Overall, PowerShell is a tool that people could use to execute a wide range of tasks on Windows computers. In most of the cases, PowerShell only opens when Windows users launch it but Windows PowerShell randomly opening is not unheard of. PowerShell keeps opening from time to time on your PC even though you don’t launch it? In that case, you have come to the right place.
Windows PowerShell Randomly Opening: Solutions
The issue of PowerShell randomly popping up on start-up or when running other programs is not new. With precise causes of this issue, we can now look out for possible fixes to the problem.
Check Out Windows Task Scheduler
Do you have a scheduled task that uses Windows PowerShell on your PC? In most cases, Windows PowerShell randomly opening on a computer is brought up by scheduled tasks that use Windows PowerShell. To ensure no active schedule task, follow the steps below.
- Step 1: Go to Search bar, type Task Scheduler and press Enter.
- Step 2: Under Active Tasks, locate tasks that involve the use of PowerShell and disable them.
- Step 3: Restart your computer.
Disable PowerShell In Startup
You might have unknowingly added Windows PowerShell to the Start-up folder which causes it to open randomly at start-up. Luckily, you can eliminate it from the start-up folder by following the steps down below.
- Step 1: Right-click anywhere on the space on the taskbar then pick Task Manager.
- Step 2: Go to Start-up tab
- Step 3: Find Windows PowerShell on the Start-up tab, right-click it and pick Disable.
Remove Windows PowerShell Shortcut
Other than having the PowerShell program on the start-up folder, having its shortcut here might cause the problem of PowerShell popping up randomly. Here is how to remove the shortcut from the start-up folder.
- Step 1: Go to Search bar, type %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp and hit Enter.
- Step 2: If you see the Windows PowerShell shortcut, delete it. That will remove PowerShell shortcut from Start-up folder and put an end to Windows PowerShell randomly opening.
- Step 3: Restart your computer.
Look For PowerShell Auto-starts
If the above fixes are not stopping PowerShell from randomly opening, it might be automatically starting somewhere on your PC. Since you don’t exactly know where, you will have to use Autoruns for Windows v13.100. The program is excellent in listing all apps configured to run on your computer during boot up or when logging in.
- Step 1: Open Autoruns for Windows v13.100 link.
- ·Step 2: Click Download Autoruns and Autorunsc link that is just before the Introduction section to download a zip file.
- Step 3: Open the location of the zip file you just downloaded. If you use Google Chrome, it will appear in the bottom left corner of your browser. Click the arrow beside the file and select Show in folder.
- Step 4: Once the zip file location opens, right-click it and pick Extract All…
- Step 5: On the first screen, hit Extract. This will unzip the file, automatically opening a folder called Autoruns.
- Step 6: Click Autoruns to run the program then give it time to load auto-run entries.
- Step 7: Proceed to enter PowerShell in the Filter field. PowerShell will be displayed if it is configured to auto-open on start-up. Uncheck the checkbox beside it to disable the auto-start entry.
If nothing is displayed in the Filter field after entering Powershell, it is not set up to auto-start in any location in the registry.
Scan PC For Malware
If the above fixes are not working, Powershell randomly opening on your PC might be caused by malware. To fix it, you can scan your PC using Windows Defender.
- Step 1: Select the Start menu.
- Step 2: Enter Windows Defender in the text box for Searching programs and files
- Step 3: Select Windows Defender. You may be required to check for updates. If prompted, hit Check for updates now.
- Step 4: Click Scan. This action will scan your PC to alert you of any malicious activity if any is discovered.
Uninstall Windows PowerShell
If you have any other issues related to PowerShell versions or are still encountering this issue after trying the above fixes, you can do away with PowerShell altogether. Nevertheless, this could be the best option if you aren’t a System administrator.
- Step 1: Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Step 2: Enter the following command and press enter key.
Dism /online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:”MicrosoftWindowsPowerShellV2Root”
- Step 3: After the command finishes, restart your PC.
The Usual Suspects
Windows PowerShell randomly opening on your PC is caused by various reasons. You might see this issue after opening or restarting your PC. It might also interrupt your game, tabbing you out of it as you play the game. Below are common reasons why PowerShell will randomly open and close on your PC.
- Scheduled tasks
- Malware
- PowerShell or its shortcut is in Start-up folder
- Configuration
- Windows PowerShell versions
Is Windows PowerShell Safe?
Windows PowerShell can be an essential tool for system administration. However, the 2.0 engine is considered a security risk that can run malicious scripts. The PowerShell.exe should be located in C > Windows > System32 > WindowsPowerShell > v1.0. If it is somewhere else, it might not be genuine.
Do I Need PowerShell?
Windows PowerShell usually comes with the modern Windows versions but it is not essential to every user. However, if you are a system administrator, PowerShell might be the most important program on Windows. For instance, Managed services providers need the 130+ command-line tools in PowerShell for streamlining and scaling tasks in local and remote systems.
