The Ultimate PowerShell Get-Help 101

PowerShell’s “Get-Help” cmdlet is an invaluable tool for both beginners and experienced users alike. It provides comprehensive documentation and guidance on cmdlets, functions, modules, and more. Discover how to leverage the power of the PowerShell Get-Help to become a more proficient PowerShell user.

Locating the Parameter Information

To locate the parameter information for a specific command using the Get-Help cmdlet in PowerShell, you can follow these steps:

  • Open a PowerShell session.
  • Type Get-Help followed by the name of the command you want to get parameter information for. For example, Get-Help Get-Process.
Locating the Parameter Information - PowerShell Get-Help
  • Press Enter to execute the command.

The Get-Help cmdlet will display the help information for the specified command, including the available parameters and their descriptions. The parameter information is typically listed under the “Parameters” or “Parameter” section in the help output.

Understanding the PowerShell Get-Help Parameter

The Get-Help cmdlet in PowerShell is used to retrieve detailed information and documentation about various PowerShell commands, modules, and topics. It provides a comprehensive overview of the command syntax, parameters, examples, and other relevant details that help users understand and effectively use PowerShell commands.

When you use the Get-Help cmdlet without any parameters, it displays general help information about PowerShell, including an explanation of how to use the cmdlet, its purpose, and some common examples.

The Get-Help cmdlet also supports different parameters that allow you to retrieve more specific information. Some of the commonly used parameters include:

  • -Name: Specifies the name of the command or topic for which you want to retrieve help information.
  • -Full: Displays the complete help content, including examples, detailed descriptions, and additional notes.
  • -Examples: Shows examples of how to use the command with different parameters and options.
  • -Parameter: Retrieves information about the parameters of a command, including their names, types, descriptions, and any special requirements.
  • -Online: Opens the online version of the help documentation in a web browser.

By using the appropriate parameters with Get-Help, you can access the relevant help information for PowerShell commands, modules, and topics, allowing you to understand their functionality, usage, and any additional guidance provided by the documentation. This helps you become more proficient in using PowerShell and leverage its capabilities effectively.

Examples of the Get-Help Parameter

Here are some examples of using different parameters with the Get-Help cmdlet in PowerShell:

  • Get help for a specific command: Get-Help Get-Process
  • Display full help content for a command: Get-Help Get-Service -Full
Examples of the Get-Help Parameter
  • Retrieve examples of how to use a command: Get-Help Set-Content -Examples
Examples of the Get-Help Parameter
  • View information about a specific parameter of a command: Get-Help Get-ChildItem -Parameter Path
Examples of the Get-Help Parameter
  • Open the online version of the help documentation for a command: Get-Help Get-Help -Online
Examples of the Get-Help Parameter

These are just a few examples of how you can use different parameters with Get-Help to access specific information and enhance your understanding of PowerShell commands. Experimenting with different parameters and exploring the extensive help documentation can greatly assist you in mastering PowerShell and making the most out of its features.

Verbose Help

The Get-Help cmdlet in PowerShell provides a Verbose parameter that allows you to display more detailed help information for a command. When you use the Verbose parameter with Get-Help, it retrieves and displays additional details beyond the standard help content.

To use the Verbose parameter with Get-Help, you simply include it when running the Get-Help command. Here’s an example:

Get-Help Get-Process -Verbose
Verbose Help

By including the Verbose parameter, you will receive more in-depth information about the Get-Process cmdlet, such as detailed descriptions of each parameter, examples, and additional notes.

Using the Verbose parameter can be helpful when you need a deeper understanding of a particular cmdlet or when you want to explore all the available information related to a command. It provides you with a comprehensive view of the command’s functionality, enabling you to make more informed decisions when using PowerShell.

In conclusion, the Get-Help command in PowerShell is an invaluable resource for unlocking the full potential of this powerful scripting language. Empower yourself with knowledge and unleash the true power of PowerShell!

Meet the Author

Abdul Rahim has been working in Information Technology for over two decades. Learn how Abdul got his start as a Tech Blogger , and why he decided to start this Software blog. If you want to send Abdul a quick message, then visit his contact page here.