To stop standard users from running PowerShell script files, disable the Turn on Script Execution Group Policy setting. That does not block interactive PowerShell commands. If you need to control access to PowerShell itself while keeping approved scripts or automation available, use application control—Microsoft identifies App Control for Business as its preferred Windows application-control system.
Choose the restriction that matches your goal
PowerShell restrictions differ in what they prevent. Execution policy governs scripts and configuration files; it is not a complete ban on opening the shell or entering commands. Application-control policies can govern which applications and scripts run, while a Just Enough Administration (JEA) endpoint can limit a remote session to approved commands.
| Requirement | Mechanism | What it does | Important limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prevent script files from running | Group Policy: Turn on Script Execution, set to Disabled | Disables script execution, equivalent to the Restricted execution policy. |
Does not prevent interactive command use. Microsoft: about_Execution_Policies |
| Control which applications and scripts can run | App Control for Business | Applies application-control policy to allowed applications and scripts; Microsoft describes it as its preferred Windows application-control system. | Policy design, audit or enforcement mode, and PowerShell version affect behavior. Microsoft: How App Control for Business works with PowerShell |
| Apply legacy application rules to selected users or groups | AppLocker | Rules can allow or deny scripts for specified users and groups; an unapproved script may run in ConstrainedLanguage mode rather than be completely blocked. | AppLocker remains supported, but Microsoft says it is no longer investing in it beyond security fixes. Microsoft: Script rules in AppLocker |
| Limit a remote administration session to defined commands | Just Enough Administration (JEA) | Can configure a remote session to use NoLanguage mode and expose only specified commands. | JEA is for designed remote sessions, not a general block on a local interactive shell. Microsoft: about_Language_Modes |
Disable script execution with Group Policy
Use this option when the requirement is specifically to stop script files from running. Microsoft describes execution policy as a safety feature that controls the conditions under which PowerShell loads configuration files and runs scripts—not as a security boundary that disables the interactive shell. See about_Execution_Policies and about_Group_Policy_Settings.
- Open the Group Policy editor used to manage the target computer or user policy.
- Go to Computer Configuration or User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows PowerShell.
- Open Turn on Script Execution, set it to Disabled, and apply the policy.
- Refresh policy on a representative device and verify the result with the script types and PowerShell versions in your environment.
The setting can be configured in both Computer Configuration and User Configuration; Computer Configuration takes precedence. This is useful when device-wide policy should override a user-level setting. The setting does not stop a user from launching PowerShell and typing commands interactively.
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Use application control when shell access must be constrained
If users should not have unrestricted PowerShell, or if approved automation must continue to work while untrusted content is restricted, consider application-control policy instead of treating execution policy as a shell ban. Microsoft identifies App Control for Business as its preferred Windows application-control system. Policy can allow trusted scripts and modules to run in FullLanguage mode while untrusted scripts run in ConstrainedLanguage mode, or block files according to the policy and the PowerShell version.
ConstrainedLanguage is not the same as disabling PowerShell: it restricts language features and object types, but some commands remain available. Policy outcome depends on how the policy is designed and deployed. Read Microsoft’s PowerShell application-control guidance and Use App Control to secure PowerShell before choosing audit or enforcement behavior.
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Where AppLocker fits
AppLocker can target rules to users or groups and remains supported, but Microsoft says it is no longer investing in AppLocker beyond security fixes. Its PowerShell handling may place an unapproved script in ConstrainedLanguage mode rather than fully block it, so confirm that actual behavior meets the requirement before relying on it. See Microsoft’s Script rules in AppLocker.
Keep approved remote administration available with JEA
For helpdesk or delegated administration, JEA can provide a remote PowerShell session limited to a defined set of commands. A JEA session configuration can use NoLanguage mode, but this is a design for the remote endpoint; it does not disable local PowerShell for standard users. See about_Language_Modes.
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Test scope, versions, and automation before enforcement
PowerShell behavior under application control has changed across Windows PowerShell 5.1 and PowerShell 7 releases. Microsoft documents version-specific behavior, including audit support in PowerShell 7.4. Before enforcing a policy broadly, test it on representative devices with the exact PowerShell versions, scripts, modules, and support workflows that need to keep working. Microsoft’s current overview is How App Control for Business works with PowerShell.
- Confirm whether the requirement is to block scripts, interactive use, or both.
- Identify which users or groups should be affected and whether device-level policy must take precedence.
- Exercise approved automation and remote support workflows under the proposed policy.
- Check audit results and enforcement behavior for each PowerShell version deployed.
Do not set $ExecutionContext.SessionState.LanguageMode manually as a durable security control. Microsoft describes changing language mode this way as useful for experimentation; language modes are intended to be set by application-control policy or session configuration. See about_Language_Modes.
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These controls address PowerShell behavior. They should not be treated as a guarantee that a computer cannot run code through other interpreters, alternate binaries, or changes made by administrators.
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