Is it possible to install PowerShell 3 on a Windows Server 2003 or 2003 R2?

Question

On a Windows Server 2003 rig (which already has .NET 4 but no 4.5 on it) that is to be expired before the end of the year, I'd like to run a few PowerShell 3 scripts on a scheduled base as the scripts depend on functionality introduced in PowerShell 3.

There are not many useful hits in the search I tried as they give mixed information: Some indicate it is possible but others indicate impossible and it certainly is not in the official downloads.

So:

1. Are there workarounds to install PowerShell 3 on Windows Server 2003?
2. If not, where should I look for replacement Cmdlets that are unique to PowerShell 3 like Invoke-RestMethod, ConvertTo-Json, ConvertFrom-Json or Invoke-WebRequest?

Solution

1. No.
2. I would use Poshcode/ Jaykul modules:
   • JSON
   • REST

Comments

[sean christe]

Have you simply tried installing it?

[Jeroen Wiert Pluimers]

@EBGreen which .MSU file would you suggest, and how should I install it on Windows Server 2003?

[Jeroen Wiert Pluimers]

Thanks. 1 wasn't what I hoped for, but the Poshcode looks promising (well, the ones not requiring too many assemblies). I might go for the built-in .NET Object though. Need to give this some thinking, as depending on the amount of time, I might migrate the server to a more modern Window as well.