Use group-based licensing in Entra ID to auto-assign licenses.

Use group-based licensing in Entra ID to auto-assign licenses.

Step 1: Create a Security Group

You’ll need a group to assign the license to.

1. Go to https://entra.microsoft.com

2. Navigate to Identity > Groups > All groups.

3. Click + New group.

4. Set Group type to Security.

5. Name it something like “Lic_365_E5”

6. Click Create.

Step 2: Assign the E5 License to the Group

1. In Admin Center https://admin.microsoft.com, go to Billing > Licensing.

2. Select Microsoft 365 E5.

3. Click Groups

4. Click + Assign licenses.

5. Search and choose your new group (Lic_365_E5).

6. Select the services you want (e.g., Windows 11 Enterprise, Defender, Purview).

7. Click Assign.

⚠️ Note: As of Sept 2024, license assignment must be done via Microsoft 365 Admin Center, not Entra or Azure portals

Step 3: Add Users to the Group

- Add users manually or use dynamic membership rules (e.g., auto-add users with a specific department or tag).

- Once added, Entra ID will automatically assign the E5 license to each member.