Powershell: How do I install the Nuget provider for PowerShell on a unconnected machine so I can install a nuget package from the PS command line?

Question

I'm trying to install pswindowsupdate.2.0.0.4.nupkg from the Powershell command line on a Win 7 computer not connected to the internet. I'm running PS 5.1.14409.1005. I obtained the nupkg from https://www.preview.powershellgallery.com/packages/PSWindowsUpdate/2.0.0.4

The PS command Install-Module -Name pswindowsupdate.2.0.0.4.nupkg -Repository {path to pswindowsupdate.2.0.0.4.nupkg} throws an error message:

PowerShellGet requires NuGet provider version '2.8.5.201' or newer to interact with NuGet-based repositories. The NuGet provider must be available in 'C:\Program Files\PackageManagement\ProviderAssemblies' or 'C:\Users{my login}\AppData\Local\PackageManagement\ProviderAssemblies'. You can also install the NuGet provider by running 'Install-PackageProvider -Name NuGet -MinimumVersion 2.8.5.201 -Force'. Do you want PowerShell to install and import the NuGet provider now?

Saying 'yes', of course, fails to install the NuGet provider because I'm not connected to the internet.

I obtained nuget.exe (v4.7.0), stored it in 'C:\Program Files\PackageManagement\ProviderAssemblies' and added 'C:\Program Files\PackageManagement\ProviderAssemblies' to my path statement. However, executing Install-Module -Name pswindowsupdate.2.0.0.4.nupkg -Repository {path to pswindowsupdate.2.0.0.4.nupkg} still fails.

What exactly is a NuGet provider? Is it just nuget.exe? How do I obtain and install the Nuget provider (v2.8.5.201 or greater) for PowerShell so I can install this nuget package from the PowerShell command line?

Note: Visual Studio is not in any way involved with my question

Answer 1

Although I've tried all the previous answers, only the following one worked out:

1 - Open Powershell (as Admin)

2 - Run:

[Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12 

3 - Run:

Install-PackageProvider -Name NuGet 

The author is Niels Weistra: Microsoft Forum