Is there a way to specify which PowerShell profile to load when initializing PowerShell?
For instance, I'd like to be able to load a Python Conda profile when working in Python, or load a profile with bash command aliases when working with cross-platform scripts.
Note: I'm on the same machine, on the same user. So machine/user-specific profiles would not work in my case.
As PowerShell profiles are just PowerShell scripts loaded on startup of the PowerShell terminal, there are multiple ways to load them. Assuming you have two profile files:
conda_profile.ps1
bash_profile.ps1
Calling the profile scripts directly
You can just execute them after you open a PowerShell window, e. g.:
.\conda_profile.ps1
Calling the profile scripts by aliases
If the names or paths are too long or too complicated, you can create aliases for them, e. g.:
# Put the following two lines into the file stored in $PROFILE. You probably have to create it.
Set-Alias -Name condap -Value "C:\path\to\conda_profile.ps1"
Set-Alias -Name bashp -Value "C:\path\to\bash_profile.ps1"
After that, you can load a profile by typing condap or bashp.
Calling a profile by shortcut
You can also create different shortcuts to open a PowerShell with a certain profile:
Copy the shortcut from %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Windows PowerShell\Windows PowerShell.lnk
Rename it to condap for example.
Edit its target from %SystemRoot%\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe to %SystemRoot%\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -NoExit -File "C:\path\to\conda_profile.ps1".
Do it for other profiles respectively.
Choosing a profile by being prompted at startup
You can also write a profile that asks you to choose between different profiles, when you start PowerShell. Make sure you have a profile for your current host and current user:
if (!(Test-Path -Path $PROFILE)) {
New-Item -Type File -Path $PROFILE -Force
}
After that, add some lines to this file to ask for input and execute the desired profile script based on that input. It will work, but keep in mind that a user interaction inside the profile will probably be a bad design in the most cases.
Just to be more concise for command line (and non-windows) users:
pwsh -NoExit -File <your_profile_script>
Will start a powershell session with the specified profile.
Related
I have my_project.ps1 file from which I am activating virtual environment & starting my project.
currently I need to open my powershell then after I need to go to directory where I have saved my .ps1 file & have to open it from powershell only.
Is there any way so that I can double click on .ps1 file & it will open automatically in power shell ?
By design, double-clicking (opening) *.ps1 files from the Windows [GUI] shell (in this case: Desktop, File Explorer, and the taskbar, via pinned items) does not execute them - instead they're opened for editing in Notepad or in the PowerShell ISE, depending on the Windows / PowerShell version.
However, since at least Windows 7, the shortcut menu for *.ps1 files contains a Run with PowerShell command, which does invoke the script at hand; this may be enough for your purposes, but this invocation method has limitations - see the bottom section for details.
If you do want to redefine double-clicking / opening so that it executes *.ps1 scripts, you have two options:
Note:
For a given script (as opposed to all .ps1 files), you may alternatively create a shortcut file or batch file that launches it, but that isn't a general solution, as you'd have to create a companion file for each and every .ps1 file you want to run by double-clicking. It does, however, give you full control over the invocation. You can create shortcut files interactively, via File Explorer, as described in this answer, or programmatically, as shown in this answer. Similarly, you may create a companion batch file (.cmd or .bat) that invokes your script, because batch file are executed when double-clicked; e.g., if you place a batch file with the same base name as your .ps1 script in the same directory (e.g., foo.cmd next to foo.ps1), you can call it from your batch file as follows; -NoExit keeps the session open:
#powershell.exe -NoExit -File "%~dpn0.ps1" %*
The methods below also enable direct execution of a .ps1 script from a cmd.exe console window, synchronously, inside the same window. In other words: You can execute, say, script foo.ps1 directly as such, instead of having to use the PowerShell CLI, say, powershell.exe -File foo.ps1
[Not recommended] GUI method:
Use File Explorer to make PowerShell execute .ps1 files by default:
Right-click on a .ps1 file and select Properties.
Click on Change... next to the Opens with: label.
Click on More apps on the bottom of the list and scroll down to Look for another app on this PC
Browse to or paste file path C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe and submit.
This method gives you no control over the specifics of the PowerShell invocation and has major limitations; in effect you'll end up with the following behavior:
Major limitations:
Script paths with embedded spaces and ' chars. cannot be invoked this way, because, even though such paths are passed with double quotes, the latter are in effect stripped by PowerShell, because the path is passed to the implied -Command parameter, which first strips (unescaped) double quotes from the command line before interpreting the result as PowerShell code - in which case paths with spaces are seen as multiple arguments / paths that contain (an odd number of) ' cause a syntax error.
Note that if you were to select pwsh.exe instead, the CLI of the cross-platform, install-on-demand PowerShell (Core) 7+ edition, that problem would not arise, because it defaults to the -File parameter - in which case a double-quoted script-file path is properly recognized.
For the difference between PowerShell CLI calls using -Command vs. those using -File, see this answer.
Passing arguments is not supported, which matters if you want to invoke .ps1 files directly from cmd.exe and need to pass arguments.
The redefinition is only in effect for the current user - which is probably a good thing, as other users may not expect this change, which can result in unwanted execution of scripts.
Whatever execution policy is in effect will be honored; e.g., if Restricted is in effect, invocation will fail altogether.
As with the default Run in PowerShell command, the window in which the script runs will automatically close when the script ends - thus, unless the script explicitly prompts the user before exiting, you may not be able to examine its output.
To exercise more control over how PowerShell invokes the script including support for paths with spaces and for passing arguments, use the programmatic method shown in the next section.
Programmatic method:
Important:
The GUI method overrides a programmatic solution, so it must be removed - the code below does this automatically.
Unfortunately, there's another, accidental override that can happen if you have Visual Studio Code installed: Whenever you use File Explorer's shortcut menu to open a file in Visual Studio Code, it unexpectedly becomes the default action. The code below detects this condition and fixes the problem, but it will resurface the next time a .ps1 file is opened this way.
Modify the registry to redefine the Open shortcut-menu command for *.ps1 files at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft.PowerShellScript.1\shell\Open\Command, as shown below.
You can run the code as-is to create a user-level file-type definition that:
uses the executable that runs the current PowerShell session, i.e. powershell.exe in Windows PowerShell, and pwsh.exe in PowerShell (Core) 7+.
respects the effective execution policy - add an -ExecutionPolicy argument to override.
loads the profiles first - add -NoProfile to suppress loading; this is primarily of interest if you're planning to directly invoke .ps1 files from cmd.exe, not (just) from File Explorer, in combination with not using -NoExit.
runs in the script in its own directory
keeps the session open after the script exits - remove -NoExit to exit the session when the script ends; this is primarily of interest if you're planning to directly invoke .ps1 files from cmd.exe, not (just) from File Explorer.
If you requirements differ - if you need different CLI parameters and /or you want to use pwsh.exe, i.e. PowerShell (Core) 7+ instead - tweak the code first, by modifying the $cmd = ... line below; see the comments above it.
# Specify if the change should apply to the CURRENT USER only, or to ALL users.
# NOTE: If you set this to $true - which is NOT ADVISABLE -
# you'll need to run this code ELEVATED (as administrator)
$forAllUsers = $false
# Determine the chosen scope's target registry key path.
$targetKey = "$(('HKCU', 'HKLM')[$forAllUsers]):\Software\Classes\Microsoft.PowerShellScript.1\shell\Open\Command"
# In the user-specific hive (HKCU: == HKEY_CURRENT_USER), the target key
# doesn't exist by default (whereas it does in the local-machine hive (HLKM: == HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE)),
# so we need to make sure that it exists.
if (-not $forAllUsers -and -not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $targetKey)) {
$null = New-Item -Path $targetKey -Force -ErrorAction Stop
}
# Specify the command to use when opening / double-clicking *.ps1 scripts:
# As written here:
# * The script runs in the directory in which it resides.
# * The profiles are loaded (add -NoProfile to change).
# * The current execution policy is respected (add -ExecutionPolicy <policy> to override, if possible)
# * The window stays open after the script exits (remove -NoExit to change)
# For help with all parameters, see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/about/about_powershell_exe
$cmd = "`"$((Get-Process -Id $PID).Path)`" -nologo -noexit -file `"%1`" %*"
# Write the command to the registry.
Set-ItemProperty -ErrorAction Stop -LiteralPath $targetKey -Name '(default)' -Value $cmd
Write-Verbose -Verbose "$(('User-level', 'Machine-level')[$forAllUsers]) file-type definition for *.ps1 files successfully updated."
# Additionally, make sure that NO OVERRIDES preempt the new definition.
# See if a user override established interactively via File Explorer happens to be defined,
# and remove it, if so.
if ($fileExplorerOverrideKey = Get-Item -ErrorAction Ignore -LiteralPath 'registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.ps1\UserChoice') {
Write-Verbose -Verbose 'Removing File Explorer override...'
# Get the parent key path and the key name
$parentKeyPath = $fileExplorerOverrideKey.PSParentPath -replace '^.+?::\w+\\' # Remove the 'Microsoft.PowerShell.Core\Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\' prefix
$keyName = $fileExplorerOverrideKey.PSChildName
$key = $null
try {
# Open the *parent* key for writing.
$key = [Microsoft.Win32.Registry]::CurrentUser.OpenSubkey($parentKeyPath, $true)
# Delete the subkey.
# !! Due to the specific permissions assigned by File Explorer to the key
# !! (an additional DENY access-control entry for the current user, for the key itself only, for the 'Set Value' permission),
# !! using the .DeleteSubKey*Tree*() method fails (Remove-Item implicitly uses this method and therefore fails too)
# !! However, since there should be no nested subkeys, using .DeleteSubkey() should work fine.
$key.DeleteSubKey($keyName)
}
catch {
throw
}
finally {
if ($key) { $key.Close()}
}
}
# See if *Visual Studio Code* was most recently used to open a *.ps1 file:
# If so, it inexplicably OVERRIDES a file-type definition.
# (This doesn't seem to happen with other executables.)
# !! We fix the problem, but it will RESURFACE the next time File Explorer's shortcut menu
# !! is used to open a *.ps1 file in Visual Studio Code.
if ($itm = Get-Item -ErrorAction Ignore -LiteralPath 'registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.ps1\OpenWithList') {
if (($names = $itm.GetValueNames().Where({ $itm.GetValue($_) -ceq 'Code.exe' })) -and ($mruList = $itm.GetValue('MRUList')) -and $mruList[0] -in $names) {
Write-Warning "Visual Studio Code was most recently used to open a .ps1 file, which unexpectedly overrides the file-type definition.`nCorrecting the problem for now, but it will resurface the next time you use File Explorer's shortcut menu to open a .ps1 file in Visual Studio Code."
# Note: Normally there aren't, but there *can* be *multiple* Code.exe entries, namely after manual removal of the MRUList:
# The next time you choose to open in VSCode via File Explorer's shortcut menu, an *additional* Code.exe entry is added.
do { # Trim the start of the MRUList until its first entry no longer references Code.exe
$mruList = $mruList.Substring(1)
} while ($mruList[0] -in $names)
# Update the MRUList value in the registry.
$itm | Set-ItemProperty -Name 'MRUList' -Value $mruList
}
}
Explanation of the predefined Run in PowerShell shortcut-menu command:
It is defined in registry key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft.PowerShellScript.1\shell\0\Command (as of Windows 10) as follows:
"C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe" "-Command" "if((Get-ExecutionPolicy ) -ne 'AllSigned') { Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process Bypass }; & '%1'"
This command is flawed in that it breaks with script-file paths that happen to contain ' characters.
Unless execution policy AllSigned is in effect - in which case only signed scripts can be executed but are executed without prompting - the command attempts to set the execution policy for the invoked process to Bypass, which means that any script can be executed, but only after the user responds to a confirmation prompt beforehand (irrespective of whether the script is signed or not, and whether it was downloaded from the web or not).
At least in earlier Windows 7 releases / PowerShell versions, the command was misdefined[1] in a way that effectively ignored the attempt to set the process' execution policy, which meant that whatever execution policy was persistently configured applied - and no confirmation prompt was shown.
Unless the targeted script explicitly pauses to wait for user input before exiting, the window in which the script will close automatically when the script finishes, so you may not get to see its output.
The targeted script executes in the directory in which it is located as the working directory (current location)
[1] The earlier, broken command definition was "C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe" "-file" "%1" "-Command" "if((Get-ExecutionPolicy ) -ne AllSigned) { Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process Bypass }", which meant what anything after -file "%1" was passed as arguments to file "%1" instead of the intended execution of the commands following -Command; additionally - a moot point - the AllSigned operand would have need to be quoted.
To execute a PS1 file by double-click (to run)
Make a shortcut for the file and set the target to this:
C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe "C:\Temp\MyPowershellScript.ps1"
Replace the second directory (the one in quotes) with the location of your script.
To read a PS1 file by double-click (to edit)
Same as above, but target ISE instead, as that will force it into edit mode.
C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell_ise.exe "C:\Temp\MyPowershellScript.ps1"
Server 2012 and newer by default do not associate the .PS1 file extension with the PowerShell executable; rather, they default to open .PS1 files with notepad by default for security reasons.
If you have access, you need to change the file association through the 'default programs' in your control panel for the .PS1 files to execute by double clicking.
Also be aware that you may have to change your execution policy to get particular scripts to run.
Also, as it sounds like this script might be a core automation, you can execute scripts from in another one with either of these, without the need to change the active working directory:
Invoke-Item ""
& ''
I have fixed the registry values so that the .ps1 scripts are executed with double click or with "Run with PowerShell" from any position without problem, even with paths with multiple consecutive spaces and with apostrophes:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.ps1]
#="Microsoft.PowerShellScript.1"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Powershell\command]
#="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe\" -NoExit -Command \"Set-Location -LiteralPath \\\"%V\\\"\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Shell\Powershell\command]
#="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe\" -NoExit -Command \"Set-Location -LiteralPath \\\"%V\\\"\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\Powershell\command]
#="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe\" -NoExit -Command \"Set-Location -LiteralPath \\\"%V\\\"\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft.PowerShellScript.1\DefaultIcon]
#="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe\",0"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft.PowerShellScript.1\Shell\Open\Command]
#="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe\" -File \"%1\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.ps1\Shell\0\Command]
#="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe\" -File \"%1\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.ps1\Shell\Edit\Command]
#="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell_ise.exe\" -File \"%1\""
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PowerShell\1\ShellIds\Microsoft.PowerShell]
"ExecutionPolicy"="RemoteSigned"
So I've just downloaded Visual Studio Code to use as my default IDE for learning Python. I'm running on a 64-bit machine so I made the default terminal windows powershell.
The place where I'll be saving most of my files is about 8 folders deep which all show up in the terminal before any commands can be written. Is there any way to hide or shorten the file path in the terminal?
As #Biclops suggested, there is good info here: configure PowerShell to only show the current folder in the prompt
However, I needed more basic info to get this to work. This is a very good resource to get started: Windows PowerShell Profiles. So I first followed the steps suggested there:
[always using vscode's integrated terminal using PowerShell]
test-path $profile (is there a profile set up?)
new-item -path $profile -itemtype file -force (assuming the answer to the above is false)
notepad $profile (opens notepad)
paste in (from the SuperUser answer above)
function prompt {
$p = Split-Path -leaf -path (Get-Location)
"$p> "
}
save (you shouldn't have to chose a location, it is already done for you)
reload vscode - you will probably get an error message about running scripts (or just do next step before reload)
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser (at your integrated terminal PS prompt, also from the SuperUser answer)
reload vscode
You should be good to go!
Great Question and Great Answers.
But this information is dated, and Windows is currently updating from Windows 10 to Windows 11. In addition, the base Windows PowerShell has been incorporated into the new Windows Terminal Preview app. which is being used here.
The solution provided above by Mark and Tarruda23 (above) almost works. But Windows throws an error - described below.
The steps:
First, it was necessary to determine whether a profile existed. Using the Windows Explorer, the following path was checked. If a profile already exists, this path shows where an existing profile should be found. On this PC, no profile ( .ps1 ) file existed and this folder was empty. Don't close the Explorer.
C:\Users\prior\OneDrive\Documents\WindowsPowerShell
Since no file exists, a new file needed to be created. This new file must be saved with a specific name - shown below.
Navigate to the empty folder and open PowerShell. The .ps1 profile must be created and saved in this folder. Use the Powershell's build-in text editor to create the new file. Type:
ISE
Then type or paste the following into the empty text file:
function prompt {
$p = Split-Path -leaf -path (Get-Location)
"$p> "
}
Save this file with the following name:
Microsoft.PowerShell_profile.ps1
Use the PowerShell to open Notepad and check that .ps1 file. This demonstrates the Windows system has found the new .ps1. Next close the Notepad.
Notepad $profile
Now the PowerShell is probably displaying an error message in red text. This error message reads in part:
\Microsoft.PowerShell _profile.ps1 cannot be loaded because running scripts is disabled on this system.
Run the PowerShell as the Administrator. Type the following.
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
Windows will prompt with a question:
Do you want to change the execution policy?
Type y for yes. This will change and remove the Windows default settings that prevents running script files. Once done, this will remove that error message.
All should be good now. PowerShell will now start and run with shorter and abbreviated PS> prompt that shows either the User name, or the name of the folder where the PowerShell is running.
I have my_project.ps1 file from which I am activating virtual environment & starting my project.
currently I need to open my powershell then after I need to go to directory where I have saved my .ps1 file & have to open it from powershell only.
Is there any way so that I can double click on .ps1 file & it will open automatically in power shell ?
By design, double-clicking (opening) *.ps1 files from the Windows [GUI] shell (in this case: Desktop, File Explorer, and the taskbar, via pinned items) does not execute them - instead they're opened for editing in Notepad or in the PowerShell ISE, depending on the Windows / PowerShell version.
However, since at least Windows 7, the shortcut menu for *.ps1 files contains a Run with PowerShell command, which does invoke the script at hand; this may be enough for your purposes, but this invocation method has limitations - see the bottom section for details.
If you do want to redefine double-clicking / opening so that it executes *.ps1 scripts, you have two options:
Note:
For a given script (as opposed to all .ps1 files), you may alternatively create a shortcut file or batch file that launches it, but that isn't a general solution, as you'd have to create a companion file for each and every .ps1 file you want to run by double-clicking. It does, however, give you full control over the invocation. You can create shortcut files interactively, via File Explorer, as described in this answer, or programmatically, as shown in this answer. Similarly, you may create a companion batch file (.cmd or .bat) that invokes your script, because batch file are executed when double-clicked; e.g., if you place a batch file with the same base name as your .ps1 script in the same directory (e.g., foo.cmd next to foo.ps1), you can call it from your batch file as follows; -NoExit keeps the session open:
#powershell.exe -NoExit -File "%~dpn0.ps1" %*
The methods below also enable direct execution of a .ps1 script from a cmd.exe console window, synchronously, inside the same window. In other words: You can execute, say, script foo.ps1 directly as such, instead of having to use the PowerShell CLI, say, powershell.exe -File foo.ps1
[Not recommended] GUI method:
Use File Explorer to make PowerShell execute .ps1 files by default:
Right-click on a .ps1 file and select Properties.
Click on Change... next to the Opens with: label.
Click on More apps on the bottom of the list and scroll down to Look for another app on this PC
Browse to or paste file path C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe and submit.
This method gives you no control over the specifics of the PowerShell invocation and has major limitations; in effect you'll end up with the following behavior:
Major limitations:
Script paths with embedded spaces and ' chars. cannot be invoked this way, because, even though such paths are passed with double quotes, the latter are in effect stripped by PowerShell, because the path is passed to the implied -Command parameter, which first strips (unescaped) double quotes from the command line before interpreting the result as PowerShell code - in which case paths with spaces are seen as multiple arguments / paths that contain (an odd number of) ' cause a syntax error.
Note that if you were to select pwsh.exe instead, the CLI of the cross-platform, install-on-demand PowerShell (Core) 7+ edition, that problem would not arise, because it defaults to the -File parameter - in which case a double-quoted script-file path is properly recognized.
For the difference between PowerShell CLI calls using -Command vs. those using -File, see this answer.
Passing arguments is not supported, which matters if you want to invoke .ps1 files directly from cmd.exe and need to pass arguments.
The redefinition is only in effect for the current user - which is probably a good thing, as other users may not expect this change, which can result in unwanted execution of scripts.
Whatever execution policy is in effect will be honored; e.g., if Restricted is in effect, invocation will fail altogether.
As with the default Run in PowerShell command, the window in which the script runs will automatically close when the script ends - thus, unless the script explicitly prompts the user before exiting, you may not be able to examine its output.
To exercise more control over how PowerShell invokes the script including support for paths with spaces and for passing arguments, use the programmatic method shown in the next section.
Programmatic method:
Important:
The GUI method overrides a programmatic solution, so it must be removed - the code below does this automatically.
Unfortunately, there's another, accidental override that can happen if you have Visual Studio Code installed: Whenever you use File Explorer's shortcut menu to open a file in Visual Studio Code, it unexpectedly becomes the default action. The code below detects this condition and fixes the problem, but it will resurface the next time a .ps1 file is opened this way.
Modify the registry to redefine the Open shortcut-menu command for *.ps1 files at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft.PowerShellScript.1\shell\Open\Command, as shown below.
You can run the code as-is to create a user-level file-type definition that:
uses the executable that runs the current PowerShell session, i.e. powershell.exe in Windows PowerShell, and pwsh.exe in PowerShell (Core) 7+.
respects the effective execution policy - add an -ExecutionPolicy argument to override.
loads the profiles first - add -NoProfile to suppress loading; this is primarily of interest if you're planning to directly invoke .ps1 files from cmd.exe, not (just) from File Explorer, in combination with not using -NoExit.
runs in the script in its own directory
keeps the session open after the script exits - remove -NoExit to exit the session when the script ends; this is primarily of interest if you're planning to directly invoke .ps1 files from cmd.exe, not (just) from File Explorer.
If you requirements differ - if you need different CLI parameters and /or you want to use pwsh.exe, i.e. PowerShell (Core) 7+ instead - tweak the code first, by modifying the $cmd = ... line below; see the comments above it.
# Specify if the change should apply to the CURRENT USER only, or to ALL users.
# NOTE: If you set this to $true - which is NOT ADVISABLE -
# you'll need to run this code ELEVATED (as administrator)
$forAllUsers = $false
# Determine the chosen scope's target registry key path.
$targetKey = "$(('HKCU', 'HKLM')[$forAllUsers]):\Software\Classes\Microsoft.PowerShellScript.1\shell\Open\Command"
# In the user-specific hive (HKCU: == HKEY_CURRENT_USER), the target key
# doesn't exist by default (whereas it does in the local-machine hive (HLKM: == HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE)),
# so we need to make sure that it exists.
if (-not $forAllUsers -and -not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $targetKey)) {
$null = New-Item -Path $targetKey -Force -ErrorAction Stop
}
# Specify the command to use when opening / double-clicking *.ps1 scripts:
# As written here:
# * The script runs in the directory in which it resides.
# * The profiles are loaded (add -NoProfile to change).
# * The current execution policy is respected (add -ExecutionPolicy <policy> to override, if possible)
# * The window stays open after the script exits (remove -NoExit to change)
# For help with all parameters, see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/about/about_powershell_exe
$cmd = "`"$((Get-Process -Id $PID).Path)`" -nologo -noexit -file `"%1`" %*"
# Write the command to the registry.
Set-ItemProperty -ErrorAction Stop -LiteralPath $targetKey -Name '(default)' -Value $cmd
Write-Verbose -Verbose "$(('User-level', 'Machine-level')[$forAllUsers]) file-type definition for *.ps1 files successfully updated."
# Additionally, make sure that NO OVERRIDES preempt the new definition.
# See if a user override established interactively via File Explorer happens to be defined,
# and remove it, if so.
if ($fileExplorerOverrideKey = Get-Item -ErrorAction Ignore -LiteralPath 'registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.ps1\UserChoice') {
Write-Verbose -Verbose 'Removing File Explorer override...'
# Get the parent key path and the key name
$parentKeyPath = $fileExplorerOverrideKey.PSParentPath -replace '^.+?::\w+\\' # Remove the 'Microsoft.PowerShell.Core\Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\' prefix
$keyName = $fileExplorerOverrideKey.PSChildName
$key = $null
try {
# Open the *parent* key for writing.
$key = [Microsoft.Win32.Registry]::CurrentUser.OpenSubkey($parentKeyPath, $true)
# Delete the subkey.
# !! Due to the specific permissions assigned by File Explorer to the key
# !! (an additional DENY access-control entry for the current user, for the key itself only, for the 'Set Value' permission),
# !! using the .DeleteSubKey*Tree*() method fails (Remove-Item implicitly uses this method and therefore fails too)
# !! However, since there should be no nested subkeys, using .DeleteSubkey() should work fine.
$key.DeleteSubKey($keyName)
}
catch {
throw
}
finally {
if ($key) { $key.Close()}
}
}
# See if *Visual Studio Code* was most recently used to open a *.ps1 file:
# If so, it inexplicably OVERRIDES a file-type definition.
# (This doesn't seem to happen with other executables.)
# !! We fix the problem, but it will RESURFACE the next time File Explorer's shortcut menu
# !! is used to open a *.ps1 file in Visual Studio Code.
if ($itm = Get-Item -ErrorAction Ignore -LiteralPath 'registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.ps1\OpenWithList') {
if (($names = $itm.GetValueNames().Where({ $itm.GetValue($_) -ceq 'Code.exe' })) -and ($mruList = $itm.GetValue('MRUList')) -and $mruList[0] -in $names) {
Write-Warning "Visual Studio Code was most recently used to open a .ps1 file, which unexpectedly overrides the file-type definition.`nCorrecting the problem for now, but it will resurface the next time you use File Explorer's shortcut menu to open a .ps1 file in Visual Studio Code."
# Note: Normally there aren't, but there *can* be *multiple* Code.exe entries, namely after manual removal of the MRUList:
# The next time you choose to open in VSCode via File Explorer's shortcut menu, an *additional* Code.exe entry is added.
do { # Trim the start of the MRUList until its first entry no longer references Code.exe
$mruList = $mruList.Substring(1)
} while ($mruList[0] -in $names)
# Update the MRUList value in the registry.
$itm | Set-ItemProperty -Name 'MRUList' -Value $mruList
}
}
Explanation of the predefined Run in PowerShell shortcut-menu command:
It is defined in registry key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft.PowerShellScript.1\shell\0\Command (as of Windows 10) as follows:
"C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe" "-Command" "if((Get-ExecutionPolicy ) -ne 'AllSigned') { Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process Bypass }; & '%1'"
This command is flawed in that it breaks with script-file paths that happen to contain ' characters.
Unless execution policy AllSigned is in effect - in which case only signed scripts can be executed but are executed without prompting - the command attempts to set the execution policy for the invoked process to Bypass, which means that any script can be executed, but only after the user responds to a confirmation prompt beforehand (irrespective of whether the script is signed or not, and whether it was downloaded from the web or not).
At least in earlier Windows 7 releases / PowerShell versions, the command was misdefined[1] in a way that effectively ignored the attempt to set the process' execution policy, which meant that whatever execution policy was persistently configured applied - and no confirmation prompt was shown.
Unless the targeted script explicitly pauses to wait for user input before exiting, the window in which the script will close automatically when the script finishes, so you may not get to see its output.
The targeted script executes in the directory in which it is located as the working directory (current location)
[1] The earlier, broken command definition was "C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe" "-file" "%1" "-Command" "if((Get-ExecutionPolicy ) -ne AllSigned) { Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process Bypass }", which meant what anything after -file "%1" was passed as arguments to file "%1" instead of the intended execution of the commands following -Command; additionally - a moot point - the AllSigned operand would have need to be quoted.
To execute a PS1 file by double-click (to run)
Make a shortcut for the file and set the target to this:
C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe "C:\Temp\MyPowershellScript.ps1"
Replace the second directory (the one in quotes) with the location of your script.
To read a PS1 file by double-click (to edit)
Same as above, but target ISE instead, as that will force it into edit mode.
C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell_ise.exe "C:\Temp\MyPowershellScript.ps1"
Server 2012 and newer by default do not associate the .PS1 file extension with the PowerShell executable; rather, they default to open .PS1 files with notepad by default for security reasons.
If you have access, you need to change the file association through the 'default programs' in your control panel for the .PS1 files to execute by double clicking.
Also be aware that you may have to change your execution policy to get particular scripts to run.
Also, as it sounds like this script might be a core automation, you can execute scripts from in another one with either of these, without the need to change the active working directory:
Invoke-Item ""
& ''
I have fixed the registry values so that the .ps1 scripts are executed with double click or with "Run with PowerShell" from any position without problem, even with paths with multiple consecutive spaces and with apostrophes:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.ps1]
#="Microsoft.PowerShellScript.1"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Powershell\command]
#="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe\" -NoExit -Command \"Set-Location -LiteralPath \\\"%V\\\"\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Shell\Powershell\command]
#="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe\" -NoExit -Command \"Set-Location -LiteralPath \\\"%V\\\"\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\Powershell\command]
#="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe\" -NoExit -Command \"Set-Location -LiteralPath \\\"%V\\\"\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft.PowerShellScript.1\DefaultIcon]
#="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe\",0"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft.PowerShellScript.1\Shell\Open\Command]
#="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe\" -File \"%1\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.ps1\Shell\0\Command]
#="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe\" -File \"%1\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.ps1\Shell\Edit\Command]
#="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell_ise.exe\" -File \"%1\""
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PowerShell\1\ShellIds\Microsoft.PowerShell]
"ExecutionPolicy"="RemoteSigned"
In our corporate environment, I am having difficulty with creating a PowerShell profile scripts.
To prevent users from writing documents on the local disk, the "Documents" directory is forced to be on a network drive. Commonly the "H:" (home) drive.
Likewise, users are forbidden from writing under C:\Windows\System32.
Where can I put the ISE profile script if these two are not available?
PSVersion 5.0.10586.117
PS C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0> $HOME, $PSHOME
C:\Users\pwatson
C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0
See also: Help-About about_Profiles
When I am not connected to the network, these are the $profile settings. I still cannot write under C:\Windows\System32 and the CurrentUser values are invalid.
PS C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0> $profile | Get-Member -Type NoteProperty | ForEach-Object {$_.ToString
()}
string AllUsersAllHosts=C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\profile.ps1
string AllUsersCurrentHost=C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\Microsoft.PowerShell_profile.ps1
string CurrentUserAllHosts=WindowsPowerShell\profile.ps1
string CurrentUserCurrentHost=WindowsPowerShell\Microsoft.PowerShell_profile.ps1
PS C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0>
One option is to create a shortcut with a target like this:
%systemRoot%\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -NoExit -file C:\somewhere\myprofile.ps1
and then always use this shortcut to start PowerShell.
This is not actually using the built-in PowerShell profile concept but it is dot-sourcing a ps1 file that behaves pretty much like a profile file.
If you like to start PowerShell from cmd.exe, create a batch-file with the same content as above and put it somewhere in your path (if you have permissions to do so)
I want to have several (more than one) PowerShell profiles which will create different environments.
More specifically I need way for start separate PowerShell ISE for work with TFS and other PowerShell ISE instance for regular work. 'TFS' environment require loading some additional snappins, modules, modify prompt and so on. I do not want all this stuff will be executed for regular PowerShell ISE sessions but only when I want to.
I found that I can automatically load arbitrary script through command line parameter -File, but it does not executed automatically..
I do it by creating a shortcut for PowerShell ISE with a default directory :
In the default Directory (here called D:\TFS) I create a .PS1 file called local_profile.ps1.
In the beginning of the current profile file (C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\profile.ps1) I add :
# Try to load local profile
Get-ChildItem "local_profile.ps1" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | %{.$_}
You just have to add your initialization code to D:\TFS\local_profile.ps1.
powershell ISE has a profile too.
Probably is something like:
E:\Users\UserName\Documents\WindowsPowerShell\Microsoft.PowerShellISE_profile.ps1
Or you can open powershell ise and look at $profile variable.
After locate your profile file, write your modules import and custom scripts in it.