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Installing PowerShell modules is a common task for extending the capabilities of PowerShell. Modules can be installed from the PowerShell Gallery or other repositories. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to install PowerShell modules.

1. Steps to Install a PowerShell Module

1. 1. Open PowerShell as an Administrator

To install modules system-wide, you need administrative privileges. Right-click on PowerShell and select “Run as administrator.”

1. 2. Verify PowerShell Version

Ensure you have a compatible version of PowerShell by checking your PowerShell version: ```powershell $PSVersionTable.PSVersion ```

1. 3. Register the PowerShell Gallery Repository

Ensure that the PowerShell Gallery is registered as a repository: ```powershell Get-PSRepository ``` If the PowerShell Gallery is not listed, register it: ```powershell Register-PSRepository -Default ```

1. 4. Install the Module

Use the `Install-Module` cmdlet to install the module. For example, to install the `AzureAD` module: ```powershell Install-Module -Name AzureAD ```

If you encounter a prompt about an untrusted repository, confirm the installation by responding with `Y` (Yes) or `A` (Yes to All).

1. 5. Import the Module

After installation, import the module into your current session: ```powershell Import-Module AzureAD ```

1. 6. Verify Installation

Ensure that the module is installed and loaded by listing the available cmdlets: ```powershell Get-Command -Module AzureAD ```

1. Handling Common Issues

1. Untrusted Repository

If you see a warning about an untrusted repository, you can set the PowerShell Gallery as a trusted repository: ```powershell Set-PSRepository -Name PSGallery -InstallationPolicy Trusted ```

1. Updating PowerShellGet and PackageManagement

If you encounter issues, ensure that you have the latest versions of `PowerShellGet` and `PackageManagement`: ```powershell Install-Module -Name PowerShellGet -Force -AllowClobber Install-Module -Name PackageManagement -Force -AllowClobber ```

1. Running PowerShell as Administrator

Ensure you are running PowerShell with administrative privileges to install modules system-wide.

1. Example: Installing the AzureAD Module

Here is the complete sequence of commands to install the `AzureAD` module:

```powershell

1. Open PowerShell as an Administrator

1. Check PowerShell version

$PSVersionTable.PSVersion

1. Check the registered repositories

Get-PSRepository

1. Register the PowerShell Gallery repository if not listed

Register-PSRepository -Default

1. Install the AzureAD module

Install-Module -Name AzureAD

1. Import the AzureAD module

Import-Module AzureAD

1. Verify the installation

Get-Command -Module AzureAD ```

1. Example: Installing Multiple Modules

You can install multiple modules in a single script. Here is an example:

```powershell

1. Modules to install

$modules = @(“AzureAD”, “Az”, “PSReadline”)

foreach ($module in $modules) {

   Install-Module -Name $module -Force -AllowClobber
   Import-Module $module

1. Verify installations

$modules ]] | [[ ForEach-Object { Get-Command -Module $_ } ```

1. Installing from a Custom Repository

If you need to install a module from a custom repository, register the repository first:

```powershell

1. Register a custom repository

Register-PSRepository -Name CustomRepo -SourceLocation “https://customrepo.example.com/nuget/v2” -InstallationPolicy Trusted

1. Install a module from the custom repository

Install-Module -Name CustomModule -Repository CustomRepo ```

1. Updating and Uninstalling Modules

1. Updating a Module

To update a module to the latest version: ```powershell Update-Module -Name AzureAD ```

1. Uninstalling a Module

To uninstall a module: ```powershell Uninstall-Module -Name AzureAD ```

By following these steps, you can effectively manage PowerShell modules, ensuring that you have the necessary tools and extensions for your automation and management tasks.