Book excerpt: Expert recommendations, pragmatically applied. Automate system administration using Windows PowerShell best practices—and optimize your operational efficiency. With this practical guide, Windows PowerShell expert and instructor Ed Wilson delivers field-tested tips, real-world examples, and candid advice culled from administrators across a range of business and technical scenarios. If you’re an IT professional with Windows PowerShell experience, this book is ideal. Discover how to: Use Windows PowerShell to automate Active Directory tasks Explore available WMI classes and methods with CIM cmdlets Identify and track scripting opportunities to avoid duplication Use functions to encapsulate business logic and reuse code Design your script’s best input method and output destination Test scripts by checking their syntax and performance Choose the most suitable method for running remote commands Manage software services with Desired State Configuration