Exercise - Install Azure PowerShell
In this unit, you learn how to determine the version of PowerShell installed on your local machine and how to install the latest version. You also learn how to install the Az PowerShell module.
Note
This exercise guides you through creating a local installation of the Az PowerShell module. However, the remainder of this module uses Azure Cloud Shell to leverage the free Microsoft Learn sandbox environment. If you prefer, you can consider this exercise optional and simply review the instructions.
Install PowerShell on Windows
Windows PowerShell is included with the Windows operating system. However, we recommend installing the latest stable version of PowerShell 7 for use with Azure PowerShell. Follow these steps to determine which version of PowerShell is installed:
In the System Tray Search Box, type PowerShell. You might see multiple shortcuts:
- PowerShell 7 (x64): 64-bit version of PowerShell 7 (recommended).
- Windows PowerShell: 64-bit version of Windows PowerShell, included with Windows.
- Windows PowerShell (x86): 32-bit version of Windows PowerShell, included on 64-bit versions of Windows.
- Windows PowerShell ISE: 64-bit Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) for writing Windows PowerShell scripts.
- Windows PowerShell ISE (x86): 32-bit ISE, included on 64-bit versions of Windows.
If PowerShell version 7 isn't installed, open Windows PowerShell and use Windows Package Manager (Winget) to install the latest stable version of PowerShell 7:
winget install --id Microsoft.Powershell --source winget
For detailed installation instructions, see Installing PowerShell on Windows.
Determine the PowerShell version:
To open PowerShell version 7, select the PowerShell 7 (x64) shortcut. Run the following command to check the version of PowerShell:
$PSVersionTable.PSVersion
Set the PowerShell execution policy:
Check the current execution policy:
Get-ExecutionPolicy -List
If the execution policy is set to
Restricted
, change it toRemoteSigned
or less restrictive:Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
Confirm the execution policy change:
You're prompted to confirm the change:
The execution policy helps protect you from scripts that you do not trust. Changing the execution policy might expose you to the security risks described in the about_Execution_Policies help topic at https:/go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=135170. Do you want to change the execution policy? [Y] Yes [A] Yes to All [N] No [L] No to All [S] Suspend [?] Help (default is "N"): Y
Enter Y or A, then press Enter.
Install PowerShell on Linux
Installing PowerShell on Linux involves using a package manager. The following instructions are for supported versions of Ubuntu. For other distributions, see Install PowerShell on Linux.
Install PowerShell on Ubuntu Linux using the Advanced Packaging Tool (apt) and the Bash command line:
Update the list of packages
sudo apt-get update
Install prerequisite packages
sudo apt-get install -y wget apt-transport-https software-properties-common
Determine your version of Ubuntu
source /etc/os-release
Download the Microsoft repository keys
wget -q https://packages.microsoft.com/config/ubuntu/$VERSION_ID/packages-microsoft-prod.deb
Register the Microsoft repository keys
sudo dpkg -i packages-microsoft-prod.deb
Delete the Microsoft repository keys file
rm packages-microsoft-prod.deb
Update the list of packages after adding the Microsoft repository
sudo apt-get update
Install PowerShell
sudo apt-get install -y powershell
Start PowerShell
pwsh
Install PowerShell on macOS
To install PowerShell on macOS, use the Homebrew package manager.
Important
If the brew
command isn't found, you must install Homebrew. For details, see the
Homebrew website.
Install Homebrew by running the following command:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
Once Homebrew is installed, install the latest stable release of PowerShell 7:
brew install powershell/tap/powershell
Start PowerShell to verify that it installed successfully:
pwsh
For detailed installation instructions, see Installing PowerShell on macOS.
Install the Az PowerShell module
The Az PowerShell module is available from a global repository called the PowerShell Gallery.
You can install the module on your local machine using the Install-Module
cmdlet.
To install the latest version of the Az PowerShell module, follow these steps:
Open PowerShell version 7
Install the Az PowerShell Module:
Install-Module -Name Az -Scope CurrentUser -Repository PSGallery
This command installs the Az PowerShell module for your current user, which is controlled by the Scope parameter.
NuGet installation prompt:
The installation relies on
NuGet
to retrieve components. You might be prompted to download and install the latest version ofNuGet
:NuGet provider is required to continue PowerShellGet requires NuGet provider version '2.8.5.201' or newer to interact with NuGet-based repositories. The NuGet provider must be available in 'C:\Program Files\PackageManagement\ProviderAssemblies' or 'C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\PackageManagement\ProviderAssemblies'. You can also install the NuGet provider by running 'Install-PackageProvider -Name NuGet -MinimumVersion 2.8.5.201 -Force'. Do you want PowerShellGet to install and import the NuGet provider now? [Y] Yes [N] No [S] Suspend [?] Help (default is "Y"):
Enter Y and press Enter.
Untrusted repository prompt:
By default, the PowerShell Gallery isn't configured as a trusted repository. You're prompted to confirm that you want to install the module from an untrusted repository:
You are installing the modules from an untrusted repository. If you trust this repository, change its InstallationPolicy value by running the Set-PSRepository cmdlet. Are you sure you want to install the modules from 'PSGallery'? [Y] Yes [A] Yes to All [N] No [L] No to All [S] Suspend [?] Help (default is "N"):
Enter Y or A, then press Enter.
You should now see the Az PowerShell module installing.
The process for installing the Az PowerShell module on Linux and macOS is straightforward and uses the same commands.
Launch PowerShell:
Open a terminal and run the following command:
pwsh
Install the Az PowerShell Module:
At the PowerShell prompt, enter the following command:
Install-Module -Name Az -Scope CurrentUser -Repository PSGallery
Untrusted repository prompt:
By default, the PowerShell Gallery isn't configured as a trusted repository. You're prompted to confirm that you want to install the module from an untrusted repository:
You are installing the modules from an untrusted repository. If you trust this repository, change its InstallationPolicy value by running the Set-PSRepository cmdlet. Are you sure you want to install the modules from 'PSGallery'? [Y] Yes [A] Yes to All [N] No [L] No to All [S] Suspend [?] Help (default is "N"):
Enter Y or A, then press Enter.
You should see the Az PowerShell module installing.
This process enables you to use the full range of Azure-specific cmdlets available in the Az PowerShell module.