Powershell Cannot Be Loaded Because Running Scripts Is Disabled on This System

By Timothy Tibbetts

on 07/21/2023

If you're trying to run a PowerShell script and get an error that says 'Powershell Cannot Be Loaded Because Running Scripts Is Disabled on This System' then you'll be glad to know this is a really simple fix.

Open PowerShell (Win + X on windows 10) and type in Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted. That's it!

You can see what your current Policy is by typing in Get-ExecutionPolicy.

Optionally, you can also set a specific policy level for security.

Restricted

Default execution policy in Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Windows 8.1.

Permits individual commands, but will not run scripts.

Prevents running of all script files, including formatting and configuration files (.ps1xml), module script files (.psm1), and Windows PowerShell profiles (.ps1).

AllSigned

Scripts can run.

Requires that all scripts and configuration files be signed by a trusted publisher, including scripts that you write on the local computer.

Prompts you before running scripts from publishers that you have not yet classified as trusted or untrusted.

Risks running signed, but malicious, scripts.

RemoteSigned

Scripts can run. This is the default execution policy in Windows Server 2012 R2.

Requires a digital signature from a trusted publisher on scripts and configuration files that are downloaded from the Internet (including e-mail and instant messaging programs).

Does not require digital signatures on scripts that you have written on the local computer (not downloaded from the Internet).

Runs scripts that are downloaded from the Internet and not signed, if the scripts are unblocked, such as by using the Unblock-File cmdlet.

Risks running unsigned scripts from sources other than the Internet and signed, but malicious, scripts.

Unrestricted

Unsigned scripts can run. (This risks running malicious scripts.)

Warns the user before running scripts and configuration files that are downloaded from the Internet.

Bypass

Nothing is blocked, and there are no warnings or prompts.

This execution policy is designed for configurations in which a Windows PowerShell script is built into a larger application or for configurations in which Windows PowerShell is the foundation for a program that has its security model.

Undefined

There is no execution policy set in the current scope.

If the execution policy in all scopes is Undefined, the effective execution policy is Restricted, which is the default execution policy.

If you want to know all the possible commands, be sure to see PowerShell Data Execution Policies Explained

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