How to Install PowerShell on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

PowerShell, developed by Microsoft, is a robust scripting language and automation framework that has carved a niche among Windows administrators. However, its capabilities aren’t confined to Windows alone. Recognizing the growing demand for cross-platform solutions, Microsoft expanded PowerShell’s reach to Linux, including distributions like Ubuntu.

Additional features of PowerShell:

• Cross-Platform Efficiency: PowerShell’s compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Linux ensures a consistent experience, enabling users to deploy the same scripts and commands across diverse operating systems.
• Advanced Automation: Renowned for its automation prowess, PowerShell facilitates the crafting of intricate scripts for task automation, system management, and efficient data processing.
• Seamless Microsoft Integration: For those engaged with Microsoft platforms like Azure, Office 365, or Active Directory, PowerShell offers tailored cmdlets and modules, streamlining interactions.
• Vibrant Community Backing: A dynamic and expansive PowerShell community offers invaluable resources, from specialized modules to expert guidance, enhancing user efficiency.
• Ongoing Development: Microsoft’s commitment to PowerShell’s evolution ensures it remains at the forefront of technological advancements.

For those keen on harnessing PowerShell’s capabilities on Ubuntu, we will continue the installation process using Microsoft’s official APT repository, ensuring you can access the latest versions and updates.

Prerequisites for Installing PowerShell

To successfully install PowerShell on Ubuntu, ensure you meet the following requirements:

System Requirements and Supported Ubuntu Versions

Component	Minimum Requirement
Processor	2 GHz or faster dual-core processor
RAM	4 GB or more
Disk Space	25 GB of free space
Network	High-speed internet connection
Supported Versions	Ubuntu 22.04 (Jammy), Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal)

Additional Requirements

Most of these will be automatically available on your default Ubuntu installation.

Requirement	Description
Internet Connection	Necessary for downloading PowerShell and applying updates.
Terminal Conventions	All terminal commands should be executed as a regular user with sudo privileges.
CLI Commands	Utilize the Command Line Interface (CLI) for installation and setup.
Package Management Tools	Ensure tools for managing packages are installed (e.g., apt, dpkg).

Update Ubuntu Before PowerShell Installation

Before installing, update your system to ensure all packages are up-to-date. This helps avoid any conflicts during the installation. To do this, open a terminal and execute the following command:

sudo apt update

Once the update is complete, upgrade any outdated packages with the command below:

sudo apt upgrade

Install Initial PowerShell Packages

To install PowerShell, you need to have specific dependencies in place. While most of these packages might already be present on your system, executing the following command ensures they are installed:

sudo apt install dirmngr lsb-release ca-certificates software-properties-common apt-transport-https curl -y

Import Microsoft PowerShell APT Repository

To ensure you always have the most up-to-date version of PowerShell available on your system, you must import the GPG key and the repository. Start by importing the GPG key using the command:

curl -fSsL https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | sudo gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/powershell.gpg > /dev/null

Next, import the repository that matches your Ubuntu distribution version.

Note: Ubuntu 24.04 Noble Numbat LTS is not supported at this time.

For Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy JellyFish LTS users, execute the following command:

echo "deb [arch=amd64,armhf,arm64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/powershell.gpg] https://packages.microsoft.com/ubuntu/22.04/prod/ jammy main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/powershell.list

For Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa LTS users, execute this command:

echo "deb [arch=amd64,armhf,arm64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/powershell.gpg] https://packages.microsoft.com/ubuntu/20.04/prod/ focal main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/powershell.list

Update the Packages List After the PowerShell PPA Import

After adding the PowerShell repository, update the packages list by running the following command:

sudo apt update

Finalize PowerShell Installation via APT Command

With everything in place, you can now install PowerShell using the command below:

sudo apt install powershell

Verify PowerShell Installation

With the installation complete, verifying that PowerShell has been correctly installed and is functional on your Ubuntu system is essential. To activate and launch a new PowerShell instance, enter the following command in your terminal:

pwsh

Upon executing the command, you should see a new PowerShell prompt, indicating that it runs successfully on your system.

Now that you have confirmed the successful installation of PowerShell, you can use it to manage your system, run scripts, and execute commands just like you would on a Windows system.

Basic PowerShell Commands

Accessing Help with PowerShell

To access the built-in help system and learn more about PowerShell commands and their usage, use the help command:

help

This command provides an overview of available cmdlets and basic usage instructions.

Obtain PowerShell Information

To get detailed information about the PowerShell environment, such as version and runtime, use the Get-Host cmdlet:

Get-Host

List Directory Contents on PowerShell

To list the contents of a directory, similar to the ls command in Linux, use the dir alias for the Get-ChildItem cmdlet:

dir

Display Command History on PowerShell

To view the history of previously executed commands in the current PowerShell session, use the Get-History cmdlet:

Get-History

List Process Information on PowerShell

To display information about the processes running on your system, use the Get-Process cmdlet:

Get-Process

Exit PowerShell instance on PowerShell

exit

Additional PowerShell Commands

Update PowerShell

To check for updates and upgrade all packages, including PowerShell, use the command line and execute the following command. This command ensures your system stays up-to-date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Remove PowerShell

If you decide to remove PowerShell from your system, follow these steps:

Use the following command to uninstall PowerShell:

sudo apt remove powershell

Remove the repository by executing the following command:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/powershell.list

For good housekeeping and security, delete the GPG key using the following command:

sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/powershell.gpg

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing PowerShell on Ubuntu using Microsoft’s official APT repository provides users with a powerful and versatile command-line interface. Following the steps outlined in this guide, users can seamlessly integrate PowerShell into their Ubuntu environment, expanding their toolkit for efficient system management.

Useful Links

Here is a valuable link related to using PowerShell:

• PowerShell Documentation: Access comprehensive documentation, including tutorials and reference materials, for detailed guides on installing, configuring, and using PowerShell.