Windows Server 2008 R2 comes with a PowerShell module called ServerManager which in turn allows you to add additional features to the server.
Here’s a list of features you might want to install to get the maximum PowerShell experience:
First, load the ServerManager cmdlets. You should do this with full Administrator privileges:
Import-Module ServerManager
Next, add the PowerShell ISE editor (which brings the Out-GridView cmdlet along):
Add-WindowsFeature PowerShell-ISE
Then, add the ActiveDirectory module that provides you with many new Active Directory cmdlets:
Add-WindowsFeature RSAT-AD-PowerShell
And finally, you might want to add the GPMC feature which installs a GroupPolicy PowerShell module:
Add-WindowsFeature GPMC
To view all the new cmdlets, first load the two new modules:
Import-Module ActiveDirectory, GroupPolicy
Then, create a list of all the new cmdlets:
Get-Command -Module ActiveDirectory, GroupPolicy
When you’re logged on to a domain, you will also get a new AD provider and the new AD: PowerShell drive:
Dir AD:
