Can't install nuget package because of "Failed to initialize the PowerShell host"

Question

All of a sudden, I am getting this error when upgrading Nuget packages. None of the fixes that I have come across work. I am using Visual Studio 2013.

'Newtonsoft.Json 6.0.3' already installed.

Adding 'Newtonsoft.Json 6.0.3' to Tournaments.Notifications.

Successfully added 'Newtonsoft.Json 6.0.3' to Tournaments.Notifications.

Executing script file 'F:\My Webs\BasketballTournaments\MainBranch\packages\Newtonsoft.Json.6.0.3\tools\install.ps1'.

Failed to initialize the PowerShell host. If your PowerShell execution policy setting is set to AllSigned, open the Package Manager Console to initialize the host first.

Package Manager Console

Attempting to perform the InitializeDefaultDrives operation on the 'FileSystem' provider failed.

If I wait for the initialization to finish in the console I was able to add some packages.

Hi Mike. I have the exact same issue. Have you managed to solve the problem and you have a working nuget package manager? — Magnus Backeus, May 06 '14 at 09:51
I have the same problem. I have already set the execution policy of Powershell to be Unrestricted, but it doesn't help. I install the package in Package Manager Console no problem. — Adamy, May 13 '14 at 21:46
Just experienced tha same issue. This solution has helped me: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/10457039/nuget-powershell-and-executionpolicy — Oleksii Aza, May 13 '14 at 22:33
I had the same error on Windows 10. I had to enable Powershell 2.0 from the "programs and features" > "Turn Windows Features on or off" and then all worked fine after restarting visual studio. — twoleggedhorse, Mar 25 '17 at 21:37

score 197 · Accepted Answer · edited Sep 25 '15 at 11:43

197

Setting an execution policy to RemoteSigned or Unrestricted should work. It must be changed under an administrator mode via a PowerShell console. Be aware that changes will be applied according to the bit version of the PowerShell console, so 32bit or 64 bit. So if you want to install a package in Visual Studio (32 bit version) which requires a specific policy you should change settings of the policy via PowerShell (x86).

The command in PowerShell (as administrator) to set the policy to unrestricted (as noted by @Gabriel in the comments) is:

start-job { Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted } -RunAs32 | wait-job | Receive-Job

Having set the policy to unrestricted, you will want to set the policy back to its original after the install is complete.

edited Sep 25 '15 at 11:43

Rob Sedgwick

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answered May 15 '14 at 08:15

jellonek

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Worked for me. When you change the ExecutionPolicy in PowerShell on 64 bit systems it will only change it for the 64 bits version of PowerShell. But VS is a 32 bit process and the "Package Manager Console" is a 32 bit process too. To fix this you can execute `start-job { Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted } -RunAs32 | wait-job | Receive-Job` in a 64 bit PowerShell console. – Gabriel Jun 03 '14 at 03:27
70

You need to restart Visual Studio afterwards. – Danny Varod Jul 09 '14 at 10:40
Works fine. It's a pity the package itself suggests a solution that doesn't work. And don't forget to turn on the original policy afterwards. – Mohoch Nov 17 '14 at 08:18
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Closed the VS 2013, run as admin, started working fine...wiered – Rusty Mar 29 '15 at 13:37
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I had this issue in VS2015 and simply updating the NuGet paackage manager resolved the issue – Shawson Sep 04 '15 at 15:04
IMO @Shawson comment and the other answers similar to this should probably be tried first before doing PowerShell. They really f'ed the initial release of Nuget Package Manager for VS 2015 – hubson bropa Oct 23 '15 at 17:46

score 56 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 16 '14 at 07:33

56

Remember to restart Visual Studio after you've done the Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted in PowerShell (x86).

If that doesn't work, try Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned in PowerShell (x86) then restart Visual Studio.

answered Jun 16 '14 at 07:33

Sirar Salih

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Michael Sander · Answer 3 · 2015-08-10T19:13:31.733

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By default the PowerShell script execution is very limited for security reasons. For use within NuGet we need to open the doors.

1. Step

Open Windows PowerShell, run as Administrator

2. Step

NuGet is using the 32 bit console, so it wont be affected by changes to the 64 bit console. Run the following script to make sure you are configuring the 32 bit console.

start-job { Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned } -RunAs32 | wait-job | Receive-Job

3. Step

Restart Visual Studio

edited Aug 10 '15 at 19:13

answered Apr 26 '15 at 11:52

Michael Sander

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Thank you! Only when I did the windows powershell command the way you stated did it work. Thanks so much! – Echiban Apr 29 '15 at 23:16
This worked for following environment: windows xp, visual studio 2010 Web developer express. I closed the visual studio. Downloaded https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=16818 Powershell. Installed Powershell. Run powershell and executed start-job { Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned } -RunAs32 | wait-job | Receive-Job . Started visual studio and used nuget. It worked. – Developer Marius Žilėnas Apr 10 '16 at 17:29
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@muflix: not possible in that case, at least I wouldn't know how. In the end it's a security issue and thus left to administrators – Michael Sander Apr 25 '16 at 14:24
do we need to close the doors after? how? – Omid.Hanjani Aug 01 '16 at 06:35
closing it would leave nuget inoperable since it needs to execute scripts during installation of packes – Michael Sander Aug 26 '16 at 10:28

score 26 · Answer 4 · edited Jun 19 '15 at 19:13

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I have the same issue with the Manage NuGet Packages dialog, I use a work-around that may help others - running from package manager console:

If I use the command line powershell commandlet install-package, all is fine.

I am adverse to changing a security setting "just to make it work".

edited Jun 19 '15 at 19:13

Robert Harvey

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answered Jun 21 '14 at 08:16

Allan

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You should ask a new question. – Tay2510 Jun 21 '14 at 08:36
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I didn't think this warranted a new question as it directly relates to the issue raised. I reworded the post so as to not sound so much like a new question but the musings of a disgruntled developer. – Allan Jun 21 '14 at 10:32
@Allan The end of this answer (post-edit) should be either a comment or a question. – Danny Varod Jul 09 '14 at 10:11
Thanks for your input Danny, I was hoping to share my experience and a possible work-around for those people that didn't want or couldn't change the security settings. The answer does read better now. – Allan Jul 17 '14 at 02:22
`Get-Package -Filter PartOfPackageName` to search through the installed package, `Install-Package PackageName -Version 7.0.1` to install specific version of the package. Don't forget to select _Default Project_ in the top of the **Package Manager Console** – Ilya Serbis Apr 02 '16 at 09:18

score 25 · Answer 5 · answered Aug 27 '15 at 13:44

25

No answers have worked for me.

All policies were correct but I have the error when installing a package

Failed to initialize the PowerShell host. If your PowerShell execution policy setting is set to AllSigned, open the Package Manager Console to initialize the host first.

The solution : I have uninstalled the nuget package manager plugin and reinstalled it.

answered Aug 27 '15 at 13:44

Troopers

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Uninstalling and reinstalling was the only thing that helped indeed. This issue is also described here: https://github.com/NuGet/Home/issues/974 – Zsolt Sep 17 '15 at 09:13
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I reinstalled the NuGet VSIX package without uninstalling it first, which resolved the issue. – Dave Oct 14 '15 at 13:57
+1 https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=NuGetTeam.NuGetPackageManagerforVisualStudio2015 for VS2015 – hoang Feb 20 '18 at 14:15

score 18 · Answer 6 · answered Jun 08 '15 at 07:22

18

Running the Visual Studio as Administrator worked for me.

answered Jun 08 '15 at 07:22

Sudhir

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Ditto, though people should remember to close VS once your package is installed, and reopen under regular permissions. – Liam Laverty Sep 11 '15 at 12:52
Totally agree @LiamLaverty – Sudhir Apr 21 '21 at 08:10

score 7 · Answer 7 · edited Mar 28 '17 at 18:13

7

I updated the Nuget package manager and that fixed it for me.

edited Mar 28 '17 at 18:13

David

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answered Sep 07 '15 at 15:55

DeclanMcD

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score 7 · Answer 8 · answered Sep 08 '15 at 09:05

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I had this issue with my Visual Studio 2015. I uninstalled and re-installed NuGet Package Manager again. It worked for me.

answered Sep 08 '15 at 09:05

Henry.K

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How? It complains it's being used by another process – Brandon Oct 24 '16 at 14:37

score 6 · Answer 9 · answered Jan 27 '15 at 17:25

This started happening with 6.0.4 recently for me, I don't think this is a very good solution but here is what helped me. Close Visual Studio

Open a Windows PowerShell prompt as Administrator (very important) and run the following command:Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass
Open Visual Studio, open your solution and use Nuget to install JSON.Net (or whatever package included it as a dependency).
Once everything is working, I recommend setting the powershell execution policy back to restricted with the following command: Set-ExecutionPolicy Restricted

score 6 · Answer 10 · edited Jul 06 '16 at 14:31

I had the same problem after upgrading to Windows 10.

This worked for me

Close Visual Studio
Run Powershell as admin
Run Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
Run Visual studio as admin
Clean the project and add the nuget package

If it still doesn't work try editing devenv.exe.config

Visual Studio 2013: C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio\12.0

Visual Studio 2015: C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio\14.0

Add the following

    <dependentAssembly>
        <assemblyIdentity name="System.Management.Automation" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" />
        <publisherPolicy apply="no" />
    </dependentAssembly>
    <dependentAssembly>
      <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.Utility" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" />
      <publisherPolicy apply="no" />
    </dependentAssembly>
    <dependentAssembly>
      <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft.PowerShell.ConsoleHost" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" />
      <publisherPolicy apply="no" />
    </dependentAssembly>
    <dependentAssembly>
      <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.Management" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" />
      <publisherPolicy apply="no" />
    </dependentAssembly>
    <dependentAssembly>
      <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft.PowerShell.Security" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" />
      <publisherPolicy apply="no" />
    </dependentAssembly>
    <dependentAssembly>
      <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.Diagnostics" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" />
      <publisherPolicy apply="no" />
    </dependentAssembly>

Adding Powershell dependencies to the `devenv.exe.config` is the only fix that worked for me both in VS2013 and VS2015. VS2013: `C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio\12.0` VS2015: `C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio\14.0` What didn't work for me was changing execution policy, changing the execution policy in the registry, reinstalling package manager, repairing visual studio, restarting visual studio, restarting windows. — MonkeyDreamzzz, Jul 06 '16 at 12:56
Wooooow. All the other Methods did not solve it for me in VS 2015. Only adding the dependencies to devenv.exe.config helped. After this I also found https://stackoverflow.com/questions/12638289/embedding-powershell-v2-0-in-net-app-on-windows-8-rtm. Thank you so so much!!! — nharrer, Jul 04 '17 at 18:38

score 6 · Answer 11 · answered Nov 02 '17 at 04:56

If the above answers dint work for you -

Open Run - windows + R
Open registry editor - type regedit.exe
Open - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell
In the right pane - Modify "ExecutionPolicy" and keep its "Value Data" as blank.
Restart your visual studio, Now your Powershell can initialize properly.

score 4 · Answer 12 · answered Sep 15 '15 at 15:14

4

This Nuget fix worked for me:

https://github.com/NuGet/Home/issues/974#issuecomment-124774650

answered Sep 15 '15 at 15:14

Federico Bergstein

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score 4 · Answer 13 · edited Oct 30 '15 at 03:40

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By default my Windows 10 64-bit only had Powershell version 1.0 enabled. I changed the control panel/Programs/Programs and features/Turn Windows features On Off.

Make sure the Windows Powershell 2.0 engine is enabled.

Restart VS2015 in non-administrator mode and with all packages installed correctly.

edited Oct 30 '15 at 03:40

Nathaniel Ford

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answered Oct 30 '15 at 03:04

DKrause

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I also have Windows 10 64-bit and I needed to enable Windows Powershell 2.0 engine to get the Package Manager Console to work. It is odd that this issue has been around for some time and Microsoft has not enabled the Powershell 2.0 engine as part of the Visual Studio 2017 install process. – JSWilson Apr 12 '17 at 14:16

score 4 · Answer 14 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:34

4

I had the same problem with vs2013 and changing execution policy did not fix it. The only working solution I found was uninstalling Nuget from VS and installing it again. Steps are here: https://stackoverflow.com/a/32619961/3853238

edited May 23 '17 at 12:34

Community

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answered Nov 11 '15 at 09:16

Doğa Benli

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score 4 · Answer 15 · answered Dec 21 '15 at 04:19

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Close all the visual studio instances and try again. It worked for me :)

answered Dec 21 '15 at 04:19

Mohini Mhetre

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score 3 · Answer 16 · answered May 28 '15 at 14:52

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All I needed to do was restart Visual Studio, open the NuGet Package Manager Console, and then using the Manage NuGet Packages dialog worked.

answered May 28 '15 at 14:52

Nameless One

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score 3 · Answer 17 · answered Oct 26 '15 at 08:20

After trying various suggested fixes, it was finally solved by updating the NuGet Package Manager extension in Visual Studio.

This is done under Tools -> Extensions And Updates, then in the Extensions and Updates dialog Updated -> Visual Studio Gallery. A restart of Visual Studio may be required.

score 2 · Answer 18 · answered Oct 08 '15 at 07:52

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Had the same problem and this solved it for me (Powershell as admin):

Set-ItemProperty -Path HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell -Name ExecutionPolicy -Value ByPass

answered Oct 08 '15 at 07:52

Sven Bardos

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score 2 · Answer 19 · edited Nov 13 '15 at 02:36

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If you use VS 2013 Update 5, you should manually install an update 2.8.7 for NuGet Packet Manager.

The bug report has more details.

edited Nov 13 '15 at 02:36

Nathan Tuggy

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answered Nov 12 '15 at 14:57

Vladimir Zhukov

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score 2 · Answer 20 · answered Dec 14 '15 at 06:04

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VS2015: Updated the NuGet and worked.

answered Dec 14 '15 at 06:04

Gubi

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Same here. Was using VS2015 and just updated the Nuget Package Manager and it worked. – iheartcsharp May 03 '17 at 13:41

score 2 · Answer 21 · answered Mar 14 '16 at 19:58

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What did the trick for me was to re-install NuGet Package Manager by using the link below:

VS 2013: https://github.com/NuGet/Home/releases/download/2.8.7/NuGet.Tools.vsix

VS 2015: https://github.com/NuGet/Home/releases/download/3.1.1/NuGet.Tools.vsix

answered Mar 14 '16 at 19:58

user2116792

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score 2 · Answer 22 · edited Mar 28 '17 at 18:11

If none of the above helps, see if you can update Visual Studio.

I Had the same issue with Visual Studio 2017 Community when I tried to install Newtonsoft.Json. The ExecutionPolicy change didn't help (I tried using both PowerShell and Registry Editor). I also tried to uninstall and install NuGet.

After running VS2017 setup file, it asked for update of Visual Studio. All the problems disappeared after the update.

score 1 · Answer 23 · answered Jun 22 '14 at 01:15

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For me setting the execution policy to Unrestricted did not work. I had to repair the vs2013 installation by going into Control Panel. Repairing the installation worked for me.

answered Jun 22 '14 at 01:15

DanKodi

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Nerdroid · Answer 24 · 2017-03-30T03:52:31.463

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after trying all the suggested solution nothing worked on VS 2015 update 2

deleting the package folder from the solution folder and restoring it from visual studio worked for me

edited Mar 30 '17 at 03:52

answered Apr 18 '16 at 02:05

Nerdroid

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score 1 · Answer 25 · answered Jul 09 '17 at 09:37

I had a similar problem. I have fixed it by turning "Windows PowerShell 2.0" feature on in "Turn Windows features on or off". Note that this feature is turned on by default, I manually turned it off few days ago.

I'm working on Windows 10 Pro 64bit and same problem was with Visual Studio 2015 and 2017 (32bit and 64bit app)

Tom Stickel · Answer 26 · 2015-07-27T17:33:17.843

Download and Install Administrative Templates for Windows PowerShell

Next:  Powershell x86 from As Administrator

Run:   Get-ExecutionPolicy -List  , and see if you have RemoteSigned etc..

1. 5 different scopes  Set-ExecutionPolicy "RemoteSigned" -Scope Process -Confirm:$false

2. Machine and User Policy you have to set through the Group Policy Administration Template in 2 areas.

UPDATE - EDIT:

Set ALL of them to  "Undefined" and ONLY the LocalMachine to "Restricted"

This is what fixed might after I had given my powershell more permissions not knowing that it would mess up visual studio 2013 and 2015

score 0 · Answer 27 · answered Sep 09 '15 at 15:31

This issue is not always related to the PowerShell Execution Policy. My machine is configured as "Unrestricted" for both PowerShell x64 and x86, but I still get this error message from times to times in Visual Studio 2013.

When I try to open the Package Manager Console:

Windows PowerShell updated your execution policy successfully, but the setting is overridden by a policy defined at a more specific scope. Due to the override, your shell will retain its current effective execution policy of Unrestricted. Type "Get-ExecutionPolicy -List" to view your execution policy settings. For more information please see "Get-Help Set-ExecutionPolicy".

This is not a valid error message.

Rebooting Visual Studio does not always resolve the problem.

Running the process as an admin never resolves the problem.

Like Declan, the latest update of the Package Manager plugin fixed the issue: 2.8.60723.765

score 0 · Answer 28 · edited Nov 07 '15 at 03:05

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Set the execution policy to Bypass instead of Unrestricted or RemoteSigned; this tutorial gives fuller instructions. Also, if you are having trouble using PowerShell to change the policy then the author shows you how to change it in Regedit.

edited Nov 07 '15 at 03:05

Nathan Tuggy

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answered Nov 06 '15 at 15:30

Charles Driver Jr.

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_Unrestricted_ should work just as well--it merely warns you when you may be doing something unsafe, where _Bypass_ would just go ahead and run the command. – Auspex Jan 28 '16 at 11:31

score 0 · Answer 29 · answered Jan 28 '16 at 11:33

There are an awful lot of stabs in the dark here, so I'll add my own.

In my case, I also got a message that there was a missing lock file, and a recommendation to run dnu restore in the package manager console. I did so, restarted VS, and everything is now working.

score 0 · Answer 30 · edited Apr 27 '16 at 03:25

What worked for me is:

Set Execution policy to Unrestricted.
Find-Module ISEModuleBrowserAddon | Install-Module
Import-Module ISEModuleBrowserAddon
Find-Module ISEScriptAnalyzerAddOn | Install-Module
Import-Module ISEScriptAnalyzerAddOn
Import-Module ScriptBrowser
In ISE, you need Enable-ScriptBrowser

And you have Module, Script, and Analyser in your ISE.

Run in Win 10 Pro, x64 Console Host 5.0.10586.122

Good Luck!

MonkeyDreamzzz · Answer 31 · 2016-08-25T12:22:25.093

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Apparently there is a Powershell bug in Windows 10 version 1511.

None of the fixes listed here worked for me. (or only worked temporarily)

I fixed it (both in VS2013 and VS2015) by installing version 1607. It can be downloaded here: Windows 10 Anniversary Update.

Nuget issue: https://github.com/NuGet/Home/issues/3352

edited Aug 25 '16 at 12:22

answered Aug 25 '16 at 12:14

MonkeyDreamzzz

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score 0 · Answer 32 · answered Nov 21 '17 at 19:28

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My problem solved, because in this time .Net Core not supported EF 6.2.0.

change project from Core and EF installed successfully.

answered Nov 21 '17 at 19:28

Zolfaghari

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score 0 · Answer 33 · answered Dec 20 '17 at 07:39

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You need to open PM console( Tools > Nuget Package Manager > Package Manager Console), it will prompt you if you want to run nuget manager as untrusted , type 'A' and click enter that will resolve the issue.

answered Dec 20 '17 at 07:39

IX.Vilakazi

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score 0 · Answer 34 · answered Apr 05 '19 at 20:25

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I run this command on powershell (run as admin) and it solve my issue.

reg delete HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell /v ExecutionPolicy /f

answered Apr 05 '19 at 20:25

user2662006

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Can't install nuget package because of "Failed to initialize the PowerShell host"

34 Answers34

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