PowerShell / PowerShell/vscode-powershell

`cannot find the Help files` even they are installed by `Update-Help`

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Issue-Bug Needs: Triage
Dominant language
TypeScript
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Forks
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Description

Prerequisites
  • I have written a descriptive issue title.
  • I have searched all open and closed issues to ensure it has not already been reported.
  • I have read the troubleshooting guide.
  • I am sure this issue is with the extension itself and does not reproduce in a standalone PowerShell instance.
  • I have verified that I am using the latest version of Visual Studio Code and the PowerShell extension.
  • If this is a security issue, I have read the security issue reporting guidance.
Summary

I am experiencing a problem with Get-Help Get-Help in this extension. I think it should display AllUsersView but It is displaying only partial help.

PowerShell Version
PS> $PSVersionTable; $Host

Name                           Value
----                           -----
PSVersion                      7.5.4
PSEdition                      Core
GitCommitId                    7.5.4
OS                             Microsoft Windows 10.0.26200
Platform                       Win32NT
PSCompatibleVersions           {1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0…}
PSRemotingProtocolVersion      2.3
SerializationVersion           1.1.0.1
WSManStackVersion              3.0

Name             : Visual Studio Code Host
Version          : 2025.4.0
InstanceId       : 992f2247-c9c5-4152-ba1b-977a956eb78e
UI               : System.Management.Automation.Internal.Host.InternalHostUserInterface
CurrentCulture   : zh-CN
CurrentUICulture : zh-CN
PrivateData      : Microsoft.PowerShell.ConsoleHost+ConsoleColorProxy
DebuggerEnabled  : True
IsRunspacePushed : False
Runspace         : System.Management.Automation.Runspaces.LocalRunspace
Visual Studio Code Version
PS> code --version
1.111.0
ce099c1ed25d9eb3076c11e4a280f3eb52b4fbeb
arm64
Extension Version
PS> code --list-extensions --show-versions | Select-String powershell

ms-vscode.powershell@2025.4.0
Steps to Reproduce
  1. Enter that command.
  2. Restart Visual Studio Code.
  3. In this extension,
    PS> Get-Help Get-Help
    ...
    REMARKS
        Get-Help cannot find the Help files for this cmdlet on this computer. It is displaying only partial help.
    ...
    
    The output has been shortened.
Visuals
Image Image
Logs
{"status":"started","languageServiceTransport":"NamedPipe","languageServicePipeName":"\\\\.\\pipe\\PSES_gkotstgj.xo3","debugServiceTransport":"NamedPipe","debugServicePipeName":"\\\\.\\pipe\\PSES_pqjnz0mv.gho","powerShellVersion":"7.5.4"}

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

No source file or test is named. Start with Update-Help, restart Visual Studio Code, and run Get-Help Get-Help in the extension while comparing the standalone PowerShell result; trace the extension's help handling until the installed AllUsersView content is surfaced, then verify the complete help output appears.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
powershell, typescript, vscode
Domain
devtools
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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