Target AppLocalFromInstalled: 'pwsh.exe' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

[oleg-boulanov]

Describe the bug
After installing vcpkg, new diagnostic output appeared while building existing projects

Environment

• OS: Windows 11
• Compiler: Visual Studio 2022/MSBuild

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Install vcpkg
2. Build existing static library C++ project in Visual Studio 2022
3. Check build output window

Expected behavior
No errors logged

Failure logs
Target AppLocalFromInstalled: 'pwsh.exe' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

---

On my Windows 11, PowerShell shortcut points to:
%SystemRoot%\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe
and is included in
Path=..;C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0;...

[StarGate-One]

vcpkg uses powershell-core pwsh.exe not windows powershell powershell.exe.
That said, vcpkg should have downloaded and installed the version of powershell core it requires - you can download/install powershell-core from here. Just be sure to select Add to Path for All Users when installing.
The version of powershell core used by vcpkg can be found here, looks like the x86 version of 7.2.11.
I personally have powershell-core 7.4 x64 with its path added and vcpkg finds it just fine.

[oleg-boulanov]

Thank you for prompt response.
Maybe powershell-core should be listed as a prerequisite here: https://github.com/microsoft/vcpkg#quick-start-windows?

[StarGate-One]

vcpkg should download/install the tools needed by the ports/features selected while being transparent to the user.

Listing the dozens of supporting tools vcpkg uses as prerequisite would be formidable, long and overwhelming, especially for new users to install, not to mention most would not be needed.

In this case vcpkg failed to download/install powershell-core and I am unsure what information/logs would be required to duplicate the issue and then remedy. The maintainers of this area of vcpkg may be reaching out to you for more information.

[oleg-boulanov]

OK, thanks a lot!

[Adela0814]

@oleg-boulanov Can you provide your simple reproduction project?

[oleg-boulanov]

@Adela0814 sorry, I can't.
StarGate-One already identified the issue - pwsh not installed during vcpkg installation:
git clone https://github.com/microsoft/vcpkg.git
cd vcpkg && bootstrap-vcpkg.bat
I had to install it manually to fix the issue.

[rislah]

Same. Manually installing fixed the issue.

[brett-m-rogers]

The other possibly bigger problem is that this doesn't fail the build. Is this target necessary?