Solving PowerShell Issues in Windows 10: A Comprehensive Guide

Have you encountered issues with PowerShell not working on your Windows 10 system? This guide will walk you through the steps to diagnose and resolve common problems, ensuring your PowerShell is fully functional and secure.

Step 1: Setting RemoteSigned Policy for Trusted Scripts

When PowerShell is newly installed or if you haven’t run any scripts yet, it’s crucial to have the right permissions set for running PowerShell scripts. To do this, you need to run the following command from an administrator prompt:

Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

This command will change the execution policy to RemoteSigned, allowing you to run scripts you create and download, as long as they are signed by a trusted provider. If you are trying to run unsigned scripts, you need to ensure they are from a trusted source or sign them yourself.

Step 2: Troubleshooting Steps

The term “not working” is generally too broad to diagnose specific issues. Start by identifying the exact problem with PowerShell. Are you trying to run PowerShell 7 or the traditional Windows PowerShell? Does PowerShell start without errors, or is it failing to execute commands? You can check the version by running:

$PSVersionTable

This will display your installed PowerShell version, environment, and additional details.

Common Issues and Solutions

Many errors in PowerShell are user-related, especially when dealing with scripts or commands that don’t seem to work on their own. However, it’s also possible that PowerShell itself might be broken. Here’s how to address this:

1. Install the Latest PowerShell Version (7.x)

If you suspect that PowerShell might be outdated or broken, installing the latest version is a good starting point. You can download the latest version of PowerShell 7.x from the official Microsoft website. Once installed, you can run:

pwsh

This command will launch the latest PowerShell version. It’s common for users to try running PowerShell 7.x commands with the preinstalled powershell.exe. Make sure you are using the proper executable file for the version you want to run.

2. Check the Execution Policy

Ensure that your execution policy is set correctly. If you have recently changed the policy or suspect it might be causing issues, you can check it by running:

Get-ExecutionPolicy

You can also change it back to RemoteSigned or Unrestricted if necessary:

Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

Be cautious with unrestricted policies, as they fully allow execution of unsigned scripts, which may introduce security risks.

3. Verify Trust and Permissions

Make sure any scripts you are trying to run are from trusted sources or have been digitally signed. Untrusted scripts might be blocked by the execution policy. You can also check the digital signature of a script by right-clicking it and selecting Properties.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve most issues with PowerShell not working in Windows 10. Always start with the basics, check error messages, and verify your execution policies. If you continue to face issues, consider seeking help from the community or Microsoft support.