PowerShell Weekly for July 17, 2026

Announcements!

• Microsoft postpones Exchange Online PowerShell Credential parameter retirement
  The deadline for removing the Credential parameter from Exchange Online PowerShell modules has been extended until December 2026, following community feedback.
• Microsoft to Stop Providing Telephony-Based Authentication Methods for MFA in February 2027
  In an important announcement for all tenants, Microsoft revealed that Entra ID will no longer provide SMS one-time codes or voice calls for MFA challenges after February 1, 2027. Tenants can continue to use telephony-based authentication methods after that date, but only by purchasing a service from a telecom provider. This is arguably the biggest change in Entra ID authentication since mandatory MFA for administrative interfaces – and we have a PowerShell script to help identify the affected accounts.
• Congrats to all of the renewed MVP
  Find MVPs in your area

Blogs, Articles, and Posts

• How to Get Installed Software Features List Using PowerShell WMI-CIM
  This article shows how to use PowerShell's WMI/CIM to retrieve a list of installed software features, specifically VMware Tools sub-features.
• PowerShell Pro Tip: How to Overwrite and Update the Same Line ProgressBar
  This article provides three methods for updating the same line in PowerShell, including using the carriage return character, the Write-Progress cmdlet, and advanced cursor positioning with .NET.
• How to Identify Obsolete SharePoint Online Sites with PowerShell
  Microsoft 365 has been around for many years, and it's likely that a tenant has some obsolete SharePoint Online sites. This article explains how to identify obsolete sites based on usage data extracted from the Microsoft Graph. Combining the usage data with basic site properties taken from SharePoint creates a report that should help administrators to figure out what sites they should consider removing.
• Using ErrorAction in PowerShell
  The ErrorAction Parameter for PowerShell cmdlets is very helpful for... Handling errors :-) In this blog post, I will show you the different options it offers and which to use when.
• Using the M365.AppContainers PowerShell Module for Real-World Loop Governance Scenarios
  This article introduces the M365.AppContainers PowerShell module, which provides practical control over Microsoft 365 Loop workspaces. It showcases five real-world use cases for the module, including protecting sensitive workspaces, handling offboarding and ownership transfer, cleaning up external collaboration after a project ends, performing quarterly governance audits, and locking down workspaces during legal holds.

Projects, Scripts, and Modules

• Managing Windows Microphone Privacy with PowerShell - Part 2
  Paul Naughton has created four PowerShell functions: Get-MicrophoneAccess, Set-MicrophoneAccess, Enable-MicrophoneAccess, and Disable-MicrophoneAccess. These functions allow for easy management of global microphone access on Windows.
• The Power of Primes
  A new PowerShell module called PrimeTime uses prime numbers to create unique time intervals.
• SPClean v 1.2.3
  Detects, reports, and remediates orphaned users in SharePoint Online. Identifies accounts in the User Information List whose Entra ID state is Deleted, SoftDeleted, Disabled, or GuestOrphaned. Supports AppOnly (certificate) and Interactive authentication, HTML/CSV/JSON reports, permission snapshots, and Windows Scheduled Task automation.

Books, Media, and Learning Resources

• Putting Active Directory Into Source Control
  What if you could put Active Directory into source control? Watch Fred Weinmann and Andrew Pla demo ADMF and see this PowerShell-backed tool in action!
• PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC) — Getting Started Guide (2026)
  This guide provides a comprehensive introduction to PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC), covering its basics, configuration writing, application, and enterprise compliance enforcement.

Community

• Write the Test First - Robert Prüst on Pester, PSConf, and Learning in Public
  Robert Prüst discusses Pester as a testing framework for PowerShell, its benefits, and how it can be used to test AI-generated code. He also talks about the importance of community involvement, overcoming imposter syndrome, and learning in public.

Check out psweekly.dowst.dev for all past editions as well as a searchable archive.