Important: Azure AD Graph Retirement and Powershell Module Deprecation (2024)

In 2019, we announced deprecation of the Azure AD Graph service. One year ago we communicated that Azure AD Graph will be retired and stop functioning after June 30, 2023. We also previously communicated that three legacy PowerShell modules (Azure AD, Azure AD Preview, and MS Online) would be deprecated on June 30, 2023.

We want to provide an update on timelines for these changes and offer further clarity on what to expect going forward. No new investment is going into Azure AD Graph and the three PowerShell modules, making it very important that all customers prioritize migration to Microsoft Graph APIs and Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK to ensure continued support and functionality.

However, we understand that many customers are not yet complete with these migrations and we confirm our continued commitment to work with our customers during this migration period to minimize and avoid impact.

Azure AD Graph Updates:

  • No changes will be made to Azure AD Graph availability on June 30, 2023, and no applications using Azure AD Graph will be impacted on this date.
  • June 30, 2023 marks the completion of a 3-year notice period for deprecation of Azure AD Graph. We will now enter the retirement cycle for Azure AD Graph APIs.
  • We will make no further investment in Azure AD Graph, and Azure AD Graph APIs have no SLA or maintenance commitment beyond security-related fixes.
  • We will retire Azure AD Graph in incremental steps, with the intention of allowing sufficient time for migration of applications to Microsoft Graph APIs. The first step will involve blocking newly created applications from using Azure AD Graph APIs. We will clarify the date for this first step in a future update, with three (3) months of advance notice.
  • We will provide regular updates on the steps for this retirement cycle with further details on what to expect and required actions.

PowerShell Module Updates:

  • As previously communicated, the legacy licensing assignment PowerShell cmdlets (Set-AzureADUserLicense, Set-MsolUserLicense, -LicenseAssignment or -LicenseOptions parameters of New-MsolUser) and Azure AD Graph API (assignLicense) are retired. For customers who were provided an extension for these cmdlets and API, migrations to Microsoft Graph licensing APIs/PowerShell must be completed by September 30, 2023.
  • We recognize that the legacy PowerShell modules are required for some scenarios not yet available in Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK. Therefore, we are postponing the deprecation date for MS Online, AzureAD, and AzureAD Preview PowerShell modules to March 30, 2024.

What happens to applications using Azure AD Graph on June 30, 2023?

There will be no impact to applications using Azure AD Graph at the June 30, 2023 milestone. Applications will continue to function, but Azure AD Graph APIs do not have SLA or maintenance commitments beyond security-related fixes. We will provide a near future update to clarify the timeline and details of our first step of retirement – blocking newly created applications from using Azure AD Graph.

What happens to PowerShell scripts using Azure AD, Azure AD-Preview, or MS Online modules on June 30, 2023?

There will be no impact to PowerShell scripts using these legacy modules on or after June 30, 2023. They will continue to function and be supported until deprecation announcement.

What happens to PowerShell scripts using Azure AD, Azure AD-Preview, or MS Online modules after March 30, 2024?

We plan to deprecate Azure AD, Azure AD-Preview, and MS Online PowerShell modules on March 30, 2024. After this date, the only support offered for these PowerShell modules will be support in migrating to Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK. Only security fixes will be offered for these PowerShell modules after deprecation is announced. Once these modules are deprecated, they will continue to work for a minimum of six (6) months before being retired.

We are committed to working with our customers to enable smooth migration to the Microsoft Graph platform. We will provide further communication, updates on tools to help these migrations, and clarifying information regularly throughout this process.

Current support for Azure AD Graph and legacy PowerShell modules:

  • Azure AD Graph is currentlydeprecated andwill be supported with only security-related fixes.
  • Azure AD, Azure AD Preview, and MS Online PowerShell modules are not yet deprecated. These modules are supported, but no new feature capabilities are being added to them.

Required Actions

1. Identify and migrate applications that are using Azure AD Graph to use equivalent Microsoft Graph APIs. Microsoft Graph is a feature rich API platform that provides a unified API surface for many Microsoft services, including Microsoft Entra, Exchange, Teams, SharePoint, and the full Microsoft 365 portfolio.
Reference: Migrate from Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) Graph to Microsoft Graph


2. Identify and update PowerShell scripts that use the legacy modules to use the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK.
Reference: Migrate from Azure AD PowerShell to Microsoft Graph PowerShell.

Available tools:

Learn more about Microsoft Entra:

  • See recent Microsoft Entra blogs
  • Dive into Microsoft Entra technical documentation
  • Join the conversation on the Microsoft Entra discussion space and Twitter
  • Learn more about Microsoft Security
Important: Azure AD Graph Retirement and Powershell Module Deprecation (2024)

FAQs

Is the Azure AD PowerShell module deprecated? ›

As of March 30, 2024, Microsoft has deprecated three PowerShell modules: AzureAD, Azure AD Preview, and MSOnline. Let's dive into the reasons behind this decision, the potential impacts, and how companies can adapt to these changes.

Is the Azure AD Graph API deprecated? ›

As of March 30, 2024, AzureAD, AzureAD-Preview, and Microsoft Online (MSOL) PowerShell modules are deprecated and will only be supported for security fixes. You should migrate these to Microsoft Graph PowerShell.

Is PowerShell being retired? ›

As of March 30, 2024, Azure AD, Azure AD Preview, and MS Online PowerShell modules are deprecated. Support will only be offered for critical security fixes.

Is PowerShell important for Azure? ›

Azure PowerShell is designed for managing and administering Azure resources from the command line. Use Azure PowerShell when you want to build automated tools that use the Azure Resource Manager model. Try it out in your browser with Azure Cloud Shell, or install on your local machine.

Is PowerShell 2.0 deprecated? ›

Windows PowerShell 2.0 Deprecation - PowerShell Team. We recently announced that Windows PowerShell 2.0 is being deprecated in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. Deprecation is a process whereby technologies or applications are marked as legacy, signalling to users that they may be removed in the...

Why use Azure CLI over PowerShell? ›

The choice between Azure CLI and Azure PowerShell depends largely on the specific needs of the user and the environment. While Azure CLI is a cross-platform, easy-to-use command-line tool, Azure PowerShell offers more depth for users familiar with PowerShell scripting and managing Azure resources.

What is the difference between Microsoft Graph and Azure AD? ›

Azure AD Graph offers access to only Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) services. Microsoft Graph offers a single unified endpoint to access Microsoft Entra services and other Microsoft services such as Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Intune, and much more.

What is replacing Azure AD? ›

The names Azure Active Directory, Azure AD, and AAD are replaced with Microsoft Entra ID. Microsoft Entra is the name for the product family of identity and network access solutions.

What is the difference between Microsoft Graph API and REST API? ›

A REST API is an architectural concept for application communication. On the other hand, GraphQL is a specification, an API query language, and a set of tools. GraphQL operates over a single endpoint using HTTP. In addition, REST development has been more focused on making new APIs.

What is the replacement of PowerShell? ›

Alternatives to PowerShell
  • AutoIt. AutoIt. Free. ...
  • AutoHotkey. AutoHotkey. Free. ...
  • Bash. Bash. Free. ...
  • AppleScript. Apple. Free. ...
  • Microsoft Graph. Microsoft. Microsoft Graph is a gateway to data and intelligence within Microsoft 365. ...
  • Cygwin. Cygwin. Free. ...
  • PowerShellGet. Microsoft. Free. ...
  • MoonScript. MoonScript.

Is PowerShell here to stay? ›

In the world of software engineering and system administration, one question often comes up: *Is PowerShell here to stay?* The answer is a resounding yes. In this article, we will explore five compelling reasons why PowerShell continues to be a vital tool for IT professionals working with Windows platforms and beyond.

Why Python over PowerShell? ›

Python is a general-purpose programming language which can be used for a variety of purposes ranging from administration, web development to even machine learning. Whereas PowerShell is a scripting language and task automation framework aimed to automate administrative tasks programmatically.

Is AzureAD PowerShell going away? ›

Response from Microsoft: “We plan to deprecate Azure AD, Azure AD-Preview, and MS Online PowerShell modules on March 30, 2024. After this date, the only support offered for these PowerShell modules will be support in migrating to Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK.

Is PowerShell deprecated? ›

As per this article - "The AzureRM PowerShell module has been officially deprecated as of February 29, 2024. Users are advised to migrate from AzureRM to the Az PowerShell module to ensure continued support and updates."

Should I learn PowerShell or bash for Azure? ›

Azure CLI syntax is similar to that of Bash scripting. If you work primarily with Linux systems, Azure CLI feels more natural. Azure PowerShell is a PowerShell module. If you work primarily with Windows systems, Azure PowerShell is a natural fit.

What versions of Azure AD Connect are deprecated? ›

On August 31, 2022, all 1. x versions of Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) Connect will be retired because they include SQL Server 2012 components that will no longer be supported. Please upgrade to the latest release of Azure AD Connect version 2. x or Azure AD Connect cloud sync.

How do I get Azure AD PowerShell module? ›

How to Install the Azure Active Directory PowerShell Module via PowerShell
  1. Open the Start menu on your computer and search for 'Powershell'
  2. Right-click on Windows PowerShell and choose 'Run as administrator'
  3. Type the following command and press enter. ...
  4. Type “Y” to install and import the NuGet provider.

What version of PowerShell is the AZ module? ›

The current version of Azure PowerShell is 12.0. 0. For information about the latest release, see the release notes. A supported version of PowerShell version 7 or higher is the recommended version of PowerShell for use with the Az PowerShell module on all platforms including Windows, Linux, and macOS.

How do I install the latest Azure PowerShell module? ›

Installation and update
  1. Visit github.com/Azure/azure-powershell/releases.
  2. Locate the most recent Az PowerShell module. ...
  3. Scroll down to the end of the patch notes and click the arrow next to "Assets" to reveal the MSI options.
  4. Click on the Az-Cmdlets MSI of your choice to start the download.
May 21, 2024

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