How to Add or Remove 'Open PowerShell window here' context menu in Windows 10

Windows 10 comes with Windows PowerShell 5.0 included.

Windows PowerShell is a task-based command-line shell and scripting language designed especially for system administration. Built on the .NET Framework, Windows PowerShell helps IT professionals and power users control and automate the administration of the Windows operating system and applications that run on Windows.

For more details about Windows PowerShell, see:

• What's New in Windows PowerShell

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Open PowerShell window here context menu for all users in Windows 10.

While you must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove the "Open PowerShell window here" context menu, all users can use the context menu.

The "Open PowerShell window here" context menu will be available when you right click or shift + right click on a folder or drive, and when you right click or shift + right click on the background of a folder, drive, library background, or desktop.

Starting with Windows 10 build 14986, the Open command window here context menu item has been removed by default and replaced with the Open PowerShell window here context menu item.

Here's How:

1 Press the Win+R keys to open Run, type regedit, and press Enter to open Registry Editor.

2 In Registry Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\Powershell

3 Change the owner of the Powershell registry key in the left pane to be the Administrators group. (see screenshot below step 2)

4 Set permissions of the Powershell registry key in the left pane to "Allow" the Administrators group "Full control". (see screenshot below step 2)

5 In Registry Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below step 2)

6 Change the owner of the command registry key in the left pane to be the Administrators group. (see screenshot below step 2)

7 Set permissions of the command registry key in the left pane to "Allow" the Administrators group "Full control". (see screenshot below step 2)

8 In Registry Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Powershell

9 Change the owner of the Powershell registry key in the left pane to be the Administrators group. (see screenshot below step 8)

10 Set permissions of the Powershell registry key in the left pane to "Allow" the Administrators group "Full control". (see screenshot below step 8)

11 In Registry Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below step 8)

12 Change the owner of the Powershell registry key in the left pane to be the Administrators group. (see screenshot below step 8)

13 Set permissions of the Powershell registry key in the left pane to "Allow" the Administrators group "Full control". (see screenshot below step 8)

14 In Registry Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\Powershell

15 Change the owner of the Powershell registry key in the left pane to be the Administrators group. (see screenshot below step 14)

16 Set permissions of the Powershell registry key in the left pane to "Allow" the Administrators group "Full control". (see screenshot below step 14)

17 In Registry Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below step 14)

18 Change the owner of the Powershell registry key in the left pane to be the Administrators group. (see screenshot below step 14)

19 Set permissions of the Powershell registry key in the left pane to "Allow" the Administrators group "Full control". (see screenshot below step 14)


20 Do step 21 (add-right click), step 22 (add-Shift+right click) , or step 23 (remove) below for what you would like to do.

24 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

25 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

26 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

27 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.