Can't install Powershell 3.0

Im trying to install powershell 3.0 on my Win7 64 bit pc, but I get the error "the update is not applicable to your computer."

After googling the error, all the solutions I see are that you need to install .net 4 full profile.

However, .net 4 won't install, as I have .net 4.5 installed. I did a repair on .net 4.5 to see if that would help, but it didnt.

Anyone know of a solution? Im wondering if I have to uninstall .net 4.5 and 4 and reinstall them.

Update: I uninstalled .NET 4.5 and 4 and reinstalled the 4.0 full profile - no luck I double checked I had the correct version for Win 7 64 bit - I do...

Keltari

Posted 2013-01-25T17:50:16.857

Reputation: 57 019

It's a shame that something like this should be such a brittle process. It's 2016 and I'm still facing this same issue upgrading powershell. Unfortunately your list detailing what eventually worked for you is a journey round the world. I'm demoralized even before starting! – Ifedi Okonkwo – 2016-06-28T20:18:12.107

I am seeing exactly the same error message on Windows 10, I've tried 3-4 different powershells now all of them fail to install. The error message doesn't give any hint whatsoever about why it failed. Just "Not applicable". Also many of the people commenting here should be downvoted. – Owl – 2017-06-05T16:33:44.727

How can we help you if you don't provide the installation error codes? – Ramhound – 2013-01-25T17:59:58.607

there are no error codes, as there are no errors other than "the update is not applicable." – Keltari – 2013-01-25T18:07:27.833

.NET Framework 4.5 is an in-place replacement for .NET Framework. So having .NET Framework 4.5 is NOT the reason this installer is failing. Are you saying that the installer doesn't even start AT ALL? – Ramhound – 2013-01-25T18:08:47.520

what part do you not understand? The Powershell 3 installer exits with "the update is not applicable" .Net4.5 is installed and is working fine. – Keltari – 2013-01-25T18:12:50.043

You have Windows 7 Service Pack 1 installed correct? Just verify you meet all the requirements listed here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=34595 with the understanding that .NET Framework 4.5 is an replacement for .NET Framework 4.0

– Ramhound – 2013-01-25T18:39:32.877

The logical solution would be to get rid of .NET Framework 4.5 replace it with .NET Framework 4.0 then see if Powershell 3.0 would install. At that point you could install .NET Framework 4.5 and verify thats indeed the reason the installer wasn't working. I don't meant to sound short by when I am able to find tons of information on how to solve this problem, it makes it look like, you didn't research the problem before you asked for help. You should read http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh847837.aspx and http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh847769.aspx

– Ramhound – 2013-01-25T18:48:08.127

I read those, they werent helpful, thats why I asked here. I suppose I can try uninstalling the .NETs and reinstall them. – Keltari – 2013-01-25T20:51:10.097

1If you don't answer my important questions I can't help. – Ramhound – 2013-01-25T20:57:08.253

@Keltari: Managed to get it to install? I'm having the same issue. – SuperOli – 2013-02-01T14:53:39.797

Answers

I finally got Powershell 3 to install! This was a complete PITA.

To be honest, Ive tried so many things and got so many errors, Im not entirely sure what did the trick exactly. I dont know if all the steps were necessary, but in the end it ended up working.

Uninstalled .NET 4.5
Uninstalled .NET 4
Uninstalled any other .NET related applications such as SDKs and some other things
rebooted
Installed .NET 4 Full client profile for Win 7 64 bit
Installed patches to .NET 4
rebooted
extracted the .CAB files from the installer for Powershell 3 for Win 7 64 bit
ran pkmgr on the extracted .CAB file (I dont think this helped, I know it failed in many attempts while trying to get it working)
ran wusa.exe on the extracted .CAB file (I think this is what did it in the end) got a reboot notification
rebooted
ran a get-host in powershell and it returned version 3. (woohoo!)
reinstalled .NET 4.5
installed patches for .NET 4.5 rebooted
ran a get-host in powershell and it still worked returned version 3 (phew)

Keltari

Posted 2013-01-25T17:50:16.857

Reputation: 57 019

1I don't feel safe uninstalling frameworks ;( – BjarkeCK – 2013-10-21T08:21:59.717

Check you don't have a pre-release version installed. If so, uninstall it first then try again.

Alternatively, if you're absolutely sure you have all the pre-requisites in place, there is a possible workaround:

Unpack the EXE as if it were a ZIP file (I used 7-zip), open CMD in the same directory, then run the following substituting the name of your extracted CAB file:

start /w %SystemRoot%\system32\pkgmgr.exe /ip /m:Windows6.1-KB2506143-x86.cab

Wait until prompted to reboot, then reboot.

Source: Microsoft Connect - Quote was posted as a workaround and has been edited slightly to improve grammar

Graham Wager

Posted 2013-01-25T17:50:16.857

Reputation: 10 589

2I gave it a shot, seemed promising, but eventually errored out with "can not find specified file" ] – Keltari – 2013-02-04T22:16:38.677

I have windows 7 home premium. I had the same issue and found a solution that worked for me in a book I purchased. The book is "Learn windows PowerShell 3 in a month of lunches". (second edition)In Chapter 1, 1.5 it states that PowerShell 3 requires .NET Framework v4. I downloaded it from Microsoft website and then I was able to download and install PowerShell 3 without any error.

Steve

Posted 2013-01-25T17:50:16.857

Reputation: 11

Whenever I get this error it's because I accidentally downloaded the wrong version, since I'm on x64 also I d/l the x86 version or ia64 version by accident. Could that be the case? simplest things first I suppose :-)

UPDATE Due To More Information

Also, MS says .net 4.5 works fine, so no problem there http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh847837.aspx

MDMoore313

Posted 2013-01-25T17:50:16.857

Reputation: 4 874

double and triple checked I have the right version... I do. – Keltari – 2013-02-04T22:14:30.363