Base resource

Description

Service

The Service DSC resource performs operations against Windows services. It can start or stop a service or configure the account it runs under and the startup type of the service. This resource cannot install services; it operates only on services that are already present. Look at the xService resource for additional functionality.

Script

The Script resource is a versatile generic resource. It allows you to specify an arbitrary block of code to be executed on the target host. There are some restrictions such as variable expansion and access to some system resources. Generally, this should be used for short term or one-off situations that are not handled by an existing DSC resource, as error handling and proper idempotency is difficult to achieve in the limited space you have.

User

The User DSC resource performs operations on local users on the target system. It allows the creation or deletion of users and setting passwords and password policies as well as basic attributes of the user.

WindowsProcess

The WindowsProcess DSC resource performs operations on processes on the target system. This is commonly used to execute arbitrary executables with specific parameters that are not handled by an existing DSC resource.

WindowsFeature

The WindowsFeature DSC resource adds or removes features of the Windows operating system. This uses the built-in Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) infrastructure of the Windows Server platform; some features are not operable using this resource on a client OS.

Registry

The Registry DSC resource adds, removes, or modifies registry entries in the target system. Support for the full range of registry keys and values is present.

Environment

The Environment DSC resource adds, removes, or modifies environment variables on the target system.

Archive

The Archive DSC resource performs operations on compressed files.

Group

The Group DSC resource performs operations on local groups on the target system. It can add, remove, or modify membership on local groups.

Package

The Package DSC resource installs software bundled in MSI or EXE formats. In the case of MSI, it can also remove software if all the necessary options are provided to the MSI command line. Refer to the MSI documentation for more information on this.

Log

The Log DSC resource writes messages to the DSC operational log. This is useful for troubleshooting or diagnostic purposes.