10 Windows Tasks You Can Automate with Ansible

In the ever-evolving landscape of IT automation, Ansible has emerged as a powerful tool that allows administrators to streamline and automate various tasks across diverse environments. While Ansible is often associated with Linux systems, it is equally capable of managing Windows environments. In this article, we will explore 10 Windows tasks that you can automate effortlessly using Ansible, providing you with a more efficient and scalable IT infrastructure.

1. Installing Software Packages:
   One of the most common tasks for system administrators is installing and updating software packages. Ansible simplifies this process on Windows with its 'win_chocolatey' module. The following command demonstrates how to use Ansible to install a software package, in this case, Google Chrome:

- name: Install Google Chrome on Windows
  win_chocolatey:
    name: googlechrome
    state: present

2. Managing Windows Services:
   Automating the management of Windows services is crucial for maintaining system stability. Ansible's 'win_service' module allows you to start, stop, or restart services effortlessly. Here's an example:

- name: Ensure the Print Spooler service is running
  win_service:
    name: spooler
    state: started

3. Configuring Firewall Rules:
   Securing your Windows environment often involves configuring firewall rules. Ansible's 'win_firewall_rule' module enables you to manage these rules efficiently. For instance, to allow incoming traffic on port 80, use the following Ansible task:

- name: Allow incoming traffic on port 80
  win_firewall_rule:
    name: Allow HTTP
    localport: 80
    action: allow

4. User Management:
   Ansible simplifies user management on Windows systems. You can create, modify, or delete users with the 'win_user' module. The following example demonstrates creating a new user:

- name: Create a new user
  win_user:
    name: john_doe
    password: Passw0rd!
    state: present

5. Registry Configuration:
   Managing the Windows Registry is made easy with Ansible. Use the 'win_regedit' module to add, modify, or delete registry entries. Here's an example of adding a new registry key:

- name: Add a new registry key
  win_regedit:
    path: HKLM:\Software\Example
    name: NewKey
    data: "Value"
    type: string

6. Disk Cleanup:
   Automating disk cleanup tasks can help maintain optimal system performance. Ansible's 'win_disk_cleanup' module allows you to clean up unnecessary files. The following command illustrates cleaning up the Windows temp directory:

- name: Run Disk Cleanup on Windows
  win_disk_cleanup:
    paths:
      - C:\Windows\Temp

7. Windows Updates:
   Keeping systems up-to-date is crucial for security. Ansible can automate Windows Update tasks using the 'win_updates' module. The example below installs all available updates:

- name: Install Windows updates
  win_updates:
    category_names:
      - SecurityUpdates
      - UpdateRollups

8. Event Log Management:
   Monitoring and managing Windows event logs is essential for troubleshooting. Ansible's 'win_eventlog' module simplifies this process. The following example retrieves the last 10 entries from the Application log:

- name: Get last 10 entries from the Application log
  win_eventlog:
    log: Application
    number: 10

9. File Management:
   Ansible facilitates file management on Windows systems with the 'win_copy' and 'win_file' modules. This example copies a file to a remote Windows machine:

- name: Copy a file to Windows
  win_copy:
    src: /path/to/local/file.txt
    dest: C:\path	o
emote\

10. Scheduled Tasks:
    Automating scheduled tasks is made seamless with Ansible's 'win_scheduled_task' module. The following task schedules a PowerShell script to run daily:

- name: Schedule a daily task
  win_scheduled_task:
    name: DailyTask
    command: C:\Path\To\Script.ps1
    trigger:
      daily:
        enabled: yes
        every: 1
        minutes: 0

So, Ansible proves to be a versatile tool for automating various Windows tasks, enhancing efficiency, and reducing manual workload. The examples provided showcase just a glimpse of the automation possibilities. Start incorporating Ansible into your Windows environment, and witness the transformative power of automation.