Set ExecutionPolicy - PowerShell

Overview

The Set-ExecutionPolicy command allows you to configure the execution policy for PowerShell scripts. This policy determines whether scripts are allowed to run and to what extent. It enhances security by preventing the execution of malicious or untrusted scripts and helps maintain system stability.

Syntax

Set-ExecutionPolicy [(-ExecutionPolicy) <ExecutionPolicy>] [-Scope <PolicyScope>] [-Force] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm]

Options/Flags

| Option | Description | Default |
|—|—|—|
| -ExecutionPolicy | Sets the execution policy to one of the following: Restricted, AllSigned, RemoteSigned, Unrestricted, Bypass, or Default. | Default is Restricted. |
| -Scope | Sets the scope of the execution policy. Possible values are LocalMachine, CurrentUser, and Process. | Default is LocalMachine. |
| -Force | Suppresses the confirmation prompt when changing the execution policy. | False |
| -WhatIf | Previews the changes that would be made without actually changing the execution policy. | False |
| -Confirm | Prompts for confirmation before changing the execution policy. | False |

Examples

Set the execution policy to “Restricted” for the current user:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Restricted -Scope CurrentUser

Set the execution policy to “Unrestricted” for the local machine:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Scope LocalMachine

View the current execution policy for the process scope:

(Get-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process)

Common Issues

  • Permission denied: Ensure you have administrative privileges to change the execution policy.
  • Execution policy locked: The execution policy may be locked by group policy. You need to unlock it first.
  • Script execution blocked: If the execution policy is set to a restrictive setting, scripts will be blocked from running. Adjust the policy accordingly or use the -Force option to bypass it.

Integration

The Set-ExecutionPolicy command can be used in conjunction with other PowerShell cmdlets for automated policy management. For instance, you can create a script to check the current execution policy and modify it if necessary.