How to Restore Windows PowerShell to Default Settings

If you’ve customized your Windows PowerShell settings and want to revert to the default configuration, there are a few methods you can use to restore PowerShell to its original state. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.

Method 1: Use the Defaults Option in PowerShell

The easiest way to reset PowerShell is by using the built-in Defaults option:

1. Open PowerShell
2. Right-click on the title bar and select “Defaults”
3. In the “Console” tab, click “OK” to restore the default settings

This will reset the font size, colors, and other visual settings to their default values.

Method 2: Use a Registry File

If the Defaults option doesn’t work, you can download a registry file to reset PowerShell:

1. Download the “Command Prompt Default” registry file from a trusted source like MajorGeeks
2. Double-click the downloaded file and click “Yes” to merge it into the registry
3. Click “OK” to close the confirmation window

This registry file will restore the default settings for both Command Prompt and PowerShell.

Method 3: Manually Delete Registry Keys

As a last resort, you can manually delete the registry keys that store PowerShell’s settings:

1. Open the Registry Editor (regedit.exe)
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console
3. Delete the “%%Startup” and “PowerShell” keys
4. Close Registry Editor and restart PowerShell

PowerShell will recreate the deleted keys with default settings on the next launch.

To run the Restore-Computer cmdlet on Windows Vista and later, you must open PowerShell with administrator privileges.

The Restore-Computer cmdlet uses the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) SystemRestore class to restore the system to a previous state.