The fastest way to check your PowerShell version

Open PowerShell and type $PSVersionTable, then press Enter. A table will appear showing your PowerShell version in the first row under "PSVersion". This is the most direct method and works on any Windows machine with PowerShell installed.

If you want just the version number without the full table, type $PSVersionTable.PSVersion instead. Either command takes two seconds and tells you exactly what you're running.

Key Takeaways

  • Type $PSVersionTable in PowerShell and press Enter to see your full version information in a table format.
  • Use $PSVersionTable.PSVersion if you only want the version number without extra details.
  • Windows 10 and 11 come with PowerShell 5.1 by default, but you may have PowerShell 7 installed separately.
  • Different versions have different commands and features, so knowing your version matters if a script isn't working.
  • You can check your version from the regular Command Prompt by typing powershell -Command "$PSVersionTable.PSVersion".

Opening PowerShell on your machine

The method depends on your Windows version. On Windows 10 or 11, right-click the Start button and select "Windows PowerShell" or "Terminal" from the menu. On older Windows versions, search for "PowerShell" in the Start menu and click the result.

If you see "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" in the menu, you can use that instead — it opens with administrator permissions, which some commands need. For most version checks, regular PowerShell works fine.

Understanding what the version table shows you

When you run $PSVersionTable, you get several rows of information. The "PSVersion" row is what matters most — it shows your PowerShell version as a number like 5.1 or 7.3. The "PSEdition" row tells you whether you're running "Desktop" (the older version built into Windows) or "Core" (the newer cross-platform version).

You'll also see the .NET Framework version and the operating system version. These details matter if you're troubleshooting why a script won't run, because some scripts need PowerShell 7 or higher, while others only work on the Desktop edition.

The difference between PowerShell 5.1 and PowerShell 7

Windows 10 and 11 come with PowerShell 5.1 (Desktop edition) already installed. PowerShell 7 is a separate download that runs alongside it. Version 7 is newer, faster, and works on Mac and Linux too, but not every script written for version 5.1 works on version 7.

If you see "PSVersion 5.1" and "PSEdition Desktop", you're running the built-in version. If you see "PSVersion 7.x" and "PSEdition Core", you downloaded and installed PowerShell 7 separately. You can have both on the same machine — they don't conflict.

Checking your version from Command Prompt instead

If you're in the regular Command Prompt and don't want to open PowerShell separately, type this single line: powershell -Command "$PSVersionTable.PSVersion" and press Enter. PowerShell will launch, show you the version, and close automatically.

This method is useful if you're writing a batch script or need to check the version without keeping PowerShell open. The output appears in the Command Prompt window itself, so you see the result without switching applications.

Why your version matters for scripts and commands

Different PowerShell versions support different commands and features. A script written for PowerShell 7 might use syntax that doesn't exist in version 5.1, causing an error. Knowing your version helps you understand whether a script will work before you run it.

If you find a script online and it fails, one of the first things to check is whether it requires a specific PowerShell version. The script's documentation usually says "requires PowerShell 7" or "works with 5.1 and higher". Your version check tells you whether you meet that requirement.

Installing PowerShell 7 if you need a newer version

Download PowerShell 7 from the official Microsoft GitHub releases page. Search for "PowerShell releases" and look for the Windows installer (.msi file). Run the installer and follow the prompts — it installs alongside your existing PowerShell 5.1 without removing it.

After installation, open PowerShell 7 separately and run $PSVersionTable again to confirm the new version is installed. You'll now have both versions available, and you can choose which one to use depending on what you're running.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I update PowerShell 5.1 to a newer version?

No, PowerShell 5.1 is built into Windows and cannot be updated. To use a newer version, you download PowerShell 7 as a separate program. Both can run on the same machine without conflict.

What if $PSVersionTable doesn't work?

This command works on all Windows versions with PowerShell installed. If you get an error, make sure you're typing it exactly as shown, including the dollar sign and capital letters. Copy and paste it directly if you're unsure.

Does my version number matter if I'm just learning PowerShell?

Not much. Most basic commands work the same in version 5.1 and 7. It only matters when you're running specific scripts or using advanced features. Check your version if a script fails, but don't worry about it while learning fundamentals.

Why do I see two different PowerShell programs in my Start menu?

If you installed PowerShell 7, Windows shows both the built-in version 5.1 and the new version 7 separately. You can use either one. Version 7 is newer and recommended for new work, but version 5.1 works fine for most tasks.

Can I check the version of PowerShell on someone else's computer remotely?

Yes, if you have remote access set up. Use the command Invoke-Command -ComputerName [computer name] -ScriptBlock {$PSVersionTable.PSVersion}, replacing [computer name] with the actual machine name. This requires the remote computer to have PowerShell remoting turned on.