WSL Crashed and Fixed: A Connection Attempt Failed

Error on WSL You might encounter this error when trying to open your Linux distribution: A connection attempt failed because the connected party did not properly respond after a period of time, or established connection failed because connected host has failed to respond. Error code: Wsl/Service/0x8007274c What Is This Error in WSL? The error message: “Error code: Wsl/Service/0x8007274c” is a Windows networking timeout (SocketException 10060 / HRESULT 0x8007274c). In the context of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), it means that wsl.exe cannot connect to the WSL service or the Linux VM backend (WSL - 2). ...

November 27, 2025 · The PwshTips Team

Windows Defender Firewall: Management

The Windows Defender Firewall is a critical component of Windows security, controlling inbound and outbound network traffic to protect your system from unauthorized access and malicious activity. While often misunderstood, managing it effectively is essential for both security and application functionality. This post clarifies the distinction between “Windows Firewall” and “Windows Defender Firewall,” and provides command-line and PowerShell methods to manage its state (on/off) and configure rules. 1. “Windows Firewall” vs “Windows Defender Firewall” The naming of Windows’ built-in firewall can be a source of confusion, but the reality is simpler than it seems. ...

November 13, 2025 · The PwshTips Team

$PSScriptRoot & %~dp0: Script's Home

When writing portable scripts, one of the first challenges is locating files relative to the script itself. Whether in PowerShell or a classic Batch file, you need a reliable way to find your script’s “home” directory. This guide breaks down the two most important tools for this job: $PSScriptRoot for PowerShell and %~dp0 for Batch. 1. The Batch Method cd /d %~dp0 In Windows Batch scripting (.bat, .cmd), the magic variable %~dp0 is the standard for getting the script’s directory. It’s often used with cd to change the working directory. ...

November 12, 2025 · The PwshTips Team

PowerShell vs. CMD on Windows

For decades, the Command Prompt (cmd.exe) was the undisputed command-line interface for Windows. It was simple, reliable, and got the job done. However, with the introduction of PowerShell (pwsh), the game has changed. PowerShell is not just an upgrade; it’s a complete paradigm shift in how we interact with the Windows operating system. So, which one should you be using? This guide will put PowerShell and CMD in a head-to-head battle, comparing their core philosophies, commands, and scripting capabilities to show why PowerShell is the clear winner for any modern administrative or automation task. ...

October 27, 2025 · The PwshTips Team

PowerShell & CMD: Cross-Shell Scripting

In any Windows environment, you’ll inevitably encounter a mix of modern PowerShell scripts and legacy Command Prompt (cmd.exe) batch files. Instead of treating them as separate worlds, you can make them work together. Understanding how PowerShell and CMD can call each other is a crucial skill for any system administrator, allowing you to integrate legacy tools into modern automation workflows. This guide will walk you through the techniques for calling CMD from PowerShell and PowerShell from CMD, enabling you to build powerful, hybrid scripts that leverage the best of both shells. ...

October 27, 2025 · The PwshTips Team