Set-ExecutionPolicy

Use Set-ExecutionPolicy to change the execution policy for a scope, controlling whether script files may run.

Command 1 min read Windows PowerShell 5.1 and PowerShell 7

Documentation: Microsoft Learn — Set-ExecutionPolicy

Written and tested by Dhrub Bharali · Updated 02 October 2026

Syntax

1PS> Set-ExecutionPolicy [-ExecutionPolicy] <ExecutionPolicy> [[-Scope] <executionpolicyscope>] [-Force] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

See the command anatomy

Read the command and its supplied arguments. This example requires real PowerShell or its module; this diagram does not execute it.

Set-ExecutionPolicy [-ExecutionPolicy] <ExecutionPolicy> [[-Scope] <executionpolicyscope>] [-Force] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

Stage 1Set-ExecutionPolicy-ExecutionPolicy -Scope -Force -WhatIf -Confirm

Try it

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Execution scope: The full example below requires PowerShell outside this browser. You can edit this runner to use the supported practice commands; unsupported syntax returns an explanation.

Command

Interactive simulation · fictional data

Examples

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

1PS> Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

Show reference output

Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

RemoteSigned

Get-ExecutionPolicy -List #

1PS> Get-ExecutionPolicy -List # check before and after

Show reference output

Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

Scope        ExecutionPolicy
-----        ---------------
MachinePolicy Undefined
UserPolicy    Undefined
Process       Undefined
CurrentUser   RemoteSigned
LocalMachine  RemoteSigned

Parameters

Parameter definitions:

-ExecutionPolicy
-Scope
-Force
-WhatIf
-Confirm

Set-ExecutionPolicy on Microsoft Learn

Practical use and troubleshooting

Practical scenario: Use Set-ExecutionPolicy when you need to change the execution policy for a scope, controlling whether script files may run. Start with one identified target and inspect the returned values before extending the operation to a list. Keep the identity in your report so you can trace each result back to the object or path that produced it.

Common error and fix: A policy change may be overridden by Group Policy or rejected without the required rights. Inspect effective scopes and follow the organisation's policy rather than trying progressively less restrictive settings. In an unattended script, capture this failure with its original error record and record which target failed. An empty result and an unsuccessful query must remain distinguishable in the final report.

See also: Get-ExecutionPolicy. Get-ExecutionPolicy inspects execution-policy scopes; Set-ExecutionPolicy changes a selected scope. Policy precedence can override a lower-scope setting and policy is not a security boundary. Read the linked command before substituting it; similar names do not imply identical inputs or output.

Set-ExecutionPolicy reference on Microsoft Learn

Recap

Set-ExecutionPolicy Use Set-ExecutionPolicy to change the execution policy for a scope, controlling whether script files may run.

Next: Get-ExecutionPolicy