M365 - Create Remote PowerShell Shortcut (updated)

In a previous post, I showed how to create a Remote PowerShell shortcut for Office 365 using Remote PowerShell (RPS), to save you from having to type in the remote session every time you connect.

Since Microsoft has deprecated RPS in favor of REST API, I've created a new script that will import the needed sessions and connect to the following M365 services in one shot:

Azure AD
SharePoint Online
Exchange Online
Security & Compliance Center
Teams

First, you'll need the latest EXO (Exchange Online) module - 3.3.0 at the time of this writing - in order to connect to Security & Compliance, which you can get here.

Next, set your PowerShell execution policy - I use Unrestricted but you can use RemoteSigned:

Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

Now, we'll grab the other required modules:

MSOL

PowerShell Gallery | MSOnline 1.1.183.66

SharePoint

PowerShell Gallery | Microsoft.Online.SharePoint.PowerShell 16.0.24009.12000

Teams

Install .NET 4.7.2 or higher

Run the two following cmdlets:

Install-Module -Name PowerShellGet -Force -AllowClobber

Install-Module -Name MicrosoftTeams -Force -AllowClobber

**Note** We're using MSOL because it's more comprehensive than AzureAD

**Note** Security & Compliance uses the EXO module, so nothing is needed for that.

Next, copy the following block and paste it into Notepad:

$acctName="admin@domain.com"
$orgName="domain.com"
#Azure Active Directory
Connect-MsolService
#SharePoint Online
Connect-SPOService -Url https://bcmedu-admin.sharepoint.com
#Security & Compliance Center
Import-Module ExchangeOnlineManagement
Connect-IPPSSession -UserPrincipalName $acctName
#Exchange Online
Connect-ExchangeOnline -UserPrincipalName $acctName -ShowProgress $true
#Teams and Skype for Business Online
Import-Module MicrosoftTeams
Connect-MicrosoftTeams

**Note** Change $acctName="admin@domain.com" and $orgName="domain.com" to your admin account and domain name.

Save it as a .ps1 with a name like Connect-365.ps1 to somewhere like C:\Scripts

Next, create a PowerShell shortcut anywhere, like on your Desktop:

Right-click the Desktop > New > Shortcut

In the location field, enter:

Powershell.exe

Click Next

Give it a name like O365RemotePS and click Finish.

Right-click the new O365RemotePS shortcut, and go to Properties.

In the Target field, add the following to the end of the line:

-NoExit -File "C:\Scripts\Connect-365.ps1"

It will look like so:

C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -NoExit -File "C:\Scripts\Connect-365.ps1"

Click OK.

Run your new shortcut as your admin user, and you'll get a windows creds prompt and then the account picker for your Microsoft 365 organization.

**Note** You will get an account picker for each service depending on your security config in M365. 

**Note** Enter creds in the username@orgname.com format.

Once it starts the remote session, you'll be able to run your M365 cmdlets.