Installing PowerShell on macOS: A Comprehensive Guide

PowerShell is a powerful cross-platform automation and configuration management tool that has become an essential part of the modern IT landscape. If you’re a macOS user, you’ll be glad to know that you can easily install and use PowerShell on your system. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various installation methods available and help you get started with PowerShell on your Mac.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the installation process, it’s important to note that PowerShell 7 or higher requires macOS 11 and higher. If you’re running an older version of macOS, you may need to consider upgrading your system or explore alternative options.

Installation Methods

Homebrew: The Preferred Package Manager

Homebrew is the go-to package manager for macOS, and it’s the preferred method for installing PowerShell. If you don’t have Homebrew installed, you can follow the instructions on the Homebrew website to get it set up. Once you have Homebrew installed, you can install the latest stable release of PowerShell with the following command:

brew install powershell/tap/powershell

This will install the latest stable version of PowerShell on your system. You can then verify the installation by running the pwsh command in your terminal.

Direct Download

If you prefer not to use Homebrew, you can also install PowerShell by downloading the installation package directly from the PowerShell GitHub releases page. PowerShell supports both x64 and ARM64 (Apple M1) processors, so make sure to download the appropriate package for your system.

Binary Archives

For advanced deployment scenarios, PowerShell also provides binary tar.gz archives for the macOS platform. This method allows you to install specific versions of PowerShell and manually install any necessary dependencies.

.NET Global Tool

If you already have the .NET Core SDK installed, you can install PowerShell as a .NET Global tool with the following command:

dotnet tool install --global PowerShell

This method adds the pwsh command to your system’s PATH, allowing you to run PowerShell from any directory.

Upgrading PowerShell

Regardless of the installation method you choose, you can easily upgrade to newer versions of PowerShell as they become available. For Homebrew-installed PowerShell, you can use the following commands to update your system:

brew update
brew upgrade powershell

For other installation methods, refer to the specific instructions provided in the corresponding section above.

Uninstalling PowerShell

If you need to remove PowerShell from your system, the process varies depending on the installation method you used:

Homebrew-installed PowerShell:

brew uninstall --cask powershell

Direct Download or Binary Archive installation:

sudo rm -rf /usr/local/bin/pwsh /usr/local/microsoft/powershell

Conclusion

Installing PowerShell on macOS is a straightforward process, and the various installation methods provide you with the flexibility to choose the one that best suits your needs. Whether you prefer the simplicity of Homebrew, the control of binary archives, or the convenience of a .NET Global tool, you can now enjoy the powerful automation and scripting capabilities of PowerShell on your macOS system.

For more information and additional resources, please refer to the PowerShell documentation.

Source: Installing PowerShell on macOS