VSC PowerShell. After npm updating packages .ps1 cannot be loaded because running scripts is disabled on this system

Question

I design websites in VSC and PowerShell is my default terminal.

After updating and deploying a website to firebase earlier, I was prompted to update firebase tools - which I did using npm. Immediately after I cannot run/access any firebase scripts wthout the folllowing error:

firebase : File C:\Users\mada7\AppData\Roaming\npm\firebase.ps1 cannot be loaded because running scripts is disabled on this system. For more information, see about_Execution_Policies at https:/go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=135170. At line:1 char:1

firebase + CategoryInfo : SecurityError: (:) [], PSSecurityException + FullyQualifiedErrorId : UnauthorizedAccess

I've spent a few hours searching around and can't find a solid answer the problem. Many threads are several years old and I find it bizarre I've not had this problem in the past year until today. I can still access firebase scripts if I set my default terminal to cmd.

Assuming the problem was related to firebase-tools I've carried on working but have now updated vue.js and get the error again when trying to run any vue commands in powershell:

vue : File C:\Users\mada7\AppData\Roaming\npm\vue.ps1 cannot be loaded because running scripts is disabled on this system. For more information, see about_Execution_Policies at https:/go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=135170. At line:1 char:1

vue + CategoryInfo : SecurityError: (:) [], PSSecurityException + FullyQualifiedErrorId : UnauthorizedAccess

VSCode Version: Version: 1.37.1 (user setup) Commit: f06011a Date: 2019-08-15T16:17:55.855Z Electron: 4.2.7 Chrome: 69.0.3497.128 Node.js: 10.11.0 V8: 6.9.427.31-electron.0 OS: Windows_NT x64 10.0.18362 OS Version: Windows 10 Home Version - 1903 OS build - 18362.295

I've been reading around and seen many threads around permissions for scripts, but I haven't changed any - indeed the PowerShell scripts worked right up until I updated my packages. No other settings touched in the mean time. I don't want to be changing PowerShell settings unnecessarily.

Solution 1

Just delete firebase.ps1 file:

File C:\Users\<your account>\AppData\Roaming\npm\firebase.ps1

Solution 2

This is a powershell security policy, to fix it, run Powershell as administrator and run the following

PS C:\> Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned 

If you don't want to run the command as an administrator but just for the current user, you can add a scope like below

PS C:\> Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

The stricter the policy, the more secure your system becomes.

You can change RemoteSigned to other options like: Restricted, AllSigned, RemoteSigned, Unrestricted

Source: https://tecadmin.net/powershell-running-scripts-is-disabled-system/

Alternatively you can modify C:\Program Files\PowerShell\7\powershell.config.json using a text editor and add or modify the following section.

{
   ....

   "Microsoft.PowerShell:ExecutionPolicy":  "RemoteSigned"
}

Solution 3

1. search for powershell
2. right click and run as administration
3. run this simple command Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
4. Press A And Enter

Solution 4

A little clarification: when you run PowerShell as Admin, in most cases you don't need to note a path. Just type:

Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

then press "A", then "Enter"

Solution 5

Also, one thing worth mentioning is that you need to open PowerShell as Admin and then change the policy like so.

PS C:\> Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

Reference - Using the Set-ExecutionPolicy Cmdlet

View more solutions

Comments

[Aponting]

Thanks for the reply. I had actually already come across that website and am reluctant to change anything as the error came about without me changing anything or installing/restarting the computer. I have now changed my settings in PowerShell and it runs scripts as before, is there anything I should be concerned with having changed this? I originally posted the question on gitHub and a couple of people have the same issue. github.com/firebase/firebase-tools/issues/1627

[tushortz]

@Aponting As long as you don’t have malicious software on your pc that may route data to an external server, it should be fine. Better to also have an antivirus installed but I don’t think it’s too much to worry about if you don’t use dodgy websites or software

[Tech User]

i dont have firebase.ps1 in \AppData\Roaming\npm folder

[Sergei Zahharenko]

helped to me as well... in my case it was vue.ps1, just removed it and all worked well...

[Admin]

Executing Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned in the windows powershell works now. Thank you.

[Aponting]

As an update - I regularly get the error after updating firebase & vue and so delete the relevant .ps file each time without issues as I'm reluctant to alter script settings

[Admin]

in my case it was touch.ps1, moved it from there and it works now! nO iDeA if what i did is right or wrong

[Kamran Mushtaq]

I was facing the same issue with http-server.ps1 deleting the file resolved the problem

[Imran_Developer]

100% works for me. It may be either firebase.ps1 or vue.ps1, just delete it.

[Felipe Chagas]

Worked as well, in my case it was the file yarn.ps1

[Hamza Dahmoun]

Worked for me, I had the same issue but with Vue.

[Admin]

Your answer could be improved with additional supporting information. Please edit to add further details, such as citations or documentation, so that others can confirm that your answer is correct. You can find more information on how to write good answers in the help center.

[Pooja]

This solve my issue.

[tahmasib]

Why does it work after deleting the .ps1 and why .ps1 file causing this issue?

[RUGVED]

Yes this works for me too