Exchange 2010 – How to create a Distribution List

In Exchange 2010 a distribution group (also known as a distribution list) is a list of mail-enabled users which can be used to assign security permissions, roles or send emails.

The following steps detail how to create a distribution list.

How to create a Distribution List (EMC)

  1. In the Exchange Management Console, expand the ‘Recipient Configuration’ node, and then select the ‘Distribution Group’ node
  2. Select ‘New Distribution Group’ from the actions pane
  3. MSExchange2010-DistributionList1
  4. With ‘New group’ select click ‘Next’
  5. Enter in a ‘Name’ and ‘Alias’ for the distribution group. Optionally you may also specify the Organisational Unit for the Active Directory object.
  6. Click ‘Next’
  7. MSExchange2010-DistributionList2
  8. Click ‘New’ to begin creating the Distribution Group
  9. Click ‘Finish’ to close the wizard
  10. MSExchange2010-DistributionList3

How to create a Distribution List (EMS)

Using the Exchange Management Shell, you can create a Distribution Group using the ‘new-DistributionGroup’ commandlet.

The following command will create a new distribution group, it will:

  • Have a display name of ‘Human Resources’
  • The Active Directory Object will be called ‘Human Resources’
  • and the Exchange object will be called ‘humanresources’.

new-DistributionGroup -Name 'Human Resources' -SamAccountName 'Human Resources' -Alias 'humanresources'

For instructions on how to add members to the distribution group, see: Exchange 2010 – How to add users to a Distribution List