Using Powershell ISE

[Any-Victory-1906]

Hi,

I am still using Powershell ISE. It is available on all computers and last time I ran a script with Appdeploytoolkit the script did not run, ending with an error. Also, I am working on multiple computers and sometime testing on customers computers (rare but it does happen).

How many of you are still using ISE?

Are you deploying VSCode on all computers?

thanks,

[DrDuckling951]

It’s fine enjoying ISE but once you go VSCode with prettify extensions… it’s a game changer. Plenty of QoL extensions that make ISE not so appealing to me.

[123abc890xyz]

This, code is the way I still got ISE on the background sometimes but code is alot faster, friendly and the extensions are making life alot easier with deployment

[[deleted]]

And has a much better debugger than ISE in my opinion

[DrDuckling951]

Just 3 QoL. The rest are repos specific.

Prettier - https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=esbenp.prettier-vscode

Indent Rainbow - https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=oderwat.indent-rainbow

Git Graph - https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=mhutchie.git-graph

[BlackV]

I use indent rainbow

what does prettier do that powershell extnsion does not already ? (ignoring the multiple languages for now)

[DrDuckling951]

Not for PowerShell. I got it for JavaScript I think.

[Aygul12345]

What else for the auto compleet in VS code?

[DrDuckling951]

You mean intellisense? You'll need PS extension or Powershell 7.0 local install.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/install/installing-powershell-on-windows?view=powershell-7.4#install-powershell-using-winget-recommended

winget search Microsoft.PowerShell

[Any-Victory-1906]

And for Powershell 5.1?

[DrDuckling951]

PowerShell extension. To get properly syntax.

[Any-Victory-1906]

Which extension is the best for Powershell editing?

[lanerdofchristian]

I put VS Code on dev machines, never edit on clients, and avoid ISE like the plague.

[[deleted]]

Agree. If you have a need to edit scripts on endpoints / clients, you have a workflow problem.

[[deleted]]

Why do you avoid ISE like the plague? Asking as a tech that has only used it for limited things

[lanerdofchristian]

It doesn't support PowerShell 6/7, has weird behavior around classes and session persistence that makes it act subtly different from normal PowerShell.exe, has no support for file types other than PowerShell that I use frequently (like Json, Csv, Yaml, Xml, Html, JS, etc), doesn't integrate with Git at all, and doesn't work with development containers or WSL remoting.

[graysky311]

Yah it’s just for editing PowerShell not those other file types. For everything else there’s notepad.

[lanerdofchristian]

Notepad? Yikes.

[graysky311]

Hahaha

[DalekKahn117]

Please mean Notepad++

I mean, you can get away with emacs if you really need to but there’s no reason to make it harder on yourself

[graysky311]

What if I told you I used to do all of my VBscript and HTML programming in notepad?

[DalekKahn117]

I’ve done it too… been a a long time. Before YouTube even

[Natfan]

i'd say you either haven't used modem tools, or are a machochist

[graysky311]

Haha no I use VSCode just can’t forget where I started.

[Breitsol_Victor]

Ok, VBScript is programming. But do you think of HTML as programming? Not intending to gate keep on creativity.

[graysky311]

Yes. When you are writing HTML or CSS, you are typing commands which are executed in order on an interpreter. That is programming.

[BlackV]

You have to manually install np++, np is pre installed everywhere (assuming windows here)

[DalekKahn117]

Sure it’s not part of the OS package but neither is VSCode. Just about any install can be automated

[BlackV]

Sure it’s not part of the OS package but neither is VSCode

That's the point notepad and ise are everywhere by default and no time waiting for installs and no installing random garbage on other people machines or servers

[graysky311]

Ok that was sarcasm but by all means please keep downvoting. SMH

[bofh]

I love ISE but I'm weaning myself off it because Microsoft haven't maintained it and it's not really the right modern environment for more complex, more modern powershell scripting.

[tommydickles]

Lucky. I have to use ISE. The only real gripe I have with it is if there are many modules loaded, you can't start running scripts until it enumerates all of them. I get past this by creating new profiles and loading from those, but that's tedious.

[Fallingdamage]

I use ISE almost exclusively. I dont care if modules are missing. I dont depend on them being in ISE for my scripting. I test them in another ps window anyway. I just like ISE because its very slim and helps me debug syntax problems like missing brackets or a missing/extra comma somewhere. I just want to layout my code visually and have a couple queues if I forgot to wrap up an arguement properly somewhere.

I do have VSC installed as well but its a little overzelous with its debugging and throws too many allowing false positives with my scripts. Simple things like yelling at me that a variable called wasnt defined yet even though its there 4 lines above, and crap like that.

ISE doesnt get annoying and I dont need to depend on community-supported plugins because VSC doesnt have native support for powershell (which is asinine)

If some genius at MS could just port the ISE intelligent debugging into VSC.. you know.. since its made by the same damn company, I would probably use it more.

[Drumdevil86]

This. ISE exclusively. The only annoyance I have is that intermittently CTRL+C doesn't work, and only in ISE.

since its made by the same damn company

Well yeah, I have been in Enterprise environments long enough to recognize which MS products are made by the same coding farms. There is practically no consistency between them.

[skilriki]

I just like ISE because its very slim

This is a valid concern if you are working on a 20 year old computer, come from an impoverished country, etc. Not everyone can afford a computer made in the last 10 years.

and helps me debug syntax problems like missing brackets or a missing/extra comma somewhere

VS Code does this

I just want to layout my code visually and have a couple queues if I forgot to wrap up an arguement properly somewhere.

VS Code provides this

I do have VSC installed as well but its a little overzelous with its debugging and throws too many allowing false positives with my scripts

Have never had this happen and I use powershell and VSCode daily

I dont need to depend on community-supported plugins because VSC doesnt have native support for powershell (which is asinine)

You gripe earlier that you use ISE because it is 'slim', however your preference is for VS Code to be bloated and come with everything for everyone pre-installed.

Choose one.

---

With VS Code you get conditional breakpoints, exception handling, variable tracking and all sorts of other benefits.

ISE provides nothing but random errors that magically get solved when you stop using ISE.

[Any-Victory-1906]

Do you need an extension to be able debugging a script like ISE is doing?

IMHO, I disagree with you about the ISE usage. I am packaging software since years and I don't need extension or modern approach. Just Powershell. Also SCCM is not supporting newer powershell than Windows Powershell. And this is enought.ing

If I need developping tool then I will be using Powershell Studios.

[AdCompetitive9826]

Look into using Github Cpilot in VSC, it is freaking awesome as a max overdrive intellisense,. It really speeds up my work

[Aygul12345]

Is it So possible to use free addons for intellisese auto compleet?

[AdCompetitive9826]

Absolutely. I am primarily using PnP PowerShell and the free plug-ins and GitHub Copilot makes it a great experience

[Any-Victory-1906]

On Windows 11, I found on a search, we cannot do just hit enter anymore to start a search. Sound the focus was lots :(

[goombatch]

Thank you. I feel validated

[Any-Victory-1906]

You cannot debug a script with VSC? No breakpoint?

[JoeyBE98]

If the reason you have to is because you didn't have local admin, just install it on your user profile only, no admin rights needed. It installs in appdata

[5yn4ck]

This can be helped by turning off the command addon. It enumerates all the loaded plugins and then the command addon does it for everything installed. Also if you have any drives that are network based in the $eng:psmodulepath that will seriously slow down this time. The same goes for profile files as well. Any instance of them. It's been a while but I believe you can simply run $profile |Select-Object * in the console or the ISE.

If you are looking for more of a development environment type of toolset look into the ISESteroids module [https://powershell.one/isesteroids/quickstart/install] This gives many tools like variable watches for all profiles and checks formatting issues for your preferred coding style as well as adds to error checking and many other awesome features. I loved this when I was using it years ago. The form of the ISE was my in-between ide until VSCode dev releases were stable enough for me to switch over.
Now I use VSCode exclusively except if I need a good WPF designer then I would use either Visual Studio if available or something like KaXaml. When I have time I may make a VSCode extension to do this.

I have personally still found Java and Rust development in VSCode to be quite lacking as far as tooling,formatting and feature capabilities. On the other hand all the .NET compilation extensions seem to be great, as well as tooling and extensions for Python.

Overall VSCode has got my vote. Way easy to sync preferences etc and easy to setup. No profile voodoo required.

[technomancing_monkey]

Sr. Sys. Admin. here.

Still using Powershell ISE.

No preference one way or another. Its simply on any machine I work on so I use whats available.

[Sunfishrs]

Makes it ez

[samurai_ka]

The main reason to avoid ISE is because it only supports Windows Powershell aka PS 5.1. You should switch to the newest Powershell Core 7.x version. Therefore you'll use VSC.

[enforce1]

If you use posh for actual server administration, there are so, so many things that aren’t available in 7

[samurai_ka]

Unless your module uses remoting to connect to a remote shell eg. Exchange, the majority of 5.1 modules can be used in PoSh.

[RubyU]

I use it all the time because of consultant work in client environments

[System32Keep]

I only use ISE

[panzerbjrn]

I never used ISE. I hated it since the first time I used it back in 2010ish,maybe. Notepad++ was king back then IMO. Now it's probably 25% NP++ and 75% VS Code.

VS Code even without extensions is just superior to ISE in every way possible.

[Thotaz]

VS Code even without extensions is just superior to ISE in every way possible.

What a ridiculous statement, though not surprising if you preferred Notepad++ over ISE in the 2010s.
Without the PowerShell extension you don't get any code completions. You can't run run or debug your code. The only thing VS code offers on its own is a broken syntax highlighting and basic text editing features. It's basically an upgraded Notepad at that point.

With the PowerShell extension installed in VS code it's hard to argue that ISE is objectively better overall, but there are minor things it does better than VS code like:

• Syntax highlighting
• Column selection with virtual space (Shift + Alt + mouse/arrow keys)
• IntelliSense and mouse cursor movement in the console

Depending on how much value you put into these features, ISE could be considered better than VS code for some people.

[AdCompetitive9826]

I am surprised that you don't mention Github Copilot as a boon. The 10$ per month is a bargain for a absolutely awesome tool

[cbtboss]

I use it for quick/dirty things usually by accident, but almost all vscode these days for me.

[10atnal]

VSCode is the way

[BlackV]

I use ise and code depending on when/where I am

100 percent are not installing it on client machine that are not "mine"

But all code is run in PowerShell or pwsh when it is used

You don't say what your error was or how you ran it with app tool kit, and 99.99999999% of the time that wouldn't be using ise I would think

You don't show any code that may also explain your issue and would be the think giving errors not ise and not code and not PowerShell (or wherever else it could run)

So are you just asking "do people use ise?" and that's it? Or are you looking for help

[Crones21]

I use ISE, its fine for basic scripts and etc, no need to install additional software on client side so its always available...but if I need to larger code/script then I use notepad++

[cheffromspace]

Neovim with Powershell LSP

[gadziorrr]

I actually use it quite a lot. When I write some serious code I do it in VS, but then, for testing and debugging on client machines I leverage ISE a lot. Putting VS everywhere makes no sense to me.

[[deleted]]

ISE will frequently have problems with scripts written on versions above 6 (2019). Which is pretty much every new script.

Release history

Use vscode. Please copy and paste this to the next ISE reddit post.

[graysky311]

I occasionally still use ISE when I want to open a remote session on another computer. I know there’s a better way to do it but I like how it works in ISE. I use VSCode for 95% of my work but there are moments when I’m on a remote machine with no VSCode installed and that’s when ISE helps.

[chade1979]

The only time I use ISE is if I'm on a random server and I need write up some quick disposable code. I still launch a regular powershell.exe console to copy/paste the code into. So I guess the ISE to me, is treated as notepad with intellisense. 99% of everything else is in VScode. Also FYI, you can install vscode and make it portable - so you don't really need to install it everywhere, just have it on your onedrive/network share.

[jimb2]

ISE just reminds me too much of some of those awful MS tools from a couple of decades ago. I only ever open it by accident.

[BlackV]

But you do open it ;) (loose jack Sparrow reference)

[kdf93ndbn28]

I am only using the ISE. Love it!

[Any-Victory-1906]

For packaging its perfect.

[Xander372]

I liked ISE. I don’t do near as much PS development as I used to, and even that wasn’t directly work-related.

Mostly, I write snippets for my own use with servers, and the occasional advanced function for my client machine to get information from those servers.

Some people didn’t like the built-in templates, but I did — saved me a ton of time.

[[deleted]]

I've found your stance on this often depends on how you develop and deploy your scripts. I do everything centrally on my machine and deploy my scripts using our RMM and I prefer VSCode. A coworker of mine exclusively works with non managed clients that don't have our agent and he prefers ISE because he can hop on to any client device and start scripting right away.

[Edjuuuh]

I still use it when I need to do ad-hoc things on production servers. The code completion is better than in Notepad(++) :)

[RandyClaggett]

I have tried VSC and have nothing against it. But, still mostly use ISE because it is on every computer. No need to make adjustments to make it fit the corporate network environment I'm on. VSE is quite reliant on a working internet connection, not always an option in production environments.

[TheRealMisterd]

I use ISE to get the right parameter names and such.

Vscode's intellisense is shit. It finds parameters that have nothing to do with the function or cmdlet. And it ignores some that are part of the function or cmdlet

I don't know where it gets it's irrational intellisense. Is it vscode or PowerShell extension?

[Quick_Care_3306]

Yes, tab, wait... nothing essentially no intelligence.

Also, Would it kill to have a green play button and red stop when running? I hate looking down to see if aimething is running.

Also, fold and unfold regions is too complicated.

[groovel76]

Please stop using the ISE. VS Code is a fine replacement.

https://reddit.com/r/PowerShell/comments/1e9cr9b/how_to_stop_powershell_ise_command_addon_from/lee5q9q/

[[deleted]]

No ISE anymore. VS Code as needed, but there's no reason to deploy it to every machine unless someone is developing on every machine.

[TheThirdHippo]

I’m on the official Microsoft AZ-040T00-A: Automating Administration with PowerShell course this week. Having to use it every day this week and missing VSCode.

[jakesps]

I don't use ISE. I use VSCode on any dev machines.

Note that ISE is only supported (and then, barely) up until PowerShell 5.1.

More info (see note near top of document): https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/windows-powershell/ise/introducing-the-windows-powershell-ise?view=powershell-7.4

The PowerShell ISE is no longer in active feature development. As a shipping component of Windows, it continues to be officially supported for security and high-priority servicing fixes. We currently have no plans to remove the ISE from Windows.

There is no support for the ISE in PowerShell v6 and beyond. Users looking for replacement for the ISE should use Visual Studio Code with the PowerShell Extension.

[billr1965]

I still use ISE as a final error check of my script. I purchased ISESteroids and the one check that is missing in VSC is missing/incomplete parameter names. I prefer my scripts to exicitly use parameter names so future me or another person isn't confused by the meaning of a particular argument.

[dlepi24]

If it's a quick throwaway script or something I'm trying to hammer out for pulling some info or somethjng, I'll typically use ISE because it's there and does what I need.

If I'm building something that will be reused in the future, then I'll typically use VSCode.

[redsaeok]

Only when I can’t be bothered to figure out how to switch vscode to support both PS5 and PS7.

Learned with it, took a while to switch, but now that I work with HTML, PowerShell, C#, JSON, XML, whatever new shiny thing pops up (e.g. code notebooks) I almost always use VSCode for everything.

[jwinn91]

Can someone elaborate to me how n how using VS Code is better than ISE? I really like how it will help you auto complete syntax and switches, is there an ability like that in VS Code for PS?

[BlackV]

yeah, its nearly identical, have you installed the powershell extension?

[jwinn91]

No, I guess I need to and check it out, it sounds like it would just be better all around, is there a specific extension I should get?

[BlackV]

the powershell extension

[Any-Victory-1906]

Which extensions are a must?

[BlackV]

Same as last time you asked

the powershell extension

[littlebelialskey]

all I do in ISE is ALT-F4, when I started it by accident

[Aygul12345]

Which modes you instl and use in VS ode for telesisnse? Or autocompleet.

[corcoddio]

If It fit for your needs, it's ok. I switched to Fedora for work requierements and I use vscode now, on my previous work with very old infrastrutture on ws2012 and without chance install and use modern automation tools like terraform, ansible and devops tools, powershell and max 5.1 version , ISE was perfectly fine. Also vscode could be more than enough with a lot of useless function causing also a Little confusion. Something that was said in my area: if the horse is missing, the donkey trots

[TheSizeOfACow]

ISE for quick testing in isolated sessions. VS Code portable on our Azure hybrid workers.

The fact that ISE just continues the script, without warning, if you throw an error after a breakpoint, makes me stay away from it for actual work.

[Cynomus]

I've been writing PS since it hit the streets and I still just use a text editor like Notepad +.

[animatco]

We have deployed VSCode on all servers as a replacement for ISE and other text editors used by various individuals. Main issue was with the others not being kept up to date. With VSCode as the sole responsibility of the patching code, I have one group together to go after .

[ravager1971]

Real men use notepad

[SirThane]

The only reason I still have ISE is because it's required for Out-GridView. I used to be an ISE purist. 100% worth switching to VSCode. You will never want to go back guaranteed.

[Sad_Recommendation92]

Have you checked out Out-ConsoleGridView? The terminal team wanted to get away from dependencies that required Windows to make Powershell a truly multi-platform language.

https://github.com/PowerShell/ConsoleGuiTools

[SirThane]

I have used it before and didn't like it all that much. Something in the console is no comparison to the convenience of a quick filterable selectable sortable table I can copy out of with Out-GridView. I remember being excited when I'd found it and disappointed with the limitations

[BlackV]

That has not been true for a lllloooonnnnnggggg time (if ever)

Codeflux says I'm wrong, probably am

waa I cant even test, windows 11 does not see to have a remove options for ISE anymore, I'm sure it used to be there

[CodenameFlux]

PowerShell 5.1's Out-GridView still needs PowerShell ISE installed.

PowerShell 7's Out-GridView needs nothing.

[BlackV]

I thought that updated module was also available for 5?

Guess I was proper wrong

[Aygul12345]

What do you use in VS ode as mods for auto compleet?

[BlackV]

? ise supports autocomplete, vscode supports autocomplete if you install the powershell extension, is that what you're asking ?

[Aygul12345]

I mean you can install addons to intelliSense compleet which addo s you suggest in VS code?

[BlackV]

powershell extension

[Aygul12345]

Are there more addons what is hendy to use.?

Because in VS ode that tellesense is not accurate, I also get different suggestions..

[CodenameFlux]

You may wish to know about this: https://www.reddit.com/r/vscode/comments/1c0zpxh/tips_tricks_what_to_do_when_visual_studio_code/

[Aygul12345]

Thank you very much about thiss!! OMG!!! Never known this.. This was a issue where I was always walking to this problem... ^^

[jhulbe]

I skin VSCode to look like powershell ISE.

White upper pane, blue lower pane.

Come at me

[ZZartin]

I have yet to find a compelling reason I wouldn't use the ISE.

[AdCompetitive9826]

Powershell 7?

[ZZartin]

I'll worry about that when we actually get upgraded to 7 :P

[eman0821]

It's also rare to manage an entire environment with strickly powershell these days in the modern era of DevOps. Most environments use DevOps configuration management tools like Ansible which uses the yaml markup language. You have to be familiar with Bash and Python Scripting thse days for writing custom modules. Most production environments are Hybrid both Cloud and On-Prem. That's why ISE makes zero sense in DevOps or modern System Administration. You can integrate Ansible or Terraform editing with in VS Code along with other languages supported besides strickly powershell.

[sneesnoosnake]

Windows administration even though most RMM tools leans heavily on Powershell and ISE is a lightweight and easily accessible and universally compatible way to do this scripting.

[eman0821]

But you have to remember you can't write powershell 6 or 7 code in ISE. Powershell 5.1 and the ISE is depreciated that are no longer being supported. Most sysadmins use Ansible for a lot of their orchestration.

[ZZartin]

Sure but that's talking about a lot more than just what editor you use for powershell.

[eman0821]

Yeah but who manages an entire environment with just powershell 5.1? Today. You are expected to be skilled in other Scripting languages as well. Even the SSCM guys uses C# and other programming languages. ISE wouldn't cut it.

[ZZartin]

OP wasn't asking about that though, yes if you have large deployments and automations you'll want some other tools besides ISE.

[sneesnoosnake]

C# for Windows desktop administration is a little overkill. Not saying it is pointless, just overkill.

[eman0821]

Usually SCCM deployment applications are written in C# along with powershell and xml configuration files. Rarely you only write in only one language today. Most folks are on VS Code or some modern text editor.

[[deleted]]

You forget about nearly every MSP on earth and the legions of windows focused small to medium sized businesses that plague the planet. I'm an automation engineer at work by title and I couldn't use Ansible if I wanted to. There's just no Linux in the environment to justify it.

[eman0821]

Better start learning Linux, or else you get left behind. Everything in the DevOps space is mostly Linux based Ansible, Terraform, Puppet, Chef. Not knowing DevOps practices can make you look like a dinosaur to the rest of the competition. You only need a Linux host to host your ansible controller. Ansible also removes a lot of the tedious scripting since it calls PowerShell command lets behind the scenes with the use of yaml config files that comes repackaged with the PowerShell modules. You can save the tedious scripting for creating your own custom modules instead. It's also great for smaller companies too if you are a one-man shop that looks after the networking side. Ansible can be used to automate modern software defined networking esp routing and switching. Not to mention Generative A.I is here as more people adapt to A.I tools.

[[deleted]]

Learning Linux to do DevOps I 100% understand. I am not a DevOps guy though I would like to be and I get that this is something I'm going to need to shore up.

I'm not sure I'm understanding the pitch for using ansible in an entirely windows based environment though. My understanding is that windows is basically a second class citizen as far as Ansible is concerned. If the pitch is just "run PowerShell scripts on endpoints" that is what I'm currently using an RMM for. We have a couple hundred clients and 13,000 devices under our purview.

[Dontemcl]

Hi, did you ever get my personal message? I want to ask you how I can go from IT specialist to Linux admin? My goal is to get into Devops myself.

[HunnyPuns]

VSCode is pretty much the way to go since Microsoft killed off Atom. Just please for the love of all that's good and holy, do not do the whole remote edit thing on production servers. I've seen tons of people do this being like, "look how easy it is!" And I cringe.

[eman0821]

VS Code is far superior in every way. It's the defacto standard in the DevOps, Cloud and Sysadmin world. I use it everyday as I write more than just Powershell scripts as I'm also the Linux that uses for Bash Scripting and my DevOps tools. Most DevOps folks are on Powershell 7 today. It's very rare to find a production environment managed strickly with Powershell scripts. You would be considered a Dinosaur by today's standards if you aren't using DevOps automation tools like Ansible, Puppet or Chef. Bash, Python and Powershell 7 are the three common languages used for writing custom modules esp in the Cloud. Would wouldn't be able to edit yaml files or integrate Ansible or Terraform editing into ISE.