Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE)
powershell_ise.exe is safe. It's Microsoft's official Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment executable used for editing and debugging PowerShell scripts.
powershell_ise.exe is the executable for Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE), a graphical editor for writing, editing, and debugging PowerShell scripts. It runs as a standalone GUI application and may spawn supporting processes for script execution, syntax checking, and IntelliSense features within a single workspace.
ISE hosts a GUI editor and a PowerShell engine inside, enabling multi-tab scripting, debugging, and IntelliSense. The editor communicates with the PowerShell runtime to run scripts, while separate processes or runspaces handle execution tasks and provide responsive UI.
Quick Fact: PowerShell ISE has long been the primary GUI for scripting in Windows PowerShell; it's now largely superseded by VS Code with the PowerShell extension, but it remains present on many systems.
Yes, powershell_ise.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Microsoft downloaded from official sources (Microsoft Store or Windows features).
The real powershell_ise.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware may masquerade with similar names to trick users.
C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell_ise.exe or C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell_ise.exe. Any powershell_ise.exe elsewhere is suspicious.Red Flags: If powershell_ise.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32\SysWOW64 with no digital signature) or runs when you are not using PowerShell ISE, scan your system with antivirus software immediately. Look for similarly-named files like "powershell_ise.exe" from untrusted sources.
powershell_ise.exe runs when you open Windows PowerShell ISE or when a project or script is loaded that requires the ISE host features. It may also stay resident to support debugging and IntelliSense as you edit scripts.
Reasons it's running:
Yes, you can disable powershell_ise.exe. If you don’t use Windows PowerShell ISE, you can close it when running scripts and prevent it from launching on startup.
If powershell_ise.exe shows issues like crashes or slowdowns:
Quick Fixes:
1. Close unused script tabs and stop long-running scripts
2. Update Windows PowerShell ISE or migrate to VS Code with PowerShell extension
3. Disable unnecessary modules and add-ins in the ISE
4. Clear ISE history and reset settings if issues persist
5. Ensure system has adequate RAM and CPU resources
No, the legitimate powershell_ise.exe from Microsoft is not a virus. Verify the file path (C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell_ise.exe) and the Digital Signature from Microsoft Corporation.
ISE typically launches manually when you open the application. If you see it starting at login, check Task Manager > Startup items and remove any PowerShell ISE shortcut there.
Yes, you can disable or uninstall if your environment relies on newer tooling. Use Settings > Apps > Optional Features to remove ISE, or switch to PowerShell Core with VS Code for scripting.
Open the Start Menu > Windows Accessories > Windows PowerShell ISE, or search for 'PowerShell ISE' and launch the application.
ISE is a legacy GUI editor for PowerShell; VS Code with the PowerShell extension provides a modern, extensible editor with richer debugging and cross-platform support.
Microsoft deprecated PowerShell ISE in favor of VS Code for scripting. ISE remains on some systems for compatibility, but new development is directed toward VS Code.