Today, we are announcing updates to the Connect-ExchangeOnline cmdlet used to connect to Exchange Online. Currently, this cmdlet loads the cmdlet help file, which is required for the Get-Help cmdlet. We received feedback from customers that repeated connections can increase memory consumption because of this behavior. We also know that Connect-ExchangeOnline is used frequently in scripts, which are unlikely to call Get-Help.

To address this feedback, we previously introduced the SkipLoadingCmdletHelp parameter, which allows you to skip loading the help files. Moving forward, we are making an additional change to this behavior.

Starting with version 3.7.0 Preview and 3.7.0 GA of the Exchange Online PowerShell module (release planned in November 2024), the help file will no longer be loaded by default. Instead, if you want to load the help files, you will need to use a new parameter called LoadCmdletHelp. This change ensures that help files are loaded only when explicitly required, saving resources on your system.

Update Your Scripts

To maintain compatibility with your existing scripts, the SkipLoadingCmdletHelp parameter will be available in version 3.7.0 Preview and 3.7.0, but will no longer function. This is to ensure that your existing scripts do not break. However, this parameter will be removed in version 3.8.0.

We recommend that you review and if necessary, update your scripts to use the new LoadCmdletHelp parameter in scenarios where you require the help files.

Thank you for your understanding, and please feel free to leave us any feedback you have about this change in the Comments section.

Exchange Online Manageability Team

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