And here I thought it was just a more advanced, more annoying version of cmd (that I’m hoping supports UNC paths1).
But Microsoft seems to think it’s something else entirely. I’m not sure what, though. But whatever it is, it’s really really freaking dangerous.
Of course, PowerShell did not destroy my computer. That wasn’t the point. The point was that Microsoft’s fear mongering was over the top. There’s no good reason for an installer to recommend that the user close all other programs. As for backups, the user should be doing regular backups anyway. There’s no reason the PowerShell installer in specific should be dangerous.
I find installer text reminding me to do a backup to be an admission that the installer is not safe. If it’s not safe, pull it until you have one that you’re sure is safe. Disclaimers like this might make sense for service packs, but not for installing an additional shell.
- Oddly enough, bash from cygwin supports UNC paths. [↩]