How to audit Active Directory changes using PowerShell?

In a large Active Directory environment with many objects there'd be thousands of operations taking place day in day out. It becomes important to keep track of these changes, their source, their effect and the users performing them.

The following is a comparison between the process of auditing Active Directory changes with Windows PowerShell and ADAudit.

Windows PowerShell

Steps to track Active Directory changes:

By using the Get-ADObject PowerShell command, we can see all the changes that have been taking place throughout Active Directory.
```
$ThisDate = [Datetime]"22/04/2020" Get-ADObject -Filter "WhenChanged" -GT $ThisDate | Export-CSV C:\Folder\ADchanges.CSV -NoTypeInformation
```
Copied
Click to copy entire script
The first command is a variable that stores the date. The second command looks for all the changes that have been made in Active Directory greater than the date specified in the $ThisDate variable. The output is stored in the C:\Folder\ADChanges.
The filter can be replaced with "WhenCreated" to see the list of objects recently created in AD.
The report will be exported in the format specified in the script. To obtain the report in a different format, modify the script.

ADAudit Plus

To obtain Active Directory changes report,

Log in to the ADAudit Plus web console.
Click on the Reports Tab > Account Management.
Select the Domain from the drop down.
Under Account Management, you will find the below mentioned reports.
- All AD Changes
- All AD Changes By User
- All AD Changes on DCs
- User Management
- Group Management
- Computer Management
- OU Management
- GPO Management
- Administrative User Actions
Select Export as to export the report in any of the preferred formats (CSV, PDF, HTML, CSVDE and XLSX).

powershell-audit-active-directory-changes-1

Why is ADAudit Plus the better solution you should consider?

Comprehensive dashboard to compare and correlate reports.
Provision to export reports in the desired format with a single click.
Multiple filters to help retrieve the necessary information from an extensive database.

Avoid complex PowerShell-scripting, and simplify AD change auditing with ADAudit Plus.
US
By clicking 'Get Your Free Trial', you agree to processing of personal data according to the Privacy Policy.
Thanks!
Your download is in progress and it will be completed in just a few seconds! If you face any issues, download manually here.

Active Directory auditing

Windows file auditing

NAS device file auditing

Windows server auditing

Workstation auditing

Entra ID auditing

All features →

Help documents

Video zone

Webinars

Product brochures

Case studies

E-books

Awards zone

Study

How tos

Best practices

How to audit Active Directory changes using PowerShell?

Windows PowerShell

Steps to track Active Directory changes:

ADAudit Plus

To obtain Active Directory changes report,

Related Resources

ADAudit Plus Trusted By

Meet all auditing and IT security needs with ADAudit Plus.

A single pane of glass for complete Active Directory Auditing and Reporting

Identity and access management

Unified service management

Unified endpoint management and security

IT operations management and observability

Security information and event management

Advanced IT analytics

Low-code app development

Cloud solutions for enterprise IT

IT management for MSPs

Active Directory management Manage, track, and secure Active Directory

Identity governance and administrationOrchestrate user identity management and access controls for Zero Trust

Privileged access managementControl and secure privileged access to critical enterprise systems

Enterprise and IT service managementDeliver a consistent employee experience across business functions

Customer service managementBuild a one-stop portal for customers with efficient account management

IT asset managementCentralize and automate the complete IT asset life cycle

SIEM Spot, investigate, and neutralize security threats

Log and compliance managementGain deeper visibility into security events and ensure compliance

Security auditingAudit Active Directory, cloud platforms and files to enhance your security posture

Endpoint management and protection platform (UEM and EPP)Secure and manage endpoints to protect your IT assets effectively

Endpoint managementAchieve intelligent IT device management with zero user intervention

Endpoint securityDefend against threat actors with proactive and reactive measures

Full-stack observability and digital experience monitoringAchieve end-to-end visibility, proactive issue resolution, and enhanced security

Network and server performance monitoringEnsure network, server, and storage reliability with AI-powered insights

IT incident managementEfficiently manage and resolve IT incidents while ensuring transparency

DNS and DHCP managementOptimize IP address and domain management

Cloud cost managementRight-size and take control of your cloud costs

IT analyticsConnect to your IT applications and visualize all facets of your IT

Cloud-native solutions for IT managementMonitor, manage, audit, and secure your multi-cloudand hybrid infrastructure

Business applications for ITBoost productivity and improve team collaboration

Custom solution builderBuild tailor-made apps to automate operations at your organization

Solutions for MSPsGrow your MSP business with scalable and secure IT management solutions

How to audit Active Directory changes using PowerShell?

Windows PowerShell

Steps to track Active Directory changes:

ADAudit Plus

To obtain Active Directory changes report,

Related Resources

ADAudit Plus Trusted By

Meet all auditing and IT security needs with ADAudit Plus.

A single pane of glass for complete Active Directory Auditing and Reporting

Active Directory
management Manage, track, and secure Active Directory

Identity governance
and administrationOrchestrate user identity management and access controls for Zero Trust

Privileged access
managementControl and secure privileged access to critical enterprise systems

Enterprise and IT service
managementDeliver a consistent employee experience across business functions

Customer service
managementBuild a one-stop portal for customers with efficient account management

IT asset
managementCentralize and automate the complete IT asset life cycle

Network and server
performance monitoringEnsure network, server, and storage reliability with AI-powered insights

IT incident
managementEfficiently manage and resolve IT incidents while ensuring transparency

Cloud-native solutions for IT managementMonitor, manage, audit, and secure your multi-cloud
and hybrid infrastructure