Support Windows PowerShell 5.1 #411
Description
Describe the feature or problem you'd like to solve
GitHub Copilot CLI currently requires PowerShell 6+ (pwsh), but the latest version of Windows 11 ships with Windows PowerShell 5.1 (version 5.1.26100.6899) as the default and only pre-installed PowerShell version. This creates an unnecessary barrier to entry for Windows users. The current error when attempting to use Copilot CLI on a default Windows installation is: PowerShell <exited with error: PowerShell 6+ (pwsh) is not available. Please install it from https://aka.ms/powershell. Error: Error: Command failed: pwsh.exe --version 'pwsh.exe' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file. > This version check is arbitrary the CLI works perfectly fine on PowerShell 5.1 with no issues. I know this as I made a quick proof of concept where I trick the program into thinking it is on such a version https://github.com/RespectMathias/pwsh-copilot.
Proposed solution
The CLI already works correctly on PowerShell 5.1. There are no features that actually require PowerShell 6+.
Example prompts or workflows
Current workflow (unnecessary friction):
npm install -g @github/copilot
Receive error about pwsh not being available
Install PowerShell 7+ manually
Finally use copilot
Proposed workflow (works immediately):
npm install -g @github/copilot
Use copilot immediately
Additional context
No response