How to Disable PowerShell on Windows 11 or 10?

PowerShell will be a helpful tool for you if you want to run scripts and commands on your Windows computer to alter various settings and features. There may be several reasons you want to tweak the settings, like, if you want to manage some feature, troubleshoot problems, or automate any task.

Although this software makes all these tasks hassle-free, you might sometimes want to disable it on your computer. For instance, you can prevent executing malicious commands by disabling PowerShell. You might also want to disable it to comply with the company policies.

No matter the reason, you have several ways you can use to disable PowerShell on your computer. This risewindows article will discuss all these different ways to achieve that.

How to Turn Off PowerShell on Windows 11 or 10 using Security Policy?

Use the following steps to disable PowerShell on Windows 11 or 10 through Security Policy:-

Step 1: First, go to the Local Security Policy.

You can do that from the taskbar on your screen. Next, click on the Start button and type Local Security Policy. Please find it in the search results.

Step 2: Open the Software Restriction Policies branch by double-clicking on it.

If there isn’t any category in the “Software Restriction Policies” section, right-click on it and go to the New Software Restriction Policies option.

The Software Restriction Policies branch will display two major categories: Security Levels and Additional Rules.

Step 3: Go to the New Hash Rule option by right-clicking on the Additional Rules.

Step 4: Open the “New Hash Rule” window, and click on the Browse button.

Step 5: Once you do the above steps, File Explorer will appear on your screen. Browse the following path:-

%SystemRoot%\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0

Next, go to the powershell.exe executable file.

Step 6: Click on Open.

Step 7: Click on Apply.

Step 8: Click on OK.

Step 9: Click on the New Hash Rule option in the Additional Rules category.

Step 10: Now, as the “New Hash Rule” window option, click on browse.

Step 11: Now, as the File Explorer window shows up, browse the following:-

%SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0

Next, choose the powershell.exe executable file.

Step 13: Click on Apply.

Step 14: Click on OK.

Step 15: Navigate to the following path if you want to disable the PowerShell version 7 you’ve installed:-

%SystemRoot%\Program Files\PowerShell\7\pwsh.exe

Step 16: Select the Powershell.exe executable file in the File explorer windows.

Step 17: Click on Open button.

Step 18: Press on Apply button.

Step 19: Hit on OK button.

Step 20: Reboot your computer to apply the changes.

The 32-bit and 64-bit PowerShell will be disabled on your system after completing the above steps.

How to Disable Access to PowerShell ISE with Local Security Policy?

You still have restricted access to the command-line PowerShell tool using the above steps, and you can stop using the Powershell ISE interface. You the following steps to disable the access completely:-

Step 1: Open the Local Security Policy on your computer.

You can do that by going to the taskbar. On the taskbar, go to the start button, type Local Security Policy, and click on the same option in the search results.

Step 2: Expand the Software Restriction Policies branch.

Step 3: Go to the New Hash Rule option by right-clicking on Additional Rules.

Step 4: In the next window, click on the Browse option.

Step 5: File Explorer will pop up on your screen. Type the following and press Enter:-

“%SystemRoot%\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0”

Select the powershell_ise.exe executable file after that.

Step 6: Click on Open button.

Step 7: Press on Apply button.

Step 8: Hit on OK button.

Step 9: Again, Go to the New Hash Rule option after right-clicking on the Additional Rules category.

Step 10: Once the “New Hash Rule” window opens, click on Browse.

Step 11: Now, File Explorer will pop up on your screen. Type the following and press Enter:-

“%SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0”

Select the powershell_ise.exe executable file after that.

Step 12: Click on Open button.

Step 13: Press on Apply button.

Step 14: Hit on OK button.

Step 15: Reboot your system, and the changes will apply immediately, and 32-bit and 64-bit PowerShell ISE will be disabled on your computer.

How to Turn Off PowerShell on Windows 11 or 10 using Local Group Policy Editor?

Use the following steps to disable PowerShell on Windows 11 or 10 through Local Group Policy Editor:-

Step 1: Go to the Local Group Policy Editor on your computer.

Step 2: In the left sidebar of Local Group Policy Editor, type the following:-

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System

Step 3: Find the Don’t run specified Windows applications policy in the right side pane and double-click on it.

Step 4: Click on Enabled.

Step 5: Under the “Options” section, click on the Show button.

Step 6: Next, type the following in separate lines and click OK:-

• powershell.exe
• powershell_ise.exe
• pwsh.exe

Step 7: Click on Apply.

Step 8: Click on OK.

Step 9: Reboot your computer to apply the changes.

A message will pop up on your screen saying, “This app has been blocked by your system administrator,” whenever you run the disabled contents, i.e., PowerShell or PowerShellISE.

That is it.

You guys are amazing; keep reading, learning, and growing.

Also, read How to Customize or Turn Off the Desktop Selection Rectangle on Windows 11/10?