How to install PowerShell 7.2 on Windows 10

PowerShell 7.2 is now available with many improvements, and these are the instructions to install it on Windows 10.

PowerShell 7.2 install on Windows 10
PowerShell 7.2 install on Windows 10

On Windows 10, PowerShell 7.2 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.

Version 7.2 was released on November 8, 2021, and it brings some new improvements, such as support for automatic updates through the Microsoft Update. The ability to update the app is enabled automatically, no matter how you install it, but you can always disable the functionality.

The app also introduces enhanced support for ANSI escape sequences for text decoding support. Microsoft is even adding a new $PSStyle variable to make it easy to add decoration to your scripts or cmdlets and control the use of ANSI escape sequences. Furthermore, version 7.2 has a new feature to use your history to predict what you may be typing. 

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 will learn the steps to install PowerShell 7.2 on Windows 10 using the manual installer or Microsoft Store.

Install PowerShell 7.2 on Windows 10

To install PowerShell 7.2 on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open PowerShell 7.2 on GitHub.

  2. Under the “Assets” section, click the PowerShell-7.2.0-win-x64.msi.

    PowerShell GitHub installer

  3. Save the file on the device.

  4. Double-click the downloaded file launch the installer.

  5. Click the Next button.

  6. (Optional) Select the installation folder.

  7. Click the Next button.

  8. (Optional) Check the Add ‘Open here’ context menu to Explorer option.

  9. (Optional) Check the Add ‘Run with PowerShell 7 context menu’ for PowerShell files option.

    PowerShell install options

  10. Click the Next button.

  11. Check the Enable updating PowerShell through Microsoft Update or WSUS option.

  12. Check the Use Microsoft Update when I check for updates option.

    PowerShell automatic updates

  13. Click the Next button.

  14. Click the Install button.

  15. 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. 

Install PowerShell 7.2 using Microsoft Store

To install PowerShell 7.2 on Windows 10 using the Microsoft Store, use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft Store on the web.

  2. Click the Get button for PowerShell 7.2.

  3. Click the Open button.

  4. 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.

Install PowerShell 7.2 using winget command

To install PowerShell 7.2 through Command Prompt, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  3. Type the following command to install PowerShell 7.2 on Windows 10 with winget and press Enter:

    winget install --id Microsoft.PowerShell

    winget install PowerShell

Once you complete the steps, the Windows Package Manager will download and install the latest version of PowerShell on your computer.

You can learn more about PowerShell, check out this Microsoft documentation website. Also, these instructions focus on Windows 10, but they should also work to install the new version of PowerShell on Windows 8.1 or Windows 10.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.