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Activating PowerShell in Windows 10 is straightforward and there are numerous methods available to help us open PowerShell in Windows 10. If you've ever heard of Command Prompt or CMD, PowerShell is an upgraded version of CMD.
Despite still using a dull TEXT interface and command-line execution, PowerShell is significantly more powerful than Command Prompt. It's the tool to replace Command Prompt on Windows 10. To understand the differences between Command Prompt and PowerShell, readers can refer to our previous article. In the article 'Distinguishing Command Prompt and PowerShell,' we highlight the significant improvements of PowerShell and why you should use it.
How to Access PowerShell in Windows 10
What is PowerShell?
Before diving into the specifics of opening PowerShell in Windows 10, let's explore what PowerShell is and its functionalities.
PowerShell is a tool developed to replace the familiar CMD command-line program on Windows. It uses Windows Command files .cmd and .bat along with basic commands to handle simple tasks. PowerShell operates within the .NET and .NET Framework environment, incorporating commands and scripting languages.
Opening PowerShell in Windows 10
Method 1:
Step 1: Prior to opening, we need to activate PowerShell as some computers default to Command Prompt. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
Note: Activating PowerShell won't remove Command Prompt; you can still use both simultaneously.
Step 2: In the Taskbar section, scroll down and activate the option Replace command prompt with Windows Powershell in the menu... to enable PowerShell on Windows 10.
Step 3: Then press the Windows + X key combination to open the Power Menu, where you'll see two options: Windows PowerShell and Windows PowerShell Admin. Click on either to open PowerShell in Windows 10.
Method 2
Step 1: In addition to the method above to open PowerShell in Windows 10, you can also use the search function to look for PowerShell keywords in the Start Menu, and the results will appear instantly.
Step 2: Upon clicking, you'll see PowerShell with a slightly altered interface and more commands displayed to assist you in using PowerShell more easily.
Additionally, you can also open PowerShell in Admin mode for executing commands with elevated privileges.
When switching to the admin interface, you'll notice the text 'Administrator' at the top.
Above is a basic guide to opening PowerShell in Windows 10, a useful tool that not everyone pays attention to on Windows 10. For instance, you can use PowerShell to back up drivers on Windows 10, a handy utility worth exploring. Check out how to use PowerShell to back up drivers right here to learn more about this feature.
