Create and Manage Mail Contact and Mail User

Описание: Mail Contact (M365)

Description:
A Mail Contact is an external email address stored in Microsoft 365. It does not have a Microsoft 365 license, mailbox, or sign-in access. Mail contacts are mainly used so external users appear in the Global Address List (GAL) and can receive emails from internal users or distribution groups.

Key Points:

External email address (outside the organization)

No mailbox in Microsoft 365

No login access

Appears in GAL

Can be added to Distribution Groups or M365 Groups

Example:
A vendor, consultant, or partner whose email is [email protected] but should receive company emails and be visible in the address book.

👤 Mail User (Mail-Enabled User)

Description:
A Mail User is an account that has an external email address but also has a user object in Microsoft 365. It can be used for identity, permissions, or future mailbox creation, but currently does not have a Microsoft 365 mailbox.

Key Points:

Has a user account in Microsoft 365

Email is delivered to an external address

No mailbox in M365 (yet)

Can sign in (if enabled)

Can be converted to a licensed mailbox later

Example:
A new employee or contractor who uses a personal email for now but will get an official Microsoft 365 mailbox later.