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Import-Module

Use Import-Module to load a module into the session so its commands are available.

Command 1 min read Windows PowerShell 5.1 and PowerShell 7

Documentation: Microsoft Learn — PowerShell module reference

Written and tested by Dhrub Bharali · Updated

Syntax

1PS> Import-Module [-Name] <String[]> [-RequiredVersion <Version>] [-MinimumVersion <Version>] [-Prefix <String>] [-Force] [-Global] [-PassThru] [<CommonParameters>]
See the command anatomy

Read the command and its supplied arguments. This example requires real PowerShell or its module; this diagram does not execute it.

Import-Module [-Name] <String[]> [-RequiredVersion <Version>] [-MinimumVersion <Version>] [-Prefix <String>] [-Force] [-Global] [-PassThru] [<CommonParameters>]
  1. Stage 1Import-Module-Name -RequiredVersion -MinimumVersion -Prefix -Force -Global -PassThru

    Try it

    Windows PowerShell

    PowerShell example · browser support is limited.

    Execution scope: The full example below requires PowerShell outside this browser. You can edit this runner to use the supported practice commands; unsupported syntax returns an explanation.

    Interactive simulation · fictional data

    Examples

    Select Name, Version

    1PS> Import-Module Microsoft.PowerShell.Management -PassThru | Select-Object Name, Version
    Show reference output

    Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

    Name                             Version
----                             -------
Microsoft.PowerShell.Management  7.0.0.0

    Select Name

    1PS> Import-Module Microsoft.PowerShell.Management -Force -PassThru | Select-Object Name
    Show reference output

    Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

    Name        Status
----        ------
Select-Object  Completed

    Import-Module -Prefix Corp

    1PS> Import-Module MyMod -Prefix Corp # Get-Thing becomes Get-CorpThing
    Show reference output

    Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

    Name                            Version
----                            -------
Microsoft.PowerShell.Management 3.1.0.0

    Parameters

    Parameter definitions:

    • -Name
    • -RequiredVersion
    • -MinimumVersion
    • -Prefix
    • -Force
    • -Global
    • -PassThru

    PowerShell module reference on Microsoft Learn

    Practical use and troubleshooting

    Practical scenario: Use Import-Module when you need to load a module into the session so its commands are available. Review syntax and sample output, then try an example in the browser lab. Start with one identified target and inspect the returned values before extending the operation to a list. Keep the identity in your report so you can trace each result back to the object or path that produced it.

    Common error and fix: A load failure can reflect an incompatible edition, missing dependency or blocked file. Read the import error, inspect the manifest and verify prerequisites rather than suppressing the failure. In an unattended script, capture this failure with its original error record and record which target failed. An empty result and an unsuccessful query must remain distinguishable in the final report.

    See also: Get-Module. Get-Module inspects loaded modules, or available modules with -ListAvailable; Import-Module loads a module. Finding an installed module does not prove its prerequisites can be loaded. Read the linked command before substituting it; similar names do not imply identical inputs or output.

    Import-Module reference on Microsoft Learn

    Put this command to work

    Import the testing module

    Import Pester, then display the Pester module record.

    Review the lesson

    Recap

    Import-Module Use Import-Module to load a module into the session so its commands are available.

    Next: Get-Module
    Genie guideImport-Module

    Use Import-Module to load a module into the session so its commands are available. The console below is pre-loaded — run it, then change a value and run it again.

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