Using PS2EXE To Turn PowerShell Scripts Into Executables

In this tutorial, Brien Posey introduces one of his favorite PowerShell utilities, PS2EXE, which allows users to convert PowerShell scripts into executable applications. Posey provides step-by-step instructions on installing PS2EXE, demonstrates its practical use, and highlights key features and security considerations. Additionally, he explains how to access a PS2EXE GUI frontend that simplifies the process for those who prefer a visual interface.
00:24 Installing PS2EXE
01:02 How PS2EXE Works
03:24 Why You Shouldn’t Embed Passwords
05:09 Adding Attributes to the Executable File
09:32 Simplifying PS2EXE With win-ps2exe
Brien Posey is a bestselling technology author, speaker, and 21x Microsoft MVP. In addition to his ongoing work in IT, Posey has trained as a commercial astronaut candidate in preparation to fly on a mission to study polar mesospheric clouds from space.
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Music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay

[@fleity]

Multiple times now I've wanted executables to enforce starting Unity projects with certain parameters and make it super seamless for the end user. This seams to be a very neat, practical and small solution for that, thanks.

[@chrisogle001]

Great video! I just started working with PowerShell and I think this will be a good solution for a few projects. Thanks!

[@TechnicalTerry]

Why didn’t Windows freak out because you were running an unsigned exe file?

[@itprotoday3524]

Hi @TechnicalTerry, thanks for your question. We checked with Brien Posey, and here's what he said: "I don’t know why Windows didn’t freak out over an unsigned EXE. PS2EXE does not sign files, so I am not sure why Windows would not generate some sort of warning message."

[@shadowcipher4068]

Nice. Thanks.

[@TheRambler7480]

Maybe im missing something, but why wouldnt I just coninute to use iexpress? Iexpress is built into Windows so no additional installs needed, and it can make exes of anything not just powershell scripts. Reinventing the wheel here?

[@itprotoday3524]

@TheRambler7480, great question. Here's Brien Posey's response: "Iexpress is designed for building self-extracting executables. For instance, if you wanted to build an installer for an application, you would use Iexpress. To the best of my knowledge, you can’t use it to convert a PowerShell script into an executable. The best that it can do is to create a self extracting package that includes a PowerShell script and a command to execute it."