Can I set PowerShell as 'default' in Windows 7?

I would like, by default, for PowerShell to be launched instead of Command when, say, running a batch file, or when I "Open Command Window Here", etc.

Any suggestions?

Solution 1:

I just did a very quick test and the following registry entry will add a "PowerShell here" item to the context menu of all folders in explorer:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\PowerShellHere]
@="&PowerShell here"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\PowerShellHere\command]
@="cmd.exe /c start \"PS\" powershell.exe -NoExit -Command \"cd \\\"%1\\\"\""

Just import it into the registry. I am using cmd.exe to bootstrap powershell in order to avoid having to hard-code the path.

Regarding cmd scripts/batch files. I think it does not make much sense to run CMD scripts within PowerShell by default. But it might be possible as well by modifying HKCR\cmdfile\shell\open registry key