Changing PowerShell Execution Policy to Enable Script Running

Key Notes

• PowerShell execution policy controls script permissions on Windows systems.
• You can set the execution policy to RemoteSigned for running local scripts.
• Changing the policy can be done via PowerShell commands or through the Windows Settings app.

Unlock the Power of Scripts: Changing PowerShell Execution Policy on Windows

Understanding and altering the PowerShell execution policy is crucial for running scripts on Windows 10 and 11. This guide explores the steps to enable script execution safely.

Change PowerShell Execution Policy via PowerShell

To modify the PowerShell execution policy on Windows 10 or 11, follow these detailed steps:

1. Access the Start menu on Windows 11.

2. Type PowerShell in the search bar, then right-click the top result and select Run as administrator.

3. To check the current execution policy, enter the following command and press Enter :

   Get-ExecutionPolicy

4. (Optional) To see all effective execution policies, type the following command and press Enter :

   Get-ExecutionPolicy -List

5. To set the execution policy to allow script execution, type the following command and hit Enter :

   Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

6. (Optional) To revert to a policy that restricts all script execution, enter:

   Set-ExecutionPolicy Restricted

After executing these instructions, retry the script to confirm it now runs successfully on Windows 10 or 11.

To set execution policies for the current user or local computer, use the Scope parameter like so: Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser or Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope LocalMachine.

Available Execution Policies

In PowerShell, four execution policies define your script permissions:

• Restricted: Disallows all script execution.
• RemoteSigned: Permits local scripts; remote scripts require a signature.
• AllSigned: Allows all scripts; only signed scripts from trusted sources can be executed.
• Unrestricted: Executes any script without restrictions.

If immediate execution of a script is necessary without changing the policy, you can also bypass restrictions using:

PowerShell.exe -File "FILENAME" -ExecutionPolicy Bypass

Change PowerShell Execution Policy via Settings

You can modify PowerShell’s execution policy through Windows Settings as well.

From Windows 11

To adjust the execution policy from the Settings app, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Select System.

3. Go to the For developers section.

4. Find the PowerShell settings option.

5. Enable the Change execution policy to allow local PowerShell scripts toggle.

To block scripts again, follow the same steps but disable the toggle in step five.

From Windows 10

To modify the execution policy via Settings in Windows 10, do this:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Update & Security.

3. Navigate to the For developers section.

4. Activate the Change execution policy to allow local PowerShell scripts option.

5. Click Apply.

This action will set the execution policy to RemoteSigned, enabling local scripts without a signature but requiring signatures for remote scripts.

Summary

Changing the PowerShell execution policy is essential for executing scripts in Windows 10 and 11. Whether through the command line or the settings app, users have control over how scripts are managed and run.

Conclusion

Mastering the PowerShell execution policy allows you to effectively manage script permissions, enhancing your productivity. Ensure to assess the security implications before changing settings and proceed with confidence.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)