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"Failed to run PowerShell script" error when running the Run PowerShell script action

This article provides a resolution for an error that occurs when running the Run PowerShell script action in Microsoft Power Automate for desktop.

Symptoms

During the execution of a desktop flow in Power Automate for desktop, an error occurs when running the Run PowerShell script action. This issue might also occur after a recent Windows update.

The error message appears as follows:

Microsoft.Flow.RPA.Desktop.Modules.SDK.ActionException: Failed to run PowerShell script. ---> System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception: The system cannot find the file specified
   at System.Diagnostics.Process.StartWithCreateProcess(ProcessStartInfo startInfo)
   at Microsoft.Flow.RPA.Desktop.Modules.System.Actions.SystemActions.RunPowershellScript(Variant powershellCode, Variant& scriptStandardOutput, Variant& scriptErrorOutput)
   --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
   at Microsoft.Flow.RPA.Desktop.Modules.System.Actions.RunPowershellScript.Execute(ActionContext context)
   at Microsoft.Flow.RPA.Desktop.Robin.Engine.Execution.ActionRunner.Run(IActionStatement statement, Dictionary`2 inputArguments, Dictionary`2 outputArguments)

Cause

The Run PowerShell script action internally starts an instance of powershell.exe and provides the script specified in the action's input as an argument for the process. If the system fails to find powershell.exe, you might receive the error message.

The most likely cause of this issue is that the Path environment variable doesn't include the directory containing the powershell.exe executable. To confirm this is the root cause, follow these steps:

  1. Open a Command Prompt (CMD) window.
  2. Run powershell.exe by typing the command and pressing Enter.

If the following message occurs, then the issue lies in the missing path to powershell.exe in the Path environment variable.

'powershell.exe' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, follow these steps to update the Path environment variable to include the directory of the powershell.exe executable:

  1. Open the Start menu, search for Environment Variables, and then select Edit the system environment variables.

  2. In the System Properties window, select Environment Variables.

  3. Under the System variables section, locate and select the Path variable, and then select Edit.

  4. Add the directory path of powershell.exe to the list of paths.

    In most cases, the missing path is C:\WINDOWS\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\.

    To confirm the correct path, open a PowerShell terminal and run the $PsHome command.

    Use the displayed path as the value to add to the Path variable.

  5. Select OK to save changes and close all dialogs.