Distribution Group Exchange Reports
9 ReportsAbout Distribution Group Reports
Distribution Group Reports track groups that exist only to distribute e-mail and cannot grant permissions: every distribution group and its scope, dynamic distribution groups, empty groups, and group-based sender restrictions.
No security permissions
Send to many recipients
Restrict who can send
About Distribution Groups
Pure distribution groups vs mail-enabled security groups:
- Email Only: Distribution groups cannot grant permissions or access
- Simpler Management: Focused on email distribution, not security
- GAL Presence: Appear in Exchange Global Address List
- Use Cases: Department mailing lists, project teams, company announcements
Example: Distribution Group Exchange Reports
By Scope (4)
Dynamic Groups (1)
Membership (2)
Group Restrictions (2)
Available Reports (9 Total)
DISTRIBUTION GROUPS BY SCOPE (4 Reports)
Every distribution group, and each scope
Distribution Groups
All distribution groups - groups that cannot grant permissions, mail-enabled or not.
Local Distribution Groups
Domain local distribution groups.
Global Distribution Groups
Global distribution groups.
Universal Distribution Groups
Universal distribution groups - Exchange 2007 and later mail-enable only universal groups.
DYNAMIC DISTRIBUTION GROUPS (1 Report)
Groups whose members Exchange finds from a filter
Dynamic Distribution Groups New in 7.6.1
Dynamic distribution groups, whose members Exchange finds from a filter when a message arrives - with the Recipient Filter (LDAP) and the Recipient Container it searches.
MEMBERSHIP (2 Reports)
Distribution groups with and without members
Empty Distribution Groups
Distribution groups without any members - cleanup candidates.
Not Empty Distribution Groups
Distribution groups with members.
DISTRIBUTION GROUP RESTRICTIONS (2 Reports)
Senders allowed or refused by group membership
Accept messages from all Distribution groups
Mail-enabled distribution groups with no group-based sender restrictions.
Accept messages Not from all Distribution groups
Mail-enabled distribution groups that accept, or reject, messages from the members of specific groups.
Essential Distribution Group Guidelines:
- Remove Empty Groups: Empty Distribution Groups lists groups that deliver to nobody
- Prefer Universal Scope: Local and Global Distribution Groups show groups Exchange 2007 and later will not mail-enable - convert them to universal if they need e-mail
- Check Dynamic Group Filters: Dynamic Distribution Groups shows each group's filter and the container it searches - a wrong container silently changes who gets the mail
- Review Sender Restrictions: Accept messages Not from all Distribution groups lists groups that accept or refuse senders by group membership - confirm each restriction is intended
- Review Membership Regularly: Not Empty Distribution Groups is the list to review for departed members
Which groups can the internet reach?
A group that does not require sender authentication accepts mail from anyone, so spam and phishing reach every member. Run Groups that accept messages from outside the organization on the Group Exchange Reports page - it covers distribution groups too.
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