Fix Missing Create a Payload Button in Defender Attack Simulation
Question details
The user is unable to find the 'Create a payload' button within Microsoft Defender Attack Simulation Training.
- Product
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Navigating to the Attack Simulation Training page to generate a custom payload for security testing.
- Observed behavior
- The 'Create a payload' button is missing from the interface due to insufficient subscription entitlements.
Ensure you are logged in with Global Administrator or Security Administrator credentials to view and manage subscription licenses in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Verify and Assign an Eligible Microsoft 365 License
Custom payload creation requires an advanced Microsoft 365 enterprise subscription. Checking your current licenses and upgrading or starting a trial will restore the button.
Microsoft restricts certain Defender capabilities to premium enterprise plans. The Attack Simulation Training page does not always clearly state this requirement in the UI.
Navigate to the Microsoft 365 admin portal and log in with your administrator account.
Go to the 'Billing' section in the left navigation menu and select 'Licenses' to view your organization's active subscriptions.
Ensure your organization has one of the following licenses: Microsoft 365 E5, Office 365 E5, or Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2. If you do not have these, activate an eligible trial.
Select the appropriate E5 or Defender Plan 2 license and assign it to your administrator account and the users managing the attack simulations.
Sign out of the Microsoft Defender portal, wait a few minutes, and sign back in to verify that the 'Create a payload' button has successfully appeared.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Microsoft 365 Business Premium include the custom payload feature?
No. Even after assigning Microsoft 365 Business Premium and other standard security licenses, the 'Create a payload' button will remain missing. You specifically need an E5 or Defender for Office 365 Plan 2 license.
Can I test the custom payload creation without buying an E5 license?
Yes, Microsoft offers eligible trials for Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2. Activating this trial and assigning it to your account will temporarily enable the 'Create a payload' button during the trial period.
Why is the button still missing after upgrading my license?
License changes may take a short time to propagate across Microsoft services. Sign out of the Microsoft Defender portal, clear your browser cache, and sign back in to ensure the updated permissions are applied to your active session.
