PowerShell and Admin AutomationOps ToolkitsIntermediate2-3 hoursLab build

PowerShell Onboarding Toolkit for Workstation Setup

Create a reusable PowerShell onboarding script for new Windows workstations: install standard apps, apply baseline settings, and leave behind a process the next tech can run.

Last reviewed4/30/2026

onboarding toolkits

PowerShellWindows Operating SystemSoftware Installation

Expected Outcome

A working PowerShell script that automates the onboarding process, ensuring consistency and efficiency in workstation setup.

Assumptions

Basic understanding of PowerShell scripting
Administrator access to the target workstations
Access to necessary software installation files or URLs

Bill of Materials

Windows 10/11 workstation
PowerShell 5.1 or later
Text editor (e.g., Visual Studio Code, Notepad++)
List of required software packages

Build Steps

Set Up the PowerShell Environment
Prepare your PowerShell environment for script execution.
Changes system state: review before running
```
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
Install-Module -Name PowerShellGet -Force -AllowClobber
```

Create the Onboarding Script

Create a new PowerShell script file to hold the onboarding commands.

Changes system state: review before running

New-Item -Path 'C:\OnboardingToolkit' -ItemType Directory -Force
New-Item -Path 'C:\OnboardingToolkit\Onboarding.ps1' -ItemType File -Force

Define Software Packages
List the software packages to be installed during onboarding.
Example pattern only. Adjust for your environment before running.
```
$softwareList = @('Google Chrome', 'Visual Studio Code', 'Slack')
```

Install Software Packages

Loop through the software list and install each package.

Changes system state: review before running

foreach ($software in $softwareList) {
Start-Process -FilePath 'C:\Path\To\Installer\$software.exe' -ArgumentList '/silent' -Wait
}

Configure Baseline Settings

Set baseline configurations for the workstation.

Changes system state: review before running

Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced' -Name 'Hidden' -Value 1
Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Control Panel\Desktop' -Name 'Wallpaper' -Value 'C:\Path\To\Wallpaper.jpg'

Test the Onboarding Script
Run the onboarding script to ensure it functions as expected.
Safe to run: read-only
```
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File 'C:\OnboardingToolkit\Onboarding.ps1'
```

Validation

Verify that all software packages are installed correctly.
Check that the baseline settings have been applied.
Ensure there are no errors in the PowerShell execution.

Troubleshooting

Check service logs before changing the design.
Confirm ports, paths, credentials, DNS names, and container names match the guide assumptions.

Cleanup or Rollback

Stop test services you no longer need and keep a copy of working configuration before deleting volumes or data directories.

Next Improvements

Document the onboarding process for future reference.
Consider adding logging functionality to the script for troubleshooting.
Expand the toolkit to include additional configurations or software as needed.