Open a PowerShell session in a terminal, tell PowerShell 7 from Windows PowerShell, and recognize what the prompt is telling you. You’ll practice clearing the screen, exiting safely, and confirming which shell and version you are using before you work.

Run simple commands by reading the command name, parameters, values, and output as one command line. You’ll use safe commands like Get-Date and Get-ChildItem while practicing Tab completion, command history, and quick edits with PSReadLine.

Check where you are with Get-Location before running a command that touches files. You’ll move with Set-Location, compare absolute and relative paths, and avoid acting in the wrong folder by verifying the target first.

Use built-in safety switches such as -WhatIf and -Confirm to preview or approve changes before they happen. You’ll learn which kinds of commands support previews, why -Force deserves caution, and how to narrow a target before running a real change.

Apply the previous explanations in a guided problem.

Interrupt a command with Ctrl+C, cancel a half-written line, and recognize when PowerShell is waiting for more input instead of running. You’ll practice getting back to a clean prompt without closing the terminal or making a rushed destructive choice.

Check your understanding with a short quiz.

Review this chapter with practice based on your mistakes.