Introduction:
Last Friday, just as I was getting ready to board my flight to JFK from the Salt Lake City airport, I received a message from an end user:
“I think I’m blocked. I can’t access Outlook, Teams, or OneDrive.”
Time was limited, and I was already seated at the gate with my laptop ready. Instead of panicking, I tethered through my phone’s personal hotspot and launched Cisco AnyConnect VPN. I deliberately avoided the airport’s public Wi-Fi to reduce the risk of a security breach.
Once I authenticated and connected securely, I logged into Azure. I discovered that the user’s account in portal.azure.com was disabled. Fortunately, there are two ways to quickly resolve this kind of issue:
✅ Method 1: PowerShell (Quickest & Most Efficient)
If you have the AzureAD or Microsoft Graph PowerShell module installed and proper permissions, this method is the fastest.
Step-by-step using Microsoft Graph PowerShell:
# Connect to Microsoft Graph
Connect-MgGraph -Scopes "User.ReadWrite.All"
# Re-enable the disabled account
Update-MgUser -UserId [email protected] -AccountEnabled $true
Note: Replace
[email protected]with the actual UPN or Object ID of the affected user.
Advantages:
- Fast (under 30 seconds)
- No GUI needed
- Can be scripted for multiple accounts
🧭 Method 2: Azure Portal (GUI Approach)
If you’re not ready to run PowerShell or don’t have the module available, the Azure Portal offers a visual way to fix it.
Steps:
- Go to https://portal.azure.com
- Navigate to Azure Active Directory
- Click on Users
- Search for the affected user
- Click the Edit button at the top
- Set Account Enabled to Yes
- Click Save
Advantages:
- Good for admins who prefer a visual interface
- Easier to audit changes
- Helpful for one-off account fixes
🧠 Final Thoughts
Both approaches—PowerShell and the Azure portal—get the job done. However, for IT professionals constantly on the move, PowerShell is king. It’s fast, efficient, and doesn’t rely on a graphical interface.
That said, having the flexibility to switch between GUI and scripting tools is essential. Some situations demand precision and speed; others might call for a visual confirmation or audit trail.
In the end, what matters most is being prepared. Whether you’re at your desk or at an airport gate, the ability to jump in and resolve an issue on the fly is what defines a reliable IT Engineer.
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