What is .ps1?
.ps1 files contain source code written in PowerShell, a cross-platform task automation and configuration management framework. It consists of a command-line shell and a scripting language built on top of the .NET Common Language Runtime (CLR).
This quick guide explains when to use .ps1 files, how to open them on any device, and how to share them instantly with FileXhost.
When to use .ps1 files
- You want to automate complex administrative tasks on Windows (and now Linux/macOS).
- You need to manage cloud resources (Azure PowerShell, AWS Tools for PowerShell).
- You are writing scripts that need to manipulate objects, not just text.
- You are replacing legacy batch files (.bat) with something more powerful.
How to open .ps1 files
PS1 files are plain text and can be edited in any text editor. VS Code (with the PowerShell extension) and PowerShell ISE (Integrated Scripting Environment) are the standard tools for development.
Algorithm details
PowerShell is unique because it works with objects, not text. When you pipe output from one command to another (`Get-Service | Where-Object...`), you are passing actual .NET objects, allowing for powerful and robust data manipulation without complex text parsing.
Browser & platform support
- Direct: Not supported by browsers.
- Security: Browsers block .ps1 files by default as they are executable scripts.
Format comparison
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Object-Oriented | Unlike Bash or Cmd, which pass text, PowerShell passes objects (structured data). |
| Cross-Platform | PowerShell Core (pwsh) runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS. |
| Integration | Deep integration with the .NET framework, allowing access to almost any Windows API. |
How to create ps1 files
- VS Code: File > New File > script.ps1.
- Notepad: Save file as 'script.ps1'.
- CLI: 'New-Item script.ps1'.
How to convert ps1 files
- FileXhost: Upload to share scripts.
- Tools: Can be converted to .exe using tools like 'PS2EXE' for distribution.
Advantages & disadvantages
Advantages
- Extremely powerful for Windows administration
- Object-oriented pipeline is a game-changer
- Access to the full .NET framework
- Cross-platform (since version 6)
Disadvantages
- Verbose syntax compared to Bash
- Slower startup time than Bash or Cmd
- Execution policy restrictions can make running scripts tricky for beginners
Tools & software
IDEs
VS Code (Recommended), PowerShell ISE (Legacy)
Shell
PowerShell 5.1 (Windows), PowerShell 7+ (Cross-platform)
Cloud
Azure Cloud Shell
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I run my script?
By default, Windows prevents script execution for security. You may need to run `Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned` in an administrator terminal to allow scripts.
Is PowerShell only for Windows?
Not anymore! PowerShell Core (versions 6+) runs on Linux and macOS as well.
What is the difference between PowerShell and CMD?
CMD is a simple text-based shell from the DOS era. PowerShell is a modern, object-oriented shell built on .NET that can manage the entire OS.
Technical specs
- File type
- Code
- Extension
- .ps1
- MIME type
- text/x-powershell, application/x-powershell, text/plain
- Compression
- Uncompressed
- Max file size on FileXhost
- Up to 25 MB per file on the free plan and up to 1 GB on Pro FileXhost accounts.
Share .ps1 files instantly
Upload your .ps1 file to FileXhost to get a clean, shareable URL in seconds. View the file in a modern browser, protect access with optional settings, and let others download it without any confusing ads or cluttered file pages.
Upload .ps1 file