Install Azure CLI

10 minutes

In this unit, you learn how to choose the best environment for running Azure CLI commands, install Azure CLI on your local machine, and verify the installation by checking the version.

Choose your environment

Azure CLI runs in Bash, PowerShell, and Windows Command Prompt (Cmd.exe). With few exceptions, any task you can perform in the Azure portal can also be accomplished using Azure CLI. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the most appropriate scripting tool for your needs:

Automation: Do you need to automate complex or repetitive tasks? Azure PowerShell and Azure CLI support automation, whereas the Azure portal doesn't.
Learning curve: Do you need to complete a task quickly without learning new commands or syntax? The Azure portal is user-friendly and doesn't require learning commands or syntax. In contrast, Azure PowerShell and Azure CLI require an understanding of command shell syntax and the specific requirements for each command.
Team skillset: Does your team have existing expertise? For instance, if your team is already using PowerShell to manage other products like Windows, Exchange Server, or Microsoft 365, they might find Azure PowerShell to be a more comfortable and efficient choice.

Note

This exercise guides you through creating a local installation of Azure CLI. However, the remainder of this module uses Azure Cloud Shell in the free Microsoft Learn sandbox environment. If you prefer, you can consider this install exercise optional and only review the instructions.

Installation methods by platform

The following sections provide platform-specific installation instructions for Azure CLI. Choose the section that matches your operating system.

Install Azure CLI on Windows

Download and install the latest release of Azure CLI. When the installer asks if it can make changes to your computer, select the Yes box.

Latest MSI of the Azure CLI (32-bit)

Latest MSI of the Azure CLI (64-bit)

If you previously installed Azure CLI, running either the 32-bit or 64-bit Microsoft Installer (MSI) overwrites an existing installation.
After the installation is complete, close and reopen any active terminal window to ensure the environment variables are refreshed.
Open Windows Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Windows Terminal to run Azure CLI commands.

This exercise guided you through using the Microsoft Installer. For more Windows installation options, see Install Azure CLI on Windows.

Install Azure CLI on Linux

Determine your version of Ubuntu or Debian:
```
source /etc/os-release
echo "OS: $NAME"
echo "Version: $VERSION"
```
For supported versions of Ubuntu and Debian, see Before you begin.
Install Azure CLI on Ubuntu or Debian using the Advanced Packaging Tool (apt) and the Bash command line:
```
curl -sL https://aka.ms/InstallAzureCLIDeb | sudo bash
```
Verify the installation completed successfully:
```
az version
```

For more Linux installation options, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS, Fedora, and other distributions, see Install Azure CLI on Linux.

Install Azure CLI on macOS

If you don't have Homebrew available on your system, install Homebrew before continuing.
Update your Homebrew repository information and run the Azure CLI install command:
```
brew update && brew install azure-cli
```
Verify the installation:
```
az version
```

For more information, including troubleshooting in macOS, see Install Azure CLI on macOS.

Your local machine is now set up to administer Azure resources with Azure CLI. You can now use Azure CLI locally to enter commands or execute scripts. Azure CLI forwards your commands to the Azure data centers, where they run inside your Azure subscription.

Verify Azure CLI installation

Verify your Azure CLI installation by returning the Azure CLI version using the az version command:

az version

You can expect the following response from Azure CLI:

{
  "azure-cli": "2.65.0",
  "azure-cli-core": "2.65.0",
  "azure-cli-telemetry": "1.1.0",
  "extensions": {}
}

Note

The version numbers shown above are examples. Your installed version may be different depending on when you installed Azure CLI.

Authentication methods

When you're working with a local install of Azure CLI, you need to authenticate before you can execute Azure commands. There are several ways to authenticate with Azure using Azure CLI:

The following table compares the most common authentication methods:

Authentication method	Best for	Advantage
Azure Cloud Shell	Quick testing and learning	Azure Cloud Shell automatically authenticates you and is the easiest way to get started. No local installation required.
Interactive login	Local development and learning	Login through your browser with the `az login` command. Interactive login gives you a subscription selector to automatically set your default subscription.
Managed identity	Azure-hosted applications and services	Managed identities provide an Azure-managed identity for applications to use when connecting to resources that support Microsoft Entra authentication. Eliminates the need to manage secrets, credentials, certificates, and keys.
Service principal	Production automation and CI/CD	When you write scripts, using a service principal is the recommended authentication approach. You grant only the appropriate permissions needed to a service principal, keeping your automation secure.

If you chose to install Azure CLI locally, authenticate to Azure using the az login command:
```
az login
```
Azure CLI typically launches your default browser to open the Azure sign-in page. If the Azure sign-in page doesn't launch, follow the command-line instructions and enter an authorization code at https://aka.ms/devicelogin.
If you have access to multiple subscriptions, you're prompted to select an Azure subscription at time of login.

Important

Starting in 2025, Microsoft enforces mandatory multifactor authentication (MFA) for Azure CLI and other command-line tools. The new MFA requirements impact Microsoft Entra ID user identities. They do not affect workload identities, such as service principals and managed identities.

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