How to Use Get-MailboxUserConfiguration in Powershell

James Futhey -

In the world of Microsoft Exchange, managing mailbox configurations effectively is important for ensuring that users have the right settings and access to the features they need. The Get-MailboxUserConfiguration cmdlet is a tool that allows administrators to view user configuration items in mailboxes, which can include various settings related to user preferences, display settings, and more.

This cmdlet is available in Exchange Online and in supported on-premises Exchange environments. Availability and supported configuration items may vary by Exchange version.

Understanding how to use the Get-MailboxUserConfiguration cmdlet can greatly enhance mailbox management for Exchange administrators. By leveraging this cmdlet, administrators can retrieve specific configuration settings for individual user mailboxes, allowing them to troubleshoot issues, ensure compliance with organizational policies, and maintain a smooth user experience.

This article will provide an in-depth exploration of the Get-MailboxUserConfiguration cmdlet, including its syntax, parameters, practical uses, and step-by-step examples that demonstrate its capabilities.

What is the Get-MailboxUserConfiguration Cmdlet?

The Get-MailboxUserConfiguration cmdlet is designed to retrieve user configuration settings stored within an Exchange mailbox. These settings can include various user-defined properties and options, which are critical for managing how users interact with their email and other mailbox features. The cmdlet is essential for administrators who need to access mailbox settings for troubleshooting or compliance purposes.

By utilizing this cmdlet, administrators can obtain detailed information about user configurations, allowing for better management of mailbox settings across the organization. For example, information retrieved can help in ensuring that users' settings align with company policies or in diagnosing issues that may arise from incorrect configurations.

Syntax

The syntax for the Get-MailboxUserConfiguration cmdlet is as follows:

Get-MailboxUserConfiguration

[-Identity] <MailboxUserConfigurationIdParameter>

-Mailbox <MailboxIdParameter>

[-Confirm]

[-DomainController <Fqdn>]

[-WhatIf]

[<CommonParameters>]

Parameters

  • -Identity: Specifies the user configuration item you want to view, using the syntax MailboxFolderItemName. Valid values for MailboxFolder include folder names (such as Inbox or Calendar), the value Configuration, or the value Root. Valid values for ItemName start with IPM.Configuration (for example, IPM.Configuration.Aggregated.OwaUserConfiguration). Wildcards are not supported.
  • -Mailbox: Specifies the mailbox that contains the user configuration items you want to view. This can be identified by various unique values such as Name, Alias, Distinguished name (DN), Email address, or User ID.
  • -Confirm: Prompts for confirmation before running the command.
  • -DomainController: Identifies the domain controller used by this cmdlet to read from or write data to Active Directory, specified by its fully qualified domain name (FQDN). This parameter is applicable only in on-premises Exchange environments and is not available in Exchange Online.
  • -WhatIf: Shows what would happen if the command runs without making any changes.

Common parameters like -Debug, -ErrorAction, and -Verbose are also supported by this cmdlet, providing additional control over the command's behavior and output.

Practical Uses

1. Viewing User Configuration Settings for Troubleshooting

Administrators often face issues where users report problems with their mailbox settings. Utilizing the Get-MailboxUserConfiguration cmdlet allows administrators to quickly view the configuration settings for a specific mailbox. For instance, if a user complains about missing calendar features or incorrect display settings, the administrator can retrieve the user configuration to identify any discrepancies or issues.

2. Auditing User Configuration Items for Compliance

In many organizations, maintaining compliance with internal policies and external regulations is critical. The Get-MailboxUserConfiguration cmdlet can be used to audit user configurations across mailboxes. By reviewing user configuration items, administrators can inspect mailbox-level settings related to user experience and application behavior.

3. Reviewing and Comparing User Configuration Across Mailboxes

When migrating users to a new environment or updating shared settings across multiple mailboxes, the Get-MailboxUserConfiguration cmdlet can be invaluable. Administrators can retrieve configuration settings from mailboxes for analysis or comparison. Applying or synchronizing configuration items across mailboxes requires separate cmdlets or custom tooling. This can be particularly useful during mergers or acquisitions when standardizing settings across different user groups is essential.

Prerequisites

Before using the Get-MailboxUserConfiguration cmdlet, ensure the following requirements are met:

  • You must have the necessary permissions assigned to execute this cmdlet. Check the required permissions for running any Exchange cmdlet in your organization.
  • The cmdlet is available in both Exchange Online and on-premises Exchange Server (2016 and 2019).
  • For on-premises environments, ensure that you have access to the appropriate domain controller if using the -DomainController parameter.

How to Use Get-MailboxUserConfiguration: 6 Practical Uses

This section will cover practical examples of how to effectively utilize the Get-MailboxUserConfiguration cmdlet in real-world scenarios. Below are several detailed examples demonstrating its capabilities.

1. Retrieve OWA User Configuration for a Mailbox

Command:

Get-MailboxUserConfiguration -Mailbox james@meetingroom365.com -Identity ConfigurationIPM.Configuration.Aggregated.OwaUserConfiguration

This command retrieves the aggregated Outlook Web App (OWA) user configuration stored in the mailbox. Administrators commonly use this when troubleshooting OWA-related issues such as layout preferences, reading pane behavior, or feature visibility. This is one of the most frequently inspected configuration items because it directly affects the end-user OWA experience.

2. Inspect Calendar Configuration Settings

Command:

Get-MailboxUserConfiguration -Mailbox james@meetingroom365.com -Identity RootIPM.Configuration.Calendar

This command retrieves calendar-related user configuration data. It is useful when users report issues with calendar behavior, such as default reminders, working hours, or calendar view settings.

Administrators often reference this during calendar-related support cases or after mailbox migrations.

3. Verify User Configuration After a Mailbox Migration

Command:

Get-MailboxUserConfiguration -Mailbox james@meetingroom365.com -Identity ConfigurationIPM.Configuration.Aggregated.OwaUserConfiguration | Select Name, LastModifiedTime

This command helps verify whether a user configuration item was recreated or modified after a mailbox migration. Checking the last modified timestamp allows administrators to confirm that configuration data exists and was not reset or lost during the move. This is a common post-migration validation step.

4. Compare OWA Configuration Across Multiple Mailboxes

Command:

Get-MailboxUserConfiguration -Mailbox james@meetingroom365.com -Identity ConfigurationIPM.Configuration.Aggregated.OwaUserConfiguration | Select Mailbox, Name, UserConfigurationXML

Run the same command against multiple mailboxes and compare the output to identify differences in OWA configuration settings.

This is useful when diagnosing why one user experiences different OWA behavior than others, despite having similar licenses and policies.

5. Retrieve Configuration Using a Specific Domain Controller (On-Premises Only)

Command:

Get-MailboxUserConfiguration -Mailbox james@meetingroom365.com -Identity ConfigurationIPM.Configuration.Aggregated.OwaUserConfiguration -DomainController dc01.meetingroom365.com

This command retrieves the user configuration item while explicitly specifying the domain controller. This parameter is applicable only in on-premises Exchange environments. Administrators use this when troubleshooting replication delays or verifying that configuration data is consistent across domain controllers.

6. Inspect User Configuration in a Shared Mailbox

Command:

Get-MailboxUserConfiguration -Mailbox shared@meetingroom365.com -Identity ConfigurationIPM.Configuration.Aggregated.OwaUserConfiguration

This command retrieves OWA-related user configuration data for a shared mailbox. It is useful when users accessing the shared mailbox report inconsistent behavior or missing features in OWA. Administrators often check this when validating shared mailbox setup or after permission changes.

Final Note

The Get-MailboxUserConfiguration cmdlet is an essential tool for Exchange administrators, enabling them to effectively manage and troubleshoot user configurations in mailboxes. By understanding how to retrieve and analyze user configuration items, administrators can ensure that users have the correct settings, maintain compliance, and enhance the overall user experience.

Mastering this cmdlet contributes to more efficient mailbox management and supports a smoother workflow for both administrators and users alike.