Last version of PowerShell for Windows 7

Diatomacious

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Putting together an EOL installation disk for Windows 7 and was wondering what was the last version of PowerShell that supported it? I'm coming up with 7.2.13 as being the last but since Microsoft has basically thrown Windows 7 under the bus I thought I would ask here.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom build
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
i5-4460
Motherboard
MSI H97M-G43
Memory
16GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 650Ti
Hard Drives
Samsung 250 SSD
Antivirus
None
Browser
Internet Explorer 11
Powershell 5 is fully supported on Windows 7, for sure. It's the last version based on the full (now defunct) .NET Framework. Here is the official documentation saying that at least Powershell 5.1 does support Win7:
Windows PowerShell System Requirements - PowerShell | Microsoft Learn

For Powershell 6, since it's from then on based on .NET Core, the major requirement is that runtime. The official blog post announcing it states Win7 support too:
PowerShell Core 6.0: Generally Available (GA) and Supported! - PowerShell Team

About Powershell 7, it's base on .NET Core 3, and it IS supported on Win7. However, documentation no longer list Windows 7 as part of the supported platforms:
Installing PowerShell on Windows - PowerShell | Microsoft Learn
Migrating from Windows PowerShell 5.1 to PowerShell 7 - PowerShell | Microsoft Learn

I'm not sure of whether it's a real unsupported version that really no longer works on Windows 7, or just an "ommision" to force people forget about Win7. It's prerequisites are for sure supported, so I guess there is a good chance that it'll actually work, but a serious test needs to be done.

To sum up:
Powershell 5.1: fully supported.
Powershell 6.0: fully supported.
Powershell 7.3: not officially, but may work if you just try to install it.
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Sattelite A665-S6092
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Core i7-740QM
Memory
8 GB DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce 330GT
Screen Resolution
1366x768
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 SSD 500GB
1TB USB3 external HD
Cooling
Coolermaster Notepal U3 notebook cooling pad
Internet Speed
3mbps ASDL
Antivirus
ClamWin 0.98.7
Browser
Opera 12.17 x86 (main), Firefox 38 (sec), IE11 (last resort)
Thanks for the reply. I've downloaded Windows Management Framework 5.1, which does support Win 7. WMF 4.0 and earlier are no longer available for download from Microsoft (I think 5.1 replaces 4, 3 and 2 but not 100% sure, I know it says it fully replaces 5.0).

I've tried 7.3 but it will crash before it can load up. 7.2 will install and run but I was not sure if it's fully supported (I'm thinking it is). Documentation for Win 7 is being taken down from Microsoft servers. Just saw today that both Win 10 and 11 are only supported until 2025. Just feels like everything is being rushed out the door. The price we pay for the trillion dollar Covid cold war, Microsoft has taxes to pay.

Windows update no longer downloads a lot of hotfixes for Win 7, I had to use KUC checker to obtain copies of them. Looks like .NET 4.8 is the last framework for Win 7 as well. Windows 7 will continue to function offline but for online it is being given the axe.

All that comes to mind this early in the morning (for me anyway). I'll continue to investigate and see what I can come up with. I've got a pretty solid disk put together so far and should only be a couple more things to add at this point. I'm using dism command line to add all updates into the installation media, don't really trust third party apps like nlite, vlite as they always seem to screw something up.

If anyone wants a copy to check out let me know and I can upload somewhere. Professional x64 is the version I'm working with (the only one I have a license for).
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom build
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
i5-4460
Motherboard
MSI H97M-G43
Memory
16GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 650Ti
Hard Drives
Samsung 250 SSD
Antivirus
None
Browser
Internet Explorer 11
I'm running a small home network of 3 PC's. Two are now on Win11, with the 3rd still on Win7 as a legacy failsafe (particularly with all this "revocation" confusion going on).

The most recent Powershell version on Win7 that I've managed to have work is 7.1.4, which is fully supported. Anything later just falls over with a whinge about NET versions. I haven't been able to install 7.2 at all.

The Win11 installations are on Powershell 7.3.6, with one machine using 7.4.0 preview 5.
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP 250 G7
OS
Windows 7 Pro x64
CPU
Intel i5-8265U
Motherboard
Intel Coffee Lake
Memory
8gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel Iris Plus 655
Sound Card
Realtek HDA
Monitor(s) Displays
Generic
Screen Resolution
1366 x 768
Hard Drives
Crucial P5 NVMe 1Tb internal
WD's 4Tb, 3Tb, 2 x 2Tb external
Mouse
Logi wireless
Internet Speed
45 Mbps
Antivirus
AVG
Browser
Firefox 88, Pale Moon 29, Brave 129
Other Info
Combination of i5-8265U with Crucial P5 achieves Crystal Bench scores > 5000

Iris Plus GPU (Whiskey Lake) driver from BioStar

HP 250 G7 is a budget machine
Thanks for the information. I seem to be able to install and run 7.2.13 I just didn't give it a real world test to make sure of functionality. I have .NET 4.8 installed and updated, not sure if that's what makes the difference. I grabbed a copy of 7.1.4 off github just in case. I noticed 7.1 goes all the way up to 7.1.7 being the last version in the 7.1 series, have you given it a try? I went ahead and grabbed a copy while it's still up. 7.3 and up will simply crash out necessitating and uninstall. Gotta love VMware snapshot.

I've been running Win 10 for several years now and was not aware of the changes they had made to Win 7.

- - - Updated - - -

Spent a couple of hours downloading all the background programs like ADLDS, NT Backup, Fmapi, Virtual PC and lots of others. Have yet to see if they can be installed into the installation media but I have them on hand in case I get that bored. Most will probably never be used by me but just in case. Amazing how much better Windows 7 runs when all the latest updates are applied, and how fast it is. I'll probably just add them to a usb installation key in case I need them later. Don't have any ESU updates as I never enrolled in the ESU program (I think they only offered it to businesses but can't remember off the top of my head).

Ciao for now.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom build
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
i5-4460
Motherboard
MSI H97M-G43
Memory
16GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 650Ti
Hard Drives
Samsung 250 SSD
Antivirus
None
Browser
Internet Explorer 11
I know this is an old thread but I want to help others still using Windows 7. The maximum supported version is Microsoft PowerShell 7.2.23. Version 7.3 installs but crashes when loading. Higher versions don't install at all, they display a warning that a higher version of Windows is needed. Before you can install PowerShell 6 or higher, you need to install Windows Management Framework 4.0 (KB2819745).

Direct links:
Windows Management Framework 4.0 (KB2819745) 32-bit
Windows Management Framework 4.0 (KB2819745) 64-bit
Microsoft PowerShell 7.2.23 32-bit
Microsoft PowerShell 7.2.23 64-bit
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (now 11 24H2)
CPU
Intel Core-i3 3770 3.5GHz
Motherboard
Asus P8H61
Memory
16GB DDR3 1600Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia Geforce RTX 3050
Sound Card
Realtek HD audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Sony 19" LCD TV via VGA
Screen Resolution
1440x900
Hard Drives
WD 1TB SATA III SSD
PSU
unknown
Case
unknown
Cooling
Intel's provided with CPU
Antivirus
Windows Defender (Windows 11)
Browser
Microsoft Edge
Other Info
Previously Windows 7 Ultimate, now Windows 11 24H2
i agree with @Alejandro85

Powershell 5.1: fully supported.
Powershell 6.0: fully supported.

ps5.1 and pwsh6.2.4.0 i have ...
works for win7 32bit..
but ps7 not sry hh..
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit
    Antivirus
    What is that? 👀
    Browser
    IE 9
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝟕 x86
    OS
    AlienOS
    Motherboard
    ALIENZ
    Internet Speed
    2FAST4U
    Antivirus
    What is that? 👀
In my previous post I said 7.2.23 was the last one compatible with Windows 7 and 8/8.1 Among too many of versions in each release page at GitHub I missed 7.2.24 and thought 7.2.23 was the last. I upgraded to 7.2.24 and it works without issues, so this is the last even if the difference is negligible. So version 7.2.24 is truly the last. My apologies.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (now 11 24H2)
CPU
Intel Core-i3 3770 3.5GHz
Motherboard
Asus P8H61
Memory
16GB DDR3 1600Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia Geforce RTX 3050
Sound Card
Realtek HD audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Sony 19" LCD TV via VGA
Screen Resolution
1440x900
Hard Drives
WD 1TB SATA III SSD
PSU
unknown
Case
unknown
Cooling
Intel's provided with CPU
Antivirus
Windows Defender (Windows 11)
Browser
Microsoft Edge
Other Info
Previously Windows 7 Ultimate, now Windows 11 24H2
... So version 7.2.24 is truly the last.
Firstly thank you very much for help!
Microsoft has made it very difficult, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that they hardly sabotages Windows 7, which is by far the best and fastest version, which consumes the fewest resources.

Downloaded & Installed the
"Windows Management Framework 4.0 (KB2819745) 64-bit" (Windows6.1-KB2819745-x64-MultiPkg.msu),
and the
"PowerShell-7.2.24-win-x64.msi" ( Releases . PowerShell/PowerShell . GitHub ).
As you installing it's recommended to check the checkboxes to set the %Path%, and menu shorcuts.
(or else set later using the SET command)


I'm running x64 bit OS and I don't know if I should have downloaded the x86 versions as well, but it worked.

However, after reboot I tried to get version info and I getting this:
( using the PS command $PSVersionTable )

Administrator: CommandPrompt
Code:
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.
  C:\Program Files\PowerShell\7> powershell

Windows PowerShell
Copyright (C) 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

PS C:\Program Files\PowerShell\7> $PSVersionTable

Name                           Value
----                           -----
PSVersion                      4.0
WSManStackVersion              3.0
SerializationVersion           1.1.0.1
CLRVersion                     4.0.30319.42000
BuildVersion                   6.3.9600.16406
PSCompatibleVersions           {1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0}
PSRemotingProtocolVersion      2.2
I don't know also if I should install powershell somewhere else ie. at "C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\7...".
Also, I already had the version "
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 (KB4503575)" installed, if that matters.

EDIT:
Use PwSh(.exe) instead of PowerShell(.exe)
I usually using the Command Prompt to enter to the Powershell but this is running the previous installed version. But if, instead of a Powershell command, use the Pwsh command from the Command Prompt, then PS version 7 opens normally.

Note that PS7 is installed into "%ProgramFiles%\PowerShell\7\" instead of older versions that are installed into System folder "%WinDir%\system32\WindowsPowerShell\..." ...v1.0\Modules\....

Administrator: CommandPrompt
Code:
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.
  C:\Windows\system32> pwsh

PowerShell 7.2.24
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation.

https://aka.ms/powershell
Type 'help' to get help.

   A new PowerShell stable release is available: v7.5.2
   Upgrade now, or check out the release page at:
     https://aka.ms/PowerShell-Release?tag=v7.5.2

PS C:\Windows\System32> $PSVersionTable

Name                           Value
----                           -----
PSVersion                      7.2.24
PSEdition                      Core
GitCommitId                    7.2.24
OS                             Microsoft Windows 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
Platform                       Win32NT
PSCompatibleVersions           {1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0…}
PSRemotingProtocolVersion      2.3
SerializationVersion           1.1.0.1
WSManStackVersion              3.0

@spapakons *Τώρα μόλις παρατήρησα το ελληνικό σημαιάκι, ωστόσο νομίζω πως είμαστε υποχρεωμένοι να γράφουμε αγγλικά εδώ, ώστε να βοηθούνται όλοι. Και πάλι ευχαριστώ.
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    W7U x64
    CPU
    AMD A4-6300 APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics 3.70 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock FM2A78M-DG3+
    Memory
    2x8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GT710 2GB DDR3
    Sound Card
    Tascam US-122L
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 + (1280x1024 x2)
    Hard Drives
    HDDs
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
@spapakons *Τώρα μόλις παρατήρησα το ελληνικό σημαιάκι, ωστόσο νομίζω πως είμαστε υποχρεωμένοι να γράφουμε αγγλικά εδώ, ώστε να βοηθούνται όλοι. Και πάλι ευχαριστώ.
Ναι, οι κανόνες του φόρουμ λένε ότι πρέπει να γράφουμε στα Αγγλικά ή να παραθέτουμε μετάφραση για να καταλαβαίνουν όλοι.

English: Yes, according to forum rules we must post in English or at least provide a translation so everybody can read it.

PS: Don't judge me from my very few posts here in Sevenforums. I have thousands of posts in Tenforums and Elevenforum. This is because I discovered Sevenforums long after I had upgraded to Windows 8.1 and later to 10. I just post here to help, if it happens to have relevant experience. That's why these forums are for. To share knowledge and to get help much faster and much more reliably than the official Microsoft support.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (now 11 24H2)
CPU
Intel Core-i3 3770 3.5GHz
Motherboard
Asus P8H61
Memory
16GB DDR3 1600Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia Geforce RTX 3050
Sound Card
Realtek HD audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Sony 19" LCD TV via VGA
Screen Resolution
1440x900
Hard Drives
WD 1TB SATA III SSD
PSU
unknown
Case
unknown
Cooling
Intel's provided with CPU
Antivirus
Windows Defender (Windows 11)
Browser
Microsoft Edge
Other Info
Previously Windows 7 Ultimate, now Windows 11 24H2
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