Windows Azure Active Directory Module and Online Services Sign-in Assistant

Back in 2012, we talked about Office 365 – PowerShell Setup.  This was back in the days prior to the Microsoft Online Services Sign-in Assistant RTW, and before Windows 8 had gained a lot of traction.  Recent updates however have not made this such a straightforward process.

My first attempt at installing the Windows Azure Active Directory Module on Windows 8 failed with the error “must have microsoft online services sign-in assistant version 7.0 or greated installed”.  So following the advice, I searched and installed the Microsoft Online Services Sign In Assistant RTW before running the installation again.  It failed again.

Confused, I verified that the service was installed in Programs and Features, and that the service was running in Services.  It was.  I restarted the machine and tried again.  Failed again.  Tried running it as administrator msiexec /a.  Failed quietly.  Eventually, found a link in the community forum http://community.office365.com/en-us/forums/148/t/169890.aspx that suggested installing the Beta version of the sign-in assistance.  I did that, and a bit more success.  Now I needed .NET 3.5 SP2.  That’s simple – enable it through Windows Features.  And at last success.

So if you get the dreaded “must have microsoft online services sign-in assistant version 7.0 or greated installed”, you need the BETA version of the sign in assistant– which is available here : http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=39267