Whether you're optimizing performance, automating tasks, or exploiting software features, efficiency is the key to a system administrator's success. Anything that saves a few cycles is a welcome addition to your toolbox; Windows PowerShell has the potential to change the game entirely. Windows PowerShell is a new scripting language written from the ground up with the goal of simplifying Windows system administration. It's fully aware of the Windows platform and is tightly integrated with key server technologies like Exchange, IIS, SQL Server. PowerShell borrows many ideas from the Unix scripting world, so it's instantly familiar to anyone who has scripted in Bash or another Unix shell. It's also a first-class programming language that supports everything from single-line commands to full-featured Windows programs. PowerShell in Practice is a hands-on, cookbook-style reference intended for administrators wanting to learn and use PowerShell. Written from an administrator's perspective, it concentrates on using PowerShell for practical tasks and automation. The book starts with an introduction that includes a rapid tutorial and a review of the key areas in which you'll use PowerShell. This book is written to answer the question "How can PowerShell make my job as an administrator easier " After you have your feet under you, you'll find an assortment of practical techniques presented in a Problem/Solution format. The first major part, called Working with People, addresses user accounts, mailboxes, and desktop configuration and maintenance. The second major part, Working with Servers, offers techniques for DNS, Active Directory, Exchange, IIS, and more.