PowerShell Alias Decoder
Paste a PowerShell one-liner and get it back with full cmdlet names: gci, ?, %, -ea 0 and 170 more, with the 5.1, PowerShell 7 and Linux differences.
Scripts from forums, colleagues and your own history are full of shorthand: gci -r | ? {...} | % {...}.
Paste one here and get it back with every alias written out, ready to read, review or save as a script, plus what
changes between Windows PowerShell 5.1, PowerShell 7 and PowerShell on Linux (where ls and curl
mean something else). Only command names and parameters are changed (-r becomes -Recurse, -ea 0 becomes -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue, resolved the way PowerShell itself resolves them); strings, comments,
paths and everything else stay exactly as you wrote them. Based on Microsoft's
about_Aliases,
about_CommonParameters,
5.1 vs 7 differences and
non-Windows differences.
Local only
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It runs in
Every built-in alias
171 aliases from Windows PowerShell 5.1 and PowerShell 7.6, including the ones that only exist on Windows or in one version.
171 aliases
| Alias | Runs | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| dir | Get-ChildItem | Everywhere |
Note: CMD and Linux switches don't work here: use -Recurse (not /s or -R), -Force for hidden files (not /a or -a) and -Filter or -Include for patterns. | ||
| gci | Get-ChildItem | Everywhere |
| ls | Get-ChildItem | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native ls) |
Note: CMD and Linux switches don't work here: use -Recurse (not /s or -R), -Force for hidden files (not /a or -a) and -Filter or -Include for patterns. | ||
| copy | Copy-Item | Everywhere |
Note: Copying a folder needs -Recurse; without it only the folder itself is created, empty. | ||
| cp | Copy-Item | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native cp) |
Note: Copying a folder needs -Recurse; without it only the folder itself is created, empty. | ||
| cpi | Copy-Item | Everywhere |
| move | Move-Item | Everywhere |
| mv | Move-Item | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native mv) |
| mi | Move-Item | Everywhere |
| del | Remove-Item | Everywhere |
Note: A folder that isn't empty needs -Recurse; add -Force for hidden and read-only files. Unix-style rm -rf fails because there's no -rf parameter. | ||
| erase | Remove-Item | Everywhere |
Note: A folder that isn't empty needs -Recurse; add -Force for hidden and read-only files. Unix-style rm -rf fails because there's no -rf parameter. | ||
| rd | Remove-Item | Everywhere |
Note: A folder that isn't empty needs -Recurse; add -Force for hidden and read-only files. Unix-style rm -rf fails because there's no -rf parameter. | ||
| rmdir | Remove-Item | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native rmdir) |
Note: A folder that isn't empty needs -Recurse; add -Force for hidden and read-only files. Unix-style rm -rf fails because there's no -rf parameter. | ||
| rm | Remove-Item | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native rm) |
Note: A folder that isn't empty needs -Recurse; add -Force for hidden and read-only files. Unix-style rm -rf fails because there's no -rf parameter. | ||
| ri | Remove-Item | Everywhere |
| ren | Rename-Item | Everywhere |
| rni | Rename-Item | Everywhere |
| ni | New-Item | Everywhere |
Note: New-Item -ItemType Directory creates a folder (and any missing parent folders); -ItemType File creates an empty file. | ||
| md | mkdir | Everywhere |
Note: mkdir is a built-in function that runs New-Item -ItemType Directory, creating any missing parent folders too. | ||
| gi | Get-Item | Everywhere |
| si | Set-Item | Everywhere |
| cli | Clear-Item | Everywhere |
| ii | Invoke-Item | Everywhere |
Note: Opens a file with its default program, like double-clicking it. ii . opens the current folder in File Explorer. | ||
| cvpa | Convert-Path | Everywhere |
| rvpa | Resolve-Path | Everywhere |
| gp | Get-ItemProperty | Everywhere |
Note: Reads registry values as well as file properties: gp HKLM:\SOFTWARE\... | ||
| gpv | Get-ItemPropertyValue | Everywhere |
| sp | Set-ItemProperty | Everywhere |
| clp | Clear-ItemProperty | Everywhere |
| cpp | Copy-ItemProperty | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native cpp) |
| mp | Move-ItemProperty | Everywhere |
| rnp | Rename-ItemProperty | Everywhere |
| rp | Remove-ItemProperty | Everywhere |
| Alias | Runs | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| cat | Get-Content | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native cat) |
Note: Returns the file as an array of lines. Add -Raw for one string, -Tail 20 for the end of a file, and -Wait to keep following it like tail -f. | ||
| gc | Get-Content | Everywhere |
Note: Returns the file as an array of lines. Add -Raw for one string, -Tail 20 for the end of a file, and -Wait to keep following it like tail -f. | ||
| type | Get-Content | Everywhere |
Note: Returns the file as an array of lines. Add -Raw for one string, -Tail 20 for the end of a file, and -Wait to keep following it like tail -f. | ||
| sc | Set-Content | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
Note: In Windows PowerShell 5.1, sc is Set-Content, not the Service Control tool: sc query tries to write a file called query. Type sc.exe for services. | ||
| ac | Add-Content | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native ac) |
| clc | Clear-Content | Everywhere |
| sls | Select-String | Everywhere |
Note: PowerShell's grep and findstr: sls 'error' *.log. Regular expressions by default; add -SimpleMatch for plain text. | ||
| tee | Tee-Object | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native tee) |
| fhx | Format-Hex | Everywhere |
| CFS | ConvertFrom-String | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
| Alias | Runs | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| cd | Set-Location | Everywhere |
Note: cd.. and cd\ also work without a space (they're built-in functions). cd - goes back to the previous folder in PowerShell 6.2 and later. | ||
| chdir | Set-Location | Everywhere |
| sl | Set-Location | Everywhere |
| pwd | Get-Location | Everywhere |
| gl | Get-Location | Everywhere |
| pushd | Push-Location | Everywhere |
| popd | Pop-Location | Everywhere |
| gdr | Get-PSDrive | Everywhere |
| ndr | New-PSDrive | Everywhere |
| mount | New-PSDrive | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native mount) |
Note: The drive only exists inside this PowerShell session unless you add -Persist (Windows, network drives). | ||
| rdr | Remove-PSDrive | Everywhere |
| Alias | Runs | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| ? | Where-Object | Everywhere |
Note: where here is Where-Object, not CMD's where.exe. To find a program on the PATH, type where.exe or use Get-Command. | ||
| where | Where-Object | Everywhere |
Note: where here is Where-Object, not CMD's where.exe. To find a program on the PATH, type where.exe or use Get-Command. | ||
| % | ForEach-Object | Everywhere |
Note: After a pipe this is ForEach-Object. At the start of a statement, foreach ($x in $list) is the foreach loop instead, which collects everything first. | ||
| foreach | ForEach-Object | Everywhere |
Note: After a pipe this is ForEach-Object. At the start of a statement, foreach ($x in $list) is the foreach loop instead, which collects everything first. | ||
| select | Select-Object | Everywhere |
Note: Picks properties or the -First and -Last items. It doesn't search text; that's Select-String (sls). | ||
| sort | Sort-Object | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native sort) |
Note: Sorts objects by property: use -Descending, -Unique and -Property. Unix flags like -r and -n don't exist. | ||
| group | Group-Object | Everywhere |
| measure | Measure-Object | Everywhere |
| compare | Compare-Object | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native compare) |
Note: Compares two collections of objects. For two files compare (Get-Content a.txt) with (Get-Content b.txt); it isn't a line-by-line diff like diff or fc. | ||
| diff | Compare-Object | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native diff) |
Note: Compares two collections of objects. For two files compare (Get-Content a.txt) with (Get-Content b.txt); it isn't a line-by-line diff like diff or fc. | ||
| gu | Get-Unique | Everywhere |
Note: Only removes duplicates that are next to each other, so sort first (or use Sort-Object -Unique). | ||
| gm | Get-Member | Everywhere |
Note: Lists the properties and methods of whatever you pipe to it. The quickest way to find out what you're working with. | ||
| epcsv | Export-Csv | Everywhere |
Note: Windows PowerShell 5.1 adds a #TYPE line at the top unless you use -NoTypeInformation; PowerShell 7 doesn't. | ||
| ipcsv | Import-Csv | Everywhere |
| Alias | Runs | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| echo | Write-Output | Everywhere |
Note: Sends objects down the pipeline, so in a function they become its return value. For a message that only goes to the screen, use Write-Host. | ||
| write | Write-Output | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native write) |
Note: Sends objects down the pipeline, so in a function they become its return value. For a message that only goes to the screen, use Write-Host. | ||
| ft | Format-Table | Everywhere |
Note: Format-* cmdlets make display text, not objects: put them last in a pipeline, never before Export-Csv or a filter. | ||
| fl | Format-List | Everywhere |
Note: fl * shows every property, including the ones the default view hides. | ||
| fw | Format-Wide | Everywhere |
| fc | Format-Custom | Everywhere |
Note: Not CMD's fc file compare: here fc is Format-Custom. Type fc.exe to compare files. | ||
| oh | Out-Host | Everywhere |
| ogv | Out-GridView | Windows only (no Out-GridView on Linux or macOS) |
Note: Opens a sortable, filterable window. Needs a desktop session. | ||
| lp | Out-Printer | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
| cls | Clear-Host | Everywhere |
Note: Clears the screen. | ||
| clear | Clear-Host | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native clear) |
Note: Clears the screen. | ||
| gcb | Get-Clipboard | Everywhere |
| scb | Set-Clipboard | Everywhere |
Note: Pipe anything to scb to copy it: Get-Content log.txt | scb. | ||
| Alias | Runs | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| ps | Get-Process | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native ps) |
| gps | Get-Process | Everywhere |
| kill | Stop-Process | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native kill) |
Note: Takes a process ID or -Name. Unix signals (kill -9) aren't supported; -Force ends the process without asking. | ||
| spps | Stop-Process | Everywhere |
Note: Takes a process ID or -Name. Unix signals (kill -9) aren't supported; -Force ends the process without asking. | ||
| start | Start-Process | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native start) |
Note: Add -Wait to wait for the program to finish and -Verb RunAs to run it as administrator. | ||
| saps | Start-Process | Everywhere |
| sleep | Start-Sleep | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native sleep) |
Note: Takes seconds by default (sleep 5); use -Milliseconds for shorter waits. | ||
| gsv | Get-Service | Windows only (no Get-Service on Linux or macOS) |
| sasv | Start-Service | Windows only (no Start-Service on Linux or macOS) |
| spsv | Stop-Service | Windows only (no Stop-Service on Linux or macOS) |
| gin | Get-ComputerInfo | Windows only (no Get-ComputerInfo on Linux or macOS) |
| gtz | Get-TimeZone | Everywhere |
| stz | Set-TimeZone | Windows only (no Set-TimeZone on Linux or macOS) |
| Alias | Runs | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| gcm | Get-Command | Everywhere |
Note: gcm notepad shows which program, function or alias a name runs, like where.exe or which. | ||
| man | help | Windows only (Linux and macOS run the native man) |
Note: help is a built-in function that shows Get-Help one page at a time. Add -Online for the Microsoft Learn page. | ||
| iex | Invoke-Expression | Everywhere |
Note: Runs a string as code. Read anything downloaded before piping it to iex (iwr ... | iex runs whatever the server sends). | ||
| ipmo | Import-Module | Everywhere |
| gmo | Get-Module | Everywhere |
Note: Shows loaded modules; gmo -ListAvailable shows installed ones. | ||
| rmo | Remove-Module | Everywhere |
| nmo | New-Module | Everywhere |
| shcm | Show-Command | Windows only (no Show-Command on Linux or macOS) |
| trcm | Trace-Command | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
| asnp | Add-PSSnapIn | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
| gsnp | Get-PSSnapIn | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
| rsnp | Remove-PSSnapin | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
| ise | powershell_ise.exe | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
| Alias | Runs | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| gv | Get-Variable | Everywhere |
| sv | Set-Variable | Everywhere |
| set | Set-Variable | Everywhere |
Note: Not CMD's set: this is Set-Variable. Environment variables are $env:NAME = 'value', and dir env: lists them. | ||
| nv | New-Variable | Everywhere |
| rv | Remove-Variable | Everywhere |
| clv | Clear-Variable | Everywhere |
| gal | Get-Alias | Everywhere |
Note: gal -Definition Get-ChildItem lists every alias for a cmdlet. | ||
| sal | Set-Alias | Everywhere |
Note: An alias can't include parameters; write a small function for that. Aliases you set last until the session ends unless they're in your profile. | ||
| nal | New-Alias | Everywhere |
| epal | Export-Alias | Everywhere |
| ipal | Import-Alias | Everywhere |
| Alias | Runs | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| h | Get-History | Everywhere |
| history | Get-History | Everywhere |
| ghy | Get-History | Everywhere |
| r | Invoke-History | Everywhere |
Note: Runs a command from your history again: on its own it reruns the last one, r 12 reruns entry 12. | ||
| ihy | Invoke-History | Everywhere |
Note: Runs a command from your history again: on its own it reruns the last one, r 12 reruns entry 12. | ||
| clhy | Clear-History | Everywhere |
| gerr | Get-Error | PowerShell 7 only |
Note: Shows everything about the most recent error (or $Error[n]): exception type, stack and inner exceptions. | ||
| gcs | Get-PSCallStack | Everywhere |
| sbp | Set-PSBreakpoint | Everywhere |
| gbp | Get-PSBreakpoint | Everywhere |
| ebp | Enable-PSBreakpoint | Everywhere |
| dbp | Disable-PSBreakpoint | Everywhere |
| rbp | Remove-PSBreakpoint | Everywhere |
| Alias | Runs | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| icm | Invoke-Command | Everywhere |
Note: Variables from your session aren't visible on the remote computer; pass them with $using:name or -ArgumentList. | ||
| etsn | Enter-PSSession | Everywhere |
| exsn | Exit-PSSession | Everywhere |
| nsn | New-PSSession | Everywhere |
| gsn | Get-PSSession | Everywhere |
| rsn | Remove-PSSession | Everywhere |
| cnsn | Connect-PSSession | Windows only (no Connect-PSSession on Linux or macOS) |
| dnsn | Disconnect-PSSession | Windows only (no Disconnect-PSSession on Linux or macOS) |
| rcsn | Receive-PSSession | Windows only (no Receive-PSSession on Linux or macOS) |
| epsn | Export-PSSession | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
| ipsn | Import-PSSession | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
| npssc | New-PSSessionConfigurationFile | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
| sajb | Start-Job | Everywhere |
| gjb | Get-Job | Everywhere |
| rcjb | Receive-Job | Everywhere |
| wjb | Wait-Job | Everywhere |
| spjb | Stop-Job | Everywhere |
| rjb | Remove-Job | Everywhere |
| rujb | Resume-Job | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
| sujb | Suspend-Job | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
| Alias | Runs | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| iwr | Invoke-WebRequest | Everywhere |
Note: Windows PowerShell 5.1 parses pages with Internet Explorer's engine unless you add -UseBasicParsing; PowerShell 7 always parses the basic way. | ||
| irm | Invoke-RestMethod | Everywhere |
Note: Turns JSON and XML responses into objects you can use straight away. | ||
| curl | Invoke-WebRequest | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
Note: In Windows PowerShell 5.1, curl is Invoke-WebRequest, so curl options like -I, -L or -k fail. Type curl.exe for the real curl. PowerShell 7 dropped the alias, so there curl runs curl.exe. | ||
| wget | Invoke-WebRequest | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
Note: In Windows PowerShell 5.1, wget is Invoke-WebRequest, not GNU wget. Use iwr URL -OutFile file to download. PowerShell 7 dropped the alias. | ||
| gwmi | Get-WmiObject | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
Note: Use Get-CimInstance (gcim) instead: it does the same job and works in 5.1 and 7. | ||
| iwmi | Invoke-WMIMethod | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
Note: Use Invoke-CimMethod (icim) instead; it works in 5.1 and 7. | ||
| rwmi | Remove-WMIObject | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
Note: Use Remove-CimInstance (rcim) instead; it works in 5.1 and 7. | ||
| swmi | Set-WMIInstance | Windows PowerShell 5.1 only |
Note: Use Set-CimInstance (scim) instead; it works in 5.1 and 7. | ||
| gcim | Get-CimInstance | Windows only (no Get-CimInstance on Linux or macOS) |
Note: gcim Win32_OperatingSystem, gcim Win32_LogicalDisk: the modern replacement for gwmi. | ||
| gcls | Get-CimClass | Windows only (no Get-CimClass on Linux or macOS) |
| gcai | Get-CimAssociatedInstance | Windows only (no Get-CimAssociatedInstance on Linux or macOS) |
| icim | Invoke-CimMethod | Windows only (no Invoke-CimMethod on Linux or macOS) |
| ncim | New-CimInstance | Windows only (no New-CimInstance on Linux or macOS) |
| rcim | Remove-CimInstance | Windows only (no Remove-CimInstance on Linux or macOS) |
| scim | Set-CimInstance | Windows only (no Set-CimInstance on Linux or macOS) |
| gcms | Get-CimSession | Windows only (no Get-CimSession on Linux or macOS) |
| ncms | New-CimSession | Windows only (no New-CimSession on Linux or macOS) |
| rcms | Remove-CimSession | Windows only (no Remove-CimSession on Linux or macOS) |
| ncso | New-CimSessionOption | Windows only (no New-CimSessionOption on Linux or macOS) |
| rcie | Register-CimIndicationEvent | Windows only (no Register-CimIndicationEvent on Linux or macOS) |