Using Remove-MgGroupFavorite in Graph PowerShell

The Remove-MgGroupFavorite cmdlet is a powerful tool within the Microsoft Graph PowerShell module that allows administrators to remove groups from the favorites list of the current user. This can be particularly useful in managing and organizing the groups that are most relevant to users within an organization.

Cmdlet Syntax

Remove-MgGroupFavorite -GroupId <String>

-GroupId: The unique identifier (ID) of the group to be removed from the favorites list. This parameter is required.

Usage Examples

Single Group Removal

Remove-MgGroupFavorite -GroupId "1a2b3c4d-5678-90ab-cdef-1234567890ab"

This command removes the group with the specified GroupId from the user's favorites.

Multiple Group Removal

$groupIds = @("1a2b3c4d-5678-90ab-cdef-1234567890ab", "2b3c4d5e-6789-01bc-ddef-2345678901bc")
foreach ($groupId in $groupIds) {
    Remove-MgGroupFavorite -GroupId $groupId
}

This script iterates through the list of group IDs and removes each group from the favorites list.

Removal Based on Filtering Criteria

$groups = Get-MgGroup -Filter "startswith(DisplayName, 'Project_')" -Select Id
foreach ($group in $groups) {
    Remove-MgGroupFavorite -GroupId $group.Id
}

This command first retrieves all groups whose display names start with "Project_" and then removes them from the favorites list.

Cmdlet Tips

• Efficiency: When removing multiple groups, using loops (like in the second example) can save time and streamline the process.
• Filtering: Leveraging the filtering capabilities of the Get-MgGroup cmdlet can help you target specific groups based on their properties, making the Remove-MgGroupFavorite cmdlet even more powerful.
• Automation: Consider integrating this cmdlet into automation scripts where managing favorite groups is part of a larger task.

Possible Errors & Solutions

"InvalidAuthenticationToken"

Cause: The user’s authentication token has expired or is invalid.

Solution: Re-authenticate using Connect-MgGraph to refresh the token before running the cmdlet again.

Connect-MgGraph -Scopes "Group.ReadWrite.All"
Remove-MgGroupFavorite -GroupId "1a2b3c4d-5678-90ab-cdef-1234567890ab"

"ResourceNotFound"

Cause: The specified group ID does not exist, or the user does not have access to the group.

Solution: Verify that the group ID is correct and that the user has the necessary permissions to access the group.

$group = Get-MgGroup -Filter "displayName eq 'Marketing'"
if ($group) {
    Remove-MgGroupFavorite -GroupId $group.Id
} else {
    Write-Host "Group not found or access denied."

"PermissionDenied"

Cause: The user does not have sufficient permissions to perform the operation.

Solution: Ensure the user has the appropriate permissions, such as the Group.ReadWrite.All scope.

Connect-MgGraph -Scopes "Group.ReadWrite.All"

Use Cases

• Streamlining Group Management for IT Administrators: IT administrators can use the Remove-MgGroupFavorite cmdlet to declutter the favorites list of their own or other users' accounts, focusing only on the most critical groups. For instance, an admin might remove outdated project groups from favorites to ensure users focus on current projects.
• Automated Favorites Cleanup for Large Organizations: In large organizations, users might have several groups marked as favorites over time. By setting up a periodic script that removes groups based on specific criteria (e.g., project completion), the favorites list can be kept relevant and manageable.
• User-Specific Customization: For a personalized experience, the Remove-MgGroupFavorite cmdlet can be integrated into user onboarding or offboarding scripts, ensuring that new users start with a clean slate and that offboarded users' favorites lists are cleared as part of the deprovisioning process.

Conclusion

The Remove-MgGroupFavorite cmdlet is an essential tool for managing group favorites in Microsoft 365. Whether you're cleaning up outdated groups, automating group management tasks, or customizing the user experience, this cmdlet offers flexibility and control. By understanding its usage and potential pitfalls, administrators can enhance their efficiency and maintain a more organized group structure across their organization.