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Tracking: MSIX packaging gaps for PowerShell 7 #27565

@theJasonHelmick

Description

@theJasonHelmick

PowerShell 7 is moving to MSIX packaging as part of the inboxing initiative. This issue tracks all known gaps between MSIX-packaged PS7 and the full capability set customers depend on today.

Each sub-issue below is a discrete gap with its own engineering scope. This issue will remain open until all blockers are resolved.


🔴 Blocker — System Context: pwsh invisible to automation

MSIX packages register per-user only. The SYSTEM account, LocalSystem, and service identities cannot locate or invoke pwsh, breaking any automation that doesn't run as an interactive user.


🔴 Blocker — DISM API: Windows Capability commands fail from PS7

Add-WindowsCapability, Get-WindowsOptionalFeature, and related DISM cmdlets fail with "Class not registered" when called from MSIX-packaged PS7. This breaks on-device setup and configuration scripts for OpenSSH, WSL, App SDK, and similar.


🟡 Enterprise Configuration: PS7 cannot write its own config

$PSHome is read-only under MSIX. Session configuration, machine-wide profiles, and any tooling that writes to PS7's home directory fails with access denied or silently does nothing.


🟢 Other confirmed gaps (tracked, not on critical path)


Status

Gap Status
SYSTEM / LocalSystem context In progress
WinRM / Remoting In progress
DISM (Add-WindowsCapability) In progress
$PSHome write access (#9278) Under investigation
AllUsersAllHosts write access Under investigation
.ps1 file association (#27277) Not on critical path
Silent write error (#25733) Not on critical path

We are committed to resolving the blocker gaps before PS7 ships as the inbox shell. Updates will be posted to each individual issue as progress is made.

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