ABOUT_BUILT-IN_FUNCTIONS


Short description

Describes the built-in functions in PowerShell.


Long description

PowerShell includes a set of functions that are loaded into every
PowerShell session. These functions are similar to cmdlets but they're not
included in any module. They're defined in the PowerShell engine itself.

These functions are provided as shorthand helpers for common tasks. In many
cases, these functions call an existing cmdlet with an additional
parameter.


cd..

In the Windows CMD shell it's common to run the cd command without any
spaces between the command and the destination path. This function runs
Set-Location .. to change to the parent folder.


cd\

In the Windows CMD shell it's common to run the cd command without any
spaces between the command and the destination path. This function runs
Set-Location \ to change to the root folder.


Clear-Host

This function clears the screen. For more information, see Clear-Host.


Get-Verb

This function lists PowerShell verbs and the category group they belong to.
For more information, see Get-Verb


help

This function invokes Get-Help with your parameters and passes the output
to the systems pager command, more.com.


ImportSystemModules

This function has been deprecated. It is an empty function that does
nothing.


mkdir

This function provides a short hand way to run New-Item -Type Directory
with your parameters.


more

This function is a wrapper around the more.com native command.


oss

This function provides a short hand way to run Out-String -Stream in a
pipeline.


Pause

This function replicates the behavior of CMD's pause command. The script
pauses execution and prompts the user to hit a key to continue.


prompt

This is the function that creates the default prompt for the PowerShell
command line. You can customize your prompt by overriding this function
with your own. For more information see about_Prompts.


TabExpansion2

This is the default function to use for tab expansion.


Windows drive letter functions

In Windows, drive mount points are associated with a drive letter like C:.
You can switch to the current location on another drive just by entering
that drive letter on the command line.

PowerShell create a function for every possible drive letter, A: through
Z:.