diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/windows/win_stat.ps1 b/lib/ansible/modules/windows/win_stat.ps1
index 92d67498fa..32358cb516 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/windows/win_stat.ps1
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/windows/win_stat.ps1
@@ -69,22 +69,6 @@ function Date_To_Timestamp($start_date, $end_date)
     }
 }
 
-function Get-Hash($path, $algorithm) {
-    # Using PowerShell V4 and above we can use some powershell cmdlets instead of .net
-    If ($PSVersionTable.PSVersion.Major -ge 4)
-    {
-        $hash = (Get-FileHash -Path $path -Algorithm $algorithm).Hash
-    }
-    Else
-    {
-        $net_algorithm = [Security.Cryptography.HashAlgorithm]::Create($algorithm)
-        $raw_hash = [System.BitConverter]::ToString($net_algorithm.ComputeHash([System.IO.File]::ReadAllBytes($path)))
-        $hash = $raw_hash -replace '-'
-    }
-
-    $hash.ToLower()
-}
-
 $params = Parse-Args $args -supports_check_mode $true
 
 $path = Get-AnsibleParam -obj $params -name "path" -type "path" -failifempty $true -aliases "dest","name"
@@ -95,7 +79,7 @@ $checksum_algorithm = Get-AnsibleParam -obj $params -name "checksum_algorithm" -
 $result = @{
     changed = $false
     stat = @{}
-};
+}
 
 # Backward compatibility
 if ($get_md5 -eq $true -and (Get-Member -inputobject $params -name "get_md5") ) {
@@ -108,7 +92,7 @@ If (Test-Path -Path $path)
 
     # Initial values
     $result.stat.isdir = $false
-    $result.stat.islink = $false
+    $result.stat.islnk = $false
     $result.stat.isshared = $false
 
     # Need to use -Force so it picks up hidden files
@@ -124,7 +108,7 @@ If (Test-Path -Path $path)
 
     $attributes = @()
     foreach ($attribute in ($info.Attributes -split ',')) {
-        $attributes += $attribute.Trim();
+        $attributes += $attribute.Trim()
     }
     $result.stat.attributes = $info.Attributes.ToString()
     $result.stat.isarchive = $attributes -contains "Archive"
@@ -133,11 +117,11 @@ If (Test-Path -Path $path)
 
     If ($info)
     {
-        $accesscontrol = $info.GetAccessControl();
+        $accesscontrol = $info.GetAccessControl()
     }
     Else
     {
-        $accesscontrol = $null;
+        $accesscontrol = $null
     }
     $result.stat.owner = $accesscontrol.Owner
 
@@ -145,7 +129,7 @@ If (Test-Path -Path $path)
     If ($attributes -contains 'ReparsePoint')
     {
         # TODO: Find a way to differenciate between soft and junction links
-        $result.stat.islink = $true
+        $result.stat.islnk = $true
         $result.stat.isdir = $true
         # Try and get the symlink source, can result in failure if link is broken
         try {
@@ -165,7 +149,7 @@ If (Test-Path -Path $path)
             $result.stat.sharename = $share_info.Name
         }
 
-        $dir_files_sum = Get-ChildItem $info.FullName -Recurse | Measure-Object -property length -sum;
+        $dir_files_sum = Get-ChildItem $info.FullName -Recurse | Measure-Object -property length -sum
         If ($dir_files_sum -eq $null)
         {
             $result.stat.size = 0
@@ -180,11 +164,11 @@ If (Test-Path -Path $path)
         $result.stat.extension = $info.Extension
 
         If ($get_md5) {
-            $result.stat.md5 = Get-Hash -Path $path -Algorithm "md5"
+            $result.stat.md5 = Get-FileChecksum -path $path -algorithm "md5"
         }
 
         If ($get_checksum) {
-            $result.stat.checksum = Get-Hash -Path $path -Algorithm $checksum_algorithm
+            $result.stat.checksum = Get-FileChecksum -path $path -algorithm $checksum_algorithm
         }
     }
 }
@@ -193,4 +177,4 @@ Else
     $result.stat.exists = $false
 }
 
-Exit-Json $result;
+Exit-Json $result
diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/windows/win_stat.py b/lib/ansible/modules/windows/win_stat.py
index de66165a7c..e70d275b8c 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/windows/win_stat.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/windows/win_stat.py
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ stat:
             returned: success, path exists
             type: boolean
             sample: True
-        islink:
+        islnk:
             description: if the path is a symbolic link or junction or not
             returned: success, path exists
             type: boolean
diff --git a/test/integration/targets/win_stat/files/set_share.ps1 b/test/integration/targets/win_stat/files/set_share.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c56242cf40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/integration/targets/win_stat/files/set_share.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+$share_name = $args[1]
+$share_stat = Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Share -Filter "name='$share_name'"
+If ($share_stat) {
+    $share_stat.Delete()
+}
+$wmi = [wmiClass] 'Win32_Share'
+$wmi.Create($args[0], $share_name, 0)
diff --git a/test/integration/targets/win_stat/files/setup_share.ps1 b/test/integration/targets/win_stat/files/setup_share.ps1
deleted file mode 100644
index a024c2855f..0000000000
--- a/test/integration/targets/win_stat/files/setup_share.ps1
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,6 +0,0 @@
-$share_stat = Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Share -Filter "name='folder-share'"
-If ($share_stat) {
-    $share_stat.Delete()
-}
-$wmi = [wmiClass] 'Win32_Share'
-$wmi.Create($args[0], 'folder-share', 0)
diff --git a/test/integration/targets/win_stat/tasks/main.yml b/test/integration/targets/win_stat/tasks/main.yml
index 1928396322..bd1e3d53a9 100644
--- a/test/integration/targets/win_stat/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/test/integration/targets/win_stat/tasks/main.yml
@@ -16,15 +16,12 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with Ansible.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-- name: remove links if they exist as win_file struggles
-  win_command: cmd.exe /c rmdir "{{item}}"
-  ignore_errors: True
-  with_items:
-  - "{{win_stat_dir}}\\link"
-  - "{{win_stat_dir}}\\nested\\hard-link.ps1"
-  - "{{win_stat_dir}}\\junction-link"
+# - name: ensure the testing directory is cleared before the run
+#   win_file:
+#     path: "{{win_stat_dir}}"
+#     state: absent
 
-- name: ensure the testing directory is cleared before the run
+- name: remove win_stat testing directories for clean slate
   win_file:
     path: "{{win_stat_dir}}"
     state: absent
@@ -68,7 +65,7 @@
   - "{{win_stat_dir}}\\folder space\\file.ps1"
 
 - name: create share
-  script: setup_share.ps1 {{win_stat_dir}}\shared
+  script: set_share.ps1 {{win_stat_dir}}\shared folder-share
 
 - name: create links
   win_command: cmd.exe /c mklink /{{item.type}} {{item.source}} {{item.target}}
@@ -107,488 +104,414 @@
 - name: test win_stat module on file
   win_stat:
     path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\file.ps1"
-  register: actual
-
-- name: set expected fact for file
-  set_fact:
-    expected:
-      changed: False
-      stat:
-        attributes: Archive
-        checksum: a9993e364706816aba3e25717850c26c9cd0d89d
-        creationtime: 1477984205
-        exists: True
-        extension: .ps1
-        filename: file.ps1
-        isarchive: True
-        isdir: False
-        ishidden: False
-        islink: False
-        isreadonly: False
-        isshared: False
-        lastaccesstime: 1477984205
-        lastwritetime: 1477984205
-        md5: 900150983cd24fb0d6963f7d28e17f72
-        owner: BUILTIN\Administrators
-        path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\file.ps1"
-        size: 3
+  register: stat_file
 
 - name: check actual for file
   assert:
     that:
-    - "actual == expected"
+    - stat_file.stat.attributes == 'Archive'
+    - stat_file.stat.checksum == 'a9993e364706816aba3e25717850c26c9cd0d89d'
+    - stat_file.stat.creationtime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file.stat.exists == True
+    - stat_file.stat.extension == '.ps1'
+    - stat_file.stat.filename == 'file.ps1'
+    - stat_file.stat.isarchive == True
+    - stat_file.stat.isdir == False
+    - stat_file.stat.ishidden == False
+    - stat_file.stat.islnk == False
+    - stat_file.stat.isreadonly == False
+    - stat_file.stat.isshared == False
+    - stat_file.stat.lastaccesstime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file.stat.lastwritetime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file.stat.md5 == '900150983cd24fb0d6963f7d28e17f72'
+    - stat_file.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\Administrators'
+    - stat_file.stat.path == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\nested\\file.ps1'
+    - stat_file.stat.size == 3
 
 - name: test win_stat module on file without md5
   win_stat:
     path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\file.ps1"
     get_md5: False
-  register: actual
-
-- name: set expected fact for file without md5
-  set_fact:
-    expected:
-      changed: False
-      stat:
-        attributes: Archive
-        checksum: a9993e364706816aba3e25717850c26c9cd0d89d
-        creationtime: 1477984205
-        exists: True
-        extension: .ps1
-        filename: file.ps1
-        isarchive: True
-        isdir: False
-        ishidden: False
-        islink: False
-        isreadonly: False
-        isshared: False
-        lastaccesstime: 1477984205
-        lastwritetime: 1477984205
-        owner: BUILTIN\Administrators
-        path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\file.ps1"
-        size: 3
+  register: stat_file_md5
 
 - name: check actual for file without md5
   assert:
     that:
-    - "actual == expected"
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.attributes == 'Archive'
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.checksum == 'a9993e364706816aba3e25717850c26c9cd0d89d'
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.creationtime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.exists == True
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.extension == '.ps1'
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.filename == 'file.ps1'
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.isarchive == True
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.isdir == False
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.ishidden == False
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.islnk == False
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.isreadonly == False
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.isshared == False
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.lastaccesstime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.lastwritetime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.md5 is not defined
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\Administrators'
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.path == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\nested\\file.ps1'
+    - stat_file_md5.stat.size == 3
 
 - name: test win_stat module on file with sha256
   win_stat:
     path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\file.ps1"
     checksum_algorithm: sha256
-  register: actual
-
-- name: set expected fact for file with sha256
-  set_fact:
-    expected:
-      changed: False
-      stat:
-        attributes: Archive
-        checksum: ba7816bf8f01cfea414140de5dae2223b00361a396177a9cb410ff61f20015ad
-        creationtime: 1477984205
-        exists: True
-        extension: .ps1
-        filename: file.ps1
-        isarchive: True
-        isdir: False
-        ishidden: False
-        islink: False
-        isreadonly: False
-        isshared: False
-        lastaccesstime: 1477984205
-        lastwritetime: 1477984205
-        md5: 900150983cd24fb0d6963f7d28e17f72
-        owner: BUILTIN\Administrators
-        path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\file.ps1"
-        size: 3
+  register: stat_file_sha256
 
 - name: check actual for file with sha256
   assert:
     that:
-    - "actual == expected"
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.attributes == 'Archive'
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.checksum == 'ba7816bf8f01cfea414140de5dae2223b00361a396177a9cb410ff61f20015ad'
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.creationtime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.exists == True
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.extension == '.ps1'
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.filename == 'file.ps1'
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.isarchive == True
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.isdir == False
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.ishidden == False
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.islnk == False
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.isreadonly == False
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.isshared == False
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.lastaccesstime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.lastwritetime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.md5 == '900150983cd24fb0d6963f7d28e17f72'
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\Administrators'
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.path == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\nested\\file.ps1'
+    - stat_file_sha256.stat.size == 3
 
 - name: test win_stat module on file with sha384
   win_stat:
     path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\file.ps1"
     checksum_algorithm: sha384
-  register: actual
-
-- name: set expected fact for file with sha384
-  set_fact:
-    expected:
-      changed: False
-      stat:
-        attributes: Archive
-        checksum: cb00753f45a35e8bb5a03d699ac65007272c32ab0eded1631a8b605a43ff5bed8086072ba1e7cc2358baeca134c825a7
-        creationtime: 1477984205
-        exists: True
-        extension: .ps1
-        filename: file.ps1
-        isarchive: True
-        isdir: False
-        ishidden: False
-        islink: False
-        isreadonly: False
-        isshared: False
-        lastaccesstime: 1477984205
-        lastwritetime: 1477984205
-        md5: 900150983cd24fb0d6963f7d28e17f72
-        owner: BUILTIN\Administrators
-        path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\file.ps1"
-        size: 3
+  register: stat_file_sha384
 
 - name: check actual for file with sha384
   assert:
     that:
-    - "actual == expected"
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.attributes == 'Archive'
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.checksum == 'cb00753f45a35e8bb5a03d699ac65007272c32ab0eded1631a8b605a43ff5bed8086072ba1e7cc2358baeca134c825a7'
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.creationtime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.exists == True
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.extension == '.ps1'
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.filename == 'file.ps1'
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.isarchive == True
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.isdir == False
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.ishidden == False
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.islnk == False
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.isreadonly == False
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.isshared == False
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.lastaccesstime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.lastwritetime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.md5 == '900150983cd24fb0d6963f7d28e17f72'
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\Administrators'
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.path == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\nested\\file.ps1'
+    - stat_file_sha384.stat.size == 3
 
 - name: test win_stat module on file with sha512
   win_stat:
     path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\file.ps1"
     checksum_algorithm: sha512
-  register: actual
-
-- name: set expected fact for file with sha512
-  set_fact:
-    expected:
-      changed: False
-      stat:
-        attributes: Archive
-        checksum: ddaf35a193617abacc417349ae20413112e6fa4e89a97ea20a9eeee64b55d39a2192992a274fc1a836ba3c23a3feebbd454d4423643ce80e2a9ac94fa54ca49f
-        creationtime: 1477984205
-        exists: True
-        extension: .ps1
-        filename: file.ps1
-        isarchive: True
-        isdir: False
-        ishidden: False
-        islink: False
-        isreadonly: False
-        isshared: False
-        lastaccesstime: 1477984205
-        lastwritetime: 1477984205
-        md5: 900150983cd24fb0d6963f7d28e17f72
-        owner: BUILTIN\Administrators
-        path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\file.ps1"
-        size: 3
+  register: stat_file_sha512
 
 - name: check actual for file with sha512
   assert:
     that:
-    - "actual == expected"
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.attributes == 'Archive'
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.checksum == 'ddaf35a193617abacc417349ae20413112e6fa4e89a97ea20a9eeee64b55d39a2192992a274fc1a836ba3c23a3feebbd454d4423643ce80e2a9ac94fa54ca49f'
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.creationtime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.exists == True
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.extension == '.ps1'
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.filename == 'file.ps1'
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.isarchive == True
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.isdir == False
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.ishidden == False
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.islnk == False
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.isreadonly == False
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.isshared == False
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.lastaccesstime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.lastwritetime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.md5 == '900150983cd24fb0d6963f7d28e17f72'
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\Administrators'
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.path == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\nested\\file.ps1'
+    - stat_file_sha512.stat.size == 3
 
 - name: test win_stat on hidden file
   win_stat:
     path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\hidden.ps1"
-  register: actual
-
-- name: set expected fact for hidden file
-  set_fact:
-    expected:
-      changed: False
-      stat:
-        attributes: "Hidden, Archive"
-        checksum: a9993e364706816aba3e25717850c26c9cd0d89d
-        creationtime: 1477984205
-        exists: True
-        extension: .ps1
-        filename: hidden.ps1
-        isarchive: True
-        isdir: False
-        ishidden: True
-        islink: False
-        isreadonly: False
-        isshared: False
-        lastaccesstime: 1477984205
-        lastwritetime: 1477984205
-        md5: 900150983cd24fb0d6963f7d28e17f72
-        owner: BUILTIN\Administrators
-        path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\hidden.ps1"
-        size: 3
+  register: stat_file_hidden
 
 - name: check actual for hidden file
   assert:
     that:
-    - "actual == expected"
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.attributes == 'Hidden, Archive'
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.checksum == 'a9993e364706816aba3e25717850c26c9cd0d89d'
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.creationtime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.exists == True
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.extension == '.ps1'
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.filename == 'hidden.ps1'
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.isarchive == True
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.isdir == False
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.ishidden == True
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.islnk == False
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.isreadonly == False
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.isshared == False
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.lastaccesstime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.lastwritetime == 1477984205
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.md5 == '900150983cd24fb0d6963f7d28e17f72'
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\Administrators'
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.path == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\nested\\hidden.ps1'
+    - stat_file_hidden.stat.size == 3
 
 - name: test win_stat on readonly file
   win_stat:
     path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\read-only.ps1"
-  register: actual
-
-- name: set expected fact for readonly file
-  set_fact:
-    expected:
-      changed: False
-      stat:
-        attributes: "ReadOnly, Archive"
-        checksum: a9993e364706816aba3e25717850c26c9cd0d89d
-        creationtime: 1477984205
-        exists: True
-        extension: .ps1
-        filename: read-only.ps1
-        isarchive: True
-        isdir: False
-        ishidden: False
-        islink: False
-        isreadonly: True
-        isshared: False
-        lastaccesstime: 1477984205
-        lastwritetime: 1477984205
-        md5: 900150983cd24fb0d6963f7d28e17f72
-        owner: BUILTIN\Administrators
-        path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\read-only.ps1"
-        size: 3
+  register: stat_readonly
 
 - name: check actual for readonly file
   assert:
     that:
-    - "actual == expected"
+    - stat_readonly.stat.attributes == 'ReadOnly, Archive'
+    - stat_readonly.stat.checksum == 'a9993e364706816aba3e25717850c26c9cd0d89d'
+    - stat_readonly.stat.creationtime == 1477984205
+    - stat_readonly.stat.exists == True
+    - stat_readonly.stat.extension == '.ps1'
+    - stat_readonly.stat.filename == 'read-only.ps1'
+    - stat_readonly.stat.isarchive == True
+    - stat_readonly.stat.isdir == False
+    - stat_readonly.stat.ishidden == False
+    - stat_readonly.stat.islnk == False
+    - stat_readonly.stat.isreadonly == True
+    - stat_readonly.stat.isshared == False
+    - stat_readonly.stat.lastaccesstime == 1477984205
+    - stat_readonly.stat.lastwritetime == 1477984205
+    - stat_readonly.stat.md5 == '900150983cd24fb0d6963f7d28e17f72'
+    - stat_readonly.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\Administrators'
+    - stat_readonly.stat.path == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\nested\\read-only.ps1'
+    - stat_readonly.stat.size == 3
 
+# Requires more work once modular powershell utils are in
 - name: test win_stat on hard link file
   win_stat:
     path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\hard-link.ps1"
-  register: actual
-
-- name: set expected fact for hard link file
-  set_fact:
-    expected:
-      changed: False
-      stat:
-        attributes: Archive
-        checksum: a9993e364706816aba3e25717850c26c9cd0d89d
-        creationtime: 1477984205
-        exists: True
-        extension: .ps1
-        filename: hard-link.ps1
-        isarchive: True
-        isdir: False
-        ishidden: False
-        islink: False
-        isreadonly: False
-        isshared: False
-        lastaccesstime: 1477984205
-        lastwritetime: 1477984205
-        md5: 900150983cd24fb0d6963f7d28e17f72
-        owner: BUILTIN\Administrators
-        path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested\\hard-link.ps1"
-        size: 3
+  register: stat_hard_link
 
 - name: check actual for hard link file
   assert:
     that:
-    - "actual == expected"
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.attributes == 'Archive'
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.checksum == 'a9993e364706816aba3e25717850c26c9cd0d89d'
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.creationtime == 1477984205
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.exists == True
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.extension == '.ps1'
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.filename == 'hard-link.ps1'
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.isarchive == True
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.isdir == False
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.ishidden == False
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.islnk == False
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.isreadonly == False
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.isshared == False
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.lastaccesstime == 1477984205
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.lastwritetime == 1477984205
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.md5 == '900150983cd24fb0d6963f7d28e17f72'
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\Administrators'
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.path == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\nested\\hard-link.ps1'
+    - stat_hard_link.stat.size == 3
 
 - name: test win_stat on directory
   win_stat:
     path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested"
-  register: actual
-
-- name: set expected fact for directory
-  set_fact:
-    expected:
-      changed: False
-      stat:
-        attributes: Directory
-        creationtime: 1477984205
-        exists: True
-        filename: nested
-        isarchive: False
-        isdir: True
-        ishidden: False
-        islink: False
-        isreadonly: False
-        isshared: False
-        lastaccesstime: 1477984205
-        lastwritetime: 1477984205
-        owner: BUILTIN\Administrators
-        path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\nested"
-        size: 15
+  register: stat_directory
 
 - name: check actual for directory
   assert:
     that:
-    - "actual == expected"
+    - stat_directory.stat.attributes == 'Directory'
+    - stat_directory.stat.checksum is not defined
+    - stat_directory.stat.creationtime == 1477984205
+    - stat_directory.stat.exists == True
+    - stat_directory.stat.extension is not defined
+    - stat_directory.stat.filename == 'nested'
+    - stat_directory.stat.isarchive == False
+    - stat_directory.stat.isdir == True
+    - stat_directory.stat.ishidden == False
+    - stat_directory.stat.islnk == False
+    - stat_directory.stat.isreadonly == False
+    - stat_directory.stat.isshared == False
+    - stat_directory.stat.lastaccesstime == 1477984205
+    - stat_directory.stat.lastwritetime == 1477984205
+    - stat_directory.stat.md5 is not defined
+    - stat_directory.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\Administrators'
+    - stat_directory.stat.path == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\nested'
+    - stat_directory.stat.size == 15
 
 - name: test win_stat on empty directory
   win_stat:
     path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\folder"
-  register: actual
-
-- name: set expected fact for empty directory
-  set_fact:
-    expected:
-      changed: False
-      stat:
-        attributes: Directory
-        creationtime: 1477984205
-        exists: True
-        filename: folder
-        isarchive: False
-        isdir: True
-        ishidden: False
-        islink: False
-        isreadonly: False
-        isshared: False
-        lastaccesstime: 1477984205
-        lastwritetime: 1477984205
-        owner: BUILTIN\Administrators
-        path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\folder"
-        size: 0
+  register: stat_directory_empty
 
 - name: check actual for empty directory
   assert:
     that:
-    - "actual == expected"
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.attributes == 'Directory'
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.checksum is not defined
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.creationtime == 1477984205
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.exists == True
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.extension is not defined
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.filename == 'folder'
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.isarchive == False
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.isdir == True
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.ishidden == False
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.islnk == False
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.isreadonly == False
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.isshared == False
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.lastaccesstime == 1477984205
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.lastwritetime == 1477984205
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.md5 is not defined
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\Administrators'
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.path == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\folder'
+    - stat_directory_empty.stat.size == 0
 
 - name: test win_stat on directory with space in name
   win_stat:
     path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\folder space"
-  register: actual
-
-- name: set expected fact for directory with space in name
-  set_fact:
-    expected:
-      changed: False
-      stat:
-        attributes: Directory
-        creationtime: 1477984205
-        exists: True
-        filename: folder space
-        isarchive: False
-        isdir: True
-        ishidden: False
-        islink: False
-        isreadonly: False
-        isshared: False
-        lastaccesstime: 1477984205
-        lastwritetime: 1477984205
-        owner: BUILTIN\Administrators
-        path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\folder space"
-        size: 3
+  register: stat_directory_space
 
 - name: check actual for directory with space in name
   assert:
     that:
-    - "actual == expected"
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.attributes == 'Directory'
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.checksum is not defined
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.creationtime == 1477984205
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.exists == True
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.extension is not defined
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.filename == 'folder space'
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.isarchive == False
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.isdir == True
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.ishidden == False
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.islnk == False
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.isreadonly == False
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.isshared == False
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.lastaccesstime == 1477984205
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.lastwritetime == 1477984205
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.md5 is not defined
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\Administrators'
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.path == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\folder space'
+    - stat_directory_space.stat.size == 3
 
 - name: test win_stat on hidden directory
   win_stat:
     path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\hidden"
-  register: actual
-
-- name: set expected fact for hidden directory
-  set_fact:
-    expected:
-      changed: False
-      stat:
-        attributes: "Hidden, Directory"
-        creationtime: 1477984205
-        exists: True
-        filename: hidden
-        isarchive: False
-        isdir: True
-        ishidden: True
-        islink: False
-        isreadonly: False
-        isshared: False
-        lastaccesstime: 1477984205
-        lastwritetime: 1477984205
-        owner: BUILTIN\Administrators
-        path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\hidden"
-        size: 0
+  register: stat_hidden
 
 - name: check actual for hidden directory
   assert:
     that:
-    - "actual == expected"
+    - stat_hidden.stat.attributes == 'Hidden, Directory'
+    - stat_hidden.stat.checksum is not defined
+    - stat_hidden.stat.creationtime == 1477984205
+    - stat_hidden.stat.exists == True
+    - stat_hidden.stat.extension is not defined
+    - stat_hidden.stat.filename == 'hidden'
+    - stat_hidden.stat.isarchive == False
+    - stat_hidden.stat.isdir == True
+    - stat_hidden.stat.ishidden == True
+    - stat_hidden.stat.islnk == False
+    - stat_hidden.stat.isreadonly == False
+    - stat_hidden.stat.isshared == False
+    - stat_hidden.stat.lastaccesstime == 1477984205
+    - stat_hidden.stat.lastwritetime == 1477984205
+    - stat_hidden.stat.md5 is not defined
+    - stat_hidden.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\Administrators'
+    - stat_hidden.stat.path == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\hidden'
+    - stat_hidden.stat.size == 0
 
 - name: test win_stat on shared directory
   win_stat:
     path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\shared"
-  register: actual
-
-- name: set expected fact for shared directory
-  set_fact:
-    expected:
-      changed: False
-      stat:
-        attributes: Directory
-        creationtime: 1477984205
-        exists: True
-        filename: shared
-        isarchive: False
-        isdir: True
-        ishidden: False
-        islink: False
-        isreadonly: False
-        isshared: True
-        lastaccesstime: 1477984205
-        lastwritetime: 1477984205
-        owner: BUILTIN\Administrators
-        path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\shared"
-        sharename: folder-share
-        size: 0
+  register: stat_shared
 
 - name: check actual for shared directory
   assert:
     that:
-    - "actual == expected"
+    - stat_shared.stat.attributes == 'Directory'
+    - stat_shared.stat.checksum is not defined
+    - stat_shared.stat.creationtime == 1477984205
+    - stat_shared.stat.exists == True
+    - stat_shared.stat.extension is not defined
+    - stat_shared.stat.filename == 'shared'
+    - stat_shared.stat.isarchive == False
+    - stat_shared.stat.isdir == True
+    - stat_shared.stat.ishidden == False
+    - stat_shared.stat.islnk == False
+    - stat_shared.stat.isreadonly == False
+    - stat_shared.stat.isshared == True
+    - stat_shared.stat.lastaccesstime == 1477984205
+    - stat_shared.stat.lastwritetime == 1477984205
+    - stat_shared.stat.md5 is not defined
+    - stat_shared.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\Administrators'
+    - stat_shared.stat.path == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\shared'
+    - stat_shared.stat.sharename == 'folder-share'
+    - stat_shared.stat.size == 0
 
 - name: test win_stat on symlink
   win_stat:
     path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\link"
-  register: actual
+  register: stat_symlink
 
 # I cannot change modification time on links so we are resorting to checking the dict against known valuea
 - name: assert symlink actual
   assert:
     that:
-    - "actual.stat.attributes == 'Directory, ReparsePoint'"
-    - "actual.stat.creationtime is defined"
-    - "actual.stat.exists == True"
-    - "actual.stat.filename == 'link'"
-    - "actual.stat.isarchive == False"
-    - "actual.stat.isdir == True"
-    - "actual.stat.ishidden == False"
-    - "actual.stat.islink == True"
-    - "actual.stat.isreadonly == False"
-    - "actual.stat.isshared == False"
-    - "actual.stat.lastaccesstime is defined"
-    - "actual.stat.lastwritetime is defined"
-    - "actual.stat.lnk_source == '{{win_output_dir|regex_replace('\\\\', '\\\\\\\\')}}\\\\win_stat\\\\link-dest'"
-    - "actual.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\\Administrators'"
-    - "actual.stat.path == '{{win_output_dir|regex_replace('\\\\', '\\\\\\\\')}}\\\\win_stat\\\\link'"
-    - "actual.stat.size is not defined"
-    - "actual.stat.checksum is not defined"
-    - "actual.stat.md5 is not defined"
+    - stat_symlink.stat.attributes == 'Directory, ReparsePoint'
+    - stat_symlink.stat.creationtime is defined
+    - stat_symlink.stat.exists == True
+    - stat_symlink.stat.filename == 'link'
+    - stat_symlink.stat.isarchive == False
+    - stat_symlink.stat.isdir == True
+    - stat_symlink.stat.ishidden == False
+    - stat_symlink.stat.islnk == True
+    - stat_symlink.stat.isreadonly == False
+    - stat_symlink.stat.isshared == False
+    - stat_symlink.stat.lastaccesstime is defined
+    - stat_symlink.stat.lastwritetime is defined
+    - stat_symlink.stat.lnk_source == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\link-dest'
+    - stat_symlink.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\\Administrators'
+    - stat_symlink.stat.path == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\link'
+    - stat_symlink.stat.size is not defined
+    - stat_symlink.stat.checksum is not defined
+    - stat_symlink.stat.md5 is not defined
 
 - name: test win_stat on junction
   win_stat:
     path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\junction-link"
-  register: actual
+  register: stat_junction_point
 
 - name: assert symlink actual
   assert:
     that:
-    - "actual.stat.attributes == 'Directory, ReparsePoint'"
-    - "actual.stat.creationtime is defined"
-    - "actual.stat.exists == True"
-    - "actual.stat.filename == 'junction-link'"
-    - "actual.stat.isarchive == False"
-    - "actual.stat.isdir == True"
-    - "actual.stat.ishidden == False"
-    - "actual.stat.islink == True"
-    - "actual.stat.isreadonly == False"
-    - "actual.stat.isshared == False"
-    - "actual.stat.lastaccesstime is defined"
-    - "actual.stat.lastwritetime is defined"
-    - "actual.stat.lnk_source == '{{win_output_dir|regex_replace('\\\\', '\\\\\\\\')}}\\\\win_stat\\\\junction-dest'"
-    - "actual.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\\Administrators'"
-    - "actual.stat.path == '{{win_output_dir|regex_replace('\\\\', '\\\\\\\\')}}\\\\win_stat\\\\junction-link'"
-    - "actual.stat.size is not defined"
-    - "actual.stat.checksum is not defined"
-    - "actual.stat.md5 is not defined"
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.attributes == 'Directory, ReparsePoint'
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.creationtime is defined
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.exists == True
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.filename == 'junction-link'
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.isarchive == False
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.isdir == True
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.ishidden == False
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.islnk == True
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.isreadonly == False
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.isshared == False
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.lastaccesstime is defined
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.lastwritetime is defined
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.lnk_source == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\junction-dest'
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.owner == 'BUILTIN\\Administrators'
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.path == win_output_dir + '\\win_stat\\junction-link'
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.size is not defined
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.checksum is not defined
+    - stat_junction_point.stat.md5 is not defined
 
 - name: test win_stat module non-existent path
   win_stat:
@@ -598,9 +521,9 @@
 - name: check win_stat missing result
   assert: 
     that:
-      - "not win_stat_missing.stat.exists"
-      - "not win_stat_missing|failed"
-      - "not win_stat_missing|changed"
+      - not win_stat_missing.stat.exists
+      - not win_stat_missing|failed
+      - not win_stat_missing|changed
 
 - name: test win_stat module without path argument
   action: win_stat
@@ -610,27 +533,9 @@
 - name: check win_stat result with no path argument
   assert:
     that:
-      - "win_stat_no_args|failed"
-      - "win_stat_no_args.msg"
-      - "not win_stat_no_args|changed"
-
-- name: check if junction symbolic link exists
-  win_stat:
-    path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\junction-link"
-  register: junction_link_exists
-
-- name: delete junction symbolic link if it exists
-  win_command: cmd.exe /c rmdir {{win_output_dir}}\win_stat\junction-link
-  when: junction_link_exists.stat.exists
-
-- name: check if symbolic link exists
-  win_stat:
-    path: "{{win_output_dir}}\\win_stat\\link"
-  register: nested_link_exists
-
-- name: delete nested symbolic link if it exists
-  win_shell: cmd.exe /c rmdir {{win_output_dir}}\win_stat\link
-  when: nested_link_exists.stat.exists
+      - win_stat_no_args|failed
+      - win_stat_no_args.msg
+      - not win_stat_no_args|changed
 
 - name: remove testing folder
   win_file: