Windows PowerShell is an embedded scripting engine .DLL utilized across various hosts. The most frequently used hosts are the interactive command-line powershell.exe and the interactive scripting environment powershell_ise.exe.

To initiate Windows PowerShell on Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, and Windows 8, refer to common management tasks and navigation in Windows.

Renaming of the PowerShell Binary

Starting from PowerShell version 6, .NET Core is used. Supported versions are available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Beginning with PowerShell 6, the PowerShell binary has been renamed pwsh.exe for Windows and pwsh for macOS and Linux. You can launch PowerShell preview versions using pwsh-preview. For more details, refer to “About pwsh”.

To access the cmdlet reference and installation documentation for PowerShell 7, utilize the following links:

• Cmdlet reference
• PowerShell Module Browser
• Windows installation
• Installing PowerShell on Windows
• macOS installation
• Installing PowerShell on macOS
• Linux installation
• Installing PowerShell on Linux

To view content specific to other PowerShell versions, consult the guide on how to use the PowerShell documentation.

Starting Windows PowerShell on Earlier Versions of Windows

This section provides insights into launching Windows PowerShell and the Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) on Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2008. Additionally, it explains how to enable the optional feature for Windows PowerShell ISE in Windows PowerShell 2.0 on Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008.

Choose any of the following methods to launch the installed version of Windows PowerShell 3.0 or Windows PowerShell 4.0, where applicable.

From the Start Menu

• Click on Start, type PowerShell, and then select Windows PowerShell.
• From the Start menu, click Start, then proceed to All Programs, Accessories, Windows PowerShell folder, and finally click on Windows PowerShell.

At the Command Prompt

In the Windows Command shell, Windows PowerShell, or Windows PowerShell ISE, to initiate Windows PowerShell, input the command: PowerShell.

You can also customize the session by using the parameters of the powershell.exe program. For further information, check the PowerShell.exe Command-Line Help.

With Administrative Privileges (Run as Administrator)

Click on Start, type PowerShell, right-click on Windows PowerShell, and then select Run as administrator.

How to Start Windows PowerShell ISE on Earlier Releases of Windows

You can utilize any of the following methods to launch Windows PowerShell ISE.

From the Start Menu

• Click on Start, type ISE, and then select Windows PowerShell ISE.
• From the Start menu, click Start, then proceed to All Programs, Accessories, Windows PowerShell folder, and finally click on Windows PowerShell ISE.

At the Command Prompt

In the Windows Command shell, Windows PowerShell, or Windows PowerShell ISE, to initiate Windows PowerShell, input the command: PowerShell_ISE. In Windows PowerShell, you can use the alias ise.

With Administrative Privileges (Run as Administrator)

Click on Start, type ISE, right-click on Windows PowerShell ISE, and then select Run as administrator.

How to Enable Windows PowerShell ISE on Earlier Releases of Windows

In Windows PowerShell 4.0 and Windows PowerShell 3.0, Windows PowerShell ISE is enabled by default on all versions of Windows. If it isn’t already enabled, Windows Management Framework 4.0 or Windows Management Framework 3.0 will enable it.

In Windows PowerShell 2.0, Windows PowerShell ISE is enabled by default on Windows 7. However, on Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008, it’s an optional feature.

To enable Windows PowerShell ISE on Windows PowerShell 2.0 for Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows Server 2008, follow the steps below.

To Enable Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE)

1. Launch Server Manager.
2. Click on Features, then select Add Features.
3. Within Select Features, choose Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE).

Starting the 32-Bit Version of Windows PowerShell

When installing Windows PowerShell on a 64-bit computer, a 32-bit version of Windows PowerShell, known as Windows PowerShell (x86), is installed alongside the 64-bit version. By default, the 64-bit version runs when launching Windows PowerShell.

Nevertheless, there might be instances where you need to run Windows PowerShell (x86). This is especially useful when utilizing a module that requires the 32-bit version or when connecting remotely to a 32-bit computer.

To initiate the 32-bit version of Windows PowerShell, follow any of the procedures listed below.

In Windows Server 2012 R2

• On the Start screen, type Windows PowerShell (x86). Click on the Windows PowerShell x86 tile.
• In Server Manager, go to the Tools menu and select Windows PowerShell (x86).
• On the desktop, move the cursor to the upper right corner, click on Search, type PowerShell x86, and then click on Windows PowerShell (x86).
• Via the command line, input: %SystemRoot%SysWOW64WindowsPowerShellv1.0powershell.exe.

In Windows 8.1

• On the Start screen, type Windows PowerShell (x86). Click on the Windows PowerShell x86 tile.
• If you’re running Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 8.1, you can also open Windows PowerShell x86 from the Server ManagerTools menu. Select Windows PowerShell (x86).
• On the desktop, move the cursor to the upper right corner, click on Search, type PowerShell x86, and then click on Windows PowerShell (x86).
• Via the command line, input: %SystemRoot%SysWOW64WindowsPowerShellv1.0powershell.exe.