Problem
You want to manage the detailed debug, verbose, and progress output generated by cmdlets and scripts.
Solution
To enable debug output for scripts and cmdlets that generate it:
$debugPreference = "Continue" StartDebugCommand
To enable verbose mode for a cmdlet that checks for the Verbose parameter:
CopyItem c:\temp\*.txt c:\temp\backup\ Verbose
To disable progress output from a script or cmdlet that generates it:
$progressPreference = "SilentlyContinue" GetProgress.ps1
Discussion
In addition to error output many scripts and cmdlets generate several other types of output. This includes:
Debug output
Helps you diagnose problems that may arise and can provide a view into the inner workings of a command. You can use the WriteDebug cmdlet to produce this type of output in a script or the WriteDebug( ) method to produce this type of output in a cmdlet. PowerShell displays this output in yellow, unless you customize it through the $host.PrivateData.Debug* color configuration variables.
Verbose output
Helps you monitor the actions of commands at a finer level than the default. You can use the WriteVerbose cmdlet to produce this type of output in a script or the WriteVerbose( ) method to produce this type of output in a cmdlet. PowerShell displays this output in yellow, unless you customize it through the $host. PrivateData.Verbose* color configuration variables.
Progress output
Helps you monitor the status of longrunning commands. You can use the WriteProgress cmdlet to produce this type of output in a script or the WriteProgress( ) method to produce this type of output in a cmdlet. PowerShell displays this output in yellow, unless you customize it through the $host. PrivateData.Progress* color configuration variables.
Some cmdlets generate verbose and debug output only if you specify the Verbose and Debug parameters, respectively.
To configure the debug, verbose, and progress output of a script or cmdlet, modify the $debugPreference, $verbosePreference, and $progressPreference shell variables. These variables can accept the following values:
SilentlyContinue
Do not display this output.
Stop
Treat this output as an error.
Continue
Display this output.
Inquire
Display a continuation prompt for this output.