Install

Where Should You Install dbatools?

Install dbatools on your workstation, just like SSMS.

dbatools is a management tool that runs on your local machine and connects remotely to SQL Server instances. You don’t need to install anything on your SQL Servers themselves - it manages them over the network.

Where people typically install it:

Your Windows workstation (where you run SSMS)
A dedicated management/jump server
Your laptop for demos and dev work

No need to install on SQL Servers - it’s designed to manage them remotely, keeping your servers clean and your deployment simple.

Install from the PowerShell Gallery

Security Note: dbatools is digitally signed with Azure Trusted Signing, ensuring code integrity and security. Learn more about our signing process →

Install-Module dbatools -Scope CurrentUser

This is the recommended method - no admin rights needed, installs just for you.

Need to install for all users? Use admin PowerShell:

Install-Module dbatools

Note: dbatools has dependent libraries that will be installed automatically.

The PowerShell Gallery and Install-Module are available in Windows 10+, Windows Server 2016+, and PowerShell 7.

For Windows 7, 8, Server 2012, first install WMF5 from https://aka.ms/wmf5download then reboot.

First Time Using PowerShell Gallery?

If you get a prompt about trusting PSGallery, type Y for Yes. You only need to do this once:

Set-PSRepository -Name PSGallery -InstallationPolicy Trusted

Install-PSResource (PowerShell 7.4+)

For PowerShell 7.4 and above, you can also use Install-PSResource:

Install-PSResource dbatools

To install for all users (requires Run As Administrator):

Install-PSResource dbatools -Scope AllUsers

Upgrading from Older Versions (v2.5.4 or earlier)

Starting with v2.5.5, we switched to Azure Trusted Signing. If you’re upgrading from an older version, you may need:

Install-Module dbatools -Force -SkipPublisherCheck

This is a one-time requirement due to the certificate change.

Other Installation Methods

Chocolatey

choco install dbatools

More info at chocolatey.org/packages/dbatools

Offline Install

Don’t have Internet access on your DBA workstation? Check out our offline install guide.

System Requirements

dbatools values backward compatibility. We still deliver for people running PowerShell v3 and SQL Server 2000.

SQL Server Support

SQL Server 2000 through SQL Server 2025
Azure SQL Database (40% of commands)
Azure SQL Managed Instance (60% of commands)
No PowerShell needed on the SQL Server host for database commands

Workstation Requirements

Windows: Windows 7+ with PowerShell 3+
Linux/macOS: PowerShell 7+
Remote Windows Commands: PowerShell remoting enabled on target servers

Network Requirements

For remote SQL Server management, ensure these ports are accessible:

Protocol	Default Port	Used By	Required For	Firewall Note
SQL Database Engine	1433	`Get-DbaDatabase`	62% of commands	Allow inbound on SQL Server
WS-Management	5985/5986	`New-DbaClientAlias`	25% of commands	Windows Remote Management
SQL WMI	135	`Enable-DbaAgHadr`	4% of commands	DCOM/RPC endpoint mapper
SMB	445	`Backup-DbaDatabase`	4% of commands	File sharing for backups

Firewall Tip: Use New-DbaFirewallRule to automatically configure Windows Firewall rules for SQL Server.

New to PowerShell?

If you’re new to PowerShell and would like in-depth walk-thrus and more:

What’s Next?

Installing the module makes hundreds of commands available to you.

Ready to start?

Getting Started Guide - Learn the basics with code samples
Popular Commands - See what everyone uses most
Our Book - Learn dbatools in a Month of Lunches

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