Authenticate Connect-SPOService without user interaction

Garima Das 1,041 Reputation points
2021-07-30T11:05:58.777+00:00

Hi Experts,

I am using Connect-SPOService to connect to the SharePoint admin site and then making setting changes to it. I have created a script for this purpose and we are intending to run the script using a pipeline in DevOps. But in the whole process, providing the credentials while the script runs is a blocker.

How can we pass credentials to the Connect-SPOService without user interaction?

Thanks.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For business | Windows
Microsoft 365 and Office | SharePoint | Development
Microsoft 365 and Office | SharePoint | For business | Windows
Windows for business | Windows Server | User experience | PowerShell
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  1. Salamat Shah 990 Reputation points MVP
    2026-11-15T08:16:40.2166667+00:00

    Dear Das,

    Yes, you can automate Connect-SPOService without interactive user sign-in, but storing usernames/passwords in scripts is not recommended.

    The Microsoft-supported approach for non-interactive SharePoint Online administration is app-based authentication (service principal + certificate) rather than passing user credentials to Connect-SPOService. This is more secure, compliant, and suitable for Azure DevOps pipelines.

    Recommendations:

    • Use Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) App Registration with certificate-based authentication.
    • Store the certificate securely (Azure Key Vault, secure certificate store).
    • Run the script from Azure DevOps Service Connection, Managed Identity, or a service principal.

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