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PowerShell history is a helpful feature that saves the commands you enter, making it easier to reuse or review them later. Sometimes, this history stops working in Windows 11, which can be frustrating.

This guide will walk you through simple and clear steps to fix PowerShell history issues. No advanced knowledge is required, and each step explains why it matters.

By following these instructions, you should be able to restore your PowerShell history functionality quickly. Let’s get started.

If you want to save time, make sure you check the quick note below before diving into the fixes.

Quick Note Before You Begin

Before troubleshooting, ensure the following:

• You are running PowerShell with sufficient permissions (preferably as Administrator).
• Your Windows 11 system is updated. Sometimes, system updates fix bugs automatically.
• You are using the default PowerShell console or Windows Terminal, as some third-party terminals may handle history differently.

Step 1: Check If History Is Enabled

PowerShell needs to have history enabled to store your commands. Sometimes this setting might be turned off or altered.

To check, open PowerShell and type:

Get-PSReadLineOption

Look for the line that says HistorySaveStyle. It should be set to SaveIncrementally or something similar. This means PowerShell is saving your commands as you go.

If it is set to Discard, history is not being saved.

To enable history saving, run this command:

Set-PSReadLineOption -HistorySaveStyle SaveIncrementally

This tells PowerShell to save each command you enter immediately to the history file.

Step 2: Verify the History File Path and Permissions

PowerShell uses a file to store your command history. If PowerShell cannot write to this file due to permission issues or file corruption, history won’t work.

The default history file is usually located at:

$env:APPDATAMicrosoftWindowsPowerShellPSReadLineConsoleHost_history.txt

To check if this file exists, run:

Test-Path $env:APPDATAMicrosoftWindowsPowerShellPSReadLineConsoleHost_history.txt

If it returns False, the file does not exist and PowerShell will create it automatically once you close and reopen PowerShell.

If the file exists, make sure you have permission to write to it.

To check permissions:

• Navigate to the file location in File Explorer.
• Right-click the file and select Properties.
• Go to the Security tab and ensure your user account has Write permissions.

If permissions are incorrect, update them to allow writing.

Step 3: Clear the Current History Buffer

Sometimes, the in-memory command history can get corrupted, causing issues.

To clear it and start fresh, enter:

Clear-History

This clears the current session’s command history but does not delete the saved history file.

After clearing, close PowerShell and reopen it to see if history works normally.

Step 4: Update or Reinstall PSReadLine Module

PowerShell history functionality is managed by the PSReadLine module. If this module is outdated or corrupted, history might fail.

To check if PSReadLine is installed and its version:

Get-Module -ListAvailable PSReadLine

To update PSReadLine, run:

Install-Module PSReadLine -Force -SkipPublisherCheck

You may need to run PowerShell as Administrator to install or update modules.

After updating, restart PowerShell and check if history is working.

Step 5: Use Alternative History Commands

If standard history retrieval using the up and down arrow keys doesn’t work, you can manually display history using:

Get-History

This command lists all commands from the current session.

To save your session history to a file manually, run:

Get-History | Export-Clixml -Path "$env:USERPROFILEDesktopPS_History.xml"

This exports your command history to an XML file on your Desktop for review.

Advanced Option: Modify PowerShell Profile to Customize History

You can customize how PowerShell handles history by editing your profile script.

To open your profile, run:

notepad $PROFILE

Add or modify the following lines to control history size and saving behavior:

Set-PSReadLineOption -HistorySaveStyle SaveIncrementally
Set-PSReadLineOption -MaximumHistoryCount 4096

Save and close the file, then restart PowerShell.

This ensures a larger history buffer and incremental saving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does my PowerShell history reset every time I close the window?

This usually happens if HistorySaveStyle is set to Discard or if PowerShell can’t write to the history file due to permissions. Follow Steps 1 and 2 to fix this.

Can I recover lost PowerShell history?

Unfortunately, if the history was never saved or the file was deleted, it cannot be recovered. Regular backups or exporting history manually can help prevent loss.

Is PowerShell history shared between different sessions?

By default, history is saved incrementally and shared via the history file, but each session maintains its own in-memory history until saved.

What is PSReadLine and why is it important?

PSReadLine is a PowerShell module that enhances the command-line editing experience, including command history management. If it malfunctions, history might not work correctly.

Can I disable PowerShell history?

Yes, by setting Set-PSReadLineOption -HistorySaveStyle Discard, but this is not recommended if you want to keep command logs.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above steps restore your PowerShell history, consider these final options:

• Reset PowerShell Settings: You can reset your PowerShell profile by renaming or deleting the profile file ($PROFILE) and letting PowerShell create a fresh one.
• Reinstall PowerShell: Download the latest version of PowerShell from the official Microsoft website and reinstall it.
• Check for Windows Updates: Sometimes, updates fix underlying bugs affecting PowerShell.
• Consult Official Documentation: Visit the Microsoft PowerShell Docs for in-depth troubleshooting.

Conclusion

PowerShell history not working can slow down your workflow, but it is usually easy to fix by checking settings, permissions, and the PSReadLine module. Start with simple checks like confirming history is enabled and verifying your file permissions.

For most users, updating PSReadLine or resetting the history buffer solves the issue. If problems persist, advanced options and official resources are available to explore.

By following these detailed, step-by-step solutions, you can get your PowerShell history working smoothly again on Windows 11.