How to Install the New PowerShell 7 in Windows 11

If you are working with Windows 11, you are probably familiar with PowerShell. Most likely, you are using the version that is already built into the system. But there is a new, separate version — PowerShell 7, which is faster, more modern, and cross-platform. It is backward compatible with older scripts, so you don't have to worry about breaking anything.

Installing it on your computer is very easy and only takes a few minutes. You don't need to be an experienced administrator to do it. We will look at the simplest and most recommended method — installation using a ready-made MSI installer. It is the same familiar process as for any other program.

In this article, we will walk you through where to download the installation file, how to run it, and what settings to choose in the installation wizard. After that, you will have two independent versions of PowerShell, and you can start enjoying all the benefits of the updated shell.

How to check the PowerShell version?

Before downloading and installing a new version of PowerShell, you can find out the current version of PowerShell installed with Windows 10. To do this:

1. Open PowerShell using the menu“Start”,search or terminal.

1. In the PowerShell window, copy and paste one of the two commands below, then press Enter to find out the current version of PowerShell.

Get-Host | Select-Object Version

Installing PowerShell 7 using an MSI package or ZIP archive

In Windows 11, there are several options for installing PowerShell 7. You can use one of the methods below:

Go to the page and select the desired PowerShell 7 release to download.

• Stable release: https://aka.ms/powershell-release?tag=stable

Please note that separate files are available for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. When downloading the MSI file, be sure to download the stable version.

After downloading the required package, double-click the installer and follow the instructions of the installation wizard. The program will then create a shortcut in the Windows Start menu.

Note: administrator permission is required to install using the MSI package. Any user can deploy the ZIP package, which is the easiest way to use PowerShell 7. If you have previously installed PowerShell 6.x, PowerShell 7.x will be an update.

If you chose the archive, no installation is required as this is a portable version. Unzip the archive to any location of your choice and run the file “pwsh.exe”. In the window that opens, you may see the following message:“Do you want to run software from this untrusted publisher?”

To unlock the launch, type the letter A and press Enter:

[A] Always run (Always allow launch)

or,

[R] Run once (Allow one-time launch)

After that, PowerShell 7 will be ready to use.

Installing PowerShell using the Windows package manager winget

Winget command line application can install, update, remove, and configure applications in the new Windows 11 OS.

To install PowerShell using winget packages, you can use the following commands.

Run the terminal and execute the following command to find available versions:

Install PowerShell version 7

To install, run the command:

Note: if you need to install a preview version, run:

PowerShell 7 is an improved version of the classic Windows tool for automating tasks, and installing it in Windows 11 is not difficult at all. Just download the installation file from the official website, run it as an administrator, and follow the simple steps on the screen. After installation, you can run PowerShell 7 from the Start menu or the command line — it does not replace the old version, but works in parallel with it. Everything is clear even to those who are not deeply versed in technology.

Installation from the Microsoft Store

PowerShell 7.1 is available in the Microsoft Store. Installing from the Microsoft Store has the advantage that the application will be updated automatically.

This version of PowerShell can be found on the websiteMicrosoft Store

After downloading and installing, the application will appear in the menu “Start” in the section “All applications.”

How to install PowerShell 7 from PowerShell 5

1. Open Windows PowerShell as an administrator.

1. Run the following command to download the latest version of PowerShell and run the installer:

1. From the menu. When the next installer screen appears, click the button.“Next”.

1. Select the features you want to add/install before clicking the“Next”. Press the button.“Install”due to its unique interface, almost all settings in Yandex Browser differ from those above. However,“Finish”.

Does installing a new version update the built-in PowerShell?

No.If you install PowerShell 7 following the instructions above, it will be installed alongside the built-in PowerShell. That is, PowerShell 7 will be installed in a new directory and will not affect the built-in PowerShell. This means that you will be able to use both the built-in and the newly installed PowerShell.

How to add a new PowerShell 7 profile to Windows Terminal

If you often have friends or relatives visiting your home who need to quickly check something on the internet or print something on your computer, you have probably faced a dilemma. Giving them access to your account is unsafe and inconvenient. For situations like this, Windows 11 has a special built-in “Guest” account. “PowerShell”

If you are using an archive, you need to create a profile for it manually. For more details, see our guide:How to configure and change Windows terminal settings in Windows 11

So, you have successfully installed PowerShell 7 on your Windows 11 computer. Now you have a more modern and powerful tool for automation and system management at your disposal. It works great alongside the standard version of Windows PowerShell, so you can use both depending on your tasks.

Remember that to run the new version, you need to search for “PowerShell 7” in the Start menu or use the `pwsh` command in the command line or old PowerShell. This is a small but important difference to keep in mind.

Now is the time to try out the new features. Experiment with the commands, see how the new modules work, and enjoy the improved performance. The more you use it, the faster you will appreciate all the benefits of the updated shell for your daily work.