Starting Windows PowerShell
Windows PowerShell is a scripting engine embedded into multiple hosts. The most common hosts are the
interactive command-line powershell.exe and the Interactive Scripting Environment
powershell_ise.exe.
PowerShell binary name
PowerShell version 6 and higher uses .NET (Core). Supported versions are available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Beginning in PowerShell 6, the PowerShell binary named pwsh.exe for Windows and pwsh for macOS
and Linux. You can start PowerShell preview versions using pwsh-preview. For more information, see
About pwsh.
To find cmdlet reference and installation documentation for PowerShell 7, use the following links:
| Document | Link |
|---|---|
| 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 for other PowerShell versions, see How to use the PowerShell documentation.
Run from the Start Menu
- Open the Start menu, type Windows PowerShell, select Windows PowerShell, then select Open.
Run from the Command Prompt
In Windows Command shell, Windows PowerShell, or Windows PowerShell ISE, to start Windows
PowerShell, type: PowerShell.
You can also use the parameters of the powershell.exe program to customize the session. For more
information, see about_PowerShell_exe.
Run with administrative privileges
Open the Start menu, type Windows PowerShell, select Windows PowerShell, and then select Run as administrator.
How to Start Windows PowerShell ISE on Earlier Releases of Windows
Use any of the following methods to start Windows PowerShell ISE.
Run from the Start Menu
- Open the Start menu, type ISE, select Windows PowerShell ISE, then select Open.
At the Command Prompt
In Windows Command shell, Windows PowerShell, or Windows PowerShell ISE, to start Windows
PowerShell, type: PowerShell_ISE. In Windows PowerShell, you can use the alias ise.
Run with administrative privileges
Select Start, type ISE, right-click Windows PowerShell ISE, and then click Run as administrator.
Starting the 32-Bit Version of Windows PowerShell
64-bit versions of Windows include a 32-bit version of Windows PowerShell, Windows PowerShell (x86), in addition to the 64-bit version. The 64-bit version runs by default.
However, you might occasionally need to run Windows PowerShell (x86), such as when you're using a module that requires the 32-bit version or when you're connecting remotely to a 32-bit computer.
To start a 32-bit version of Windows PowerShell, use any of the following procedures.
- Select Start, type Windows PowerShell, select Windows PowerShell (x86), then select Open.
