Windows PowerShell is Microsoft's new command-line shell and scripting language designed specifically to improve the manageability of Windows and products running on Windows.

Microsoft Windows PowerShell command line shell and scripting language helps IT Professionals achieve greater productivity. Using a new admin-focused scripting language, more than 130 standard command line tools, and consistent syntax and utilities, Windows PowerShell allows IT Professionals to more easily control system administration and accelerate automation. Windows PowerShell is an integrated version of the Windows Command Prompt (cmd.exe) and VBScript that is easy to use allowing to automate and control system administration tasks.

Windows PowerShell is easy to adopt, learn, and use, because it works with your existing IT infrastructure and existing script investments, and because it runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server “Longhorn”. Exchange Server 2007, System Center Operations Manager 2007, System Center Data Protection Manager V2, and System Center Virtual Machine Manager leverage Windows PowerShell to improve efficiency and productivity.

Windows PowerShell 1.0 is finally released. You can now download Windows PowerShell 1.0 for Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 and Windows PowerShell RC2 for Windows Vista or Windows Server code-name "Longhorn". PowerShell requires .NET 2.0 Framework to be installed as a pre-requisite.

Links/Resources:

1. Download Windows PowerShell 1.0 
2. 12 Cool Features of Windows PowerShell
3. Windows PowerShell 1.0 English installation packages for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (KB 926139)

Source: Microsoft