How to Use Execution Policy in PowerShell: Simple Guide

Use the Set-ExecutionPolicy cmdlet in PowerShell to control script execution permissions. You can set policies like Restricted, RemoteSigned, or Unrestricted to allow or block scripts from running.

Syntax

The basic syntax to set the execution policy is:

• Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy <PolicyName>: Sets the policy.
• -Scope <ScopeName> (optional): Defines where the policy applies (e.g., CurrentUser, LocalMachine).
• -Force (optional): Applies the change without asking for confirmation.

powershell

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser -Force

Example

This example sets the execution policy to RemoteSigned for the current user, allowing scripts created locally to run but requiring downloaded scripts to be signed.

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Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser -Force
Get-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser

Output

RemoteSigned

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes include:

• Trying to set the policy without administrator rights when changing LocalMachine scope.
• Not specifying the scope and unintentionally changing the policy for all users.
• Ignoring the confirmation prompt without using -Force.
• Expecting the policy to allow scripts without understanding the difference between policies like Restricted and RemoteSigned.

powershell

## Wrong: Changing LocalMachine without admin rights
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

## Right: Change for current user without admin
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Scope CurrentUser -Force

Quick Reference

Execution Policy	Description
Restricted	No scripts run. This is the default on Windows.
AllSigned	Only scripts signed by a trusted publisher run.
RemoteSigned	Locally created scripts run; downloaded scripts must be signed.
Unrestricted	All scripts run; warnings for downloaded scripts.
Bypass	No restrictions or warnings.
Undefined	No policy set in the scope.

Key Takeaways

Use Set-ExecutionPolicy to control script permissions in PowerShell.

Specify the scope to avoid changing policies for all users unintentionally.

Use -Force to skip confirmation prompts when setting policies.

RemoteSigned is a safe default allowing local scripts but protecting from unsigned downloads.

Administrator rights are required to change policies at the LocalMachine scope.