How to Resolve UnauthorizedAccess Error for PowerShell Scripts in Windows 11

Problem

You’re trying to run a PowerShell script (let’s call it MyScript.ps1) in Windows 11, and you encounter an error similar to the following:

At line:1 char:1
+ .\MyScript.ps1
+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+ CategoryInfo : SecurityError: (:) [], PSSecurityException
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : UnauthorizedAccess

This error is caused by PowerShell’s script execution policies, which restrict the running of PowerShell scripts as a security measure.

Solution

Step 1: Check the Current Execution Policy

Open PowerShell as an Administrator.

Search for “PowerShell” in the Start Menu, right-click on it, and choose “Run as administrator”.

Check Execution Policy.

Enter the command Get-ExecutionPolicy and hit Enter.
Take note of the current policy setting. If it’s set to Restricted, scripts will not be allowed to run.

Step 2: Change the Execution Policy

Choose a Policy Setting.

The execution policy options include Restricted, AllSigned, RemoteSigned, and Unrestricted.

Change the Policy.

To set it to Unrestricted (less secure but allows any script to run), enter
```
Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
```
To set it to RemoteSigned (recommended for most users), enter
```
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
```

Step 3: Run the Script Again

Navigate to the Script Location.

Use cd path/to/script to move to the directory containing MyScript.ps1.

Execute the Script.

Run the script again with .\MyScript.ps1.

Step 4: Revert the Policy (Optional)

Revert to Original Policy.

If you changed the execution policy to run the script, consider reverting it back to its original setting for security reasons.
Use Set-ExecutionPolicy followed by the original policy you noted in Step 1.

Key Points to Remember

Make sure you have administrative rights to change the execution policy.
Always be conscious of security implications when changing these settings.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the UnauthorizedAccess error and successfully run your PowerShell script.