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Most useful powershell modules for IT consultants

By Denis Molodtsov
Published in PowerShell
May 16, 2025
1 min read
Most useful powershell modules for IT consultants

Table Of Contents

01
Microsoft 365 PowerShell Modules Comparison
02
Why This Matters
03
Conclusion

Microsoft 365 PowerShell Modules Comparison

As an IT consultant working with Microsoft 365, choosing the right PowerShell module can save you hours of work and frustration. Each module has its own strengths, limitations, and requirements. Below, I’ve created a comparison of the most common PowerShell modules used for Microsoft 365 administration.

Microsoft 365 PowerShell Module Comparison

Key Takeaways:

  • PnP.PowerShell 1.12.0 - Great for SharePoint, no Azure app needed
  • Microsoft.Graph - Most comprehensive, requires Azure app
  • MicrosoftTeams - Best for Teams-specific tasks
  • ExchangeOnlineManagement - Microsoft 365 Group and Mailboxes
  • Most specialized modules work in PowerShell 5, while some newer features require PowerShell 7

SharePoint Administration

PnP.PowerShell 1.12.0 without Azure app registration is limited to SharePoint operations. For cross-service capabilities, either enable app registration or use service-specific modules.

Most Comprehensive

Microsoft.Graph offers the most complete API across all Microsoft 365 services, but requires Azure app registration and permission setup.

PowerShell 7 Only

PnP.PowerShell 3.x.x is optimized for PowerShell 7 with enhanced capabilities, but requires both PowerShell 7.4.6+ and Azure app registration.

Quick Service-Specific Tasks

Use specialized modules for single-service operations:
• Teams: MicrosoftTeams
• Groups: ExchangeOnlineManagement
• Power BI: MicrosoftPowerBIMgmt

ModulePS5PS7Azure App RequiredBest For
Microsoft.Online.SharePoint.PowerShellClassic SharePoint Online
PnP.PowerShell 1.12.0SharePoint operations
PnP.PowerShell 3.x.xSharePoint, M365 Groups, Teams
ExchangeOnlineManagementEmail and M365 Groups
MicrosoftTeamsTeams management
Microsoft.GraphComprehensive Microsoft 365 access
Microsoft PowerAppsPower Apps and Power Automate
MicrosoftPowerBIMgmtPower BI administration
AzureADLegacy groups (retiring March 2025)

Why This Matters

When working with clients, you often need to quickly assess their environment, make changes, or generate reports. Having the right tools for the job is crucial. For example:

  • If you need to manage SharePoint content but don’t want to deal with Azure app registration, PnP.PowerShell 1.12.0 is your friend.
  • For comprehensive access across all services, Microsoft.Graph offers the most capabilities but requires more setup.
  • Legacy systems might require you to stick with PowerShell 5 compatibility.

Understanding these differences helps you make the right choice for each client engagement and task.

Conclusion

While no single module covers everything, understanding their capabilities allows you to choose the right tool for each specific administration task. For most consultants, I recommend maintaining proficiency with at least one module from each category to handle various client scenarios effectively.


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Denis Molodtsov

Denis Molodtsov

Microsoft 365 Architect

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