How do I get PowerShell 4 cmdlets such as Test-NetConnection to work on Windows 7?

Question

The situation. On a Windows 7 SP1 machine, I have updated with Windows6.1-KB2819745-x64-MultiPkg.msu. Furthermore, in PowerShell $PSVersionTable now reports ‘PSVersion 4.0’.

Answer 1

While PowerShell 4.0 is available on Windows 7, as Knuckle-Dragger states certain features rely on newer operating system functionality. Unfortunately Test-NetConnection is not available in Windows 7 as stated in the documentation.

Test-Connection, which is present, is basically ping. Test-NetConnection offers much more functionality, allowing a choice of things such as TCP ports, protocols, route tracing, and information levels.

There is a Send-Ping script available from the ScriptCenter in the TechNet gallery, but I think this is only really useful if you are stuck on PowerShell 3.0 for some reason.