024 at 5:00 PM. And come see me presenting on test infrastructure with Pester.

Check out psweekly.dowst.dev for all past editions as well as a searchable archive.

Sorry for missing last week, but I was on vacation and this is a hand curated list.

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

• Simple form development using PowerShell
  Create .NET forms without all the .NET.
• List “Azure classic subscription administrators” via the Azure Portal or via an Azure PowerShell script
  This blog post will show you how to find all active “Azure classic subscription administrators” across any of your AzureContinue Reading
• View and Export your Intune Device Management Scripts Using the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK
  Introduction
• Does Microsoft Care about SharePoint Online PowerShell?
  Microsoft's support for SharePoint Online PowerShell has degraded over the last few years. Pnp.PowerShell is now the best option as not much is happening in the official SharePoint Online management module or the tenant settings Graph API. the lack of progress is a pity, but perhaps it's also true that community-driven projects sometimes deliver better results.
• Practical PowerShell: Functions & Parameterization
  In our second edition of Practical PowerShell, Michel De Rooij dives into Functions and Parameters, what they are, and how to use them properly.
• 9 Essential PowerShell Scripts for SharePoint Online Security
  As we navigate the digital age, SharePoint Online has emerged as a pivotal platform for organizational collaboration. However, with great connectivity comes great responsibility, particularly in safeguarding our digital ecosystem. Data breaches, excessive access rights, oversharing, etc., pose significant challenges in maintaining security in SharePoint Online. Recognizing that security is…
• What's something you learned way later in PowerShell than you'd like to admit?
  Could be the simplest of things. For me, it's that Validation attributes work on variable declarations and not just in parameter blocks.
• PowerShell Anti Patterns
  What are anti patterns when scripting in PowerShell and how can you avoid them?
• Strings to Hashtables
  How to take a string and turn it into a PowerShell hash table
• Azure PowerShell Tips and Tricks
  Tips and tricks for using PowerShell and REST APIs in Azure.

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

• Graph and PowerShell Hiccups for the Groups and Teams Report Script
  The Microsoft 365 Groups and Teams Activity Report is a PowerShell script that I've worked on since 2016 (not all the time). Some recent Graph hiccups meant that I had to apply some fixes and workarounds. At the same time, some users hit the infamous 'not recognized as a valid datetime' problem, so another update was needed. All good, clean fun.
• PSOpenAD Release v0.5.0
  The Open AD module is a cross platform module for managing Active Directory.
• Fuzzy history search with PowerShellRun
  An example that replaces the Ctrl+r history search with fuzzy search. Multi-line commands are supported Duplicates are removed Enter to run the command and Shift+Enter to insert the command The cha...

Books, Media, and Learning Resources

• PSBlazor : A new PowerShell web technology
  In this session, we'll look at how PSBlazor, an upcoming feature of PowerShell Universal, allows developers to produce web interfaces with a combination of Razor and PowerShell syntax.
• Windows Admin Survival Guide: Managing Linux servers using PowerShell Steven Judd
  Make the transition from Windows Server Pro to Linux Server Ninja by using PowerShell to your advantage!
• Creating QR Code for Wireless Network Using PowerShell
  Join us in The Server Room to go over how to create QR codes for wireless network using PowerShell.

Community

• Cloud Chronicles: Mark Wragg's Journey in DevOps
  In this engaging episode of the PowerShell Podcast, host Andrew Pla kicks things off by sharing some tab completion insights and more on the preshow. Andrew is joined by special guest Mark Wragg to delve into the world of DevOps and PowerShell. Mark, a longtime user of the cloud, and shares his observations of how things have changed over the years. The discussion covers common tasks and responsibilities in DevOps, along with Mark's innovative AzCostTools module, which provides a comprehensive solution for monitoring and managing cloud costs using PowerShell, complete with visually appealing graphs. Additionally, Mark shares his passion for Pester testing, infrastructure testing, and Infrastructure as Code, offering valuable advice and expertise to listeners. Tune in for a captivating conversation filled with practical tips and expert insights!
• IAM in Focus: Insights from Adil Leghari
  In this enlightening episode of the PowerShell Podcast, host Andrew Pla is joined by special guest Adil Leghari to delve into the intricacies of IAM (Identity and Access Management). Together, they explore the fundamentals of IAM and its significance in the broader realm of IT. Additionally, Andrew announces the PowerShell Podcast MVP awards, celebrating community excellence. Adil shares invaluable insights on career transitions, the anatomy of a login box, and common cyber attacks. He also sheds light on the flaws of passwords and emphasizes the importance of empathy and honest postmortems in the IT landscape. Tune in for a captivating discussion filled with wisdom and expertise!
• Summit 2024 Speaker Spotlight: Steven Judd
  Hey there, PowerShell enthusiasts! Today marks the start of a series of interviews featuring select Summit 2024 presenters. I plan to sit and chat briefly with a mix of familiar …

Check out psweekly.dowst.dev for all past editions as well as a searchable archive.

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

• PowerShell Refresh
  The other day on X, I was asked about what things I would setup or configure on a new PowerShell installation. This is something I actually have thought about and face all the time when I setup a new demo virtual machine. I had been meaning to build new tooling to meet this challenge
• Despite the Doubters, Microsoft 365 Administrators Should Continue Using PowerShell
  A recent article by a Microsoft MVP attempted to lay out a case that tenants should not use Microsoft 365 PowerShell and use ISV products instead. It's a silly position to argue. PowerShell is an important automation tool for administrators that can't be replaced by any ISV product. ISV products have their place and fill many gaps, but arguing to dump PowerShell and use ISV products instead just can't be justified.
• Foreach vs Foreach-Object in PowerShell
  The foreach statement and the ForEach-Object cmdlet, while similar in function, difference in form, execution context, and performance implications. They are both designed for iterating over collections, executing a block of script code for each object in the collection. In this PowerShell tutorial, we will explain everything about the Foreach vs Foreach-Object in PowerShell.
• Visualising your IP Address using PowerShell and AI
  A few weeks back the Microsoft AI Tour was in Sydney Australia. There was a plethora of great content associated with the wave of everything AI that we are currently in.
• How to Add Quotes in PowerShell (Single & Double Quotes)
  Many a time, you might need to add quotes in PowerShell, like single and double quotes. In this PowerShell tutorial, I will explain how to add quotes in PowerShell. In PowerShell, when a string is enclosed within double quotes, it is subject to interpretation by the parser.
• Monitor and manage your Azure cloud costs with a little help from PowerShell
  Should cloud computing be illegal? Probably not, but it is incredibly easy to get started, equally difficult to stop, and before you know it you could be selling your grandmother just to afford one more month of that delicious compute. Hopefully your circumstances never get that dire, but I’ve seen plenty of companies entrench themselves into the highly addictive world of automated, scalable infrastructure, but then struggle to understand the often-astronomical monthly bill.
• Step-By-Step: How to Create a Windows 11 VM on Hyper-V via PowerShell
  As mentioned previously, Hyper-V is a virtualization technology that is not only useful for developers and IT administrators, but also for students. Using Hyper-V, students can install multiple operating systems and applications on a single physical machine. In a previous blog post, we covered steps to enable Hyper-V in Windows 11 via the Graphic User Interface (GUI). However, as many pointed out, there is a quicker way to accomplish this.

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

• AzPolicyTest v 2.0.0
  Provides pre-defined pester tests for Azure Policy and Initiative definitions

Community

• Crafting a Fulfilling Career: Wisdom from Industry Leaders Jeff Hicks and Mike F. Robbins
  In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, Andrew Pla is joined by esteemed guests Jeff Hicks, Microsoft MVP, and Mike F. Robbins, renowned Azure PowerShell writer. Together, they delve into the essential non-PowerShell skills necessary for a thriving career in IT. The conversation extends to the invaluable experiences gained from the OnRamp program at PowerShell Summit, highlighting the significance of passing on knowledge to the next generation. They also explore various community projects, recommend insightful books that capture the essence of the Summit experience, and stress the importance of fostering curiosity in one's journey. Tune in for a wealth of wisdom and inspiration from these industry experts!

Fun

• Today's Random PowerShell discovery
  You can declare a function with spaces in the name

Check out psweekly.dowst.dev for all past editions as well as a searchable archive.

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

• Creating a scalable, customised running environment
  This post shows how to create an easy to support environment with all your own cmdlets.
• Module Linking
  I know it has been a while since I’ve given the blog any attention. I am hoping to correct that in 2024, although I’m already behind schedule. But let’s get to it. I have a short tip today that you may find useful, especially if you write modules for your private use.
• Cloning Hyper-V VMs with PowerShell
  Unlike when using Windows Admin Center to manage your Hyper-V VMs, Hyper-V Manager, nor the built-in cmdlets, offer any native VM cloning function. But with a bit of creative scripting, it's certainly doable. Here is a script that clones a virtual machine in Hyper-V: Unlike when using Windows Admin Center to manage your Hyper-V VMs, Hyper-V Manager
• PowerShell Script Parameters: Getting Started Guide
  PowerShell script parameters are vital components that enable the customization and versatility of scripts, functions, and cmdlets. PowerShell parameters enhance the usability and adaptability of scripts by allowing users to pass information into the code instead of hardcoding values. Understanding how to define, manipulate, and leverage PowerShell parameters is essential for proficient scripting in PowerShell.

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

• Report OneDrive for Business Storage Based on Usage Data
  If you wanted to write a PowerShell script to create a OneDrive storage report, you'd probably use the cmdlets from the SharePoint Online management module. But accessing OneDrive usage data via the Graph is much faster. And you can include information from other sources, such as user properties, to build out the report. All explained here.
• Report and Audit File Downloads in SharePoint Online Using PowerShell
  SharePoint Online is a powerful collaboration service in Microsoft 365 that facilitates seamless file sharing and management across organizations. While it provides extensive capabilities, tracking file downloads is crucial for maintaining data security and compliance. This blog highlights the methods to audit file downloads in SharePoint Online.   How to…
• PowerShellRun
  App, Utility and Function Launcher for PowerShell. PowerShellRun is a PowerShell module that lets you fuzzy search applications, utilities and functions you define and launch them with ease. It is a customizable launcher app on the PowerShell terminal.
• Find All agent-based Hybrid Runbook Workers [OC]
  In case you are not away the Microsoft Monitoring Agent (MMA) will be retired on 31 August 2024. Prior to this date you will need to migrate all your agent-based hybrid workers to the extension-bas…
• PSSharedGoods v 0.0.278
  Module covering functions that are shared within multiple projects

Books, Media, and Learning Resources

• The Absolute Minimum Every Software Developer Absolutely, Positively Must Know About Unicode and Character Sets (No Excuses!)
  Ever wonder about that mysterious Content-Type tag? You know, the one you’re supposed to put in HTML and you never quite know what it should be? Did you ever get an email from your friends in…

Community

• From Admin to Defender: Jake Hildreth's Security Evolution
  In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, Andrew sits down with the knowledgeable Jake Hildreth for an enlightening conversation covering a wide array of security-related topics. Jake shares insights from his journey transitioning into security from a background in operations and administration. The discussion delves into OpSec practices, approaches to toolmaking, and the critical importance of Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) security. Jake also sheds light on tabletop exercises for security, the fallacy of security through obscurity, and the dangers of clicking on phishing emails. Tune in for a deep dive into the world of security and PowerShell with Jake Hildreth!

Fun

• PowerShell Emoji
  PowerShell Emoji is a little PowerShell module to help you work with Emoji.

Check out psweekly.dowst.dev for all past editions as well as a searchable archive.

Announcements!

• PowerShell 7.5.0 preview 2 released
  Include multiple engine and cmdlet updates and fixes.
• Azure Automation supports Azure CLI commands in runbooks
  Azure Automation has announced support for Azure CLI commands in runbooks (preview announcement). The rich command set of Azure CLI expands capabilities of runbooks even further, allowing you to reap combined benefits of both, for automating and streamlining management of Azure resources. Azure Automation runbooks target orchestration on a wide array of resources such as Virtual Machines, Arc-enabled Servers, Databases, Storage, Azure Active Directory, and much more, along with complex workflows involving multiple resources.

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

• Why You Should Not Upgrade to Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK V2.14
  Usually, we recommend that Microsoft 365 tenants use the latest version of the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK. However, a serious bug in V2.14 means that this (and perhaps V2.13.1) should be avoided until Microsoft fixes a problem that causes spurious output to be included when cmdlets like Get-MgUser and Get-MgGroup are run.
• Export Conditional Access Policies to Excel using PowerShell
  Conditional Access policies play a vital role in securing your Microsoft 365 environment and are a key component of the zero-trust model. However, setting them up incorrectly can have serious consequences, like unintentionally compromising your entire Microsoft 365 security.
• PowerShell: Find Remote Desktop Servers on A Domain
  Remote Desktop Servers have a way of multiplying themselves like some kind of organic creature
• Schedule PowerShell Script Intune
  This is a blog post about how to schedule a PowerShell script via Intune. Of course, we would like this to be built-in within Microsoft Intune but we are not there yet. Hopefully, this will be an option in the future. We would like to schedule app installs and scripts via Microsoft Intune directly.
• Running Azure Cloud Shell locally using Docker
  Azure Cloud Shell is a tool I use often and is easy to access from the Admin pages in Azure and 365. You can also use those tools in a local container and connect to it using the command line or Visual Studio Code. In this blog post, I will show you how to install everything and connect and use it locally.
• AWS PowerShell - Intro to PowerShell Lambdas
  AWS has finally released support for PowerShell lambdas! Lambdas are pieces of code that can be called from just about anywhere in AWS (or outside for that matter). Even better lambdas don’t require a server to run, this means that you only pay for the compute that you actually use. Don’t worry the first 1M hits per month are free. Let’s dive in and see how we can start using our existing PowerShell skills to start building lambdas.

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

• Easy Packet Loss Tracker
  This PowerShell script helps you monitor packet loss on your network by continuously pinging a specified target (website or IP address) and providing real-time updates on successful responses and timeouts.
• Query Lenovo Warranty Information with PowerShell
  I used this for an automatic Snyc related to Customer Asset List to get the Warranty Start and END – Date for Lenovo Hardware.
• PowerShellAIAssistant
  Enhance PowerShell scripting with AI using PowerShell AI Assistant module.
• Az v11.3.1
  Just a couple of small fixes in this release.

Community

• Reaching the Summit: Graham's OnRamp Journey
  In this engaging episode, host Andrew sits down with Graham Stringfellow for an insightful discussion filled with personal anecdotes and professional insights. The conversation kicks off with a reflection on Andrew and Graham's shared history, followed by Graham's experience with the PowerShell Summit OnRamp scholarship. Graham sheds light on the infamous mountain disaster involving Phil Bossman, settling the score once and for all. They delve into the importance of building tools that endure and share anecdotes about Andrew handing off some of his PowerShell expertise to Graham. Tune in for a captivating conversation that spans friendship, professional growth, and the enduring legacy of PowerShell.

Fun

• PowerShell Games
  I use PowerShell for many things, but did you know you can also play games in PowerShell? In this blog post, I will show you a few that are nice to play while waiting for your installation to complete or your code to compile :)

Check out psweekly.dowst.dev for all past editions as well as a searchable archive.

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

• An example of using PowerShell to manage system and user-assigned managed identities in Azure
  Managed identities provide secure authentication for resources accessing other resources in Azure without requiring sensitive information such as secrets, credentials, and certificates to be handled. Microsoft Entra ID manages these identities, enabling applications to obtain tokens for authentication. In this post, I will provide an example that illustrates how to use system and user-assigned managed identities with PowerShell.
• Can I Bypass Powershell Execution Policy? Powershell Execution Policies
  Can I Bypass Powershell Execution Policy? If you are new to PowerShell then you are probably ready to dive in and start experimenting with scripts and all kinds of cool learning resources. If you ever download a script from an external source then you need to be aware of a few things.
• Export Microsoft 365 Users’ Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) Status Reports
  Microsoft self-service password reset (SSPR) feature enables users to reset passwords independently, reducing help desk reliance in the organization. However, before users can utilize SSPR, admins must enable self-service password reset, and users must register their authentication methods.
• Add, remove, or replace values using PowerShell
  I had another encounter this week where a customer wanted to remove the value from something in Exchange. Setting the value to $null didn't work, and I showed him how to remove it another way. This blog post will show a few ways to add, remove, or replace a value using Active Directory and Exchange Online as examples.
• Blogposts and Newsletters in times of AI´s
  This week i am not going to do a regular PowerShell newsletter, it will be more some personal thoughts on the recent developments with AI´s. As long as i read blogposts, i enjoyed the knowledge, which people share regarding a particular problem they want to solve. Solving a technical problem personally is one part of the effot, prepering the solution in a format so that others can benefit from is is a much wider step. Who ever has created a blogpost or video knows that preparation, production and post-editing takes some time, and all of this just for the community
• What do you use for tooling when it comes to sharing and executing powershell scripts?
  As the title states, I've found that even within teams that engineers write similar things over and over again. Version control and git helps but then there is tracking who executed what when and where, no ability for a historical view and timeline, task scheduler is hard to track success / failures output.

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

• PdfLexer v 0.1.19
  PdfLexer is a powershell pdf manipulation library for Powershell 7+.

Books, Media, and Learning Resources

• Your PowerShell Journey Starts Here: A Beginner’s Guide
  PowerShell is a powerful tool for automating tasks and managing systems, especially in a Windows environment. If you’re ready to level up your tech skills, here’s how to get started on your PowerShell learning adventure.
• Welcome to Professional PowerShell
  This blog is the first installment in our new monthly "Professional PowerShell" series, designed to help part-time PowerShell developers freshen up their scripting skills.

Community

• Roadmapping your PowerShell Journey with Sean Wheeler
  In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, host Andrew Pla is joined by the insightful Sean Wheeler for an enlightening discussion on all things PowerShell. Andrew starts off the episode by sharing a community tip and delving into the topic of hosting internal PowerShell meetups. The conversation then shifts to Sean, who sheds light on the process of getting started with learning PowerShell, emphasizing the invaluable resources available on learn.microsoft.com/powershell. Together, they explore the different steps involved in a PowerShell journey and offer guidance on mapping out a personalized learning path. Additionally, they discuss the significance of Git and GitHub in the PowerShell ecosystem and extend an invitation to the community for contributions to the PowerShell Community blog. Tune in for a wealth of knowledge and practical advice to enhance your PowerShell experience.
• PowerShell Pulse Monthly Tech Talks & Community Showcase
  Unlock the potential of Microsoft 365 configuration with Clayton as he demonstrates the seamless integration of PowerShell and Excel for efficient setup. Delve into Azure's queuing system with Mike to optimize your workflow and achieve continuous delivery. Join us for expert insights and practical tips from their engaging presentation.

Fun

• PowerPlayer - A powershell MP3 Player
  A simple WPF GUI based MP3 player leveraging system.windows.media.mediaplayer

Check out psweekly.dowst.dev for all past editions as well as a searchable archive.

Announcements!

• Introducing Sudo for Windows!
  We’re excited to announce the release of Sudo for Windows in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26052!
• PowerShell and OpenSSH team investments for 2024
  Planned team investments for 2024 for PowerShell, OpenSSH, and related tooling.

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

• How to combine two USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet adapters as an external virtual switch in Hyper-V with PowerShell
  This blog post will guide you through the process of combining two USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet adapters and utilizing themContinue Reading
• PowerShell IP Configuration: A Beginner’s Guide to Windows Settings
  Master PowerShell IP Configuration: Learn to set up and troubleshoot network IPs on Windows effortlessly. A comprehensive guide for efficient network management.
• Export Exchange Online Shared Mailbox Size Report Using PowerShell
  Shared mailboxes provide centralized delegated access to common mailboxes and enhance organization-wide coordination without requiring additional licenses. However, it’s crucial to get shared mailbox size reports in Microsoft 365 to tackle potential storage issues.  Tracking shared mailbox usage, including the total size aids in capacity planning and enables organizations to maintain a responsive email environment.
• How to Check if a Variable is Null or Empty in PowerShell?
  While working on a PowerShell script, I got a requirement to check if a PowerShell variable in null or empty. In this PowerShell tutorial, we’ll explore how to check if a variable is null or empty in PowerShell using various methods. To check if a variable in PowerShell is null or empty, you can use ... read more...
• Quickly exanding the booking window of all meeting rooms in Microsoft 365
  So I got a task to expand the booking window for all the meeting rooms at work. From the default 180 days to 365 days. This isn’t anything big or complicated to do. It’s an everyday task really. But I was wondering, how short can I make the PowerShell script to do this for all meeting rooms?

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

• New MSIdentityTools Cmdlet to Report OAuth Permissions
  The latest version of the MSIndentityTools PowerShell module includes the Export-MsIdAppConsentGrantReport cmdlet to generate a report of OAuth app permissions. Allied with the ImportExcel module, the cmdlet can produce a very nice workbook containing lots of information about permissions held by the apps in a tenant. But even better, you can export the data to PowerShell and use it in your scripts.
• New enhancements to Get-AutopilotDiagnosticsCommunity
  It started off as a simple change: I was annoyed that the “Observed Timeline” in the output from the Get-AutopilotDiagnosticsCommunity (and the older Get-AutopilotDiagnostics script too) had events in the wrong order.
• Perform Currency Conversions with PowerShell
  I’ve recently been working on a PowerShell module for exploring Azure costs (which I plan to blog about soon) and while doing so added some functionality to allow the costs to be converted between different currencies. It occurred to me that this functionality would be useful as a module of its own, and when I searched around I didn’t find too many recent examples for the same. As such I’ve now developed and published a module in the PowerShell Gallery and on GitHub called CurrencyConverter.
• PSAuthClient
  PSAuthClient is a flexible PowerShell OAuth2.0/OpenID Connect (OIDC) Client.
• ConvertFrom-StringTable v 0.9.6
  A PowerShell module designed to effortlessly convert various types of string tables into objects.
• PSDates v 1.0.0
  PSDates provides you all the tools you need when working with dates and times in PowerShell. It contains function to help you find specific date formats, get certain dates based on other dates (first/last day of the month or year, patch Tuesday, etc). I also has functions for working with timezones, unix time, WMI time, crontabs.

Community

• PowerShell and Pentesting: Hacker Insights with Spencer Alessi
  In this action-packed episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we kick off with a loaded preshow featuring an exciting announcement of PowerShelldle, a community tip, and a deep dive into my own PowerShell journey in response to a viewer question. The main segment is a fascinating conversation with Spencer Alessi, where we delve into the world of PowerShell and pentesting. Spencer generously shares the tools he would use as a sysadmin pentesting his own environment, including PowerSploit, PingCastle, Bloodhound, LockSmith, and ADeleg. He provides invaluable tips for PowerShell enthusiasts looking to transition into security and pentesting, shedding light on the current and emerging trends in the security landscape. Spencer also gives us insights into the role that PowerShell plays in his role as a pentester. Get ready for a riveting episode filled with tips, tools, and trends in the world of PowerShell and security.
• Is anyone using Powershell with Linux?
  Recently installed Powershell upon my Debian 12 system (I was informed that I would need to be comfortable with it in the upcoming months, to work with Azure). With that warning, I purchased the Month of Lunches book, and proceeded to get to it.

Check out psweekly.dowst.dev for all past editions as well as a searchable archive.

Announcements!

• Deprecation of Search-AdminAuditLog and New-AdminAuditLogSearch cmdlets
  We are writing to inform you about an upcoming change that will affect the way you access and manage your Exchange Online audit logs. Starting from April 30, 2024, we will be deprecating the following four cmdlets in the Exchange Online V3 module: 
• Windows Terminal Preview 1.20 Release
  Happy New Year! The Windows Terminal team is back with our first preview release of the year! Windows Terminal Preview 1.20 introduces several changes such as the automatic deferral of package updates while Windows Terminal is running, support for colorful and crazy line styles, changes to the way search results are highlighted and LOTS of usability updates and bug fixes!

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

• Active Directory Database: PowerShell Monitoring Made Easy
  Find the ntds.dit location and monitor your Active Directory database using PowerShell.
• Mastering PowerShell Parameter Validation with Dynamic Methods
  Boost Your Scripting Skills! Dive into Dynamic PowerShell Parameter Validation for Efficient and Robust Coding. A Must-Read for PowerShell Excellence.
• Add updates (.msu) offline into Windows images (.wim)
  Before deployment, Microsoft ISO's install .wim or custom images should be updated. With the DISM module in PowerShell, you can add .msu updates, apps, and drivers to a Windows image offline without the need to boot it up.
• Connect an Azure Function or Web App to a Key Vault to retrieve secrets with PowerShell
  Azure Functions often require access to sensitive information. It is a security risk to store credentials in code or configuration files. Thus, protecting sensitive information like connection strings, API keys, or passwords is crucial. This is where Azure Key Vault comes in, offering secure and centralized storage for all your secrets. In this article, I will explain how to retrieve secrets from the Key Vault within an Azure Function using PowerShell.
• PowerShell: How to ping multiple Computers at once
  You want to ping multiple computers at once? Can’t? Yes you can, with PowerShell. In this post I’ll show you a few examples of how you can ping multiple computers.
• Using the PowerShell Profiler module
  The Profiler module was mentioned in the episode on January 15th of the PowerShell Podcast from PDQ (My favorite!), and it did not cross my path earlier. In this blog post, I will show you how it works and why it's a great tool to optimize your script performance!
• How to Convert Multiline String to Array in PowerShell?
  Do you need to convert multiline strings into arrays in PowerShell? In this PowerShell tutorial, I will explain to you different methods to convert a multiline string into an array in PowerShell. To convert a multiline string into an array in PowerShell, you can use the -split operator with a newline character as the delimiter.
• Embracing UEFI Booting and Secure Boot in ESXi Environments
  Transitioning from BIOS to UEFI booting in ESXi environments is a pivotal step toward enhancing system security and performance. UEFI, with its advanced features like faster boot times and Secure Boot, ensures a robust and secure operating environment. Secure Boot, in particular, plays a crucial role by allowing only signed software to run, thus protecting systems against unauthorized firmware and drivers.
• How to Report the MFA Status for Entra ID User Accounts
  Microsoft doesn't provide a PowerShell cmdlet to return an accurate MFA status for Entra ID user accounts, but by combining data from multiple sources we can write a script to generate a report showing details of user password settings and MFA status.
• Tagging Virtual Machines with the CISTag Module in PowerShell
  In this blog post, we’ll explore the process of assigning tags to multiple VMs using the CIStag module in PowerShell. This becomes necessary when the conventional PowerCLI module for tagging VMs fails, as was the case for me.

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

• Update Windows 10 to 22H2 via Enablement Package
  Developed a script to push to 6000+ endpoints using NinjaRMM that will helps update Windows 10 computers to 22H2 using the enablement package. Ninja has been having issues with getting all these computers patched, so wrote this to help bring all devices up to 22H2 which is the last serviced Windows 10 version until EOL.
• GitHub - cdhunt/httpunitPS: A PowerShell port of httpunit
  A PowerShell port of httpunit. The goal of this module is to utilize Net.Http.HttpClient to more closely simulate a .Net client application. It also provides easy access to the Windows Certificate store for client certificate authentication.
• helium v 1.1.8
  Assorted Utilities to make your day happier than inhaling a party balloon.
• PSWeave v 0.1.1
  PowerShell module that innovates automation with AI to make you more productive

Community

• PowerShell and Education: A Deep Dive with Jim Tyler, Director of Technology
  In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we have the pleasure of hosting Jim Tyler (@PowerShellEngineer). In this episode, Jim shares insights into PowerShell in K-12 education, his book and YouTube channel, Miscripts.org, and his various projects and passions. Join us as we delve into Jim's background, his journey into PowerShell, and the unique challenges and rewards of working in the K-12 sector. We discuss the impact of AI on education, the birth of Miscripts.org, and Jim's creative ventures, from YouTube tutorials to self-publishing a PowerShell book. Get ready for a conversation packed with valuable insights, practical advice, and a touch of Disney magic.

Check out psweekly.dowst.dev for all past editions as well as a searchable archive.

Announcements!

• PowerShell 7.5.0 preview 1 released
  Come try out the latest preview on PowerShell 7.5.
• More SAPIEN Product Releases for ARM64
  We are pleased to announce that PowerShell Help, CIM Explorer 2024, VersionRecall 2024, and PrimalXML 2024 are also now available for ARM64.

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

• How to Use PowerShell to Retrieve Permissions for Entra ID Apps
  Recent attacker activity made me think that access might have been gained through an OAuth app. Keeping an eye on app permissions is important. From a PowerShell perspective, it is reasonably straightforward to retrieve details of app permissions using the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK. Several methods are available to do the job.
• How to Update Tenant Corporate Branding for the Entra ID Sign-in Screen with PowerShell
  The ability to apply custom corporate branding for Entra Id screens has existed since 2020. You can update elements through the admin center or PowerShell. This article explains how to use the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK to customize the sign-in text and background image for the sign-in screen.
• Use Azure Automation and PowerShell to Create a Daily Microsoft Entra Risk Report
  In this article, Sean McAvinue explains how to use PowerShell and Azure Automation runbook to create a Daily Microsoft Entra Risk Report.
• Using the PowerShell PSWindowsUpdate module
  I've been using the PSWindowsUpdate module for a while now; it's very convenient when spinning up a test VM for a customer if you want to have it up-to-date before going through the Windows Autopilot process, for example. In this blog post, I will show you how the module works with a few examples of how I use it.
• Installing updates during Autopilot: Windows 11 edition, revisited again
  This seems to be a frequent blog topic, with posts going back to 2019: So why bring this up yet again? I blame Gary Block
• Understanding the Intune Management Extension client health check
  This week is sort of a follow-up on the posts of the last couple of weeks about Win32 apps. This week, however, the focus is more on the process that is in place to make sure that everything around the Intune Management Extension (IME) keeps functioning. The IME contains many important components for installing Win32 apps, for running PowerShell scripts, for running inventories, and more. That makes it important that the IME is running successfully. To make sure that the IME is running successfully, the Intune Management Extension Health Evaluation was introduced. That evaluation is focused on performing checks on the service of the IME. This post will have a closer look at the IME client health check and the actions that it performs.
• Replace String Containing Special Characters in PowerShell
  There might have been scenarios where you want to replace a string containing special characters in PowerShell. In this tutorial, I will explain to you different examples of how to replace strings containing special characters in PowerShell. To replace a string containing special characters in PowerShell, you can use the -replace operator with an escape character
• Simplifying PowerShell Object Validation & Transforming: A JSON-Schema Refactoring Journey
  In a recent scripting endeavor, I developed a PowerShell script with an ArgumentTransformationAttribute. The script's purpose was to convert PSCustomObjects or Hashtables into a JSON format tailored for seamless integration with a BatchRequest destined for the Microsoft Graph API.
• Finding Your Way on the System.IO.Path
  Since we’ve been exploring ways to use .NET classes to supplement existing command coverage in PowerShell, I thought we should explore the System.IO namespace. Here, you will find several classes to incorporate into your PowerShell scripting. As you’ll see, some of the classes provide functionality already offered by existing cmdlets. I always recommend using cmdlets in your code wherever possible for beginner scripters. Cmdlets are easier to understand, are documented, and provide features like -WhatIf that you don’t get when accessing the .NET Framework directly.

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

• I made a function that returns WHOIS data from an IP address. Uses REST against the new WHOIS RPAD api.
  Been hesitant to post this, I basically had to brute force the organization and address out of their non-standard xml. So that part is messy to say the least.
• 365Automatedlab V2.4.0 Released!
  Overall things are good, and glad to put out v2.4.0 which I’ve added a function to delete all “deleted” SharePoint sites the recycle bin. The reason for it is you can’t mass delete SharePoint sites from the GUI and sometimes you create SharePoint sites that aren’t in your Excel workbook and this just makes it easier.
• Diagrammer.Microsoft.AD v 0.1.5
  A PowerShell module to generate an as built report on the configuration of Microsoft AD.

Books, Media, and Learning Resources

• PowerShell on Exercism
  Join Exercism’s PowerShell Track for access to 117 exercises with automatic analysis of your code and personal mentoring, all 100% free.
• Portscanning with Powershell
  I gave an impromptu talk on my #PowerShell port scanner

Community

• From Python to PowerShell: A Developer's Perspective with Jordan Borean
  In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we are joined by the talented Jordan Borean. Join us as we delve into the world of PowerShell development with Jordan, exploring some of his exceptional modules that have made waves in the community. Jordan shares his unique perspective as a Python developer using PowerShell and highlights the benefits of binary modules. Dive into the details of Jordan's experience within the PowerShell community Discord, and gain insights into his journey to Red Hat, where Open Source played a pivotal role. As a bonus, discover the surprising answer to the question: If PowerShell was a song, what would it be? This episode is packed with coding wisdom, community adventures, and a touch of musical revelation.

Fun

• PSClock/docs/Start-PSClock.md
  I love having a big clock on my monitor right where I can see it. Very handy with a 41" display.

Check out psweekly.dowst.dev for all past editions as well as a searchable archive.

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

• Naming Made Easy: AI-Powered Rename Suggestions
  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.
• Automated Alerts on Azure (Entra ID) Application Secret Expirations
  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.
• Create an Amazon Machine Image (AMI) of an EC2 instance with a Bash and PowerShell script
  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.
• PowerShell Start Service Explained: Mastering Cmdlets for Windows Services
  Learn how to use PowerShell start service and other cmdlets for Windows Services in this informative tutorial.
• Copying files between Windows and Linux with SCP and PowerShell
  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.
• Using PowerShell to query your Ubiquiti UISP information
  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.
• Automating Windows 365 part 2 – Using Graph X-Ray
  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
• Uninstall any application in a jiffy using PowerShell and Microsoft Intune
  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.
• How to create a maintenance mode in Azure Automation
  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.

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

• Reporting Entra ID Admin Consent Requests
  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.
• Audit & Report Microsoft 365 Admin Activity using PowerShell
  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

Books, Media, and Learning Resources

• PowerCLI Tutorial: Boost Your VMware Management Skills
  Begin your journey with our PowerCLI tutorial and elevate your VMware infrastructure management to expert levels. Learn essential tips and tricks today!
• PowerShell for Linux admins
  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.
• What's in Windows Terminal 1.19 Preview
  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!

Community

• From Engineer to Manager: Mike Kanakos on Transition, Lessons, and Community
  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.
• Farewell to Jordan: MVP Chrissy LeMaire Unleashes AI Wisdom
  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.
• Unlocking Secrets: Sam Erde on Open-Source Contributions and the Locksmith Module
  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.

Fun

• Which naming convention for internal variables?
  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?

Check out psweekly.dowst.dev for all past editions as well as a searchable archive.

Check out my review of the past 12 months of PowerShell and the PowerShell Weekly newsletter.

I'd also love to hear what others have to say about the past year as well.

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

• Exchange Online: How to set Junk Settings for Shared Mailboxes
  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.
• Entra ID Improves Registered App Security
  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.
• Microsoft Graph API Endpoint Adds Last Successful Sign-In Date Time
  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.
• Automating cleanup Entra Joined AVD hosts
  This post is about automating the cleanup for Entra Joined Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) hosts.
• Microsoft Intune PowerShell Additional Requirement Rules
  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.
• Using GitHub Copilot to Upgrade PowerShell Scripts to the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK
  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.
• Send Telegram Messages from a PowerShell Script
  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…
• Powershell Global Variable: Mastering Scope and Usage with Examples
  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.
• Recurring PowerShell Update Issue Easily Fixed - Ed Tittel
  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 →

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

• PSEtw
  PowerShell module for capturing ETW events in realtime. Currently this supports Manifest and Trace Logging ETW providers
• Credential Harvesting with PowerShell and SpecterInsight
  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.

Books, Media, and Learning Resources

• Mastering Microsoft 365 PowerShell Scripting
  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.
• Intro to REST API calls with Powershell
  Making a REST API call with no Auth Token
• GitHub - wgross/ps-module-to-module-call: Example for showing propagation of Debug/Verbose between PS Script modules
  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

Community

• Code in Action: Embracing Hands-On Learning with Jeff Hicks
  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!

Fun

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

Events

• PowerShell + DevOps Global Summit
  April 8-11, 2024 - Bellevue, WA

Check out psweekly.dowst.dev for all past editions as well as a searchable archive.