Install PowerShell 7 on Windows with winget or the MSI package

Before you start

PowerShell 7 doesn't replace Windows PowerShell 5.1. It installs to a new directory and runs side by side with it. Some Windows PowerShell modules work in PowerShell 7 through its Windows Compatibility feature, but others still need Windows PowerShell 5.1¹.

You need WinGet for the main method. It comes with Windows 11, modern versions of Windows 10 and Windows Server 2025 as part of App Installer². WinGet is supported on Windows 10 version 1809 (build 17763) or later². It isn't available on Windows Server 2022 or earlier, and Windows Server 2025 includes it only for Windows Server with Desktop Experience¹.

Pick a package type. Microsoft recommends WinGet for Windows clients. The MSI package is the best choice for Windows Server and enterprise deployment. The MSIX package is easy for casual users but has limits¹.

Steps

1. Open a command shell. Open Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell or PowerShell. You can run winget from any of them¹.

2. Check the latest version. Search for the PowerShell package by its exact ID¹.

   PowerShellCopy

   winget search --id Microsoft.PowerShell --exact

   Microsoft shows this output¹:

   TextCopy

   Name               Id                           Version   Source
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   PowerShell         Microsoft.PowerShell         7.6.6.0   winget

3. Install PowerShell 7. Run this command. From the PowerShell 7.6.0 package on, winget installs the MSIX package by default¹.

   PowerShellCopy

   winget install --id Microsoft.PowerShell --source winget

4. Or install the MSI package with winget. Add --installer-type wix to get the MSI instead¹. From the PowerShell 7.7.0 release on, there is no MSI package, and winget only installs the MSIX package¹.

   PowerShellCopy

   winget install --id Microsoft.PowerShell --source winget --installer-type wix

5. Or download the MSI yourself. Microsoft's install page links to the latest stable MSI for x64 and Arm64 processors. Download the one for your PC, double-click the installer file and follow the prompts¹.

6. Start PowerShell 7. Run pwsh, or open PowerShell 7 from the Start menu. The installer creates the Start menu shortcuts¹.

   PowerShellCopy

   pwsh

Check it worked

Open the Start menu. You should see an item labeled PowerShell 7. The Windows PowerShell 5.1 entries stay there too, because they are installed with Windows by default¹.

In PowerShell 7, check where the session runs from. The $PSHOME variable always points to the directory that holds the PowerShell for the current session¹.

$PSHOME

If the value is $Env:ProgramFiles\PowerShell\7, PowerShell was probably installed with the MSI package. If it starts with $Env:ProgramFiles\WindowsApps\, it was installed with the MSIX package¹.

To see whether a newer version is waiting, run this command. If there is an upgrade, the output shows the latest available version¹.

winget list --id Microsoft.PowerShell --upgrade-available

Common problems

winget isn't available. On Windows Server 2022 or earlier, WinGet isn't available. Use the MSI package there¹. On a new PC, WinGet appears only after the first sign-in. If you just signed in for the first time, open PowerShell and run Add-AppxPackage -RegisterByFamilyName -MainPackage Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_8wekyb3d8bbwe to request its registration².

Windows asks for elevation. Without administrator rights, some apps need elevation to install. If you choose not to elevate, the install fails².

Remoting or machine-wide settings don't work. These are limits of the MSIX (Store-based) install. It installs for a single user, doesn't support PowerShell remoting, and doesn't support commands such as Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope LocalMachine¹.

A module doesn't load in PowerShell 7. Some modules work through the Windows Compatibility feature. Others must run in Windows PowerShell 5.1¹.

Windows PowerShell ISE still runs the old version. Windows PowerShell ISE is a different application. It only works with Windows PowerShell 5.1¹.

You want a newer version than Microsoft Update offers. Use the same install method you used the first time. Newer versions of PowerShell 7 replace earlier ones¹. With winget, run winget upgrade --id Microsoft.PowerShell¹.

Questions

Does PowerShell 7 replace Windows PowerShell 5.1?

No. PowerShell 7 installs to a new directory and runs side by side with Windows PowerShell 5.1. Some older modules still need Windows PowerShell 5.1¹.

How do I update PowerShell 7 later?

PowerShell 7 supports updates through Microsoft Update. To update sooner, use the same method you installed with. For winget, that is winget upgrade --id Microsoft.PowerShell¹.

Should I pick the MSI or the MSIX package?

Microsoft calls the MSI the best choice for Windows Server and enterprise deployment. The MSIX package is an easy install for casual users, but it has limits, such as no PowerShell remoting¹.

How do I uninstall PowerShell 7?

If you installed it with winget, run winget uninstall --id Microsoft.PowerShell. If you used the MSI, remove it in the Programs and Features Control Panel¹.

17 Sept 2026: Published.