PowerShell Script to Delete Devices from Active Directory and Save Logs

Overview

This PowerShell script automates the deletion of computer objects from Active Directory based on a list of device names. It reads the device names from a specified text file and attempts to delete each corresponding computer object from AD, while logging the outcome for each device.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Device List:
   • Create a text file named device_list.txt in the C:\Logs directory, containing the names of the devices you want to delete (one device name per line).
2. Copy the Script:
   • Save the following script to a .ps1 file (e.g., DeleteDevices.ps1).

   # Define the path to the text file containing the list of device names
   $deviceListPath = "C:\Logs\device_list.txt"
   
   # Read the device names from the text file
   $deviceNames = Get-Content $deviceListPath
   
   # Create a log file to save the output
   $logFile = "C:\Logs\device_deletion_log.txt"
   
   # Iterate through each device name
   foreach ($deviceName in $deviceNames) {
       # Find the device object in AD
       $device = Get-ADComputer -Filter { Name -eq $deviceName }
   
       # Check if the device object exists
       if ($device) {
           # Delete the device from AD
           Remove-ADComputer -Identity $device -Confirm:$false
           $message = "Device '$deviceName' deleted from Active Directory."
           Write-Host $message
           $message | Out-File -Append $logFile
       } else {
           $message = "Device '$deviceName' not found in Active Directory."
           Write-Host $message
           $message | Out-File -Append $logFile
       }
   }
   
   Write-Host "Device deletion process completed. Logs saved to: $logFile"
               

3. Run the Script:
   • Execute the DeleteDevices.ps1 script with appropriate permissions.
   • The script will delete the devices listed in device_list.txt and log the results in device_deletion_log.txt.

Script Explanation

• Reading the Device List:

  The script reads the device names from device_list.txt, which should be located in the C:\Logs directory.

• Deleting Devices:

  The script checks if each device exists in Active Directory and, if so, deletes it.

• Logging:

  Each deletion attempt (successful or unsuccessful) is logged to device_deletion_log.txt, providing a record of the operation.

Tags:

#PowerShell #ActiveDirectory #Automation #Scripting #SystemAdministration