Azure PowerShell module basics - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Azure PowerShell module basics

Open PowerShell

↓

Check if Azure Module Installed?

No→Install Azure Module

↓

Install completes

↓

Import Azure Module

↓

Connect to Azure Account

↓

Run Azure Commands

↓

Disconnect when done

This flow shows how to start PowerShell, check and install the Azure module, connect to Azure, run commands, and disconnect.

Execution Sample

Azure

Get-Module -ListAvailable -Name Az
Install-Module -Name Az -Scope CurrentUser
Import-Module Az
Connect-AzAccount

This code checks for the Azure module, installs it if missing, imports it, and connects to your Azure account.

Process Table

Step	Action	Evaluation	Result
1	Run Get-Module -ListAvailable -Name Az	Is Az module installed?	No modules found
2	Run Install-Module -Name Az -Scope CurrentUser	Install Az module	Module installed successfully
3	Run Import-Module Az	Import Az module into session	Module imported, commands available
4	Run Connect-AzAccount	Prompt for Azure login	User logged in, session connected
5	Run Get-Module -ListAvailable -Name Az	Check module again	Az module listed
6	Run Disconnect-AzAccount	Disconnect Azure session	Session disconnected

💡 Execution stops after disconnecting from Azure account.

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	After Step 6
AzModuleInstalled	Unknown	False	True	True	True	True
AzureSessionConnected	False	False	False	False	True	False

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why do we need to run Install-Module if the module is not found?

Because the Azure PowerShell module is not installed on the system yet, so we must install it before importing or using it. See execution_table step 1 and 2.

What does Import-Module do after installation?

Import-Module loads the Azure commands into the current PowerShell session so you can run them. Without importing, commands won't be recognized. See execution_table step 3.

Why do we run Connect-AzAccount?

Connect-AzAccount signs you into your Azure account so commands can manage your resources. Without login, commands won't work. See execution_table step 4.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the value of AzModuleInstalled after step 2?

A True

B False

C Unknown

D Not applicable

💡 Hint

Check variable_tracker column 'After Step 2' for AzModuleInstalled.

At which step does AzureSessionConnected become True?

A Step 3

B Step 5

C Step 4

D Step 6

💡 Hint

Look at variable_tracker for AzureSessionConnected changes.

If you skip Import-Module, what happens when you run Connect-AzAccount?

A It connects successfully

B PowerShell shows an error: command not found

C It installs the module automatically

D Nothing happens

💡 Hint

Import-Module loads commands; without it, commands are unknown (see execution_table step 3).

Concept Snapshot

Azure PowerShell Module Basics:
- Check module: Get-Module -ListAvailable -Name Az
- Install module if missing: Install-Module -Name Az -Scope CurrentUser
- Import module to use commands: Import-Module Az
- Connect to Azure: Connect-AzAccount
- Disconnect when done: Disconnect-AzAccount
Always import before running Azure commands.

Full Transcript

This lesson shows how to use the Azure PowerShell module. First, open PowerShell and check if the Azure module 'Az' is installed using Get-Module. If not found, install it with Install-Module. Then import the module with Import-Module to load Azure commands. Next, connect to your Azure account using Connect-AzAccount, which prompts for login. After connection, you can run Azure commands. When finished, disconnect with Disconnect-AzAccount. Variables track if the module is installed and if the session is connected. Key points include installing before importing, importing before running commands, and connecting before managing Azure resources.