Say Goodbye to Admin Audit Log Cmdlets: What You Need to Know

Have you ever had a love-hate relationship with Admin Audit Log cmdlets? Well, it's time to bid them farewell! Microsoft's latest update announces the deprecation of these cmdlets. Let's dive into what this means for you and your admin duties.

What's Happening?

Microsoft is officially retiring the Admin Audit Log cmdlets. These cmdlets have been a part of our toolkit for a while, helping us keep track of administrative changes in Exchange Online. But like all good things, it's time for them to step aside. Don't worry, though! This change is part of Microsoft's continuous effort to improve and streamline our administrative experience.

Why the Change?

You might be wondering, "Why fix something that isn't broken?" The truth is, while the cmdlets have served us well, the shift is towards more modern, efficient, and secure ways of auditing. The new auditing features provide better performance, reliability, and richer insights. 

What the Change?

Cmdlets:
Search-AdminAuditLog -> Search-UnifiedAuditLog


Parameters:
-Cmdlets -> -Operations
-ExternalAccess $false -> -FreeText “ExternalAccess-false”


Not supported parameters:
-IsSuccess
-StartIndex

Key Dates to Remember

• July 1, 2024: The cmdlets will no longer be supported. It's like losing an old friend, but it's all for the better!

• September 1, 2024: The cmdlets will be completely disabled. By this time, you should be fully transitioned to the new auditing methods.

Mark these dates in your calendar, set reminders, and maybe even throw a little farewell party for the cmdlets! 

What Should You Do Next?

Don't panic! Transitioning is smoother than you might think. Here are some steps to help you make the switch:

Get Familiar with Unified Audit Logging: Start exploring the Unified Audit Log (UAL) if you haven't already. It's your new best friend for tracking administrative actions.
Update Your Scripts: Any PowerShell scripts relying on the old cmdlets will need a makeover. Replace the deprecated cmdlets with the new auditing cmdlets.
Stay Informed: Keep an eye on Microsoft's announcements and resources. They're providing plenty of guidance to ensure you don't feel lost during this transition.
Leverage Microsoft Documentation: Microsoft’s official documentation is a goldmine. Dive into it for detailed instructions and examples on how to use the new audit logs.
Join the Community: Don’t go through this alone. Engage with the tech community to share experiences, tips, and maybe even some commiseration over the loss of the cmdlets.

Happy transitioning!