Top PowerShell Modules Every IT Admin Should Know

PowerShell has evolved into one of the most indispensable tools for IT administrators, offering an efficient way to manage, configure, and automate nearly every aspect of a network environment. Its modular design allows for the integration of various libraries, or "modules," which extend PowerShell’s capabilities. From simplifying network configuration to managing cloud resources, PowerShell modules empower administrators to streamline tasks and boost productivity. Here’s an overview of the top PowerShell modules that every IT admin should know.

1. Active Directory Module

Purpose: Manage Active Directory (AD) objects, including users, groups, and computers.

For IT admins in Windows Server environments, the Active Directory module is essential. It provides cmdlets for querying and modifying AD objects, making it easier to manage the directory without needing to access the AD GUI. With cmdlets like Get-ADUser, New-ADGroup, and Remove-ADComputer, admins can perform tasks ranging from user account creation to group policy management.

• Notable Cmdlets:
  • Get-ADUser: Retrieve information about user accounts.
  • New-ADGroup: Create new security groups.
  • Get-ADGroupMember: View members of a specific group.

Installation: The module comes pre-installed on Windows Server but can also be installed on Windows 10 and later as part of the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT).

2. Azure Az Module

Purpose: Manage Azure resources, such as VMs, storage, networking, and databases.

The Az module is the recommended module for managing Microsoft Azure resources, replacing the older AzureRM module. With cmdlets covering nearly every aspect of Azure management, IT admins can automate cloud operations, create and manage resources, and handle permissions seamlessly.

• Notable Cmdlets:
  • Get-AzVM: Retrieve information about Azure virtual machines.
  • New-AzResourceGroup: Create new resource groups for organizing assets.
  • Set-AzStorageAccount: Manage Azure storage accounts.

Installation: Use Install-Module -Name Az to install the module from the PowerShell Gallery.

3. Exchange Online PowerShell Module

Purpose: Manage Exchange Online mailboxes, groups, and policies in Microsoft 365.

The Exchange Online PowerShell module is essential for admins managing Microsoft 365 environments, allowing them to handle email settings, compliance policies, and mailbox configurations. Using cmdlets in this module, administrators can perform bulk updates on mailboxes, manage distribution groups, and configure security settings.

• Notable Cmdlets:
  • Get-Mailbox: View mailbox information.
  • Set-Mailbox: Modify mailbox properties.
  • New-Mailbox: Create new mailboxes for users.

Installation: Download and install the Exchange Online PowerShell V2 module, also known as EXO V2, which offers faster, more efficient cmdlets optimized for remote operations.

4. Microsoft Teams PowerShell Module

Purpose: Manage Microsoft Teams policies, settings, and user permissions.

Microsoft Teams has become a cornerstone for collaboration in many organizations, and the Microsoft Teams module is critical for IT admins managing Teams environments. With this module, admins can create teams, manage membership, control permissions, and set policies for users across the organization.

• Notable Cmdlets:
  • Get-Team: Retrieve information about Teams in the organization.
  • New-Team: Create a new team.
  • Set-TeamChannel: Manage channel settings within a team.

Installation: Use Install-Module -Name MicrosoftTeams to install it from the PowerShell Gallery.

5. PSWindowsUpdate Module

Purpose: Manage Windows updates on local and remote systems.

Keeping systems up-to-date with the latest patches is crucial for security, and the PSWindowsUpdate module simplifies the update process across multiple machines. It allows administrators to automate patch management, check for updates, and install them remotely, saving time and ensuring consistency.

• Notable Cmdlets:
  • Get-WUInstall: Download and install updates on the local machine.
  • Invoke-WUInstall: Trigger updates on remote systems.
  • Get-WUHistory: View the history of updates installed on a system.

Installation: This module is not available by default but can be installed from the PowerShell Gallery using Install-Module -Name PSWindowsUpdate.

6. Networking Module

Purpose: Manage network settings, configurations, and diagnostics.

PowerShell's networking module provides cmdlets to manage IP configurations, network adapters, and DNS settings. It's especially helpful for IT admins managing server configurations and network settings on Windows Server and client machines.

• Notable Cmdlets:
  • Get-NetAdapter: Retrieve network adapter information.
  • New-NetIPAddress: Assign an IP address to a network interface.
  • Set-DnsClientServerAddress: Configure DNS server addresses.

Installation: This module is available by default on Windows Server and Windows 10 or later.

7. Storage Module

Purpose: Manage storage volumes, disks, and file shares.

The Storage module includes cmdlets for managing storage-related configurations, from disk partitions to network file shares. For IT admins managing large numbers of storage devices, this module helps configure disks, create storage pools, and maintain shared storage environments.

• Notable Cmdlets:
  • Get-PhysicalDisk: Retrieve information about physical disks.
  • New-Volume: Create new volumes for data storage.
  • Set-SmbShare: Manage SMB share settings for network file access.

Installation: Pre-installed on Windows Server, Windows 10, and later versions.

8. DHCP Server Module

Purpose: Manage DHCP scopes, reservations, and leases on Windows DHCP servers.

For network administrators responsible for handling IP address allocations, the DHCP Server module provides a powerful way to manage DHCP settings, including creating scopes, setting exclusions, and monitoring active leases.

• Notable Cmdlets:
  • Get-DhcpServerv4Scope: Retrieve details about IPv4 scopes.
  • Add-DhcpServerv4Reservation: Add reservations for devices.
  • Remove-DhcpServerv4Lease: Clear specific leases.

Installation: Available on Windows Server as part of the DHCP server role.

9. Hyper-V Module

Purpose: Manage and configure Hyper-V virtual machines and resources.

The Hyper-V module enables administrators to control and configure virtual machines running on Windows Server environments, making it essential for those running virtualized environments. Admins can manage VMs, configure virtual switches, and optimize virtualized infrastructure using this module.

• Notable Cmdlets:
  • New-VM: Create new virtual machines.
  • Get-VM: Retrieve details about virtual machines.
  • Start-VM: Start a specific virtual machine.

Installation: The Hyper-V module is included with the Hyper-V role on Windows Server.

10. Security and Compliance Center Module

Purpose: Manage compliance settings, policies, and audit logs within Microsoft 365.

The Security and Compliance Center module is critical for organizations that need to enforce compliance policies and monitor security in their Microsoft 365 environments. It provides access to compliance policies, eDiscovery, and audit logs, allowing IT admins to enforce and monitor compliance efficiently.

• Notable Cmdlets:
  • New-ComplianceSearch: Create searches for data discovery.
  • Set-RetentionCompliancePolicy: Configure retention policies.
  • Get-ProtectionAlert: Retrieve security alerts.

Installation: Installable via PowerShell with Install-Module -Name ExchangeOnlineManagement.

Honorable Mentions

• SQLServer Module: Manage SQL Server instances with PowerShell.
• SmbShare Module: Manage SMB shares for network file sharing.
• WebAdministration Module: Control IIS settings and web applications on Windows Server.

Tips for Using PowerShell Modules Efficiently

1. Stay Updated: Regularly update modules with Update-Module to access the latest features and security patches.
2. Use Aliases Sparingly: PowerShell cmdlets have long names, but using aliases too frequently can reduce code readability.
3. Practice Script Automation: Automate recurring tasks with scripts, scheduling them with Task Scheduler or the Invoke-Command cmdlet.

Conclusion

PowerShell modules greatly extend PowerShell’s functionality, providing a comprehensive toolkit for IT administrators to manage on-premises and cloud resources. By familiarizing themselves with these top PowerShell modules, admins can improve productivity, automate complex processes, and maintain secure, compliant network environments. Whether managing Azure resources, configuring AD objects, or deploying security policies in Microsoft 365, PowerShell continues to be a reliable companion in modern IT administration.