Active Directory: VBscript to enumerate all distribution groups that are hidden in the Global Address List

The next script for today enumerates all hidden distribution groups.
This is done by an ADO query with a filter on groups, msExchHideFromAddressLists and mail property.

Follow the next steps to run the script (no admin rights needed):

• copy and paste the script in your favorite text editor
• save the script (for example c:\temp\hidden-distribution-groups.vbs)
• open a command prompt
• go to “c:\temp”
• give “cscript hidden-distribution-groups.vbs” (without quotes) and enter

The script:

' Name : hidden-distribution-groups.vbs
' Description : script to enumerate all distribution groups that are hidden in the Global Address List
' Author : dirk adamsky - deludi bv
' Version : 1.00
' Date : 15-07-2010
' Level: intermediate

Set adoCommand = CreateObject("ADODB.Command")
Set adoConnection = CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
adoConnection.Provider = "ADsDSOObject"
adoConnection.Open "Active Directory Provider"
adoCommand.ActiveConnection = adoConnection

Set objRootDSE = GetObject("LDAP://RootDSE")
strBase = "<LDAP://" & objRootDSE.Get("defaultNamingContext") & ">"
strFilter = "(&(objectCategory=group)(msExchHideFromAddressLists=TRUE)(mail=*))"
strAttributes = "displayname, mail, msExchHideFromAddressLists"

strQuery = strBase & ";" & strFilter & ";" & strAttributes & ";subtree"
adoCommand.CommandText = strQuery
adoCommand.Properties("Page Size") = 100
adoCommand.Properties("Timeout") = 30
adoCommand.Properties("Cache Results") = False

Set objRecordset = adoCommand.Execute

objRecordSet.MoveFirst
Do Until objRecordSet.EOF
	Wscript.Echo objRecordSet.Fields("displayname").Value & " ; " & objRecordSet.Fields("mail").Value
	objRecordSet.MoveNext
Loop

Set objRecordset = Nothing
Set objRootDSE = Nothing
Set adoConnection = Nothing
Set adoCommand = Nothing

When you have problems/questions please post a reply or give a ‘star’ rating.

Happy scripting.

Best regards,

Dirk Adamsky – Deludi BV