Rename an Exchange Distribution Group using PowerShell

Guide for renaming an Exchange Distribution Group using the Set-DistributionGroup PowerShell command 

To rename a distribution group you will need to update the Name, Alias, DisplayName and EmailAddresses

View distribution group properties using Get-DistributionGroup

Open the Exchange Management Shell (run as Administrator)

Get-DistributionGroup -Identity "Test Dist Group" | Select-Object Name, Alias, DisplayName, PrimarySmtpAddress,EmailAddresses | Format-list 

Note the primary SMTP address and email addresses

Rename distribution group using Set-DistributionGroup

# Define variables for distribution group changes
$OldDistName = "Test Dist Group"
$NewDistName = "Test Dist Group New"
$NewDistAlias = "TestDistGroupNew"
$NewDistEmail = "SMTP:TestDistGroupNew@yourdomain.com","smtp:TestDistGroupNew@yourdomain.mail.onmicrosoft.com"
 
# Turn off email address policy for the distribution group
Set-DistributionGroup -Identity $OldDistName -EmailAddressPolicyEnabled:$false
 
# Change distribution group Alias and DisplayName
Set-DistributionGroup -Identity $OldDistName -Name $NewDistName -Alias $NewDistAlias -DisplayName $NewDistName
 
# Change distribution group EmailAddresses
Set-DistributionGroup -Identity $NewDistName -EmailAddresses $NewDistEmail
 

 Check the distribution group changes

Get-DistributionGroup -Identity "Test Dist Group New" | Select-Object Name, Alias, DisplayName, PrimarySmtpAddress,EmailAddresses | Format-list