Last Updated on August 7, 2025 by Arnav Sharma
The world of scripting and automation has taken a significant leap forward with the introduction of PowerShell 7. As Microsoft continues to innovate, PowerShell 7 emerges as a beacon of modernization for IT professionals and developers alike. Here’s what you need to know about upgrading to PowerShell 7 and the plethora of installation options available to suit your workflow.
Installation on Windows OS
PowerShell 7 offers a variety of installation methods, each designed to cater to different scenarios and preferences:
Winget: The recommended method for Windows clients, Winget simplifies the installation process with straightforward commands
winget install --id Microsoft.Powershell --source winget
MSI Package: Ideal for Windows Servers and enterprise deployment, ensuring a smooth integration into your existing infrastructure.
msiexec.exe /package PowerShell-7.3.9-win-x64.msi /quiet ADD_EXPLORER_CONTEXT_MENU_OPENPOWERSHELL=1
ZIP Package: Provides the flexibility to “side-load” or maintain multiple versions of PowerShell, perfect for specific environments like Windows Nano Server, Windows IoT, and Arm-based systems.
Expand-Archive -Path .PowerShell-7.3.9-win-x64.zip -DestinationPath 'C:Program FilesPowerShell 7'
.NET Global Tool: A boon for .NET developers, this method aligns with the installation of other global tools.
dotnet tool install --global PowerShell
What’s New in PowerShell 7?
PowerShell 7 is not just an update; it’s a significant upgrade that runs side-by-side with Windows PowerShell 5.1. It introduces a new directory structure, enhanced support for Microsoft Update, and a streamlined upgrade path from previous versions. PowerShell 7.3, for instance, is installed to $env:ProgramFilesPowerShell7, adding itself to the system’s PATH and ensuring that previous versions are gracefully replaced.
Enhanced Update Mechanism
Starting with PowerShell 7.2, Microsoft Update integration means that you’ll receive the latest updates as part of your standard update management flow. This feature can be controlled through command-line options during installation, providing flexibility for administrators.
Deployment and Compatibility
PowerShell 7 continues to support a wide range of Windows versions and is compatible with various processor architectures. Whether you’re running on a server or a client, on x64 or Arm64, PowerShell 7 is designed to fit seamlessly into your environment.
Useful Commands for Upgrading
Here are some commands that can be particularly useful when upgrading to PowerShell 7:
To search for the latest version of PowerShell using Winget:
winget search Microsoft.PowerShell
To check your current PowerShell version:
$PSVersionTable.PSVersion
Installation Options for macOS Users
PowerShell 7 supports macOS 10.13 and higher, and there are several methods to install or update it on your Mac:
- Homebrew: The preferred package manager for macOS, Homebrew makes installing PowerShell straightforward.
brew install --cask powershell
- Direct Download: You can download the PowerShell package directly from the GitHub releases page and install it manually.
- Binary Archives: For advanced deployment, binary tar.gz archives are available, which require manual installation of dependencies.
Installing the Latest Stable Release
The latest stable release of PowerShell can be installed using Homebrew with the following command:
brew install powershell/tap/powershell
After installation, you can verify it by running:
pwshTo update PowerShell when new versions are released:
brew update
brew upgrade powershell
- Installing PowerShell Core on Windows
- Installing PowerShell Core on Linux
- Installing PowerShell Core on macOS
- Installing PowerShell Core on ARM
I help organisations secure their cloud infrastructure and stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. Microsoft MVP and Certified Trainer, author of Mastering Azure Security, and founder of arnav.au — a platform for practical Cloud, Cybersecurity, DevOps and AI content.