Windows Server Administration with PowerShell

About This Series

The Windows Server Administration with PowerShell series is a focused 4-book collection that combines traditional Windows Server management knowledge with modern PowerShell automation skills. Whether you're managing a small business network with a few servers or an enterprise environment with hundreds, this series gives you the skills to do it efficiently and reliably.

Windows Server remains the backbone of enterprise IT infrastructure, running Active Directory, file servers, print services, DNS, DHCP, Remote Desktop Services, and countless line-of-business applications. The release of Windows Server 2025 brings new features for hybrid cloud integration, advanced security, and container support. This series ensures you're current with both the latest version and the automation tools to manage it effectively.

Why Windows Server + PowerShell?

Microsoft's direction is clear: PowerShell is the primary management interface for Windows Server. Server Core installations (without a GUI) are now the recommended deployment option. Azure integration requires command-line proficiency. Windows Admin Center uses PowerShell under the hood. If you're managing Windows Servers without PowerShell, you're working harder than you need to and limiting your career growth.

The Learning Journey

Volume 1: Windows Server 2022 Administration — Build your foundation with the current long-term servicing channel release. Learn installation options (Desktop Experience vs. Server Core), initial configuration, Active Directory Domain Services, DNS and DHCP server roles, file and storage services, Group Policy management, Windows Defender and security baselines, Hyper-V virtualization, Remote Desktop Services, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and monitoring with Performance Monitor and Event Viewer.

Volume 2: Windows Server 2025 Administration — Stay current with the latest release. Cover new features including enhanced Azure Arc integration, hotpatching (applying updates without reboots), advanced Active Directory enhancements, improved SMB security (SMB over QUIC), delegated Managed Service Accounts, new storage capabilities, container improvements, and security enhancements. Learn migration strategies from Server 2019/2022 and understand the hybrid cloud management model.

Volume 3: Windows Server 2025 — Manage with PowerShell — Automate everything you learned in Volumes 1 and 2. Master PowerShell cmdlets for Active Directory management, DNS/DHCP configuration, file server administration, Group Policy automation, Hyper-V VM management, certificate management, Windows Firewall rules, scheduled task creation, event log analysis, system inventory, compliance reporting, and building operational dashboards. This volume transforms manual administration into repeatable, auditable automation.

Volume 4: Windows PKI & Certificates — Public Key Infrastructure is critical for enterprise security. Learn to deploy and manage Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS), design certificate hierarchies (root and subordinate CAs), create certificate templates, implement auto-enrollment, manage certificate revocation (CRL and OCSP), deploy SSL certificates for web servers, configure code signing, implement smart card authentication, and troubleshoot certificate-related issues. PKI is complex — this book makes it manageable.

What You Will Learn

• Windows Server 2022/2025 installation and initial configuration
• Active Directory: domains, OUs, users, groups, Group Policy, trusts
• DNS and DHCP: server deployment, zone management, scopes, reservations
• File services: shares, NTFS permissions, DFS, quotas, FSRM
• Hyper-V: VM creation, networking, storage, checkpoints, replication
• PowerShell automation: cmdlets for every major server role
• Security: Windows Defender, baselines, auditing, Just Enough Administration
• PKI: certificate authorities, templates, enrollment, revocation, troubleshooting
• Monitoring: Performance Monitor, Event Viewer, automated alerting
• Hybrid cloud: Azure Arc, Azure AD Connect, hybrid join scenarios
• Updates: WSUS, hotpatching, patch management strategies
• Migration: upgrading from Server 2019/2022, role migration procedures

Who Is This Series For?

• Windows administrators managing on-premises server infrastructure
• IT generalists who need comprehensive Windows Server knowledge
• Professionals preparing for Microsoft certifications (AZ-800, AZ-801)
• Linux administrators who also need to manage Windows environments
• MSP technicians supporting multiple client environments