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AzureRM PowerShell module retirement overview

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All versions of the AzureRM PowerShell module are deprecated. The Az PowerShell module is the recommended PowerShell module for interacting with Azure.

Warning

The AzureRM PowerShell module has been officially deprecated as of February 29, 2024. Users are advised to migrate from AzureRM to the Az PowerShell module to ensure continued support and updates.

Although the AzureRM module may still function, it's no longer maintained or supported, placing any continued use at the user's discretion and risk. Please refer to our migration resources for guidance on transitioning to the Az module.

Why a new module

The launch of the Az PowerShell module represents a significant shift, primarily due to PowerShell's evolution into a cross-platform tool, thanks to its foundation on the .NET Standard library. This aligns with our dedication to extend Azure support across various platforms. The transition to .NET Standard and compatibility with PowerShell Core necessitated an update in our Azure PowerShell modules. Opting to develop the new Az module instead of overhauling the existing AzureRM module allowed for a more seamless integration of these changes.

The creation of the Az module also provided an opportunity for our engineers to standardize the design, naming conventions, and structure of cmdlets and modules. All modules now use the 'Az.' prefix, and cmdlets follow the 'Verb-AzNoun' format, ensuring consistency and shorter, more intuitive names compared to the previous longer and varied cmdlet names.

Additionally, the Az module brings a reduction in the number of modules by merging those that manage similar services. This consolidation, especially the combination of management plane and data plane cmdlets within a single module, simplifies dependency and import management for users.

These advancements signify our commitment to enhancing user experience and expanding platform compatibility for Azure PowerShell cmdlets.

Key Advantages of the Az PowerShell Modules

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Built on the .NET Standard library, it ensures consistent performance across different platforms.
  • User-Centric Improvements: Addresses feedback on command length and reduces inconsistencies in cmdlets and modules.
  • Enhanced Security and Stability: Includes token cache encryption, mitigates certain types of cyberattacks, supports various authentication methods including ADFS 2019 and username/password in PowerShell 7.
  • Comprehensive Azure Service Support: Covers all generally available Azure services with continual updates, bug fixes, and API version upgrades.
  • Innovative Features: Available in Cloud Shell and across platforms, it enables access token retrieval for Azure resources and provides cmdlets for advanced REST operations.

By adopting the Az PowerShell module, users gain a more secure, stable, and efficient tool for managing Azure services.

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