[Solved]: The Term Get-SPWeb is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function

In this “The term Get-SPWeb is not recognized” troubleshooting article, I will share how to fix the “The term ‘Get-SPWeb’ is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function” PowerShell error. Many times, we may notice even though we pass the correct URL to the Get-SPWeb command as an Identity parameter, still, we could see the error – “The term ‘Get-SPWeb’ is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function….”

For example, once we try to run the below Get-SPWeb command,

$web = Get-SPWeb “server:port”

We will get the below error:

What is “Get-SPWeb” in SharePoint?

“Get-SPWeb” is a PowerShell cmdlet used in SharePoint Server to retrieve a specific site (SPWeb object) or a collection of sites within a SharePoint web application or site collection. This cmdlet is primarily used in on-premises SharePoint environments (such as SharePoint 2013, 2016, and 2019) and is part of the SharePoint Management Shell.

Syntax

Parameters

• -Identity: Specifies the URL or GUID of the site to retrieve. This is a required parameter.
• -AssignmentCollection: Manages objects for proper disposal when used in scripts to avoid memory leaks.
• -Confirm: Prompts for confirmation before executing the command.
• -Limit: Specifies the maximum number of SPWeb objects to return.
• -Throttle: Specifies the maximum number of objects to be throttled.
• -WhatIf: Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs without actually running the cmdlet.

Examples

1. Retrieve a Specific Site by URL:
   powershell

   Get-SPWeb -Identity yoursharepointsite/sites/yoursite

2. Retrieve a Site by GUID:
   powershell

   $siteGuid = "your-site-guid"
Get-SPWeb -Identity $siteGuid

3. Retrieve All Sites within a Site Collection:
   powershell

   $siteCollection = Get-SPSite yoursharepointsite/sites/yoursitecollection
$allWebs = $siteCollection.AllWebs
foreach ($web in $allWebs) {
Write-Host "Site URL: " $web.Url
}

4. Using Assignment Collection to Manage Memory:
   powershell

   $web = Get-SPWeb -Identity yoursharepointsite/sites/yoursite -AssignmentCollection $ac
# Perform operations with $web
$ac.Dispose() # Dispose of the object when done


Use Cases

1. Administration and Maintenance: Retrieve specific sites for administrative tasks such as updating properties, managing permissions, or configuring settings.
2. Reporting: Generate reports about the sites in a web application or site collection.
3. Automation: Use in scripts to automate routine tasks such as site audits, backups, or configurations.

Important Considerations

• Memory Management: When using Get-SPWeb in scripts, it’s crucial to manage memory properly by disposing of objects to prevent memory leaks. Use the -AssignmentCollection parameter or explicitly dispose of SPWeb objects.
• Permissions: Ensure you have the necessary permissions to access the sites you are trying to retrieve. Running the cmdlet with elevated permissions may be necessary.
• SharePoint Online: Get-SPWeb is not available in SharePoint Online. For similar tasks in SharePoint Online, use the SharePoint Online Management Shell and the PnP PowerShell module.

Equivalent in SharePoint Online

For SharePoint Online, similar functionality can be achieved using the SharePoint Online Management Shell or the PnP PowerShell module. For example, to get a SharePoint Online site using PnP PowerShell, you would use:

The Get-SPWeb is a powerful cmdlet for retrieving SharePoint sites in on-premises environments, and it is commonly used in administrative and scripting tasks to manage SharePoint content and settings.

The root cause of this error and Fix: The term Get-SPWeb is not recognized

The PowerShell module isn’t being imported into the Powershell console. You can add the module by running:

Add-PSSnapin Microsoft.Sharepoint.Powershell

Once we add the “Add-PSSnapin Microsoft.Sharepoint.Powershell” command, then if we run the same Get-SPWeb command, we will not get that error.

You will not see the above error when,

• If you open the SharePoint 2016 Management Shell.

Note: It could be any version of SharePoint from your environment.

However, we will face the “The term ‘Get-SPWeb’ is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function” error when we open the below PowerShell console or editor:

• Windows PowerShell
• Windows PowerShell ISE

Summary: The term ‘Get-SPWeb’ is not recognized

Thus, in this SharePoint PowerShell troubleshooting, we have learned about how to fix the “The term ‘Get-SPWeb’ is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function” error.

See Also: SharePoint PowerShell tutorial

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About Post Author

SP Maven

As a SharePoint and Power Platform Maven, my greatest joy comes from sharing my expertise with colleagues, friends, and the tech community, helping them navigate the ever-evolving world of technology and guiding them through the dynamic landscape of modern technology.

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