This document is about support for PowerShell. Windows PowerShell (1.0 - 5.1) is a component of
the Windows operating system. For more information, see
Product and Services Lifecycle Information.
An LTS release of PowerShell is built on an LTS release of .NET. Updates to an LTS
release only contain critical security updates and servicing fixes that are designed to minimize
impact on existing workloads.
A current release is a release that occurs between LTS releases. Current releases can
contain critical fixes, innovations, and new features. Microsoft supports a current release for
six months after the next LTS release.
Both LTS and current versions of PowerShell receive security updates and bug fixes.
Microsoft only supports the latest update version of a release.
Getting support
Microsoft provides support for PowerShell on a best-effort basis. Support for Windows PowerShell 5.1
is provided through Windows support channels. You can use the standard paid support channels to get
support for PowerShell.
There are many free support options available from the PowerShell community. The most active
community support channels are available through Discord or Slack. The discussion channels
are mirrored on both platforms, so you can choose the platform that you prefer. These channels can
help you troubleshoot issues, answer questions, and provide guidance on how to use PowerShell.
If you think that you found a bug, you can file an issue on GitHub. The PowerShell team can't
provide support through GitHub, but they welcome bug reports. The community support page
provides links to the most popular community support channels.
Supported platforms
PowerShell runs on multiple operating systems (OS) and processor architecture platforms. The
platform must meet the following criteria:
The target platform (OS version and processor architecture) is supported by .NET.
Microsoft has tested and approved PowerShell on the target platform.
The OS version is supported by the distributor for at least one year.
The OS version isn't an interim release or equivalent.
The OS version is currently supported by the distributor.
Support for PowerShell ends when either of the following conditions are met:
The target platform reaches end-of-life as defined by the platform owner
The specific version of PowerShell reaches end-of-life
After a version of PowerShell reaches end-of-life, no further updates, including security updates,
are provided. Microsoft encourages customers to upgrade to a supported version of PowerShell to
continue receiving updates and support.
Docker images containing PowerShell 7.4 and PowerShell 7.5-preview for x64 for Windows Server
2022, Windows Server Core 2022, and Windows Server Nano build 1809 are available from the
Microsoft Artifact Registry.
PowerShell 7.4 and higher can be installed on Windows 10 build 1607 and higher, Windows 11,
Windows Server 2016 and higher.
Note
Support for a specific version of Windows is determined by the Microsoft Support Lifecycle
policies. For more information, see:
Docker images containing PowerShell 7.4 and PowerShell 7.5-preview for x64 are available from the
Microsoft Artifact Registry for the following versions of Alpine:
Alpine 3.20 - OS support ends on 2026-04-01
Docker images of PowerShell aren't available for Alpine 3.21.
Important
The Docker images are built from official operating system (OS) images provide by the OS
distributor. These images may not have the latest security updates. Microsoft recommends that you
update the OS packages to the latest version to ensure the latest security updates are applied.
Docker images containing PowerShell 7.4 and PowerShell 7.5-preview for x64 are available from the
Microsoft Artifact Registry for the following versions of Debian:
Debian 12 (Bookworm) - OS support ends on 2026-06-10
Important
The Docker images are built from official operating system (OS) images provide by the OS
distributor. These images may not have the latest security updates. Microsoft recommends that you
update the OS packages to the latest version to ensure the latest security updates are applied.
Docker images containing PowerShell 7.4 and PowerShell 7.5-preview for x64 are available from the
Microsoft Artifact Registry for the following versions of RHEL:
RHEL 9 - OS support ends on 2032-05-31
RHEL 8 - OS support ends on 2029-05-31
PowerShell is tested on Red Hat Universal Base Images (UBI). For more information, see the
UBI information page.
Important
The Docker images are built from official operating system (OS) images provide by the OS
distributor. These images may not have the latest security updates. Microsoft recommends that you
update the OS packages to the latest version to ensure the latest security updates are applied.
Docker images containing PowerShell 7.4 and PowerShell 7.5-preview for x64 and Arm32 are available
from the Microsoft Artifact Registry for the following versions of Ubuntu:
Ubuntu 24.04 (Noble Numbat) - OS support ends on 2029-04-01
Ubuntu 22.04 (Jammy Jellyfish) - OS support ends on 2027-04-01
Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa) - OS support ends on 2025-04-02
The Docker images are built from official operating system (OS) images provide by the OS
distributor. These images may not have the latest security updates. Microsoft recommends that you
update the OS packages to the latest version to ensure the latest security updates are applied.
Support for PowerShell modules
The support lifecycle for PowerShell doesn't cover modules that ship outside of the PowerShell
release package. For example, using the ActiveDirectory module that ships as part of Windows
Server is supported under the Windows Support Lifecycle.
Support for experimental features
Experimental features aren't intended to be used in production environments. We appreciate
feedback on experimental features and we provide best-effort support for them.
Notes on licensing
PowerShell is released under the MIT license. Under this license, and without a paid support
agreement, users are limited to community support. With community support, Microsoft makes no
guarantees of responsiveness or fixes.
PowerShell end-of-support dates
The PowerShell support lifecycle follows the support lifecycle of .NET. The following table
lists the end-of-support dates for the current versions of PowerShell:
The following table contains a historical timeline of the major releases of Windows PowerShell.
Microsoft no longer supports Windows PowerShell versions lower than 5.1.
Version
Release Date
Note
Windows PowerShell 5.1
Aug-2016
Released in Windows 10 Anniversary Update and Windows Server 2016, WMF 5.1
Windows PowerShell 5.0
Feb-2016
Released in Windows Management Framework (WMF) 5.0
Windows PowerShell 4.0
Oct-2013
Released in Windows 8.1 and with Windows Server 2012 R2, WMF 4.0
Windows PowerShell 3.0
Oct-2012
Released in Windows 8 and with Windows Server 2012 WMF 3.0
Windows PowerShell 2.0
Jul-2009
Released in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, WMF 2.0
Windows PowerShell 1.0
Nov-2006
Released as optional component of Windows Server 2008
Run the following command to see the full version number of .NET used by the version of PowerShell
you're running:
The source for this content can be found on GitHub, where you can also create and review issues and pull requests. For more information, see our contributor guide.
PowerShell feedback
PowerShell is an open source project. Select a link to provide feedback:
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