Why are my PowerShell scripts not running?

I wrote a simple batch file as a PowerShell script, and I am getting errors when they run.

It's in a scripts directory in my path. This is the error I get:

Cannot be loaded because the execution of scripts is disabled on this system. Please see "get-help about-signing".

I looked in the help, but it's less than helpful.

Solution 1:

It could be PowerShell's default security level, which (IIRC) will only run signed scripts.

Try typing this:

set-executionpolicy remotesigned

That will tell PowerShell to allow local (that is, on a local drive) unsigned scripts to run.

Then try executing your script again.

Solution 2:

You need to run Set-ExecutionPolicy:

Set-ExecutionPolicy Restricted <-- Will not allow any powershell scripts to run.  Only individual commands may be run.

Set-ExecutionPolicy AllSigned <-- Will allow signed powershell scripts to run.

Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned <-- Allows unsigned local script and signed remote powershell scripts to run.

Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted <-- Will allow unsigned powershell scripts to run.  Warns before running downloaded scripts.

Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass <-- Nothing is blocked and there are no warnings or prompts.