How to Change PowerShell Execution Policies in Windows 11

What Are PowerShell Execution Policies?

PowerShell execution policies in Windows 11 are safety settings that control if you can run scripts, which are like small programs, helping protect your computer from bad code.

You can set these rules for:

• Your whole computer (all users)
• Just your user account
• Only the current PowerShell window you’re using

Types of Execution Policies

Windows 11 offers several PowerShell execution policies, each with a different security level for running scripts, like ‘AllSigned’ which only allows scripts from trusted sources, or ‘Bypass’ which allows all scripts with no warnings.

• AllSigned — Only runs scripts signed by a trusted publisher. You’ll get asked if a script from a new source is allowed. This helps avoid running unsigned or unknown scripts.
• Bypass — No restrictions or warnings. Used when PowerShell runs inside another app that handles security.
• Default — No restrictions or warnings. Similar to Bypass for normal use.
• RemoteSigned — Default for Windows Server computers. Scripts you download from the internet must be signed by a trusted publisher. Scripts you write on your PC don’t need to be signed.
• Restricted — Default for Windows client computers (like your PC). Does not allow any scripts to run. Only individual commands are allowed.
• Undefined — No policy is set. This usually means Restricted for clients.
• Unrestricted — Runs all scripts, including unsigned ones. Warns you before running scripts downloaded from outside your local network. Risky if you run scripts from unknown sources.

Where Can You Set These Policies?

You can set policies in these places:

• MachinePolicy: Set by system administrators for all users on your PC.
• UserPolicy: Set for your user account by system administrators.
• Process: Only affects the current PowerShell window (temporary).
• CurrentUser: Affects only your user account.
• LocalMachine: Affects all users on your PC.

Check Your Current Execution Policies

Checking your current PowerShell execution policy in Windows 11 is important to know what rules are active, and you can easily see your setting by opening PowerShell as an administrator and typing `Get-ExecutionPolicy`.

How to Open PowerShell in Windows 11

Change Execution Policy Using Windows Settings (Easy Way)

You can change your PowerShell execution policy in Windows 11 easily using the Settings app, avoiding the need to type commands and making it a user-friendly way to adjust script security rules without complex technical steps.

Changing PowerShell execution policies using the graphical user interface is an accessible method. This graphical method allows users to change policies without needing to type complex commands in the PowerShell window.

What happens when done? Your PowerShell policies will update right away.

1. ⚙️ Open Settings by clicking the ⊞ Start menu and selecting Settings. Or press Windows key + I.
2. Click Privacy & security on the left menu.
3. On the right, find and click For developers.
4. Scroll down and find the PowerShell section. Click it to expand.
5. Toggle the switch to On to enable RemoteSigned and Restricted policies for your user.
6. Toggle it back to Off to disable these policies.
7. Close ⚙️ the Settings app.

Change Execution Policy Using PowerShell (Advanced)

For more control, you can change your PowerShell execution policy in Windows 11 using PowerShell commands, which is an advanced method that lets you set rules applying to all users and manage security settings directly.

Changing PowerShell execution policies offers broader options and allows administrators to set policies for all users on a Windows 11 computer, ensuring consistent script execution across the system. This method provides greater control compared to individual user settings.

What happens when done? Your chosen policy takes effect immediately.

First, open PowerShell as an administrator:

How to Open PowerShell as Administrator

To set a PowerShell execution policy in Windows 11, type a command and press Enter. Replace PolicyName with one of these options: AllSigned, Bypass, Default, RemoteSigned, Restricted, Undefined, or Unrestricted. For example, the command `Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned` applies the RemoteSigned policy.

Set-ExecutionPolicy PolicyName -Scope CurrentUser -Force

Or:

Set-ExecutionPolicy PolicyName -Scope LocalMachine -Force

⚠️ Admin Required: Using LocalMachine scope requires administrator privileges.

For example, to set the RemoteSigned policy for your user only:

Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser -Force

Change Execution Policy Using the Registry Editor (For Experts)

Expert users can change PowerShell execution policies in Windows 11 by editing the Registry Editor, but this method requires caution as you’ll be modifying system settings directly and it offers an alternative when other methods don’t work.

Changing PowerShell execution policies using the Group Policy Editor offers an alternative to command-line methods. This approach proves useful when PowerShell commands fail to execute correctly, providing a reliable way to manage script execution on Windows 11.

What happens when done? Changes will take effect after you restart your computer.

1. Open the Registry Editor by typing regedit in the ⊞ Start menu and pressing Enter.
2. Navigate to this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PowerShell\1\ShellIds\Microsoft.PowerShell
3. If you don’t see the Microsoft.PowerShell folder, 🖱️ right-click on ShellIds. Choose New > Key. Name it Microsoft.PowerShell.
4. Click on the Microsoft.PowerShell folder. 🖱️ Right-click on the right side and choose New > String Value.
5. Name the new value ExecutionPolicy.
6. Double-click ExecutionPolicy and enter one of the policy names as the value:

   • Restricted
   • AllSigned
   • RemoteSigned
   • Unrestricted
   • Bypass
7. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
8. 🔄 Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

⚠️ Admin Required: Editing the registry requires administrator privileges.

Summary

• PowerShell execution policies help control when scripts can run on your computer.
• There are several policy options. You can choose from very strict (Restricted) to very open (Bypass).
• You can change policies using the ⚙️ Windows Settings app, PowerShell commands, or the Registry Editor.
• Always be careful when running scripts from unknown sources. This keeps your PC safe.
• For more detailed info, visit the official Microsoft page: Microsoft PowerShell Execution Policies