What you need to know
- PowerShell 7.2 is now generally available.
- The new version of PowerShell integrates with Microsoft Update to automatically receive servicing releases that include critical bug fixes and security updates.
- PowerShell 7.2 also features enhanced ANSI support, Predictive Intellisense with PSReadLine, and several other improvements.
Microsoft recently released PowerShell 7.2. The updated PowerShell includes several improvements and new features. It now integrates with Microsoft Update, meaning it will automatically receive servicing releases when they include critical bug fixes or security updates. Microsoft announced the release of PowerShell 7.2 in a blog post and outlines all of its changes in depth in a support document.
The first thing Microsoft highlights about PowerShell 7.2 is that it can stay up to date automatically. "The MSI installer will automatically enable updating PowerShell 7 as well as enabling Microsoft Update," explains the blog post. You can run stable and preview versions of PowerShell side-by-side, meaning you could have the preview of 7.2 update to version 7.3 when it becomes available while keeping a stable version of version 7.2.
Enhanced support for ANSI allows people to decorate text and other elements in PowerShell. This allows users to easily differentiate between information, such as using a different color for metadata vs. data when using a table or list view.
PowerShell 7.2 can predict what you may be typing based on your history. PowerShell users can customize this feature, including setting the color of predictive text.
As it is an even-numbered minor version release, PowerShell 7.2 will be supported in production for three years. There's a one year overlap in which PowerShell 7.0 is still supported and PowerShell 7.2 is available. Microsoft recommends taking this time to evaluate version 7.2 and to report any issues that would prevent migration.
Microsoft has a guide on how to install PowerShell.
