How to Enable and Utilize the Script Execution Policy in Windows PowerShell
iPowerShell, by default, lets you run commands (cmdlets) via its console. To execute a script, you can create a notepad file with the script code, save it with a .ps1 file extension, and execute it via the PowerShell console. You can also directly paste the script onto the console for execution.
However, if it’s your first time executing a script via PowerShell, you’ll encounter the “running script is disabled” error. By default, script execution on PowerShell is disabled as a security measure to prevent malicious scripts from running on your system. Here we show you the two ways to enable the scrip execution policy on Windows PowerShell.
How to Check Your Existing Execution Policy
you may use a PowerShell cmdlet to get your current execution policy. Knowing your current execution policy is necessary to know if you need a policy change or not.
To get your current execution policy for the current user:
You’ll need to change the execution policy to RemoteSigned to run local scripts without the error. You can change the execution policy from the Settings app and PowerShell.
How to Enable PowerShell Execution Policy Using the Settings App
You can change and set the PowerShell execution policy to RemoteSigned using the Settings app. All you have to do is tweak the PowerShell settings in the developers' section to change the execution policy to enable PowerShell script execution.
To change execution policy using Settings:
How to Allow Scripts to Run in PowerShell using PowerShell
it’s possible to use aPowerShell cmdletto set the execution policy to RemoteSigned. The command-line interface makes it easy to change execution policy quickly without using the Settings app.
Also, the Settings app can only enable or disable the RemoteSigned execution policy. Whereas PowerShell lets you set other policies and scopes as well.
To change the execution policy using PowerShell:
How to Remove Script Execution Policy Using PowerShell
If you want to disable script execution, set the execution policy toUndefinedusing the Set_ExecutionPolicycmdlet. This is a default state and prevents PowerShell from executing any scripts.
To disable script execution using PowerShell:
Understanding Execution Policies and Scopes
Simply put, PowerShell’s execution policy is a policy that controls how PowerShell executes config files and scripts. The intended purpose is to prevent users from accidentally running malicious scripts. The seven PowerShell execution policies areDefault, Restricted, RemoteSigned, AllSigned, Unrestricted, Bypass, and Undefined.
The below table briefly explains all the PowerShell execution policies:
Execution Policy
Enforcement
Sets the default execution policy as Restricted on Windows Client and RemoteSigned on Windows Server.
Allows execution of publisher signed scripts.
Unrestricted execution of scripts for larger applications.
RemoteSigned
Allows locally written script execution. Requires digital signatures for scripts downloaded from the internet.
Restricted
Doesn’t allow script execution, but only individual PowerShell commands.
Sets execution policy to Restricted for Windows clients and RemoteSigned for Windows Server.
Unrestricted
Allow unsigned script execution with a warning for the scripts downloaded from the internet.
Execution Policy Scope
you’re able to set execution policy for a particular scope in PowerShell. The five execution policy scopes areMachinePolicy, UserPolicy, Process, CurrentUser,andLocalMachine.
The below table briefly explains all the execution policy scopes:
UserPolicy
Configured by a Group Policy for the current user.
Machine Policy
Configured by a Group Policy for all the users.
CurrenUser
Configured for the current user and stored in HKEY_CURRENT_MACHINE registry subkey.
LocalMachine
Configured for all users and stored in HKEY_CURRENT_MACHINE registry subkey.
Affects current PowerShell session and automatically deleted when the session is closed.
Add or Remove PowerShell Script Execution Policy on Windows
Script execution on PowerShell is disabled by default for Windows clients and set to RemoteSigned for Windows server. Power users, however, can change execution policies to run local, signed, and unsigned PowerShell scripts.
Alternatively, you can bypass the PowerShell execution policy by pasting the script into a PowerShell console or ECHO your script into PowerShell standard input. This is useful if you want to execute scripts without changing the execution policy.
Get to know Windows PowerShell better with these handy commands.
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