Permanently add PowerShell module? (Import-Module)

Question

I'm using a third-party module I found on GitHub and importing it with:

powershell Import-Module .\foo.ps1

This imports successfully and the module works great. But when I open a new PowerShell terminal, it doesn't load the module, I have to run the Import-Module command everytime. Is it possible to have modules load permanently?

I'm using Windows 10 with PowerShell v3.

Bradawl

If you install the module correctly with Install-Module it will be loaded automatically if needed – Alodium

Wow, that was super condescending and not at all helpful in any way. – Bradawl

Since Powershell v3 Modules will be loaded automaticall if you install them to the right place with Install-Module. – Alodium

Alternatively you could place a Import-Module .\foo.ps1 to your profile to make sure it's always loaded when you start a console. – Alodium

@Alodium the part about installing so that it resides in an auto-load location is helpful, would you post it as an answer? – Losel

@Bradawl The comment is not condescending and is in fact helpful. – Coincidence

@Bill_Stewart, Olaf quickly modified his comment after I said that. – Bradawl

@Bradawl in that case, you can delete your comment to reduce confusion. – Coincidence

Just to make that completely clear - I only added "with Install-Module" including the link to my first comment!! – Alodium

Did you find an alternative solution? I'm having to use Import-Module in my profile for it to work. – Sisyphean

Answer 1

You can add it to one of your profiles that powershell loads by default. Best bet is

%UserProfile%\My Documents\WindowsPowerShell\Microsoft.PowerShell_profile.ps1 

or

%UserProfile%\My Documents\WindowsPowerShell\profile.ps1

see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions//bb613488(v=vs.85) for the full list

Michele

Answer 2

Since Powershell v3 Modules will be loaded automatically if you install them to the right place with Install-Module.

Here are additional information about installing Powershell modules: Installing a PowerShell Module

Alodium

what do you mean by the "right place"? why doesn't load automatically if I install with Install-Module -Name MyModuleToInstall. It only works for me if I use Import-Module before using the module commands. – Sisyphean

The module should be installed to a path listed in $env:PSModulePath to get loaded automatically. You can read more about here: Get-Help about_PSModulePath – Alodium