How to verify windows features match with PowerShell.

In the last couple of weeks I had to configure several servers that needed to be the same as in a lower environment.  So instead of just guessing what i installed several months ago, I wrote a script to do it for me.

$OriginalServer = "Server_Name"

#Gets the windows features installed on the original server and stores it as $ComputerA_WindowsFeatures
$ComputerA_WindowsFeatures = (Get-WindowsFeature -ComputerName $OriginalServer | Where {$_.Installed -eq "True"}).Name

#Gets the windows features installed on the system you are currently logon that needs to match the original server and stores it as $ComputerB_WindowsFeatures
$ComputerB_WindowsFeatures = (Get-WindowsFeature | Where {$_.Installed -eq "True"}).Name

#Compares the 2 variables and stores the differences as $difference
$difference = (Compare-Object -ReferenceObject $ComputerA_WindowsFeatures -DifferenceObject $ComputerB_WindowsFeatures).inputobject

#Installed all of the features that are stored in the $difference variable. Make sure to point to the SXS folder as it will need it for windows 2012
foreach ($feature in $difference){Install-WindowsFeature $feature -Source C:\Sources\sxs}

#After the features are all installed, just for error checking I get the installed features of the local system again.
$ComputerB_WindowsFeatures = (Get-WindowsFeature | Where {$_.Installed -eq "True"}).Name

#Compares the new installed features with the original server features
$Newdifference = (Compare-Object -ReferenceObject $ComputerA_WindowsFeatures -DifferenceObject $ComputerB_WindowsFeatures).inputobject

#checks to see if the $NewDifference variable has data, if empty lets you know the features match
if ($Newdifference -eq $null){Write-host "Installed features match on both servers" -ForegroundColor Green}

#If there is differences run the script again.
Else{Write-host "Run the script again."}

In order for this script to work, it needs to be ran from the local server that needs to have the new windows features to be installed. Also ensure that you have either the server media available or already have the source folder copied to the server or network location. Make sure to update the

 -Source C:\Sources\sxs 

to match your location.

– Stuart