Sign into Azure from Azure PowerShell
Azure PowerShell supports several authentication methods. This article describes the authentication methods for signing into Azure from Azure PowerShell. The method you choose depends on your use case.
For example, if you're using Azure PowerShell for ad hoc management of Azure resources, you can sign in using an interactive login. If you're writing a script for automation, you can sign in with a service principal. If you're running Azure PowerShell in an Azure resource, you can sign in with a managed identity.
Authentication methods
Azure PowerShell supports signing in to Azure interactively for a more intuitive and flexible user experience or noninteractively for automation scenarios. For more information, see the linked articles.
Important
Beginning in early 2025, Azure PowerShell sign-ins using Microsoft Entra ID user identities for authentication require multi-factor authentication (MFA). For more information, see Planning for mandatory multi-factor authentication for Azure and other admin portals.
In addition to these authentication methods, you can also use Azure PowerShell in Azure Cloud Shell, which logs you in automatically. It's the easiest way to get started with Azure PowerShell.
To keep your Azure resources secure, restrict permissions of the identity for the authentication method you've chosen using the principle of least privilege. Limiting sign-in permissions as much as possible for your use case helps keep your Azure resources secure. For more information, see Enhance security with the principle of least privilege.
Select your Azure subscription
Once you sign in, Azure PowerShell commands run against your default Azure subscription. If you have
multiple subscriptions, use the Set-AzContext cmdlet to select the appropriate subscription. For
more information, see Use multiple Azure subscriptions.
Refresh tokens
When you sign in with a user account, Azure PowerShell generates and stores an authentication refresh token. Because access tokens are valid for only a short period of time, a refresh token is issued at the same time the access token is issued. The client application can exchange this refresh token for a new access token when needed.
Note
Depending on your authentication method, your tenant may have Conditional Access policies restricting your access to certain resources.
For more information, see Refresh tokens in the Microsoft identity platform.
