Managing user accounts in Microsoft 365 is critical for maintaining security and access control within a work environment. Keeping track of disabled user accounts is essential for user management. Let’s learn how to export Microsoft 365 disabled users’ reports and its benefits for your company.
Table of Contents
Why Export a Microsoft 365 Disabled Users Report?
Exporting a report of disabled users in Microsoft 365 offers several benefits:
Security Compliance
Maintaining an accurate record of disabled user accounts helps organizations comply with security policies and regulatory requirements.
User Management
It enables better user management by providing insights into inactive or outdated accounts that can be safely removed or archived.
Auditing & Monitoring
Exported reports can be used for auditing purposes and monitoring changes in user account statuses over time.
Security Analysis
Analyzing disabled user accounts can uncover potential security risks, such as unauthorized access attempts or compromised accounts.
Steps to Export Microsoft 365 Disabled Users Report using Admin Center
Exporting a report of disabled users in Microsoft 365 involves the following steps:
Sign in to Microsoft 365 Admin Center
Log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center using administrative credentials.
Access the Admin Center Dashboard
Navigate to the Admin Center dashboard, which provides centralized access to various administrative tools & settings.
Navigate to Users
Locate and select the “Users” option from the Admin Center menu to access the user management interface.
View Disabled Users
In the Users section, locate the option to view disabled users or accounts. This option may be labeled differently depending on your Microsoft 365 version.
Export Disabled Users Report
Once you have identified the list of disabled users, look for an option to export the report. This option is typically located within the user management interface. It allows you to export user data to a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file or another format suitable for analysis.
Customize Report Fields (Optional)
Some Microsoft 365 Admin Centers may offer the ability to customize the fields in the exported report. Customize the report fields to capture relevant information about disabled user accounts, such as user names, email addresses, last login dates, and account statuses.
Save & Review Report
After exporting the report – save it to a secure location on your computer or network. Check the report thoroughly to confirm that everything is correct.
Exporting Microsoft 365 Disabled Users Using PowerShell
In addition to using the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, you can export a list of disabled users in Microsoft 365 using PowerShell. PowerShell provides a powerful command-line interface for automating administrative tasks and accessing detailed information about user accounts. Here’s how you can export a list of disabled users using PowerShell:
Connect to Microsoft 365 PowerShell Module
Before running PowerShell commands, install and connect to the Microsoft 365 PowerShell module. This module allows you to interact with Microsoft 365 services and perform administrative tasks. Use these commands to install & connect PowerShell:
- Install-Module Microsoft.Graph -Force
- Install-Module Microsoft.Graph.Beta -AllowClobber -Force
Authenticate
Once connected to the Microsoft 365 PowerShell module, authenticate with administrative credentials to access the necessary permissions for retrieving user account information.
Run PowerShell Script
Use PowerShell scripting to retrieve a list of disabled users from Microsoft 365. You can use the “Get-MsolUser” cmdlet to retrieve user account information, filtering the results to include only disabled accounts. Use the below commands to run the script:
- Connect-MgGraph -Scopes “User.Read.All”
- c:\scripts\.\Export-M365DisabledUsers.ps1
Export User Data
After retrieving the list of disabled users, use the “Export-Csv” cmdlet to export the user data to a CSV file. This file can then be saved and reviewed for further analysis.
Customize Script (Optional)
You can customize the PowerShell script to include additional user attributes or filter the results based on specific criteria. For example, you can add attributes such as user names, email addresses, last login dates, and account statuses in the exported CSV file.
Review Exported Data
Once the PowerShell script has completed execution and exported the user data, review the CSV file. Address any inconsistencies in the exported data as needed.
Additional Considerations for Effective User Management
In addition to exporting a report of disabled users, consider the following best practices for effective user management in Microsoft 365:
Regular User Reviews
Conduct periodic reviews of user accounts to identify inactive or outdated accounts that can be disabled or removed.
Automated User Provisioning & De-provisioning
Implement automated processes for provisioning new user accounts and de-provisioning accounts of departing employees to ensure timely and accurate user management.
Security Policies & Procedures
Establish security policies and procedures governing user account management, password policies, access controls, and user permissions.
User Training & Awareness
Provide user training & awareness programs to educate employees about security best practices, password hygiene, and the importance of reporting suspicious activities.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Enable multi-factor authentication for user accounts to add an extra layer of security and protect against unauthorized access attempts.
Conclusion
Exporting a report of disabled users in Microsoft 365 is essential for maintaining records. You can have an efficient user environment in Microsoft 365 by regularly reviewing and exporting reports of disabled users. Every company wants a safer work environment, and such practices help it achieve. Hope you get how to export Microsoft 365 disabled users’ reports.
FAQs
Q1. How can I export a list of disabled users in Microsoft 365?
Ans. You can export a list of disabled users in Microsoft 365 using Admin Center or PowerShell scripting.
Q2. Do I need special permissions to run the PowerShell script?
Ans. Yes! You must have administrative credentials and permissions to access the necessary data in Microsoft 365.
Q3. What information can I include in the exported CSV file?
Ans. You can include user attributes such as names, email addresses, last login dates, and account statuses.
Q4. Can I customize the PowerShell script?
Ans. Yes! You can customize the script to include additional user attributes or filter the results based on specific criteria.
Q5. Why is exporting a list of disabled users important?
Ans. Exporting a list of disabled users is essential for security compliance, user management, auditing, and identifying potential security risks in Microsoft 365.
Q6. What if I need expert help with my Microsoft 365?
Ans. You can connect with Leasepacket – a top server provider and Microsoft 365 expert.