M365 Changelog: (Updated) Announcing Retirement of Remote PowerShell (RPS) protocol in Exchange Online PowerShell

MC488586 – Updated August 2, 2023: Microsoft has updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.

You might already be aware that Microsoft made REST-based Exchange Online PowerShell v3 module generally available in September 2022 (read more here: Exchange Online PowerShell V3 Module General Availability). Microsoft will now be retiring RPS protocol from the beginning of June 2023. Instead, Microsoft recommends the utilization of the v3 module, which is where it will continue to invest our development resources.  

When this will happen:

Microsoft will be gradually rolling this out to customers in early June 2023, and the roll out will be completed by late September 2023 (previously late July).

How this will affect your organization:

You are receiving this message because our reporting indicates your organization may be using this RPS through New-PSSession or through Exchange Online PS v1 and v2 modules.

The users will no longer be able to use RPS protocol, when this change is implemented.

What you need to do to prepare:

If you are using RPS to establish an Exchange Online connection, you will not be able to do so after July 1, 2023. If you use the following, then you are using RPS:

  • Connection using New-PSSession
  • Exchange Online PowerShell v1 and v2 modules
  • Any newer version of Exchange Online PowerShell module with the -UseRPSSession parameter

To switch to the v3 module and use REST cmdlets, take the following steps:

If you are using New-PSSession to establish an RPS connection:

  1. Install the latest Exchange Online Management v3 module from here: ExchangeOnlineManagement 3.0.0.
  2. Use Connect-ExchangeOnline instead of New-PSSession to establish connection.

If you have installed any module earlier than v3:

  1. Uninstall previous versions of ExchangeOnlineManagement module by running “Uninstall-Module ExchangeOnlineManagement” from an elevated (admin) PowerShell command prompt.
  2. Install the latest Exchange Online Management v3 module from here: ExchangeOnlineManagement 3.0.0.
  3. Discontinue the use of -UseRPSSession parameter (if you are using it.)

Microsoft is excited about providing you with a more secure and performant environment, and it remain committed to our journey to empower you with the most modern features and tools. If you have questions/concerns, please leave comments here or email us directly at [email protected]

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