---
title: How to Use New-Mailbox in Powershell
slug: new-mailbox-powershell
published: 2025-08-15T23:00:36.000Z
updated: 2025-08-15T23:00:36.000Z
feature_image: /blog/images/new-mailbox-powershell/new-mailbox-syntax-microsoft-learn.1600.webp
feature_image_alt: Microsoft Learn documentation for the New-Mailbox cmdlet showing its PowerShell syntax
author: James Futhey
author_slug: james
meta_description: How to use New-Mailbox PowerShell cmdlet to create user mailboxes, shared mailboxes, & resource mailboxes in Exchange Online and Exchange Server
status: published
---

Creating mailboxes is a core administrative task in Microsoft Exchange. Whether you're setting up a new user, provisioning shared mailboxes for teams like _Accounts Payable_, or preparing resources for meetings, **PowerShell** gives you granular control over mailbox creation and configuration through the **New-Mailbox** cmdlet.

This cmdlet is part of the **Exchange Management Shell** and also available in **Exchange Online PowerShell**. It's commonly used by IT administrators managing environments in **Exchange Server** or **Microsoft 365**.

## What is the New-Mailbox Cmdlet?

**New-Mailbox** is a PowerShell cmdlet used in Exchange to create new **mailbox-enabled recipients**. These recipients can include **user mailboxes, shared mailboxes, room/resource mailboxes, Linked Mailboxes**, and more.

The cmdlet can create both the **Active Directory user object** and the **Exchange mailbox**, or just the mailbox for an existing user, depending on the parameters used.

This cmdlet supports:

-   Creating a user mailbox in a specific **OrganizationalUnit**
-   Setting up an **auto-generated password** and user account flags like **ResetPasswordOnNextLogon**
-   Assigning mailbox-specific settings such as **PrimarySmtpAddress, UserPrincipalName**, and **MailboxPlan

Administrators** use it as part of onboarding processes, migration projects, and automation scripts involving **CSV files** or bulk provisioning tasks.

### Syntax

The **New-Mailbox** cmdlet supports multiple parameter sets, and available parameters depend on the mailbox type (User, Shared, Room, etc.) and whether you're in **Exchange Online** or **on-premises Exchange**.

#### User Mailbox (Exchange Online and on-premises)

_`New-Mailbox -Name "Name" -UserPrincipalName user@meetingroom365.com -Password (ConvertTo-SecureString 'StrongP@ssword' -AsPlainText -Force) [-OrganizationalUnit] [-ResetPasswordOnNextLogon] [-Archive]`_

#### Shared Mailbox (Exchange Online)

_`New-Mailbox -Name "Support" -Shared -DisplayName "Support Mailbox" -UserPrincipalName support@meetingroom365.com`_

#### Room Mailbox with login disabled (Exchange Online)

_`New-Mailbox -Name "Conf Room 1" -Room -UserPrincipalName room1@meetingroom365.com -EnableRoomMailboxAccount $false`_

**Heads up:** _For room mailboxes, the default behavior creates a user account with a random password. To prevent login, explicitly set -EnableRoomMailboxAccount $false._

### Parameters

-   **Name - Required**. The display name of the mailbox and user.
-   **UserPrincipalName** - Email login address (e.g., james@meetingroom365.com).
-   **Password** - Secure password for the new account.
-   **OrganizationalUnit** - Active Directory container to place the user object.
-   **FirstName, LastName, DisplayName** - Optional naming metadata.
-   **ResetPasswordOnNextLogon** - Forces the user to reset their password on first login.
-   **Shared** - SwitchParameter to create a shared mailbox.
-   **Room** / **Equipment** - Switches for resource mailbox creation.
-   **Archive** - Creates a local archive mailbox.
-   **MicrosoftOnlineServicesID** - Used for Exchange Online identity.
-   **PrimarySmtpAddress** - Defines the default email address.
-   **LinkedMasterAccount** - For **Linked Mailbox** scenarios (used in resource forests).
-   **Alias** - Mail alias (e.g., marketing@meetingroom365.com).
-   **SamAccountName** - Username for legacy systems.
-   **DomainController** - Specifies which DC to contact (on-prem only).
-   **AccountDisabled** - Creates the mailbox with a disabled account.
-   **RetentionPolicy, RoleAssignmentPolicy, ThrottlingPolicy** - Assigns Exchange policies.
-   **MailboxPlan** - Used in cloud environments to apply service plans.
-   **EmailAddressPolicyEnabled** - Enables or disables automatic email address policies.
-   **ImmutableId** - Used in hybrid environments for sync.

Most of these parameters support **wildcard characters** and allow **pipeline input**, giving administrators powerful scripting capabilities.

Other Important Parameters:

-   **EnableRoomMailboxAccount** – _(Exchange Online only)_ Prevents sign-in by disabling the room’s user account
-   **RoomMailboxPassword** – _(Exchange Online only)_ Sets a password if you want a sign-in-enabled room mailbox
-   **MicrosoftOnlineServicesID** – _(Exchange Online only)_ Alternate to UPN, used for some provisioning flows
-   **MailboxRegion** – _(Exchange Online only)_ Required for tenants using **Microsoft 365 Multi-Geo
-   Discovery** – _(On-prem only)_ Creates a **Discovery Mailbox** used for eDiscovery search results
-   **AuditLog** – _(On-prem only)_ Creates a mailbox used for storing audit logs
-   **Arbitration** – _(On-prem only)_ Used for moderation and approval workflows
-   **Equipment** – _(Both environments)_ Used for equipment/resource mailboxes like projectors
-   **PublicFolder** – _(On-prem only)_ For creating **Public Folder Mailboxes
-   MailboxPlan** – _(Exchange Online only)_ Assigns a specific mailbox service plan

## Practical Uses

The [**New-Mailbox** cmdlet](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/exchange/new-mailbox?view=exchange-ps) is a core part of daily Exchange administration, especially in **Microsoft 365** and hybrid environments. Below are three real-world scenarios where this cmdlet applies directly.

### 1\. Onboarding New Employees with Mailboxes

When a new hire joins the company, IT administrators often automate account provisioning. Using **New-Mailbox**, they can:

-   Create the **Active Directory user**
-   Assign a **strong password**
-   Set the **PrimarySmtpAddress** and **UserPrincipalName**
-   Enable flags like **ResetPasswordOnNextLogon**

This ensures the new user has immediate access to **Outlook, calendar events**, and internal **DistributionGroups**.

### 2\. Creating Shared Mailboxes for Departments

Departments like **Accounts Payable, Support**, or **Marketing** typically use **shared mailboxes** like _marketing_@meetingroom365.com or _helpdesk_@meetingroom365.com. These allow multiple team members to send and receive emails from a common address.

Using **New-Mailbox -Shared**, administrators can:

-   Avoid using full licensed users for department communication
-   Grant **Full Access** and **Send As** permissions via **Add-MailboxPermission**
-   Improve transparency and reduce missed emails

Shared mailboxes are widely used in both **cloud-based** and **on-premises Exchange** setups.

### 3\. Provisioning Resource Mailboxes for Rooms and Equipment

In large organizations, managing meeting room availability is key. Admins use **New-Mailbox -Room** or **New-Mailbox -Equipment** to create **resource mailboxes**. These are then integrated with **Outlook** calendars so users can book them directly.

This is especially relevant in:

-   Office relocation or expansion projects
-   Enterprises using room panels or calendar integrations
-   Organizations standardizing on **Exchange Online**

Once created, these resource mailboxes can be configured with booking policies, capacity rules, and delegated access.

## Prerequisites

Before running the **New-Mailbox** cmdlet, you need to meet these core requirements:

-   **Permissions**:
    You must have the **Recipient Management** or **Organization Management** role.
-   **Environment access**:

-   For **Exchange Server**, use the **Exchange Management Shell**.
-   For **Exchange Online**, connect with **Connect-ExchangeOnline** using the PowerShell module.
-   **Active Directory (on-premises only)**:
    A writable domain controller and extended AD schema for Exchange are required.
-   **Licensing (Microsoft 365 only):

-   User mailboxes** require a Microsoft 365 license.
-   **Shared** and **resource mailboxes** don’t need a license unless users sign in directly.
-   **Password**:
    If using **\-Password**, it must meet standard **complexity requirements**.

## How to Use New-Mailbox

Below are step-by-step examples showing how to use the **New-Mailbox** cmdlet in typical real-world tasks. Each example focuses on a specific scenario: user mailbox, shared mailbox, and room/resource mailbox.

### 1\. Create a New User Mailbox (Exchange Online or On-Premises)

This creates both a **new Active Directory user** and a **mailbox** for that user. You’ll need to specify a secure password and set required identity properties.

**Command:**

_`New-Mailbox -Name "James Futhey" -UserPrincipalName james@meetingroom365.com -Password (ConvertTo-SecureString -String 'P@ssword1234' -AsPlainText -Force) -FirstName "James" -LastName "Futhey" -DisplayName "James Futhey" -ResetPasswordOnNextLogon $true`_

**What this does:**

-   Creates a new **user account** and mailbox for **James Futhey**
-   Assigns an initial password that must be changed at first login
-   Sets **UserPrincipalName**, display name, and name metadata

Use this for onboarding in **Microsoft 365** or **Exchange Server** when no AD user object exists yet.

### 2\. Create a Shared Mailbox

Shared mailboxes do not require a license **unless a user signs in directly**. However, a **user account is still created** and appears in **Azure AD** and **Microsoft 365 Admin Center**. The account is typically **disabled by default.

Command:**

_`New-Mailbox -Name "Support Mailbox" -DisplayName "Support" -Shared -UserPrincipalName support@meetingroom365.com`_

**What this does:**

-   Creates a **shared mailbox** named **Support**
-   Makes the mailbox accessible to multiple users with delegated permissions
-   No password or login is set by default

Next, use **Add-MailboxPermission** and **Add-RecipientPermission** to give users **Full Access** and **Send As** rights.

### 3\. Create a Room Mailbox for Conference Room Scheduling

Room mailboxes are used for meeting room scheduling. By default in **Exchange Online**, the mailbox is created with an associated **disabled user account** that has a random, unknown password.

**Command:**

_`New-Mailbox -Name "Conf Room 1F" -Room -UserPrincipalName confroom1f@meetingroom365.com -EnableRoomMailboxAccount $false`_

To explicitly prevent login access, add -EnableRoomMailboxAccount $false.

If you want to allow sign-in (rare), you must use -EnableRoomMailboxAccount $true and set a password using -RoomMailboxPassword.

### 4\. Create a Mailbox Using a Mailbox Plan (Exchange Online Only)

Mailbox plans define quota, features, and service settings in **cloud environments.

Command:**

_`New-Mailbox -Name "James" -UserPrincipalName james@meetingroom365.com -Password (ConvertTo-SecureString 'P@ssword1234' -AsPlainText -Force) -MailboxPlan "Contoso-Standard"`_

**What this does:**

-   Creates a cloud mailbox using a specific **MailboxPlan**
-   Applies preconfigured settings for storage, policies, and services
-   Used by service providers and Microsoft 365 admins managing tenants

Plans must already be defined and available in the tenant.

### 5\. Create a Mailbox with Archive Enabled

Useful for organizations that want to offload older emails automatically.

**Command:**

_`New-Mailbox -Name "John Wick" -UserPrincipalName john@meetingroom365.com -Password (ConvertTo-SecureString 'Str0ngPass!' -AsPlainText -Force) -Archive`_

**What this does:**

-   Creates a **primary mailbox** for John
-   Automatically provisions a **local archive mailbox**
-   Archive policies can later be configured via **Set-Mailbox**

This helps with **email management**, storage limits, and **compliance**.

## Other Mailbox Types You Can Create

Besides User, Shared, and Room mailboxes, the **New-Mailbox** cmdlet can also be used to create:

-   **Equipment Mailbox** – Bookable resources like projectors or vehicles
-   **Discovery Mailbox** – Used for storing eDiscovery search results
-   **AuditLog Mailbox** – Stores audit data for compliance scenarios
-   **Arbitration Mailbox** – Supports moderation and workflow approvals
-   **Public Folder Mailbox** – For storing public folders in **Exchange Server
-   Linked Mailbox** – Used in cross-forest deployments (on-premises only)

To use these, apply the appropriate switch parameter (e.g., **\-Equipment, \-Discovery**, etc.) based on your environment.

The **New-Mailbox** cmdlet is essential for provisioning mailboxes in **Exchange Server** and **Exchange Online**, but usage depends heavily on the mailbox type and environment.

Always review the required parameters and understand the security model - especially for shared and room mailboxes that create underlying user accounts. For full support of advanced use cases, refer to Microsoft’s official documentation.