Install-Module : The term 'Install-Module' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet

Question

I was trying to install Azure using Install-Module Azure in PowerShell. I got the following error:

PS C:\Windows\system32> Install-Module Azure
Install-Module : The term 'Install-Module' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, 
or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is corre
ct and try again.
At line:1 char:1
+ Install-Module Azure
+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    + CategoryInfo          : ObjectNotFound: (Install-Module:String) [], CommandNotFoundException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException

Why is PS not recognizing the basic Install module? Without this I can't even install Azure. What should I do?

Solution 1

Since you are using the lower version of PS:

What you can do in your case is you first download the module in your local folder.

Then, there will be a .psm1 file under that folder for this module.

You just

import-Module "Path of the file.psm1"

Here is the link to download the Azure Module: Azure Powershell

This will do your work.

Solution 2

Another GUI based option to fix this error is to download the PackageManagement PowerShell Modules (msi installer) from Microsoft website and install the modules.

Once this is installed you will not get "'Install-Module' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet" error.

Solution 3

You should install the latest version of PowerShell, then use this command Install-Module Azure to install azure module. Because from Powershell 5.0 onwards you , you will be able to use the cmdlet to Install-Module, Save-Module

PS > $psversiontable
Name                           Value
----                           -----
PSVersion                      5.1.14393.576
PSEdition                      Desktop
PSCompatibleVersions           {1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0...}
BuildVersion                   10.0.14393.576
CLRVersion                     4.0.30319.42000
WSManStackVersion              3.0
PSRemotingProtocolVersion      2.3
SerializationVersion           1.1.0.1

More information about install Azure PowerShell, refer to the link.

Solution 4

I have Windows 10 and PowerShell 5.1 was already installed. For whatever reason the x86 version works and can find "Install-Module", but the other version cannot.

Search your Start Menu for "powershell", and find the entry that ends in "(x86)":

Here is what I experience between the two different versions:

Solution 5

I lost couple of days trying to resolve this until I got a simple solution. I just copy from another Win10 machine with a working Powershell 5.1 installation the following directories:

• C:\Program Files\WindowsPowerShell\Modules\PackageManagement
• C:\Program Files\WindowsPowerShell\Modules\PowerShellGet

To the same directories in the problem machine and don't change permissiones or anything and just run the command Install-Module and the problem was solved. I hope this can help some tormented soul.

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Comments

[Martin Erlic]

What do you mean by "download the module in your local folder"? Can I download it from the internet?

[Ranadip Dutta]

@santafebound: Yes of course you can download the module from Internet. I think it is already there in Github..

[Ranadip Dutta]

@santafebound : I have modified the answer and given you the Github link to download the module .. :)

[Martin Erlic]

Thanks. I'll take a look now!

[Ranadip Dutta]

@santafebound: Accept the answer it it helps you.

[andrew pate]

Here is a link for powershell 5.0 microsoft.com/en-us/download/…

[gs_za]

A permanent solution is as provided by @venkatesh-muniyandi below

[Hicsy]

This seemed like it would be a cool work-around, Unfortunately this has the same issue - you need powershell 3+ and dotnet 4.5 installed first... which would then give you the command "install-module" anyway.

[flowerpowerdad]

Same thing just happened to me - typing manually instead of copy&paste saved the day after 10 minutes of teeth grinding. Thanks for heads up

[Karthick Ganesan]

@RanadipDutta You saved my day. Thanks a million :)

[Ranadip Dutta]

@KarthickGanesan: Glad I could help. :)

[velkoon]

Instead of saying "Path of the file.psm1" can you please download the Github repository for me and find the exact module I need to import? I cannot find anything in the .zip from Github that's called AzureAd.psm1 or anything named AzureAd-anything.

[Jason]

This might not be the issue in all cases. I have PSVersion 5.1.18362.145 and Install-Module is [still] not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program.

[cdonner]

The link is broken.

[Venkatesh Muniyandi]

Fixed the broken link