How to install powershell as a prerequisite?

I am using Visual Studio 2010 setup p开发者_开发问答roject

I don't think you are allowed to redistribute PowerShell. And at any rate, it is built in to Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2. All the other platforms have separate installers as well. I think it would be best to just notify your customers that they need PowerShell 2.0.

I had a similar problem in the StudioShell installer - wanted to make sure PoSh 2.0 is installed. I did a cursory check for the executable with a minimum version number, and added a launch condition that notified the user of the missing prerequisite and offered to open a web page to the PowerShell download. Seemed like the most legally helpful approach.

There is a way, albiet requiring you to build some MSI thing manually that will get it from MS and install it for you. I know the exchange install used that technique. You can also get a license/permission from MS to redistribute the official installers.