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Retrieve & Analyze Exchange Online Read Receipts with Microsoft Graph & PowerShell

Introduction

Knowing whether recipients have read your emails can be valuable for follow-ups, time-sensitive communication, and tracking engagement. Microsoft Graph, combined with PowerShell, empowers you to retrieve email read receipts within Exchange Online.

Prerequisites

  • Understanding of Exchange Online mail flow and read receipt functionality
  • Familiarity with PowerShell scripting
  • Microsoft Graph Permissions:
    • Mail.Read

Important Note: Limitations of Read Receipts

  • User Control: Recipients can choose whether or not to send read receipts. A missing receipt doesn’t guarantee the email wasn’t read.
  • Availability: Read receipts might not be available under certain configurations or for older messages.

Retrieving Read Receipts with PowerShell and Microsoft Graph

1: Install Modules:

Install-Module -Name Microsoft.Graph

2: Connect to Graph API:

Connect-MgGraph -Scopes Mail.Read

3: Find the Message-ID:

The Message-ID uniquely identifies each email. Here’s how to locate it:

  • Outlook:

    1. Open the email.
    2. Go to File -> Properties.
    3. Locate “Internet headers” and find the Message-ID.
  • Outlook on the Web:

    1. Open the email.
    2. Click the three dots (…) and select View message details.
    3. Locate the Message-ID.
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4: Query Read Receipt Information:

$messageId = "<insert Message-ID here>"
Get-MgUserMessage -UserId "[email protected]" -MessageId $messageId -IncludeReadReceipt

5: Interpret Results

  • The response will contain read receipt details if they are available.
  • Examine the recipient address, read timestamp, etc.

Real-World Scenarios

  • Confirming Important Notice: Verify if a crucial email was seen by the recipient.
  • Tracking Proposal Open: Get insights into whether a proposal or contract has been read.
  • Sales Follow-Ups: Inform follow-up timing based on read confirmation.

Caveats

  • Consider recipient privacy when using read receipts extensively.
  • Due to limitations, don’t rely solely on read receipts for critical confirmation.

Let me know if you'd like to explore scenarios automating the retrieval of read receipts for multiple emails or creating reports!

Muhammad Faizan

Hi, My name is Muhammad Faizan and i have spent last 15 years working as System Administrator mainly with Microsoft Technologies. I am MCSE, MCTP, MCITP, certified professional. I love scripting and Powershell is the scripting language i am in love with.

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