Account Security Problems

How to Assign Microsoft 365 Roles for Limited User Profile Editing

Rana Garcia Oct 23, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is looking for a Microsoft 365 administrator role that allows specific users to update profile details (like pictures and job titles) without giving them broad administrative permissions.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Assigning limited administrative permissions for profile management within an organization's Microsoft 365 environment.
Observed behavior: Currently, built-in roles either lack the ability to edit profiles or provide too much access beyond simple profile modifications.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into the Microsoft 365 admin center with a Global Administrator account, as this is required to manage and assign roles.

Solution 1Recommended

Assign the User Administrator Role

The User Administrator role is the closest built-in option for allowing a user to update profile information without granting Global Admin rights.

Microsoft 365 does not offer a highly granular built-in role strictly for profile editing out of the box. The User Administrator role provides the necessary permissions to update profile pictures, information, and job titles. However, it also includes password reset and user creation capabilities, granting more access than just profile editing.

Access the Admin Center

Navigate to Active Users

Click on 'Users' in the left-hand navigation menu, then select 'Active users'.

Select the Target User

Find and click on the name of the user you want to grant profile editing permissions to. A details panel will slide out on the right.

Manage Roles

Under the 'Roles' section in the user details panel, click on 'Manage roles'.

Assign User Administrator

Select the 'Admin center access' radio button, check the box for 'User Administrator', and click 'Save changes'.

Submit Feedback for Custom Roles: If the User Administrator role grants too much access for your organizational needs, it is recommended to submit feedback through the Microsoft 365 admin center requesting a more limited, dedicated profile-editing role.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a custom admin role in Microsoft 365 for just profile editing?

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) supports custom roles, but creating a highly granular role strictly for profile pictures and job titles requires Azure AD Premium P1 or P2 licenses, and configuring it can be highly technical.

What additional permissions does the User Administrator role include?

In addition to updating user profiles, a User Administrator can add users, reset passwords, manage groups, and manage support tickets. They cannot, however, reset passwords for Global Administrators.

How do I submit feedback to Microsoft for a new role?

You can submit feature requests directly from the Microsoft 365 admin center by clicking the 'Feedback' button, which is typically located at the bottom right corner of the interface.

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