PowerShell versions (5.1 vs 7+)

Introduction

PowerShell versions 5.1 and 7+ are different tools to run commands and scripts on Windows and other systems. Knowing the difference helps you pick the right one for your tasks.

You want to run scripts on Windows with full Windows system support.

You need to run PowerShell on Mac or Linux computers.

You want to use the latest features and faster performance.

You have old scripts that only work on Windows PowerShell 5.1.

You want to use cross-platform tools and modules.

Syntax

PowerShell

To check your PowerShell version, run:
$PSVersionTable.PSVersion

PowerShell 5.1 is the last Windows-only version installed by default on Windows 10 and earlier.

PowerShell 7+ is a newer, cross-platform version that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Examples

Shows the current PowerShell version you are using.

PowerShell

$PSVersionTable.PSVersion

Command to start PowerShell 7+ if installed alongside Windows PowerShell 5.1.

PowerShell

pwsh

Another way to see the PowerShell version.

PowerShell

Get-Host | Select-Object Version

Sample Program

This script prints your PowerShell version and tells you if you can use a new feature available only in PowerShell 7 or newer.

PowerShell

# Check PowerShell version
Write-Output "Your PowerShell version is: $($PSVersionTable.PSVersion)"

# Example: Use a feature only in PowerShell 7+
if ($PSVersionTable.PSVersion.Major -ge 7) {
    Write-Output "You can use the new 'ForEach-Object -Parallel' feature!"
} else {
    Write-Output "You are using Windows PowerShell 5.1 or older."
}

Important Notes

PowerShell 5.1 is built into Windows but does not run on Mac or Linux.

PowerShell 7+ is installed separately and can run on many operating systems.

Some older scripts may need changes to work in PowerShell 7+.

Summary

PowerShell 5.1 is Windows-only and comes pre-installed on many Windows PCs.

PowerShell 7+ is newer, faster, and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Check your version with $PSVersionTable.PSVersion to know what features you can use.

Practice

1. Which statement correctly describes PowerShell 5.1 compared to PowerShell 7+?

easy

A. PowerShell 7+ is only available on Linux systems.

B. PowerShell 5.1 is Windows-only and comes pre-installed on many Windows PCs.

C. PowerShell 5.1 is cross-platform and faster than PowerShell 7+.

D. PowerShell 7+ is the older version and no longer supported.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand PowerShell 5.1 platform support

   PowerShell 5.1 is built for Windows and comes pre-installed on many Windows machines.

2. Step 2: Compare with PowerShell 7+

   PowerShell 7+ is newer, faster, and supports Windows, Mac, and Linux.

3. Final Answer:

   PowerShell 5.1 is Windows-only and comes pre-installed on many Windows PCs. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   PowerShell 5.1 = Windows-only [OK]

Hint: Remember: 5.1 = Windows-only, 7+ = cross-platform [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking PowerShell 5.1 works on Mac/Linux
• Confusing which version is newer
• Assuming PowerShell 7+ is Windows-only

2. Which of the following is the correct PowerShell command to check your PowerShell version?

easy

A. $PSVersionTable.PSVersion

B. Get-PSVersion

C. Check-PSVersion

D. Show-Version

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the built-in variable for version info

   $PSVersionTable is a built-in variable that holds version details.

2. Step 2: Access the PSVersion property

   Using $PSVersionTable.PSVersion returns the current PowerShell version object.

3. Final Answer:

   $PSVersionTable.PSVersion -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Check version = $PSVersionTable.PSVersion [OK]

Hint: Use $PSVersionTable.PSVersion to see your PowerShell version [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using non-existent commands like Get-PSVersion
• Confusing variable names
• Trying commands that don't exist in PowerShell

3. What will be the output of this command in PowerShell 7+?

$PSVersionTable.PSVersion.Major

medium

A. 5

B. Error: Property not found

C. 1

D. 7

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the command

   $PSVersionTable.PSVersion returns a version object; .Major accesses the major version number.

2. Step 2: Identify the major version in PowerShell 7+

   PowerShell 7+ means the major version is 7, so the output is 7.

3. Final Answer:

   7 -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Major version in PS 7+ = 7 [OK]

Hint: Major version number is the first digit in $PSVersionTable.PSVersion [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming major version is 5 for PowerShell 7+
• Expecting full version string instead of major number
• Thinking .Major property does not exist

4. You run this script in PowerShell 5.1:

if ($PSVersionTable.PSVersion.Major -ge 7) { Write-Output "New version" } else { Write-Output "Old version" }

But it always outputs "Old version" even on PowerShell 7+. What is the likely problem?

medium

A. The script is running in PowerShell 5.1, not 7+.

B. The comparison operator -ge is invalid in PowerShell 5.1.

C. $PSVersionTable.PSVersion does not exist in PowerShell 5.1.

D. Write-Output cannot print strings in PowerShell 7+.

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the condition logic

   The script checks if major version is 7 or greater to print "New version".

2. Step 2: Understand why it outputs "Old version"

   If it always prints "Old version", the major version is less than 7, meaning the script runs in PowerShell 5.1 or older.

3. Final Answer:

   The script is running in PowerShell 5.1, not 7+. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Output "Old version" means PS version < 7 [OK]

Hint: If condition fails, check which PowerShell version runs the script [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking -ge operator is invalid in 5.1
• Assuming $PSVersionTable.PSVersion is missing in 5.1
• Believing Write-Output behaves differently in 7+

5. You want to write a script that uses a feature only available in PowerShell 7+, but your script might run on 5.1. How should you check the version before running the feature?

hard

A. Use if ($PSVersionTable.PSVersion -eq 7) { # run feature }

B. Use if ($PSVersionTable.Version -gt 7) { # run feature }

C. Use if ($PSVersionTable.PSVersion.Major -ge 7) { # run feature }

D. Use if ($PSVersionTable.PSVersion.Minor -ge 7) { # run feature }

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct property for major version

   $PSVersionTable.PSVersion.Major gives the major version number (5 or 7).

2. Step 2: Use proper comparison operator

   Using -ge 7 checks if version is 7 or higher, suitable for feature gating.

3. Final Answer:

   Use if ($PSVersionTable.PSVersion.Major -ge 7) { # run feature } -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Check major version with .Major and -ge 7 [OK]

Hint: Check major version with .Major and -ge 7 before running features [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Comparing full version object instead of .Major
• Using .Minor instead of .Major for major version check
• Using wrong property like $PSVersionTable.Version