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Install-Module

Use Install-Module to download a module from a registered repository and install it for the current user or all users.

Command 2 min read Windows PowerShell 5.1 and PowerShell 7

Documentation: Microsoft Learn — PowerShell module reference

Written and tested by Dhrub Bharali · Updated

Syntax

1PS> Install-Module [-Name] <String[]> [-RequiredVersion <String>] [-MinimumVersion <String>] [-Repository <String[]>] [-Scope <String>] [-AllowPrerelease] [-Force] [-WhatIf] [<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.

Install-Module [-Name] <String[]> [-RequiredVersion <String>] [-MinimumVersion <String>] [-Repository <String[]>] [-Scope <String>] [-AllowPrerelease] [-Force] [-WhatIf] [<CommonParameters>]
  1. Stage 1Install-Module-Name -RequiredVersion -MinimumVersion -Repository -Scope -AllowPrerelease -Force -WhatIf

    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

    Install-Module -Name Pester

    1PS> Install-Module -Name Pester -Scope CurrentUser -RequiredVersion 5.5.0
    Show reference output

    Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

    Install-Module -Name Pester -Scope CurrentUser -RequiredVersion 5.5.0

    Install-Module -Name Az

    1PS> Install-Module -Name Az -Scope AllUsers # needs an elevated shell
    Show reference output

    Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

    Install-Module -Name Az -Scope AllUsers # needs an elevated shell

    Get-Module -ListAvailable Microsoft.PowerShell.Management

    1PS> Get-Module -ListAvailable Microsoft.PowerShell.Management | 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
Pester                           5.5.0

    Parameters

    Parameter definitions:

    • -Name
    • -RequiredVersion
    • -MinimumVersion
    • -Repository
    • -Scope
    • -AllowPrerelease
    • -Force
    • -WhatIf

    PowerShell module reference on Microsoft Learn

    Practical use and troubleshooting

    Practical scenario: Use Install-Module when you need to download a module from a registered repository and install it for the current user or all users. 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: Access denied under an all-users installation location may require approved elevation. Use an appropriate installation scope and verify repository trust rather than weakening execution settings. 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: Save-Module. Install-Module installs a module for use; Save-Module downloads its files to a chosen path. A saved folder is not necessarily on PSModulePath or imported into the current session. Read the linked command before substituting it; similar names do not imply identical inputs or output.

    Install-Module reference on Microsoft Learn

    Recap

    Install-Module Use Install-Module to download a module from a registered repository and install it for the current user or all users.

    Next: Find-Module
    Genie guideInstall-Module

    Use Install-Module to download a module from a registered repository and install it for the current user or all users. The console below is pre-loaded — run it, then change a value and run it again.

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