Set-Item

Module:
Microsoft.PowerShell.Management
Changes the value of an item to the value specified in the command.

Syntax 

Set-Item
   [-Path] <String[]>
   [[-Value] <Object>]
   [-Force]
   [-PassThru]
   [-Filter <String>]
   [-Include <String[]>]
   [-Exclude <String[]>]
   [-Credential <PSCredential>]
   [-WhatIf]
   [-Confirm]
   [-UseTransaction]
   [<CommonParameters>]
Set-Item
   -LiteralPath <String[]>
   [[-Value] <Object>]
   [-Force]
   [-PassThru]
   [-Filter <String>]
   [-Include <String[]>]
   [-Exclude <String[]>]
   [-Credential <PSCredential>]
   [-WhatIf]
   [-Confirm]
   [-UseTransaction]
   [<CommonParameters>]

Description

The Set-Item cmdlet changes the value of an item, such as a variable or registry key, to the value specified in the command.

Examples

Example 1: Create an alias 

PS C:\> Set-Item -Path alias:np -Value "c:\windows\notepad.exe"

This command creates an alias of np for Notepad.

Example 2: Change the value of an environment variable 

PS C:\> Set-Item -Path env:UserRole -Value "Administrator"

This command changes the value of the UserRole environment variable to Administrator.

Example 3: Modify your prompt function 

PS C:\> Set-Item -Path function:prompt -Value {'PS '+ $(Get-Date -Format t) + " " + $(Get-Location) + '> '}

This command changes the prompt function so that it displays the time before the path.

Example 4: Set options for your prompt function 

PS C:\> Set-Item -Path function:prompt -Options "AllScope,ReadOnly"

This command sets the AllScope and ReadOnly options for the prompt function. This command uses the Options dynamic parameter of Set-Item . The Options parameter is available in Set-Item only when you use it with the Alias or Function provider.

Required Parameters

-LiteralPath

Specifies a path of the location of the new items. Unlike Path , the value of LiteralPath is used exactly as it is typed. No characters are interpreted as wildcard characters. If the path includes escape characters, enclose it in single quotation marks. Single quotation marks tell Windows PowerShell not to interpret any characters as escape sequences.

Type: String[]
Aliases: PSPath
Position: Named
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: True (ByPropertyName)
Accept wildcard characters: False
-Path

Specifies a path of the location of the new items. Wildcard characters are permitted.

Type: String[]
Position: 1
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: True (ByPropertyName)
Accept wildcard characters: False

Optional Parameters

-Confirm

Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.

Type: SwitchParameter
Aliases: cf
Position: Named
Default value: False
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False
-Credential

Specifies a user account that has permission to perform this action. The default is the current user.

Type a user name, such as User01 or Domain01\User01, or enter a PSCredential object, such as one generated by the Get-Credential cmdlet. If you type a user name, this cmdlet prompts for a password.

This parameter is not supported by any providers installed with parameter is not supported by any providers installed with Windows PowerShell.

Type: PSCredential
Position: Named
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: True (ByPropertyName)
Accept wildcard characters: False
-Exclude

Specifies items that this cmdlet omits. The value of this parameter qualifies the Path parameter. Enter a path element or pattern, such as *.txt. Wildcard characters are permitted.

Type: String[]
Position: Named
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False
-Filter

Specifies a filter in the format or language of the provider. The value of this parameter qualifies the Path parameter. The syntax of the filter, including the use of wildcard characters, depends on the provider. Filters are more efficient than other parameters, because the provider applies them when it retrieves the objects, instead of having Windows PowerShell filter the objects after they are retrieved.

Type: String
Position: Named
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False
-Force

Forces the cmdlet to set items that cannot otherwise be changed, such as read-only alias or variables. The cmdlet cannot change constant aliases or variables. Implementation varies from provider to provider. For more information, see about_Providers. Even using the Force parameter, the cmdlet cannot override security restrictions.

Type: SwitchParameter
Position: Named
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False
-Include

Specifies items that this cmdlet changes. The value of this parameter qualifies the Path parameter. Enter a path element or pattern, such as *.txt. Wildcard characters are permitted.

Type: String[]
Position: Named
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False
-PassThru

Passes an object that represents the item to the pipeline. By default, this cmdlet does not generate any output.

Type: SwitchParameter
Position: Named
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False
-UseTransaction

Includes the command in the active transaction. This parameter is valid only when a transaction is in progress. For more information, see Includes the command in the active transaction. This parameter is valid only when a transaction is in progress. For more information, see

Type: SwitchParameter
Aliases: usetx
Position: Named
Default value: False
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False
-Value

Specifies a new value for the item.

Type: Object
Position: 2
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: True (ByPropertyName, ByValue)
Accept wildcard characters: False
-WhatIf

Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.

Type: SwitchParameter
Aliases: wi
Position: Named
Default value: False
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False

Inputs

System.Object

You can pipe an object that represents the new value of the item to this cmdlet.

Outputs

None or an object representing the new or changed item.

This cmdlet generates an object that represent the item, if you specify the PassThru parameter. Otherwise, this cmdlet does not generate any output.

Notes

  • You can also refer to Set-Item by its built-in alias, si . For more information, see about_Aliases.

    Set-Item is not supported by the Windows PowerShell FileSystem provider. To change the values of items in the file system, use the Set-Content cmdlet.

    In the Registry drives, HKLM: and HKCU:, Set-Item changes the data in the (Default) value of a registry key. To create and change the names of registry keys, use the New-Item and Rename-Item cmdlet. To change the names and data in registry values, use the New-ItemProperty, Set-ItemProperty, and Rename-ItemProperty cmdlets.

    Set-Item is designed to work with the data exposed by any provider. To list the providers available in your session, type Get-PsProvider . For more information, see about_Providers.

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