How to Enable bash-like Autocompletion, Autosuggestions, and Predictive IntelliSense in Windows PowerShell

If you’ve ever used a modern IDE or the Zsh shell on Linux, you’re likely used to Predictive IntelliSense—that “ghost text” that suggests your next command based on your history.

By default, the Windows PowerShell console feels a bit “old school,” but with a few tweaks to the PSReadLine module, you can turn it into a high-productivity powerhouse. Here is how to set it up step-by-step.

Step 1: Update Your PowerShell Tools

The most common reason autocomplete fails is an outdated version of the PSReadLine module. Windows PowerShell 5.1 often ships with version 2.0.0 or older, which doesn’t support modern predictions.

1. Right-click your Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Run the following command to install the latest version:

Install-Module -Name PSReadLine -Force -Scope CurrentUser

3. If prompted to trust the repository, type Y and hit Enter.
4. Restart PowerShell to ensure the new version is loaded.

Step 2: Enable Predictions

Now that your module is updated, you can turn on the history-based suggestions.

In your PowerShell window, type:

Set-PSReadLineOption -PredictionSource History

As soon as you start typing a command you’ve used before, you will see a gray “ghost” suggestion.

How to use it:

• To accept the suggestion: Press the Right Arrow () or the End key.
• To accept word-by-word: Press Ctrl + Right Arrow ().

Step 3: Choose Your Visual Style

There are two ways to view these suggestions. You can switch between them at any time by pressing F2.

Option A: Inline View (The Ghost Text)

This is the subtle, modern look where the suggestion sits right on your cursor line.

Set-PSReadLineOption -PredictionViewStyle InlineView

Option B: List View (The Drop-down)

If you prefer a menu of possible matches from your history, use List View.

Set-PSReadLineOption -PredictionViewStyle ListView

Step 4: Make it Permanent (The PowerShell Profile)

If you close PowerShell now, your settings will be lost. To keep them forever, you need to add them to your Profile script.

1. In PowerShell, type: notepad $PROFILE
2. If Notepad asks to create a new file, click Yes.
3. Paste the following code into the Notepad file:

# Ensure the latest PSReadLine is used
Import-Module PSReadLine

# Enable History-based suggestions
Set-PSReadLineOption -PredictionSource History

# Set the default view to Inline (Change to ListView if preferred)
Set-PSReadLineOption -PredictionViewStyle InlineView

# Bonus: Use Up/Down arrows to search through history matches only
Set-PSReadLineKeyHandler -Key UpArrow -Function HistorySearchBackward
Set-PSReadLineKeyHandler -Key DownArrow -Function HistorySearchForward

4. Save and close Notepad.

🛠 Troubleshooting: “Parameter Cannot Be Found”

If you see an error saying -PredictionSource cannot be found, your system is still trying to use the old version of PSReadLine.

The Fix: Run Get-Module PSReadLine -ListAvailable to see if you have multiple versions. If you do, ensure you have followed Step 1 above. You may need to manually delete the older folder version located in C:\Program Files\WindowsPowerShell\Modules\PSReadLine (requires Admin).

Happy Coding! Your PowerShell experience should now feel much faster and more intuitive.