Automating Administration with PowerShell

AZ-040 · ● Active · Associate · Microsoft

Exam facts

Vendor source — Microsoft Learn AZ-040T00 ↗

Course outline — AZ-040T00-A: Automate Administration with PowerShell ↗

GitHub labs (official) — AZ-040T00 GitHub Repository ↗

About

AZ-040 is a Microsoft official training course (not a formal exam-based certification, but rather an Applied Skills credential) that teaches IT professionals to automate administration of Windows servers and Azure resources using PowerShell. The course is designed for IT professionals with experience in Windows Server, Windows Client, Azure, or Microsoft 365 administration who want to add scripting and automation capabilities. Upon completion, learners gain proficiency in PowerShell fundamentals, cmdlets, scripting, remoting, Azure automation, and Microsoft 365 service management. The course is actively maintained and widely available through Microsoft Learn (free) and certified training partners globally.

Domain context — Automation/Scripting

Automation and scripting form the backbone of modern IT operations, enabling systems administrators and infrastructure engineers to reduce manual effort, improve consistency, and scale management across hundreds or thousands of servers. PowerShell is Microsoft's native scripting and automation platform, spanning Windows Server, Azure, Microsoft 365, Exchange, SharePoint, and SQL Server environments.

Read full deep dive — Microsoft Windows + Azure Automation → (file not yet created)

Topics covered

Based on Microsoft Learn course structure and training partner outlines:

• PowerShell fundamentals and the execution environment
• Cmdlets and the pipeline architecture
• Variables, operators, and control flow
• Scripts and functions (creation, parameters, scope)
• Modules and module discovery
• Object handling and property access
• Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) and CIM cmdlets
• Local and remote command execution
• Persistent remoting sessions and advanced remoting techniques
• PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC) concepts
• Active Directory administration via PowerShell
• Managing Azure resources with the Azure PowerShell module (Az)
• Microsoft 365 service administration (Exchange, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams)
• Background jobs and scheduled jobs
• Error handling and debugging

Source: Microsoft Learn AZ-040T00 ↗

Common skills at Automation/Scripting · Associate

Shared content for the Automation/Scripting domain at Associate level — not specific to this course.

• Command-line interface proficiency and shell navigation
• Script writing and debugging techniques
• Automation design patterns and idempotency principles
• API integration and REST concepts
• Version control (Git) for infrastructure-as-code
• Configuration management fundamentals
• Logging, monitoring, and troubleshooting automation workflows

Recommended courses at Automation/Scripting · Associate

Course-selection rule: Each course should be specifically for AZ-040 or PowerShell automation fundamentals. Generic "Azure" courses do not fulfill Associate-level scripting needs.

Practice exams

Note: AZ-040 is course-based with integrated hands-on labs; no formal proctored exam is required to complete the course credential. Assessment is hands-on lab completion.

Books

Book rule: Titles reference PowerShell fundamentals and scripting for Windows/Azure administration. Books are current to 2021–2024 versions.

Typical job titles at Automation/Scripting · Associate

Windows Systems Administrator · PowerShell Automation Engineer · IT Systems Administrator · Server Administrator · Cloud Systems Administrator · Infrastructure Automation Specialist

(Job titles drawn from current job-board postings that list PowerShell automation skills as required or preferred.)

Salary

Salary rule: Ranges reflect current market data (2025–2026) for roles emphasizing PowerShell scripting and automation. Salaries vary significantly by experience, company size, and geographic location. PowerShell expertise can command a 10–15% premium on base Windows systems administrator salary.

Skills validated

Course-specific — what this training actually covers, distinct from the shared "Common skills" above.

• PowerShell syntax, cmdlets, and pipeline architecture
• Script functions and advanced scripting patterns
• PowerShell remoting (one-to-many, persistent sessions)
• Desired State Configuration (DSC) and configuration management
• Active Directory automation via PowerShell
• Azure resource management with Az PowerShell module
• Microsoft 365 service administration (Exchange, Teams, SharePoint)
• WMI and CIM for local and remote system management
• Background jobs, scheduled tasks, and job management
• Error handling, debugging, and script profiling

Related certifications

• Stacks with: AZ-104 (Microsoft Azure Administrator) ↗ (file not yet created)
• Prerequisite for: AZ-400 (DevOps Solutions) ↗ (file not yet created)
• Vendor overview: Microsoft Vendor Overview ↗

Sources

• Microsoft Learn AZ-040T00 Course Page
• GitHub: AZ-040T00-Automating-Administration-with-PowerShell
• Microsoft Learn PowerShell Fundamentals
• Glassdoor Windows Systems Administrator Salary
• ZipRecruiter Windows Administrator Salary
• PayScale Windows System Administrator
• PayScale Systems Administrator South Africa
• Glassdoor South Africa System Administrator
• Glassdoor UK Windows Systems Administrator
• IT Jobs Watch Systems Administrator UK
• Manning Books: Learn PowerShell in a Month of Lunches
• Manning Books: Windows PowerShell in Action
• Packt: Practical PowerShell for System Administration

Last verified: 2026-05-01 Parent ecosystem: Microsoft Windows + Azure Automation (file not yet created) Parent domain: Automation/Scripting (file not yet created) Vendor overview: Microsoft Vendor Overview