# Windows PowerShell

Application: Microsoft Corporation

Also called powershell, windows powershell 5.1, pwsh

Microsoft Corporation, System

The Windows PowerShell 5.1 host that ships with Windows. The process is powershell.exe. PowerShell 7 is pwsh.exe and a separate install.

## What you need to know

Windows PowerShell is powershell.exe. PowerShell 7 is a different install named pwsh.exe.

Windows still ships PowerShell 5.1. Microsoft documents PowerShell 7 as the current cross-platform shell. Both can exist. cmd.exe is a third interpreter.

- **What is it?**: The in-box PowerShell 5.1 host

  **Is pwsh the same?**: No. That is PowerShell 7

  **Safe?**: The host is. Scripts vary

Feex says

If a script says to install PowerShell 7 and you only have powershell.exe, you are on 5.1. I would not delete the in-box host to "upgrade".

## What is Windows PowerShell?

Windows PowerShell 5.1 is the in-box automation host. The executable is powershell.exe under WindowsPowerShell\v1.0. PowerShell 7 installs pwsh.exe beside it.

## If you have never used it

If Start shows "Windows PowerShell", that is the in-box 5.1 host. You already have it. A blue window that accepts commands is not automatically malware. PowerShell 7 is a separate download named pwsh.exe. cmd.exe is a third, older interpreter. Do not delete 5.1 to "upgrade".

## What is it used for?

**Admin scripts**

Installers and IT scripts still call powershell.exe because 5.1 is everywhere.

**One-off commands**

Get-Process, file work, and quick checks. The console host is powershell.exe plus conhost.exe.

**Scheduled tasks**

A hidden PowerShell at logon is usually a task. The product itself does not need Startup Apps.

## Who is it for?

- Admins who still have 5.1-only modules
- Users who opened "Windows PowerShell" from Start
- People who should read a command line before they panic

## Current status

5.1 is supported in-box and in maintenance. PowerShell 7 is the current feature train. This article covers the in-box host and points at pwsh for 7.

## How old is it?

PowerShell 1.0 shipped in 2006. Windows PowerShell 5.1 is the in-box host on current Windows 10 and 11. PowerShell 7 is the cross-platform train that started as PowerShell Core. Monad was the pre-release name. That name is not what you launch today.

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

Windows PowerShell 5.1

PowerShell 7 (pwsh)

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| Operating system | Ships with supported Windows 10 and Windows 11 |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: Follows the script

  **RAM demand**: Large object pipelines

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| powershell.exe | Windows PowerShell 5.1     |
| -------------- | -------------------------- |
| pwsh.exe       | PowerShell 7, if installed |
| conhost.exe    | Console window             |

## Startup components

A hidden PowerShell at logon is a task or a shortcut. The product itself does not need Startup Apps.

## File locations

| 5.1 host | C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\\ |
| -------- | -------------------------------------------- |

## File formats

PS1, PSM1

## Common problems

### EncodedCommand surprises

Read the parent process. Office launching PowerShell is a macro story.

### Module works only in 5.1

That is why Microsoft left the in-box host. Installing 7 does not delete 5.1.

## Getting unstuck

### Read the parent process before you panic

Office or a browser launching encoded PowerShell is a script story. The host file in System32 is still Microsoft.

### Install PowerShell 7 from Microsoft Learn if you were told to use pwsh

winget install Microsoft.PowerShell or the docs page. That adds pwsh.exe. It does not replace 5.1.

### Execution policy is a policy, not a virus setting

Get-ExecutionPolicy. Restricted is common on a new PC. That is not a broken install.

## Alternatives

cmd.exe for batch. pwsh for current modules. Pick them for the script you have, not a fashion ranking.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Overview (5.1 vs 7)  | [learn.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/overview ](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/overview)Which host you have                                                             |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Install PowerShell 7 | [learn.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/install/installing-powershell-on-windows ](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/install/installing-powershell-on-windows)pwsh on Windows |
| 5.1 reference        | [learn.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/windows-powershell/overview ](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/windows-powershell/overview)In-box Windows PowerShell                 |
| GitHub PowerShell    | [github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell ](https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell)PowerShell 7 source and releases                                                                                  |

## Related hardware

Any supported Windows PC. Remote sessions move the work to the target.

## Technical details

Technical details

Per-version file hashes and volume-license paths are not verified in this preview.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[powershell.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/powershell.exe)[cmd.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/cmd.exe)[Visual Studio Code: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/visual-studio-code)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [Microsoft Learn: PowerShell ](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/overview)· 5.1 versus 7
- [Microsoft Learn: installing PowerShell ](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/install/installing-powershell-on-windows)· pwsh install
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: Microsoft Corporation

  **Category**: Command shell

  **Process**: [powershell.exe](https://feex.it/wiki/process/powershell.exe)

  **Sibling**: pwsh.exe (PowerShell 7)

  **First released**: 2006 (PowerShell 1.0). 5.1 ships in-box today

  **Official site**: [learn.microsoft.com/powershell](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/overview)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/windows-powershell/)

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