Visual Studio 2017 - Unable to initialize powershell host - visual-studio

Question

Day 1:
System: Windows 10
Microsoft Visual Studio Community 2017
Version 15.5.5
VisualStudio.15.Release/15.5.5+27130.2026
I have a website project that is making use of the WindowsAzure.Storage NuGet package.
From within Visual Studio, I do the following:
Tools -> NuGet Package Manager -> Manage NuGet Packages for Solution ...
The system displays 2 updates are available:
Newtonsoft.Json v10.0.3 (currently installed v9.0.1)
WindowsAzure.Storage v9.0 (currently installed v8.7)
I select check the "Select all packages" checkbox and click the "Update" button.
FAIL (Never had this happen before) !!
Below is the output captured from Visual Studio:
Retrieving package 'WindowsAzure.Storage 9.0.0' from 'nuget.org'.
...
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3007) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3014) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3021) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3028) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3035) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The term 'Get-ExecutionPolicy' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.
Install failed. Rolling back...
Error List Window shows:
Failed to initialize the PowerShell host. If your PowerShell execution policy setting is set to AllSigned, open the Package Manager Console to initialize the host first.
Powershell output from: Get-ExecutionPolicy -List output:
Scope ExecutionPolicy
----- ---------------
MachinePolicy Undefined
UserPolicy Undefined
Process Undefined
CurrentUser Unrestricted
LocalMachine Unrestricted
Is there a problem with the NuGet package itself or my system?
I have never had this issue before and after searching for a solution (none found so far) -- I am at the mercy of the NuGet / Visual Studio gods!
Thanks in advance.
======
Day 2: 8:00 am ...
Trying again... Lets see if we can get the Package Manager Console working...
Start Visual Studio (Community 2017)
TOOLS -> NuGet Package Manager -> Package Manager Console
Which results in the following being displayed:
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3007) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3014) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3021) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3028) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3035) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The term 'Get-ExecutionPolicy' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.
Back to the drawing board! Will continue looking for a solution...
So, let's try Visual Studio Installer...
Launch Visual Studio Installer
Select "More" -> "Repair"
Which results in:
The dependent package cannot be found: Component.PowerShellTools.VS2017,version=3.0.585
I click on "View Log", which displays:
[1cb4:000a][2018-02-17T08:27:06] Error 0x80131500: The dependent package cannot be found: Component.PowerShellTools.VS2017,version=3.0.585
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Setup.Dependencies.DependencyManager.FindDependentPackages(Dependency dependency, DependencyComparer comparer, Dictionary`2 packageIndex)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Setup.Dependencies.DependencyManager.BuildGraphRecursive(IPackage graphRoot, DependencyNode node, DependencyComparer comparer, Dictionary`2 packageIndex, Dictionary`2 nodeIndex, Boolean splitNodes)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Setup.Dependencies.DependencyManager.BuildGraphCore(IPackage root, IEnumerable`1 packages, DependencyComparer comparer, Dictionary`2 packageIndex, Dictionary`2 nodeIndex, Boolean splitNodes, DependencyCollection deprecated)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Setup.Dependencies.DependencyManager.BuildGraph(IPackage root, IEnumerable`1 packages, Boolean isUpdate, IDependencyComparisonSeed seed, DependencyCollection deprecated)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Setup.Engine.GetDependencyGraph(Product product)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Setup.Engine.PreChecks(String installationPath, Boolean isLayoutSet, Product product, ExecuteAction bootstrapperAction, ITelemetryOperation operation, IQuery query)
at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Setup.Engine.Repair(CancellationToken token)
Ok - so somehow, my system has lost a dependent package (Component.PowerShellTools.VS2017) -- will try modify to see if I can add the package...
======
Day 2 - 10:15 am (still at it) - current state -- at wits end...
Microsoft Visual Studio Community 2017
Version 15.5.6
VisualStudio.15.Release/15.5.6+27130.2027
Microsoft .NET Framework
Version 4.7.02556
I do the following:
TOOLS -> NuGet Package Manager -> Package Manager Console
Which results in the following being displayed:
If anyone (Microsoft) has a solution -- I would REALLY appreciate it !
======
Day 2: 3:09 pm ...
In one final (desperate) attempt, I Launched Visual Studio Installer
Click on "More" -> "Repair" ....
After a couple of hours Visual Studio was (re)installed:
Microsoft Visual Studio Community 2017
Version 15.5.6
VisualStudio.15.Release/15.5.6+27130.2027
Microsoft .NET Framework
Version 4.7.02556
I then do the following (after lighting 12 candles and chanting "Bill-Bill-Bill")...
TOOLS -> NuGet Package Manager -> NuGet Manager Console
Result:
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3007) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3014) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3021) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3028) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3035) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The term 'Get-ExecutionPolicy' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.
I am doomed -- I cannot use Visual Studio until this is fixed.
======
Day 3 - 7:49 am
I see my issue has been Triaged by MSFT at:
https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/content/problem/199976/visual-studio-failed-to-initialize-the-powershell.html
Have also tried the "solutions" from these resources:
https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/content/problem/154563/failed-to-initialize-the-powershell-host.html
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/nuget/release-notes/known-issues#opening-package-manager-console-fails-with-objectsecurity-exception
Unfortunately, none of the above have helped to correct this issue.
Most posts indicate a complete re-install of VS may be needed -- good grief!!
Hoping a solution will be found that DOES NOT REQUIRE A COMPLETE RE-INSTALL!
======
Day 3 - 1:54 pm
Gave up ...
UNINSTALLED Visual Studio. Shutdown (powered down system)
Startup (powered up system)
Downloaded Visual Studio installer from
https://www.visualstudio.com/downloads/
Ran Disk Clean app as per installer instructions.
Shutdown (powered down system)
Startup (powered up system)
Ran Visual Studio 2017 Community Installer - success.
Start Visual Studio
TOOLS -> NuGet Package Manager -> Package Manager Console
Result:
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3007) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3014) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3021) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3028) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The following error occurred while loading the extended type data file: Microsoft.PowerShell.Core, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\types.ps1xml(3035) : Error in type "System.Security.AccessControl.ObjectSecurity": Exception: The getter method should be public, non void, static, and have one parameter of type PSObject.
The term 'Get-ExecutionPolicy' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.
So - not even a fresh installation of Visual Studio Community is solving this problem !!!!
======
Day 4 - 9:11 am
Late last night I opened a new issue at GitHub re PowerShell, see:
https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/issues/6189
This morning, found a reply and took the suggestion of lzybkr and disabled Powershell V2; I posted the commands for disabling V2 on the GitHub post above.
The good news - I was able to update packages via NuGet again!
The bad news - If I start Visual Studio and then do:
TOOLS -> NuGet Package Manager -> Package Manager Console
The console window opens, but simply hangs with the following message:
Initializing Powershell host...
I STILL have NO idea WHAT is causing this behavior within Visual Studio; but after 4 days, I am just considering myself lucky that I can (once again) update NuGet packages and get back to work.
Although my "issue" of updating NuGet packages has (for the most part) been resolved, I still do not see this as a solution as the root cause of why Visual Studio / NuGet Package Manager Console cannot initialize the PowerShell host has NOT been resolved.
Should anyone find the root cause, please post your solution.

Answer 1

The following finally solved the problem described above:
https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/content/problem/199976/visual-studio-failed-to-initialize-the-powershell.html

Answer 2

We have finally identified the root cause of the issue, and will be fixing in 15.8 release of Visual Studio.
For now, the possible workarounds for this are:
1) Install .NET 2.0 on your machine, which will install the System.Management.Automation Version=1.0.0
2) Use the binding redirect as suggested by some of the members of the community in devenv.exe.config:
<dependentAssembly>
<assemblyIdentity name="System.Management.Automation" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" />
<bindingRedirect oldVersion="0.0.0.0-3.0.0.0" newVersion="3.0.0.0"/>
<publisherPolicy apply="no" />
</dependentAssembly>
Thanks,
Rohit Agrawal
NuGet Team