PowerShell for desktop diagnostics

Skills you'll practise

• Use Get- cmdlets, Where-Object, Sort-Object and Select-Object to answer a diagnostic question from live data.
• Query event logs efficiently with Get-WinEvent and a filter hashtable.
• Interpret common cmdlet output (services, network tests, disks, Defender status).
• Apply safe habits: read-only first, -WhatIf, transcripts, and reviewing scripts before running them.

Course outline

1. 1.PowerShell for desktop diagnosticsVideo · 6 min
2. 2.Objects, the pipeline and the questions you askLesson · 8 min
3. 3.Safe scripts and remote sessionsLesson · 8 min
4. 4.CIM queries for hardware and OS factsLesson · 8 min
5. 5.PowerShell for desktop diagnostics: knowledge checkKnowledge check · 22 questions
6. 6.PowerShell for desktop diagnostics: practical exerciseKnowledge check · 1 question
7. 7.Slow start after the weekend: prove it with PowerShellScenario
8. 8.Final exam8 questions · passing it completes the course, so people who already know the material can test out

Sources it draws on

The lessons and questions are written from these references, so learners can go back to the original.

• Microsoft Learn: Get-WinEvent
• Microsoft Learn: about_Pipelines
• Microsoft Learn: about_Execution_Policies
• Microsoft Learn: Running remote commands