Adding Users to Active Directory

Ah, Active Directory. That magical realm where users live and sometimes get lost (usually because they forgot their password or clicked on a suspicious link). As a self-proclaimed AD wizard, you’ve likely faced the tedious task of creating new users one by one. Enter this script, your enchanted staff to wield against monotony and inefficiency. Behold: The Active Directory User Creation Script!

The Problem

Picture this: It’s a Monday morning. You’re sipping lukewarm coffee while staring at a request for 50 new users. Each one needs a unique configuration—OUs, email addresses, profiles, home drives, and, of course, proxy addresses. By the time you’re done creating them manually, it’ll be next Monday, and someone will undoubtedly ask for another batch.

You don’t have time for this. You’re an AD wizard, not an unpaid intern.

The Solution: Automation (with a Side of Snark)

This script is the answer to your prayers (or curses, depending on how bad your Monday is). It automates the creation of AD users, taking all the data it needs from a single CSV file. Think of it as handing the script a to-do list and saying, “You deal with it.”

Here’s what it does:

• Reads a CSV File: You fill out a simple spreadsheet, and the script does the heavy lifting. No more typos in names or sifting through AD to find the right OU. It’s all in the CSV.
• Customizes Everything: Proxy addresses? Check. Password policies? Check. Home directories? Double check.
• Moves Users to the Correct OU: Each user knows their place in the AD hierarchy (literally).
• Logs Every Detail: If something goes wrong (spoiler alert: it’s usually a typo in the CSV), the script logs it so you can pinpoint the issue. It’s like your personal AD diary.

How It Works

• You drop the script into c:\scripts (because that’s where magic happens).
• Place your CSV file in c:\scripts\data. Name it something descriptive like import_create_ad_users.csv (or “user_magic_list.csv” if you’re feeling whimsical).
• Run the script in PowerShell and watch as your AD populates faster than a spam inbox.

Oh, and don’t worry about the details—it logs everything to c:\CSVReports\create_ad_users.log. When a user’s account fails to create, the script tattles on them in the log file. Perfect for pointing fingers at the source of typos.

The Unsung Hero: The CSV

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the humble CSV. It’s simple, powerful, and now, your best friend. It can come from any source as long as it speaks I.T.. This one contains columns like:

• GivenName (because users need first names, obviously).
• LastName (please don’t make it “Smith” for all of them).
• TargetOU (because not all users belong in the same bucket).
• ProxyAddresses (yes, plural—users can be fancy like that).

It’s so straightforward, even that one guy in IT who still uses Notepad for everything can handle it.

Why You'll Love It

1. No More Tedious Clicking: The script is like your AD intern who works 24/7 without complaints.
2. Customizable: Want users in different OUs? Done. Need profiles and home drives? Easy. This script adapts to your every whim.
3. Error Logging: When things go sideways (and they will), the script tells you exactly what happened. Think of it as your AD therapist.

Why Your Boss Will Love It

When your boss sees 50 users created in minutes, they’ll think you’ve mastered sorcery. You can either tell them about the script or let them keep thinking you’re an AD wizard (we won’t judge).

Final Thoughts

This script is your golden ticket to avoiding manual AD work and impressing your boss (or at least avoiding their wrath). Just remember: with great power comes great responsibility—don’t accidentally mass-create 5,000 users because you didn’t double-check the CSV. 😅

So go ahead, give it a try. Let this script handle the mundane while you focus on more important tasks, like googling “How to Fix AD Replication Issues” for the 50th time this week.

Happy scripting, fellow wizards!