This is the DevOps guide to running PowerShell scripts and modules.

Setup

Installing AZ Module

I'd recommend downloading PowerShell version 7.1.0 Preview or newer and installing the AZ Modules to best work with Azure. https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell

# Install Az .
if ($PSVersionTable.PSEdition -eq 'Desktop' -and (Get-Module -Name AzureRM -ListAvailable)) {
    Write-Warning -Message ('Az module not installed. Having both the AzureRM and ' +
      'Az modules installed at the same time is not supported.')
} else {
    Install-Module -Name Az -AllowClobber -Scope CurrentUser
    # Connect to Azure with a browser sign in token
    Connect-AzAccount
}

Running scripts

To run a .ps1 script from the PowerShell console you have to dot source the file. This is by design so that you only run scripts that you intended.

Note: Many of these scripts will require changing some initial variables.

Example:

# Change to the folder you have the .ps1 file saved.
cd 'C:\Working Directory\'

# 
'.\New-Resource-Group.ps1'

Using modules

Using a .psm1 file requres the module be loaded into a location on the $env:PSModulePath variable. This variable can be updated but will revert to default when you open a new session.

To have your custom module path persist on the PSModulePath, update your $PROFILE.CurrentUserAllHosts file by adding the following line to the file.

Example:

# Open notepad.
notepad $PROFILE.CurrentUserAllHosts

# Add the following line to the file, save the file, Open new PowerShell session.
$env:PSModulePath = "$env:PSModulePath" + ";C:\Modules;"

Note: The name of your folder name should match the .psm1 file

Example:

C:\Users\$env:USERNAME\Documents\WindowsPowerShell\Modules\AzADUser\AzADUser.psm1

Common modules

Here are some common modules I've been installing for WindowsPowerShell and PowerShell

WindowsPowerShell

# Install modules
Install-Module PowershellGet -Force
Update-Module PowershellGet
Install-Module AzureADPreview
Install-Module -Name AzureRM -AllowClobber
Install-Module -Name ExchangeOnlineManagement
Install-Module -Name SqlServer
Install-Module -Name MSOnline

# Connect to services
Connect-ExchangeOnline -UserPrincipalName 'joshua@domain.com' -ShowProgress $true
Connect-AzureAD
Connect-AzureRmAccount

PowerShell

Install-Module -Name Az -AllowClobber
Install-Module -Name ExchangeOnlineManagement