
On Windows 10, PowerShell 7.1 is the next major refresh of the Microsoft command-line shell and scripting language designed for advanced users and administrators to automate tasks and change settings.
The version 7.1 became available on November 11, 2020, and it includes several changes and fixes to improve version 7.0, which the company rolled out in March 2020. When installing this new version, it’ll not replace the legacy version of PowerShell already available on Windows 10.
Since it’s a cross-platform application, you can download and install the new version of PowerShell on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server (2012 R2 and later), Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, Fedora, and Alpine for Linux, and macOS. The app is also available for ARM-based devices, including for Windows, Ubuntu, Debian, and Alpine.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to install PowerShell 7.1 on Windows 10 using the manual installer or Microsoft Store.
How to install PowerShell 7.1 on Windows 10
To install PowerShell 7.1 on Windows 10, use these steps:
Under the Assets section, click the PowerShell-7.1.0-win-x64.msi or PowerShell-7.1.0-win-x86.msi depending on your Windows 10 installation.
Quick tip: You can always determine the Windows 10 architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) on Settings > System > About.Save the file on the device.
Double-click the downloaded file launch the installer.
Click the Next button.
(Optional) Select the installation folder.
PowerShell install folder location Click the Next button.
Check the Add ‘Open here’ context menu to Explorer option (if applicable).
PowerShell context menu option (Optional) Select the settings you want to use with PowerShell.
Click the Next button.
Click the Install button.
Click the Finish button.
Once you complete the steps, the new version of PowerShell will install on your device, and it’ll be available from the Start menu, and desktop and File Explorer right-click context menu.
How to install PowerShell 7.1 using Microsoft Store
Starting with version 7.1, you can now download and install PowerShell from the Microsoft Store, which allows you to get automatic updates and integrates with other software distributions.
To install PowerShell 7.1 on Windows 10 using the Microsoft Store, use these steps:
Click the Get button for PowerShell.
Click the Open button.
Click the Get button from the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft Store install PowerShell
After you complete the steps, you can click the Launch button or open the app from the Start menu to start using PowerShell.
If you want to learn more about PowerShell, check out this Microsoft documentation website.
These instructions focuses on Windows 10, but they should also work to install the new version of PowerShell on Windows 8.1.