January 2025 update

See the change log for details.

Author: skycommand

Apps/Get AppX package names.ps1

@@ -2,19 +2,24 @@
 
 <#
 .SYNOPSIS
-  Returns the package identities and display names of all installed packaged apps (AppX)
+  Returns the friendly app names of all packaged apps (AppX or MSIX) installed for the current user.
 .DESCRIPTION
-  Get-AppxPackage returns a list of all installed packaged apps, along with their "Name",
-  "PackageFullName", and "PackageFamilyName" properties. None of these are human-consumable. For
-  example, what is "58027.265370AB8DB33_fjemmk5ta3a5g"? This script reveals the display name of all
-  installed packaged apps.
+  Starting with Windows 8, Microsoft created an app architecture that was optimized for distribution
+  via Microsoft Store. After many name changes (Metro-style app, modern app, Store app, UWP app,
+  WinRT app, etc.), Microsoft has finally settled for "Packaged app" because these apps have package
+  identities. These apps must be distributed in AppX or MSIX packages.
+  
+  The `Get-AppxPackage` cmdlet returns a list of all packaged apps on the system along with their
+  package IDs, e.g., `58027.265370AB8DB33_fjemmk5ta3a5g`. However, the cmdlet doesn't show their app
+  names. This script mitigates that issue. It lists all packaged apps installed for the current user
+  account, along with their app names.
 .NOTES
-  DEPRECATED
+  DEPRECATED. Please use WinGet instead.
 
-  This script depends on Get-AppxPackage and its Appx module. As such, it won't work in PowerShell
-  6 and later.
+  You can pipe the output of this script to  `Format-Table` or `Format-List` cmdlets.
 
-  Instead of this script, consider using WinGet.exe.
+  The script accepts a `-Verbose` switch to display the names packages for which the name resolution
+  failed.
 .LINK
   None
 .EXAMPLE

Apps/Get installed apps.ps1

@@ -1,10 +1,15 @@
-<#
+#Requires -Version 5.1
+
+<#
 .SYNOPSIS
   Queries Windows Registry for a list of installed apps
-.DESCRIPTION
-  Queries Windows Registry for a list of apps that have registered uninstallers. Displays their
-  CPU architecture mode (Arch), friendly name, and their registered uninstaller.
-.EXAMPLE
+.DESCRIPTION  
+  This script queries Windows Registry for a list of apps that have registered uninstallers, and
+  displays their target CPU architecture (Arch), friendly name, and their registered uninstaller. 
+  In Windows PowerShell 5.1, you could accomplish the same via the `Get-Package` cmdlet because
+  Windows comes bundled with a "Programs" package provider. This provider is not available in
+  PowerShell 7.0 and later.
+.EXAMPLE  
   PS C:\> & '.\Get installed apps.ps1' | Format-Table
 
   Arch  Scope Name                                   Display name                                         Uninstall string
@@ -58,16 +63,13 @@
   IA-32 HKLM  {1a7abdc5-639b-4af0-87c6-dbc511750c6e} Microsoft Windows Desktop Runtime - 6.0.31 (x64)     "C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\{1a7abdc5-639b-4af0...
   IA-32 HKLM  {9FF5D2D9-C74D-47A0-807B-AA2EC7A12F9D} Microsoft Windows Desktop Runtime - 8.0.5 (x86)      MsiExec.exe /X{9FF5D2D9-C74D-47A0-807B-AA2EC7A12F9D}
 
-.INPUTS
+.INPUTS  
   None
-.OUTPUTS
+.OUTPUTS  
   PSCustomObject[]
-.NOTES
-  The Get-Package cmdlet in Windows PowerShell 5.1 can query Windows Registry for installed apps via
-  a PackageProvider called "Programs". This package provider was never ported to PowerShell 7.
-#>
-
-#Requires -Version 5.1
+.NOTES  
+  None
+#>  
 
 using namespace System.Management.Automation
 

Apps/Is x64.ps1

@@ -1,8 +1,12 @@
+#Requires -Version 5.1
+
 <#
 .SYNOPSIS
   Determines whether an EXE file is marked as x64.
 .DESCRIPTION
-  Determines whether an EXE file is marked as x64.
+  Windows EXE files have a platform marker. This scripts determines whether that platform marker is
+  x64 and returns a Boolean in answer to that question. Beware that EXE files NOT marked as x64 can
+  still extract and run x64-only payloads.
 .EXAMPLE
   PS C:\> & "Is x64.ps1" -LiteralPath C:\Windows\Notepad.exe
   True
@@ -14,8 +18,6 @@
   None
 #>
 
-#Requires -Version 5.1
-
 using namespace System.Management.Automation
 
 [CmdletBinding()]

Apps/Reinstall AppX Packages.ps1

@@ -4,17 +4,19 @@
 .SYNOPSIS
   Re-registers all packaged apps by Microsoft Corporation for the current user.
 .DESCRIPTION
-  Looks for all mainline packaged apps whose publishers are "cw5n1h2txyewy" (Microsoft apps) or
-  "8wekyb3d8bbwe" (Windows components). Re-registers them for the current user.
+  This script queries all mainline packaged apps whose publishers are "cw5n1h2txyewy" (Microsoft
+  apps) or "8wekyb3d8bbwe" (Windows components). Re-registers them for the current user.
 .NOTES
-  DEPRECATED
+  DEPRECATED. I strongly recommend not to use it.
 
   This script depends on Get-AppxPackage and its Appx module. As such, it won't work in PowerShell
-  6 and later.
+  6 and later, and returns an error (System.PlatformNotSupportedException).
 .LINK
   None
 #>
 
+Import-Module -Name Appx -ErrorAction "Stop"
+
 $MicrosoftPublisherIDs = @(
     "cw5n1h2txyewy", # CN=Microsoft Corporation, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US
     "8wekyb3d8bbwe"  #     CN=Microsoft Windows, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US

Apps/Remove AppX packages.ps1

@@ -2,26 +2,23 @@
 
 <#
 .SYNOPSIS
-  Uninstalls certain packaged apps for the current user.
+  Uninstalls packaged apps bundled with Windows from the current user account.
 .DESCRIPTION
-  When Windows 10 was first published in 2015, it was bloated with marginally useful AppX packages.
+  When Windows 10 was first published in 2015, it was bloated with marginally useful packaged apps.
   To their credit, they had no performance impact. Yet, their very existence was a violation of the
-  principle of lean systems.
+  principle of lean systems. This script uninstalls them all for the current user.
+  .NOTES
+  DEPRECATED. Please use WinGet instead.
 
-  This script uninstalls them all for the current user. The script requires no administrative
-  privileges.
-.NOTES
-  DEPRECATED
+  The script requires no administrative privileges.
 
-  This script requires Remove-AppxPackage and its Appx module. As such, it won't work in PowerShell
-  6 and later.
-
-  Instead of this script, consider using WinGet.exe.
+  This script depends on Get-AppxPackage and its Appx module. As such, it won't work in PowerShell
+  6 and later, and returns an error (System.PlatformNotSupportedException).
 .LINK
   None
 #>
 
-Import-Module -Name Appx -ErrorAction Stop
+Import-Module -Name Appx -ErrorAction "Stop"
 
 $applist = @(
   "Microsoft.549981C3F5F10",                         # Cortana (2nd-Gen)

Apps/Repair system AppX packages.ps1

@@ -1,26 +1,27 @@
-#Requires -RunAsAdministrator
 #Requires -Version 5.1
+#Requires -RunAsAdministrator
 
 <#
 .SYNOPSIS
-  Re-registers all packaged apps marked as System Components for the current user.
+  Re-registers all AppX packages in the "SystemApp" folder.
 .DESCRIPTION
-  Looks for all mainline packaged apps installed in "SystemApp". Re-registers them for the current
-  user.
+  This script looks for  packages installed in "SystemApp" and re-registers them for the current
+  user account.
 .NOTES
-  DEPRECATED
+  DEPRECATED. I strongly recommend not to use it.
 
-  This script depends on Get-AppxPackage and its Appx module. As such, it won't work in PowerShell
-  6 and later.
+  This script requires administrative privileges.
 
-  This script is no longer necessary, thanks to Windows 10 quality having reached acceptable levels
-  after nine years.
+  This script depends on Get-AppxPackage and its Appx module. As such, it won't work in PowerShell
+  6 and later, and returns an error (System.PlatformNotSupportedException).
 .LINK
   None
 #>
 
+Import-Module -Name Appx -ErrorAction "Stop"
+
 Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object InstallLocation -Like "*SystemApp*" | ForEach-Object {
-    $a=$_
-    Format-List -InputObject $a -Property Name,InstallLocation
-    Add-AppxPackage -Path "$($a.InstallLocation)\AppxManifest.xml" -Register -DisableDevelopmentMode
+  $a=$_
+  Format-List -InputObject $a -Property Name,InstallLocation
+  Add-AppxPackage -Path "$($a.InstallLocation)\AppxManifest.xml" -Register -DisableDevelopmentMode
 }

BITS/Get active BITS jobs, detailed.ps1

@@ -1,3 +1,60 @@
+#Requires -Version 5.1
 #Requires -RunAsAdministrator
 
+<#
+.SYNOPSIS
+  Shows the details of active BITS jobs.
+.DESCRIPTION
+  This script runs `Get-BitsTransfer -AllUsers` and displays jobs whose states are "Transferring" in
+  details.
+.EXAMPLE
+  PS C:\> & '.\Get active BITS jobs, detailed.ps1'
+
+  class BitsJob
+  {
+    DisplayName = MozillaUpdate 308046B0AF4A39CB
+    BytesTotal = 9777572
+    BytesTransferred = 9777571
+    FileList =
+      [
+        class BitsFile
+        {
+          RemoteName = https://download-installer.cdn.mozilla.net/pub/firefox/releases/131.0.2/upda…
+          LocalName = C:\ProgramData\Mozilla-1de4eec8-1241-4177-a864-e594e8d1fb38\updates\308046B0A…
+          IsTransferComplete = False
+          BytesTotal = 9777572
+          BytesTransferred = 9777571
+        }
+      ]
+
+  }
+
+  class BitsJob
+  {
+    DisplayName = Edge Component Updater
+    BytesTotal = 1673976
+    BytesTransferred = 1673975
+    FileList =
+      [
+        class BitsFile
+        {
+          RemoteName = http://msedge.b.tlu.dl.delivery.mp.microsoft.com/filestreamingservice/files/…
+          LocalName = C:\Users\M\AppData\Local\Packages\microsoft.bingweather_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AC\Temp…
+          IsTransferComplete = False
+          BytesTotal = 1673976
+          BytesTransferred = 1673975
+        }
+      ]
+
+  }
+.INPUTS
+  None
+.OUTPUTS
+  String
+.NOTES
+  None
+#>
+
+Import-Module -Name BitsTransfer -ErrorAction "Stop"
+
 Get-BitsTransfer -AllUsers | Where-Object {$_.JobState -eq 'Transferring'} | Format-Custom -Property DisplayName,BytesTotal,BytesTransferred,FileList

BITS/Get active BITS jobs, table.ps1

@@ -1,3 +1,27 @@
+#Requires -Version 5.1
 #Requires -RunAsAdministrator
 
+<#
+.SYNOPSIS
+  Shows a table of active BITS jobs.
+.DESCRIPTION
+  This script runs `Get-BitsTransfer -AllUsers` and displays jobs whose states are "Transferring" in
+  a table.
+.EXAMPLE
+  PS C:\> & '.\Get active BITS jobs, table.ps1'
+
+  DisplayName                    BytesTotal BytesTransferred FileList
+  -----------                    ---------- ---------------- --------
+  MozillaUpdate 308046B0AF4A39CB    9777572          9777571 {https://download-installer.cdn.mozill…
+  Edge Component Updater            1673976          1673975 {http://msedge.b.tlu.dl.delivery.mp.mi…
+.INPUTS
+  None
+.OUTPUTS
+  String
+.NOTES
+  None
+#>
+
+Import-Module -Name BitsTransfer -ErrorAction "Stop"
+
 Get-BitsTransfer -AllUsers | Where-Object {$_.JobState -eq 'Transferring'} | Format-Table -Autosize -Property DisplayName,BytesTotal,BytesTransferred,FileList

BITS/Get all BITS jobs, custom.ps1

@@ -1,14 +1,76 @@
 #Requires -RunAsAdministrator
+#Requires -Version 5.1
 
-# TO DO: Rewrite using list view
+<#
+.SYNOPSIS
+  Short description
+.DESCRIPTION
+  Long description
+.EXAMPLE
+  PS C:\> & '.\Get all BITS jobs, custom.ps1'
+
+  ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  b8daf1ed-9b93-4feb-bc18-ef16199dec62
+  MozillaUpdate 308046B0AF4A39CB
+  Download | Transferred | Foreground
+  9,777,572 / 9,777,572
+  Files:
+      Remote Name: https://download-installer.cdn.mozilla.net/pub/firefox/releases/131.0.2/update/wi
+      Local Name:  C:\ProgramData\Mozilla-1de4eec8-1241-4177-a864-e594e8d1fb38\updates\308046B0AF4A3
+      Progress:    9,777,572 / 9,777,572 (Complete)
+  ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  65d9da80-7b13-4da8-93eb-c7408c9ad597
+  Edge Component Updater
+  Download | Transferred | Normal
+  1,673,976 / 1,673,976
+  Files:
+      Remote Name: http://msedge.b.tlu.dl.delivery.mp.microsoft.com/filestreamingservice/files/0c12d
+      Local Name:  C:\Users\X\AppData\Local\Packages\microsoft.bingweather_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AC\Temp\edg
+      Progress:    1,673,976 / 1,673,976 (Complete)
+  ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  05adff0b-36af-4f13-92f1-d798b00e7323
+  MozillaUpdate 308046B0AF4A39CB
+  Download | Transferred | Foreground
+  20,461,606 / 20,461,606
+  Files:
+      Remote Name: https://download-installer.cdn.mozilla.net/pub/firefox/releases/132.0/update/win6
+      Local Name:  C:\ProgramData\Mozilla-1de4eec8-1241-4177-a864-e594e8d1fb38\updates\308046B0AF4A3
+      Progress:    20,461,606 / 20,461,606 (Complete)
+  ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  af7a4d77-ef30-4f28-900a-279a47028a9f
+  MozillaUpdate 308046B0AF4A39CB
+  Download | Transferred | Foreground
+  17,754,615 / 17,754,615
+  Files:
+      Remote Name: https://download-installer.cdn.mozilla.net/pub/firefox/releases/133.0/update/win6
+      Local Name:  C:\ProgramData\Mozilla-1de4eec8-1241-4177-a864-e594e8d1fb38\updates\308046B0AF4A3
+      Progress:    17,754,615 / 17,754,615 (Complete)
+  ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+.INPUTS
+  None
+.OUTPUTS
+  String
+.NOTES
+  None
+#>
 
 function Main {
   $OutputTemplate1 = "{0}`n{1}`n{2} | {3} | {4}`n{5:N0} / {6:N0}`nFiles:"
   $OutputTemplate2 = "    Remote Name: {0}`n    Local Name:  {1}`n    Progress:    {2:N0} / {3:N0} ({4})"
-  $SplitterLine = [String]::new([char]0x2500, 110)
+  #OutputTemplate1: JobId, DisplayName, TransferType, JobState, Priority, BytesTransferred, BytesTotal
+  #OutputTemplate2: RemoteName, LocalName, BytesTransferred, BytesTotal, "Complete"/"Pending"
+
+  try {
+    $BufferWidth = [Console]::BufferWidth
+    if ($BufferWidth -lt 10) { $BufferWidth = 110 }
+  }
+  catch {
+    $BufferWidth = 110
+  }
+  $SplitterLine  = [String]::new([char]0x2500, $BufferWidth)
 
   # The following only works in PowerShell 7.x:
-  # $SplitterLine = [String]::new("`u{2500}", 110)
+  # $SplitterLine = [String]::new("`u{2500}", $BufferWidth)
 
   $a = Get-BitsTransfer -AllUsers -ErrorAction Stop
   if ($null -eq $a) {