Active Directory PowerShell Module OFFLINE

Question

Please note this questions specific parameters, it is not normal. For security reasons I am limited in my options.

BASIC Question:

In an OFFLINE environment with no internet access, I need to move the ActiveDirectory PowerShell module from the DC to a client server.

Efforts:

When I try a direct copy, and then import-module, I get an error of "The system can't find the file specified" the file is "Microsoft.ActiveDirectory.Management" <note there is no file ext.>

When I manually copy two DLL's over (management and resources) it still fails with the same error

How do I ONLY import the AD module in powershell manually OFFLINE??

Answer 1

Hi BlankMonkey,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft Community Forums.

First, ensure that the ActiveDirectory PowerShell module files copied from the DC are complete. Typically, the Microsoft.ActiveDirectory.Management module consists of more than just DLL files; it might also include other supporting files such as a module manifest file, help files, etc. These files are usually located within a specific folder named after the module itself.

Since the module may contain multiple files and subfolders, it is recommended to copy the entire module folder from the DC to the client server's appropriate location. This location should typically be one of PowerShell's module search paths, which you can view by running the following command:

$env:PSModulePath -split ';' 

Choose a suitable path and copy the entire module folder there.

Ensure that you have sufficient permissions to access and read the module files copied to the client server. File permission issues can lead to the "system cannot find the specified file" error.

In PowerShell, use the Import-Module command to import the module. Since you have copied the entire module folder to the correct location, you should now be able to import it directly:

Import-Module Microsoft.ActiveDirectory.Management 

If you still receive an error, check the following:

Ensure that the module folder name exactly matches the name you use in the Import-Module command.

Check if any subfolders or files were omitted or corrupted during the copy process.

Use the Get-Module -ListAvailable command to see if the module is listed, confirming that it has been correctly recognized.

If the module still cannot be imported, you can try the following steps for debugging and troubleshooting:

Check PowerShell's error logs for more detailed error messages.

Try running commands in PowerShell as an administrator to ensure sufficient permissions.

Verify that the .NET Framework version on the client server is compatible with the version on the DC, as some PowerShell modules may depend on specific versions of .NET Framework.

Best regards

Neuvi Jiang