Getting PowerShell Scripts to Work on Windows 11
Trying to run PowerShell scripts in Windows 11 can really boost how you automate tasks, but getting there isn’t always smooth sailing. It’s all about tweaking some settings in the PowerShell environment to give those scripts the green light. First things first, you need to launch PowerShell with admin privileges. Just right-click the Start menu, hit Windows key + X, and choose either Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin) with the PowerShell tab ready to go. If you skip this bit, chances are you’ll hit a wall when trying to change settings later. Gotta love the permissions maze, right?
Getting Ready to Run Your Scripts
Once PowerShell is up and running as an admin, the first move is to check what the current execution policy is. You’ll want to see if it’s set to something like “Restricted” that prevents any scripts from rolling. Type in Get-ExecutionPolicy and hit Enter. If it’s not set to “RemoteSigned,” you’ll definitely need a change.
Open PowerShell with Admin Rights
Right-click that Windows Start button to bring up your menu and pick “Windows PowerShell (Admin).” Alternatively, hit Windows key + X and then tap A. This is where you get the key to change system settings for scripts. Without those admin rights, running Set-ExecutionPolicy will probably end in frustration. Kind of annoying, but that’s Windows for you.
Check Your Current Execution Policy
Run Get-ExecutionPolicy to reveal the current status. If it says “Restricted,” you’re gonna need to change that. Running Get-ExecutionPolicy -List can also give you a peek at different settings across the system. This part’s essential because it shows what you’ve got now, which helps figure out what to tweak next.
Change the Execution Policy
Here’s where you make your move: type Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned. This is a safer bet because it’ll allow your local scripts to run but still forces you to think twice about what gets downloaded from the internet. If you need to set it just for your user, throw in -Scope CurrentUser at the end. Not sure why it can be so tricky, but it’s worth checking.
Confirm the Change
After running that line, PowerShell will ask if you’re sure. Just type “Y” then hit Enter. Confirming this is crucial because otherwise, nothing changes and you’re stuck wondering why it’s still not working. Seriously, don’t skip this part.
Double-Check Execution Policy Success
Run Get-ExecutionPolicy again to confirm that the new policy is in place. If it isn’t showing “RemoteSigned” now, something went sideways. It’s a good habit to double-check—it can save a lot of headaches later if scripts refuse to run. When adjusting policies for all users on the machine, don’t forget to be in that elevated PowerShell session.
Just a heads up: allowing script execution opens up some risks. Be cautious and only run scripts from sources you trust. Balancing safety and automation isn’t always easy, but with the right setup, productivity can definitely get a boost.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Just something that worked on multiple machines.