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How to Fix Missing InactiveMailboxOnly Parameter in Exchange Online PowerShell

John Wilson Oct 13, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where the -InactiveMailboxOnly parameter is no longer recognized in PowerShell.

Fix Missing InactiveMailboxOnly Parameter in Exchange Online PowerShell

Product: Exchange Online PowerShell
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The user updated the ExchangeOnlineManagement module to version 3.3.0 and is attempting to run administrative scripts.
Observed behavior: The Get-Mailbox command fails with an error stating that the -InactiveMailboxOnly parameter cannot be found or is no longer recognized.

Before you start

Ensure you are running PowerShell as an Administrator and have active Global Admin or Exchange Admin permissions in your Microsoft 365 tenant before modifying modules.

Solution 1Recommended

Downgrade the ExchangeOnlineManagement Module

Reverting to an earlier module version restores the missing parameter until Microsoft releases a permanent fix.

Since the parameter was removed or broke in version 3.3.0, the most immediate solution for uninterrupted administration is to roll back to a stable previous release, such as version 3.2.0.

Uninstall the problematic version

Open PowerShell as an Administrator and execute the following command: Uninstall-Module -Name ExchangeOnlineManagement -RequiredVersion 3.3.0

Install the previous stable version

Run this command to install an older version: Install-Module -Name ExchangeOnlineManagement -RequiredVersion 3.2.0 -Force

Verify the command functionality

Connect to Exchange Online using Connect-ExchangeOnline, then run Get-Mailbox -InactiveMailboxOnly to confirm the parameter works again.

Downgrade the ExchangeOnlineManagement Module

Temporary Workaround: This rollback will allow your existing scripts to run. Remember to monitor Microsoft's release notes for future updates that restore or replace this functionality.

Solution 2

Seek Guidance from Microsoft Support and Community

If downgrading the module is not an option, verify the intended syntax changes through official Microsoft channels.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the -InactiveMailboxOnly parameter disappear in version 3.3.0?

Microsoft regularly updates the ExchangeOnlineManagement module to improve security and performance. Occasionally, parameters are deprecated, temporarily broken due to API changes, or replaced by newer filtering methods.

How do I check my current ExchangeOnlineManagement module version?

You can verify the currently installed version by running the command 'Get-InstalledModule -Name ExchangeOnlineManagement' in your PowerShell console.

Are there other ways to view inactive mailboxes in Microsoft 365?

Yes. If PowerShell is temporarily failing, you can view and manage inactive mailboxes using the Data lifecycle management section in the Microsoft Purview compliance portal.

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