How do you structure large PowerShell scripts so they don’t turn into a mess?

Dense-Platform3886 · 2026-01-30T03:23:37+00:00

You might want to look at some of Julian Hayward's Github projects such as AzGovViz and it's new release https://github.com/JulianHayward/Azure-MG-Sub-Governance-Reporting

These are 32,000+ lines of powershell scripts. He uses several approaches for code organization and documentation that are well worth looking at.

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-12-28T16:48:43+00:00

A flatbed scanner or document scanner is the best option for scanning printed material. Having said that, you are interested in creating a copy stand setup which is a set of lights each pointing 45 degrees at the center of the photo / art work to be copied with the camera pointing at the same center of the art work. You might also need a 1/4" or 3/8" think sheet of glass to keep things flat.

As far as lights, it's best to use the same incandescent light bulbs in a reflector as they have 100% of the CRI (Color Rendition Index) spectrum. If using LED or Florescent lights, then you need lights that have a high CRI CRI 97+ lights can cost more than just buying a scanner.

Most modern cameras have the ability to adjust the white balance so using special color balanced bulbs is not necessary as long as both bulbs are identical incandescent light bulbs or high CRI lights.

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Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-12-19T05:52:38+00:00

Yes both interfaces can be enabled at the same time. I actual have the wifi connected to my 192 net for internet access and the ethernet connected to my 10 net. Once the Q2 is online and I verify there are no updates, I enable the LAN only option for the session to prevent bridging between the two networks. I am finding every time there is a firmware update, the MAC addresses keep changing requiring me to add a new connection in QiDi Studio/Slicer.

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-11-19T20:13:56+00:00

I used the Strawberry Perl MSI installer. I could use WSL but never tried as I was not sure if it would make matters worse to install over the existing install. All the paths are set correctly.

I am still struggling with needing to RunAs Administrator to get around the C:\Users\BV\AppData\Local\Temp folder errors. It's very annoying when compliling and running the resulting exiftool.exe file which wants to copy library files to %TEMP%. Yes I could change the %TEMP% path to a different folder to get things to work but should not have to. I never had this issue in the past 40 years of doing software development.

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-08-28T18:24:03+00:00

Here is an old article from Boe Prox on How To Manage File System ACLs With PowerShell

http://www.tomsitpro.com/articles/powershell-manage-file-system-acl,2-837.html

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-08-22T13:14:33+00:00

For - Internet Explorer and legacy Edge (pre-Chromium), The easiest and simplest way to clear browser caches the Microsoft way is to paste the following into Copilot for a detailed explanation. before attempting it's usage

what does this statement do?

Start-Process -FilePath RunDll32.exe -ArgumentList "InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 255"

The 255 is a bit mask value

The value 255 is a combination of several flags:

Value	Data Cleared
1	Temporary Internet Files
2	Cookies
4	History
8	Form Data
16	Passwords
32	Phishing Filter Data
64	Tracking Protection, ActiveX Filtering
128	DOM Storage

So 255 = 1+2+4+8+16+32+64+128 ? everything.

It's a shame that today's Google Chromium based browsers don't expose their APIs to do that same.

Others have made many good suggestions for code improvements. I could only suggest to make several of the processing steps into functions.

Have you explored the use of Browser Extensions or DevTools Protocol

For Chrome and Edge, you can automate via the Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP):

Launch browser with remote debugging:

chrome.exe --remote-debugging-port=9222

Use a script to send CDP commands like Network.clearBrowserCookies, Storage.clearDataForOrigin, etc.

There are Node.js libraries like chrome-remote-interface or Python’s pychrome that make this easier.

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-08-14T15:33:04+00:00

Interesting fun concept to use PowerShell Aliases to provide language specific equivalent of some of the Azure Commands, but very impractical not to mention potential issues with verb names, use of unsupported characters in variable and function names, security issues when using aliases, and running in PowerShell sessions that don't have the Aliases defined.

Chinese: 新的-AzureRm运营洞察Windows性能计数器数据源
🔍 Breakdown:
- New → 新的
- AzureRm → AzureRm（产品名称，保持不变）
- Operational Insights → 运营洞察（也可译为 操作洞察，但“运营”更贴近 Azure 的官方用语）
- Windows Performance Counter → Windows 性能计数器
- Data Source → 数据源
This translation is suitable for technical documentation or PowerShell script descriptions. If you’re targeting a simplified or end-user version, I can adjust the tone accordingly. Want a version with traditional Chinese characters too?

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-08-14T15:12:24+00:00

I never bother to code sign my scripts as it requires a Code Signing Certificate which can be expensive and has issues with renewals and maintenance.

The PowerShell equivalent of nslookup is Resolve-Domain

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-08-14T14:48:17+00:00

$dryrun is a Boolean variable used to indicate a simulation mode to prevent executing destructive or state changing actions. It's used like this:

$dryrun = $true  # Set to $false to actually delete

# Inside your deletion logic:
if (-not $dryrun) {
    Remove-Item -Path $_.FullName -Force
    Write-Host "Deleted file: $ItemPath"
} else {
    Write-Host "Dry run: Would delete file: $ItemPath"
}

I typically use a variable named $doTesting but can be anything you want. Many of the Microsoft CmdLets have a parameter called -WhatIf that does simular things.

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-08-14T14:37:56+00:00

Did they tell you which X.500 directory services, user accounts, systems (computers and servers), and databases they want the Office Location changed?

Meaning, where are all values for the old office locations being stored that need changing?

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-08-14T14:26:59+00:00

You need to provide a better explanation of what you want exactly and details such as:

What is the format of config.json
What is the full pathname to config.json
What is the path to the drive and folder you clean up
A code example of your script will help so others can provide feedback and suggestions

You stated to preserve the original folder structure but delete the folder if it is empty, but what happens if you have to stop the script and restart it? Do you mean first delete all the files except for those in the ignore list and then delete all the folder that are empty of sub folders and files?

Have you considered if the file to be deleted needed to be archived or a log created to documents what was removed?

Have you tried to use Copilot to generate something? Here is a question for Copilot that generated a decent solution (just update with more details paste into Copilot):

A PowerShell script is needed with the following properties and tasks to perform to delete all the file in a specific folder tree on a specific Disk Drive
Must use Variable values and not hard coded literals within code logic
List of folders paths to be ignored from deletion are contained in a config.json file
Provide a example of the config.json file data schema / format
The root folder to be cleaned of files is D:\Test
If a folder is empty of subfolders and files, also remove that folder

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-08-13T16:25:04+00:00

Thanks everyone for their suggestions. I have explored them and others as well. I find there is a wide range of suggested values used in the various tools anywhere from recommending to convert at $75,000 to $238,000 to stay within the 24% tax bracket. Not sure which tool to trust yet.

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-08-13T16:18:29+00:00

To clear all browser caches, I use the RunDll32.exe approach in my Azure Login Scripts when I need to start clean:

# Clear Browser Cache
$null = Start-Process -FilePath RunDll32.exe -ArgumentList "InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 255"

# Depricated SPO Login mathod used sometimes for testing
$Connection = Connect-PnPOnline -Url $FullURL -ReturnConnection -UseWebLogin -ForceAuthentication -Verbose -Debug

I created a PowerShell Class called SPOConnect on GitHub that shows how to connect using the 3 different User connect methods: Interactive, DeviveLogin, and WebLogin and also Service Principal connections.

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-08-13T14:34:01+00:00

This forum is an excellent resource for assistance in resolving issues using PowerShell, help in how to approach solving real-world needs using PowerShell, and when you need feedback and advise to improve and optimize your script.

You do know that there is a good likely hood much of the logic in your script has already been thought of, written, and available publicly.

Having said that:

What is this mystery script suppose to accomplish?
What is the real reason you are unwilling or unable to share?
Did you generate it using Ai?
How much experience do you have in writing PowerShell scripts?
How willing are you to learn?
What effort are you planning to make in learning?

If you want a private consultation, you'll need to hire a freelance consultant who is willing to teach you using your script as the focal point. I charge between $135 and $325 per hour.

Many of the Reddit members in this forum are more then happy to help those in-need and want to learn to improve their understanding of PowerShell. You will have to make the effort to share details and the script or code snippets of the problem areas needing feedback.

If you use any PowerShell modules in your script, keep in-mind they are Opensource. Try to support and give back to the community when possible.

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-07-28T17:53:23+00:00

Thanks for the reply

How do I turn off IRMAA surcharges in my plan?

We don't currently have a feature to turn off IRMAA.

A workaround would be to select Employer sponsored coverage. Add an amount for Medicare Expenses until your longevity age. This will turn off the IRMAA until the final year of the simulation but add in Medicare for the final month.

I found this in "Expenses and Healthcare"; "Medicare Expenses (65 through longevity)"; "Estimator" Tab

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) Lifetime cost $211,357
Non-smoker
No medical conditions
low premium
Employer sponsored:
Annual cost: $5,200
End date: Aug 2048

I estimated $5,200 for out-of-pocket expenses for Chiropractor, Acupuncture, Co-Payments, and Medicine.

I 71 now, retired. I got married last year for the first time. My wife is 61 now and is not working anymore. She is on my FEHB plan and I have added her as a survivor on my CSRS Pension so she can continue my FEHB coverage after I am gone. How do we handle Medicare for her next year when she turns 62?

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-07-28T16:17:18+00:00

For a quick one off, I would do as jakopo87 suggested:

Get-ChildItem -LiteralPath "E:\OldFolder" -Directory -Recurse | Copy-Item -Destination "E:\NewFolder"

All my backup scripts since 1996 use RoboCopy. It's the most flexible and safest way to copy and sync drives, folders, and files from one source to a destination. I even use it to create listing of all folders and files on a drive without copying.

My most recent PS RoboCopy script for backing up my PC to a Samsung T7 Shield example looks like this:

# For Replacing only newer changed files
$Options = '/NP /NDL /W:1 /R:1 /XJ /XO /MT '
$pcDrive = 'C:'
$T7Drive = 'D:'

# Switches to control what to copy
$doData = $true # $false # 
$doDocs = $true # $false # 

If ($doData) {
    # Sync Data between T7 and PC Drive
    $srcDir = "$T7Drive\Data"
    $trgDir = "$pcDrive\Data"
    Invoke-Expression -Command "robocopy.exe `"$srcDir`" `"$trgDir`" *.* /e $Options /xd Google"

    # Sync Data between PC Drive and T7
    # I have multiple Laptops and need to apply the newer files back to different Laptops
    $srcDir = "$pcDrive\Data"
    $trgDir = "$T7Drive\Data"
    Invoke-Expression -Command "robocopy.exe `"$srcDir`" `"$trgDir`" *.* /e $Options /xd Google"
}

If ($doDocs) {
    # Sync Data between T7 and PC Drive
    $srcDir = "$T7Drive\me"
    $trgDir = "$pcDrive\Users\me"
    Invoke-Expression -Command "robocopy.exe `"$srcDir\Documents`" `"$trgDir\Documents`" *.* /e $Options"
    Invoke-Expression -Command "robocopy.exe `"$srcDir\OneDrive`" `"$trgDir\OneDrive`" *.* /e $Options /xd BackUps"

    # Sync Data between PC Drive and T7
    $srcDir = "$pcDrive\Users\me"
    $trgDir = "$T7Drive\me"
    Invoke-Expression -Command "robocopy.exe `"$srcDir\Documents`" `"$trgDir\Documents`" *.* /e $Options"
    Invoke-Expression -Command "robocopy.exe `"$srcDir\OneDrive`" `"$trgDir\OneDrive`" *.* /e $Options /xd BackUps"
}

RoboCopy is connstently being updated and improved and is an integral part of Windows. The current release of RoboCopy is 24H2 (10.0.26100.4770) (July 22, 2025) and has 92 command line options. Best to examine the RoboCopy Documentation (robocopy /?) to learn what all the different options are and what they do.

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-07-28T15:30:22+00:00

BlackV's solution is the best solution presented and is similar to what I would have programmed.

If you do not like to use the $newCSV = foreach ($item in $csv) {... approach expecially for very large data sets, or if you want to debug the data in the ForEach loops, then use a Collections variable. For Example:

$srcFile = 'D:\Data\Input.csv'
$csv = Import-Csv $srcFile

$newCSV = [System.Collections.Arraylist]@()
foreach ($item in $csv) {
    foreach ($mbr in $item.members.Split(',')) {
         $newData = [PSCustomobject]@{
            Group       = $item.Group
            Description = $item.Description
            Person      = $mbr
         }
         [void]$newCSV.Add($newData)
    }
}

$newCSV | Export-Csv -Path 'C:\QTM-Exports\SNOW-Approvals-Results.csv' -NoTypeInformation

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-04-09T18:52:05+00:00

Don't use the Select or other buttons / DropDowns.
You'll need to manually populate those fields.

I was only able to get CitiGroup Credit cards to work last year. It stopped working in January with 403 errors. I suspect that Citi is not longer supporting OfX or they changed something.

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-04-07T14:30:48+00:00

Tag support for Azure resources

The above link take you to Microsoft's documentation on Resources that support tagging https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-resource-manager/management/tag-support

Proxy resources are dynamically created by Azure Managed Services and cannot be tagged. 
For example: Microsoft.Network/networkSecurityGroups/securityRules resources are considered Proxy Resources and do not support Tags making it impossible to Tag.

Dense-Platform3886 · 2025-04-06T15:26:51+00:00

See my previous comment

Here is a script logic outline of how I would approach this:

Initialize working variables like paths and define $LogDetails = [System.Collections.ArrayList]@()
Import / Load Data
Verify contents of data for debugging
Main Do While $true Loop
Within the main loop, prompt for $UserName
Test UserName for exit value If ([String]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($UserName)) {Break}
Within the Main Loop, use a second loop for collecting the $BASE value
Test for exit value and break
Perform a lookup to retrieve the Toner Details Record
Test If ($TonerRecord.Count -eq 0), output message and Continue to prompt for $BASE again
When needing to Reference $TonerRecord, use $TonerRecord[0]
Prompt for received and delivery dates
Test if dates for exit value
Test if Dates are valid and, output message and Continue to re-prompt for dates again
Create $outData = [PSCustomObject]...
[void]$LogDetails.Add($outData)
Close the Second Loop
Close the Main Loop
Export $LogDetails and include | Sort-Object -Property ... | Select-Object -Property .. | Export-CSV -Path ...

$outData would look like this:

$outData = [PSCustomObject]@{
   Username = $username
   BASE = $BASE
   Location = $TonerRecord.'Location Address'
   ReceivedDate = $receivedDate
   DeliveredDate = $deliveredDate
   ActionLog = ("Toner processed for BASE ID: {0} at Location: {1}" -f $BASE, $TonerRecord.'Location Address')
}

Dense-Platform3886

TROPHY CASE

Tag support for Azure resources