How to Check the Version of PowerShell on Any Windows System

Knowing which version of PowerShell you're running matters more than most people realize. Scripts written for PowerShell 7 may not work on PowerShell 5.1, cmdlets behave differently across versions, and some modules simply don't exist in older releases. Before you troubleshoot a script, configure automation, or follow any technical guide, confirming your PowerShell version is the right first step.

Why PowerShell Versioning Is More Complicated Than It Looks

PowerShell has two distinct lineages running in parallel today:

• Windows PowerShell (1.0–5.1): Built into Windows, ships with the OS, uses the .NET Framework. Version 5.1 is the last release in this line and remains on most Windows machines by default.
• PowerShell (6.0+, now called PowerShell Core or just PowerShell): Cross-platform, open-source, built on .NET Core/.NET 5+. Installed separately and runs alongside Windows PowerShell — not as a replacement unless you configure it that way.

These two versions can coexist on the same machine. Running a check in one won't tell you what's installed in the other. That distinction shapes everything about how you check and interpret your version.

The Fastest Way to Check Your PowerShell Version

Using $PSVersionTable 🔍

Open any PowerShell window and type: