How to Check the PowerShell Version in Windows 10

Are you curious about your PC’s PowerShell version and how to find it on your Windows 10 system? PowerShell is a powerful tool for managing and automating tasks in Windows, and knowing your PowerShell version is essential for ensuring compatibility with various scripts and commands. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through multiple methods to check your PowerShell version, so you can confidently work with this versatile tool.

Find Your PowerShell Version

To begin your journey in discovering your PowerShell version, follow these simple steps:

1. Access PowerShell: First, open the “Start” menu, and search for “Windows PowerShell.” Click on it in the search results to open a PowerShell window.
2. Enter Command: In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:

$PSVersionTable

This command will retrieve information about your PowerShell version.

3. Identify Your Version: PowerShell will display various pieces of information. Look for the “PSVersion” entry, which will indicate your PowerShell version. This version number is crucial for determining the capabilities and features available to you.

4. Close the Window: Once you’ve noted your PowerShell version, you can close the PowerShell window.

How to Get PowerShell 7 Version

If you’re interested in checking your PowerShell 7 version specifically, follow these steps:

1. Open PowerShell 7: Simply open PowerShell 7 on your Windows 10 system. Your PowerShell version is displayed in the very first line of the window every time you open a new instance.
2. Alternative Command: In case the above method doesn’t work, you can also use the following PowerShell command to check your version:

$PSVersionTable

Get PowerShell Version with the get-host Command

To check your local PowerShell version, you can utilize the get-host command:

1. Open PowerShell: Launch any version of PowerShell on your computer.
2. Enter Command: Type the following command into the PowerShell window:

get-host

3. Version Displayed: Your PowerShell version number will be displayed neatly in the output.

Find PowerShell Version Using the $Host Variable

Another method to identify your PowerShell version involves querying the $Host variable:

1. Open PowerShell: Begin by opening a PowerShell window.
2. Enter Command: Input the following command:

$host.version

3. Review Version: Your version number will be presented in an organized format, allowing you to easily determine your PowerShell version.

Check Your PowerShell Version in the Windows Registry

If you prefer to check your PowerShell version through the Windows Registry, follow these steps:

1. Open Registry Editor: Open the Start Menu and search for “Regedit.” Launch the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to Registry Location: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following location or paste it into the address bar:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft

3. Find PowerShell Version: Scroll through the list of entries until you locate the PowerShell listings. PowerShell 5 and PowerShell 7 may be in slightly different locations, so keep an eye out. To find your exact version number:

• For PowerShell 5, navigate to:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PowerShell\3\PowerShellEngine

• Check the “PowerShellVersion” entry. For PowerShell 7, look in the following location:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PowerShellCore\InstalledVersions\31ab5147-9a97-4452-8443-d9709f0516e1

Your PowerShell 7 version is displayed next to the “SemanticVersion” entry.

Update PowerShell in Windows 10

Keeping your PowerShell up to date is essential for accessing the latest features and security improvements. Windows 10 typically updates the built-in PowerShell tool when you install system updates. Here’s how you can ensure you’re running the latest version:

1. System Updates: Regularly update your Windows 10 system to receive the latest version of PowerShell through Windows Update.
2. Download Latest Version: If you need a specific version of PowerShell or want to update it manually, you can download the installer file from the official PowerShell GitHub repository.

By following these methods, you can easily determine your PowerShell version and keep it up to date, ensuring that you have access to the latest features and capabilities for managing your Windows 10 system effectively.

In conclusion, understanding your PowerShell version is vital for optimizing your Windows 10 experience. Whether you need to check it for compatibility with scripts or simply want to stay up to date with the latest features, these methods will help you identify your PowerShell version with ease.