How to Run a Bash File in PowerShell

Let me walk you through an example. Picture this—you're in the middle of an important development project. Suddenly, your team needs you to test a script that was originally written for a Linux environment. In any normal scenario, you'd switch to a Linux machine or use a virtual machine to execute the script. But there’s a far simpler, more direct method. Windows, especially from Windows 10 onwards, allows you to run a Bash file directly within PowerShell by leveraging the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

Step 1: Enable WSL Before we jump into running the script, the first thing you'll need to do is ensure that WSL is enabled on your system. PowerShell comes with the necessary tools to enable WSL quickly. Open PowerShell as an administrator and run the following command:

bash
wsl --install

This command will enable the feature and prompt your system to install the necessary components. Restart your computer if needed, and voilà, you’re halfway there.

Step 2: Install a Linux Distribution Now that WSL is enabled, the next step is to install a Linux distribution from the Microsoft Store. You can choose between Ubuntu, Debian, and several others. For most users, Ubuntu is the go-to option, and you can install it with a simple click in the Microsoft Store.

Step 3: Running the Bash File With your Linux environment set up, you're now ready to run your Bash file directly from PowerShell. Here’s how:

1. Navigate to the directory where your Bash file is located. Use the cd command in PowerShell to change to the correct directory:

bash
cd path\to\your\bash\file

1. Once you’re in the directory, type the following to run your script using the WSL environment:

bash
wsl bash yourscript.sh

That's it! You've successfully executed a Bash script from PowerShell.

Why Use WSL and PowerShell Together? PowerShell is fantastic for automating tasks within a Windows environment, but sometimes, you need the powerful utilities provided by Linux. WSL bridges this gap, allowing you to seamlessly move between both worlds. With WSL, you can even invoke Linux commands directly within PowerShell. For instance, you could run ls instead of dir, or use tools like grep and awk—something that was previously unimaginable in a native Windows setting.

Step 4: Working with File Paths A key consideration when running Bash files from PowerShell is handling file paths. PowerShell uses backslashes (\) for file paths, while Bash uses forward slashes (/). Fortunately, WSL automatically handles the conversion between these path types. However, there’s one catch: if you’re referencing a file in the Windows environment from WSL, you’ll need to specify the full path starting with /mnt/. Here’s an example:

bash
wsl bash /mnt/c/Users/YourName/Documents/yourscript.sh

By specifying the path this way, you’re telling WSL to access the file from your Windows directories.

Advanced Techniques: Running PowerShell and Bash Scripts Together What if you want to call a Bash script within a PowerShell script? It’s not as outlandish as it might seem. Consider the following scenario: you’ve got a PowerShell script that automates a series of Windows-based tasks but needs to invoke a Linux-based tool mid-process. Instead of jumping between terminals, you can embed a Bash command directly within your PowerShell script.

Here’s an example of how that works:

bash
# PowerShell code
Write-Host "Starting Windows tasks"

# Call Bash script from PowerShell
wsl bash /mnt/c/Users/YourName/Documents/yourscript.sh

Write-Host "Bash script completed. Resuming Windows tasks"

This hybrid scripting method opens up a world of possibilities for cross-platform automation.

Troubleshooting Common Issues Despite the convenience, there are potential pitfalls when running Bash scripts from PowerShell:

1. Missing WSL installation: If you haven't installed WSL or the Linux distribution, you’ll get an error. Always verify your WSL installation by typing wsl --list in PowerShell.
2. Permissions issues: Ensure your Bash script has executable permissions. If not, you can set them within WSL using chmod +x yourscript.sh.
3. Path errors: If your script is in a directory that PowerShell can’t access, double-check your file paths and ensure you’re using the correct /mnt/ prefix for Windows directories in Bash.

The Future of Scripting in Windows With each Windows update, Microsoft has been closing the gap between Linux and Windows environments. WSL is a clear indication that the future is bright for cross-platform development. Whether you’re a developer looking to streamline your workflow, a sysadmin managing both Windows and Linux servers, or just a curious tech enthusiast, running Bash files in PowerShell is a game-changer. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about extending the boundaries of what you can do in a Windows environment.

In fact, Microsoft has gone so far as to include WSL 2 in Windows 11, which brings full Linux kernel support to the table. This means faster file systems, better performance, and even Docker integration—all within your PowerShell terminal.

The flexibility you now have is astounding. Imagine running a PowerShell script that backs up files, processes them using Linux-based tools like sed or awk, and then uploads them to a cloud storage solution—all without leaving the PowerShell terminal.

The future of scripting in Windows is no longer siloed into distinct environments. It’s a world where PowerShell and Bash coexist harmoniously, allowing you to leverage the strengths of both platforms to create efficient, powerful automation processes. The question isn’t whether you can run Bash scripts in PowerShell—the question is, why wouldn’t you?