Windows Server Core: How to Start PowerShell Instead of cmd.exe by Default

By default, Windows Server Core runs cmd.exe as its shell, since there is nothing else. PowerShell, however, is far more useful in that role. Especially since, right after logging in, the first thing you usually do is start PowerShell anyway.

You can swap one for the other with a small registry edit.

Start PowerShell and cast the following spell:

Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon' `
                 -Name Shell `
                 -Value 'PowerShell.exe -NoExit -Command "Set-Location ~"'

All that's left is to log off and log back in.