How do you set PowerShell's default directory?

Create a PowerShell profile as follows.

1. Run PowerShell as administrator and execute the following command:

   Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

   This will permit PowerShell to run local scripts and scripts downloaded from the Internet that have been signed. Read more about this command in the documentation.

2. In your Documents folder, find a folder named WindowsPowerShell for classic PowerShell or PowerShell for newer PowerShell Core. If it does not exist, that's ok; just create it.

3. Create a new file named profile.ps1 in the WindowsPowerShell folder (or PowerShell for PowerShell Core).

4. Open profile.ps1 and add the following command to set your default working directory:

   Set-Location C:\my\default\working\directory
   

5. Open a new PowerShell window... the changes should have taken effect.

You could specify the directory to open when starting PowerShell:

powershell.exe -NoExit -command "& {Set-Location $env:systemroot}"

Just use it in your shortcut.

Or use a profile to set a start directory.

I had tried the above answers in Windows Server 2016 without success.

But I found this approach (it should be the same for Windows 10) working for me.

1. Start a PowerShell session
2. In the Taskbar, right-click and pin to keep a link there
3. Again right click the icon in taskbar and then right-click Windows PowerShell and choose Properties
4. Enter your preferred directory in the Start in: input field and press OK
5. Start from the taskbar icon

Done!

In the same Properties dialog you can also change many other settings like fonts, colors, sizes and on the Shortcut tab there via button Advanced. You can select if that PowerShell session is to be run with administrator privileges.