Windows IT Pro is the authoritative and independent resource for windows nt, windows 2000, windows 2003, windows xp. Features a collection of resources and magazines for windows IT professionals.
  
  
  Advanced Search 


December 26, 2007

What You Need to Know to Start Using PowerShell's Personal Profile Scripts


RSS
View this exclusive article with VIP access -- click here to join |
See More Scripting Articles Here | Reprints | Or sign up for our VIP Monthly Pass!
Main Article    Making PowerShell's Out-Printer Cmdlet Easier to Use

If you aren't familiar with PowerShell's personal profile scripts, they're simply plain text files containing commands that PowerShell executes when it starts up. These scripts don't exist unless you create them, so here's a quick walkthrough on how to set up a profile script and some information to help you understand how they fit into PowerShell's startup process.

How to Set Up a Profile Script
The first step in setting up a standard personal profile script is to find the pathname for that script. PowerShell keeps the pathname in the PowerShell variable $profile, even if the script doesn't exist. So, you can simply type

$profile

after the PowerShell prompt to see the literal path to that file. If you're running Windows XP from your C drive and are logged in as user Owner, $profile will be C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\WindowsPowerShell\Microsoft.PowerShell_profile.ps1.

To create your profile script, open a text editor and type or paste in the code you want PowerShell to execute at startup, then save the file using the pathname shown in $profile. You might need to create the folder WindowsPowerShell before saving the file. . . .

Reader Comments

You must log on before posting a comment.

If you don't have a username & password, please register now.




Top Viewed ArticlesView all articles
Friday at PASS Europe 2006

Kevin talks about the closing day of the event and shares a funny Microsoft film. ...

PsExec

This freeware utility lets you execute processes on a remote system and redirect output to the local system. ...

Microsoft Delivers Service Pack 2 Beta 2 for Vista, Server 2008

Microsoft on Tuesday announced the availability of the Beta 2 version of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Since both operating systems were developed from the same code base, they have a common servicing structure and thus ...


Related Events PowerShell 101 - eLearning Series

Check out our list of Free Email Newsletters!

Scripting eBooks Keeping Your Business Safe from Attack: Encryption and Certificate Services

Best Practices for Managing Linux and UNIX Servers

Building an Effective Reporting System

Related Scripting Resources Become a VIP member of the Windows IT Pro community!
Get it all with the VIP CD and VIP access. A $500+ value for only $279!

Subscribe to Windows IT Pro!
Solve your toughest technical problems with our experts and access 10,000 + articles online. 30% off

Monthly Online Pass - Only $5.95!
Get instant access to 10,000+ articles from Windows IT Pro Magazine!

TechNet Virtual Labs
Evaluate and test Microsoft's newest products.


Windows IT Pro Home Register FAQ for Windows WinInfo News
Europe Edition About Us Contact Us/Customer Service Media Kit Affiliates / Licensing  
SQL Server Magazine Office & SharePoint Pro Windows Dev Pro IT Job Hound ITTV
IT Library Technology Resource Directory Connected Home Windows Excavator Windows SuperSite 
 
 Windows IT Pro is a Division of Penton Media Inc.
 Copyright © 2008 Penton Media, Inc., All rights reserved. Terms and Use | Privacy Statement | Reprints and Licensing