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PS7-packaged: pwsh not discoverable in SYSTEM / LocalSystem context #27562

Description

@theJasonHelmick

Summary

When PowerShell 7 is installed as an MSIX package, pwsh is not available in non-interactive system contexts. MSIX packages register per-user only — the SYSTEM account and other service identities cannot locate or invoke pwsh.

Affected scenarios

  • Scheduled tasks running as SYSTEM
  • Windows Services running as LocalSystem or a service account
  • MDM-deployed scripts (Intune, ConfigMgr)
  • Deployment agents and automation pipelines running in non-interactive contexts

Repro

From an elevated prompt:

psexec -s -i pwsh.exe

Expected: PowerShell 7 launches.
Actual: The system cannot find the file specified.

Context

This is a known architectural constraint of MSIX packaging. We are working with the relevant Windows engineering teams on a resolution. We have internal tracking for this work and will update this issue as progress is made.

This is a blocker for the PS7 inboxing initiative.

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