--- title: "Install PowerShell 7 on Windows with winget or the MSI package" canonical: https://saasranked.com/guides/install-powershell-7/ applies_to: Windows 11, Windows 10 version 1809 or later, Windows Server 2025, PowerShell 7 checked: 2026-09-17 (against Microsoft's documentation) updated: 2026-09-17 --- # Install PowerShell 7 on Windows with winget or the MSI package - PowerShell 7 installs to a new directory and runs side by side with Windows PowerShell 5.1 [1]. - From the PowerShell 7.6.0 package on, winget installs the MSIX package by default, and --installer-type wix installs the MSI [1]. - From the PowerShell 7.7.0 release on, there is no MSI package, and winget only installs the MSIX package [1]. - After the install, start PowerShell 7 with the pwsh command or the PowerShell 7 item in the Start menu [1]. - winget isn't available on Windows Server 2022 or earlier [1]. To install PowerShell 7 on Windows, open a command shell and run winget install --id Microsoft.PowerShell --source winget [1]. WinGet is Microsoft's recommended way to install it on Windows clients. You can also download and run the MSI package [1]. PowerShell 7 doesn't replace Windows PowerShell 5.1. It installs to a new folder and runs side by side with it [1]. Start it with pwsh. ## 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 5.1 [1]. 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 Installer** [2]. WinGet is supported on Windows 10 version 1809 (build 17763) or later [2]. It isn't available on Windows Server 2022 or earlier, and Windows Server 2025 includes it only for Windows Server with Desktop Experience [1]. 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 limits [1]. ## Steps 1. **Open a command shell.** Open Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell or PowerShell. You can run `winget` from any of them [1]. 2. **Check the latest version.** Search for the PowerShell package by its exact ID [1]. ```powershell winget search --id Microsoft.PowerShell --exact ``` Microsoft shows this output [1]: ```text 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 default [1]. ```powershell winget install --id Microsoft.PowerShell --source winget ``` 4. **Or install the MSI package with winget.** Add `--installer-type wix` to get the MSI instead [1]. From the PowerShell 7.7.0 release on, there is no MSI package, and winget only installs the MSIX package [1]. ```powershell 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 prompts [1]. 6. **Start PowerShell 7.** Run `pwsh`, or open **PowerShell 7** from the Start menu. The installer creates the Start menu shortcuts [1]. ```powershell 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 default [1]. In PowerShell 7, check where the session runs from. The `$PSHOME` variable always points to the directory that holds the PowerShell for the current session [1]. ```powershell $PSHOME ``` If the value is `$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 package [1]. To see whether a newer version is waiting, run this command. If there is an upgrade, the output shows the latest available version [1]. ```powershell 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 there [1]. 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 registration [2]. **Windows asks for elevation.** Without administrator rights, some apps need elevation to install. If you choose not to elevate, the install fails [2]. **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 LocalMachine` [1]. **A module doesn't load in PowerShell 7.** Some modules work through the Windows Compatibility feature. Others must run in Windows PowerShell 5.1 [1]. **Windows PowerShell ISE still runs the old version.** Windows PowerShell ISE is a different application. It only works with Windows PowerShell 5.1 [1]. **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 ones [1]. With winget, run `winget upgrade --id Microsoft.PowerShell` [1]. ## 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 5.1 [1]. **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.PowerShell [1]. **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 remoting [1]. **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 Panel [1]. ## Sources 1. [Install PowerShell 7 on Windows](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/install/install-powershell-on-windows), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-09-17 2. [Use WinGet to install and manage applications](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/winget/), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-09-17 Checked against Microsoft's documentation on 17 Sept 2026.