Check for Hybrid Configuration Wizard Updates

Andres Bohren

2025-07-14

Check for Hybrid Configuration Wizard Updates

Hi All,

A few Months ago, Microsoft has announced the Exchange Hybrid App. They announced that in Q2 2025 the HCW will support the creation of the Exchange Hybrid Application. Not sure if that is already the case. So i did write this Script to check for updated Versions of Hybrid Configuration Wizard (HCW).

Exchange Server Security Changes for Hybrid Deployments

Browser Developer Tools

In the Browser development tools i’ve analyzed the URL that is used to download the Hybrid Configuration Wizard (HCW) when requesting https://aka.ms/hybridwizard

Download with PowerShell

Invoke-WebRequest -Method GET -Uri https://hybridconfiguration.blob.core.windows.net/shcw/Microsoft.Online.CSE.Hybrid.Client.application -OutFile $HCWFile

Analyze the File

I’ve analyzed the File and it seems to be an XML File with the Version as an Attribute

XML Pharsing

Load XML File and get the Version

[XML]$XML = Get-Content -Path $HCWFile
$xml.assembly.assemblyIdentity.version

CheckHCWVersion Script

I’ve created a Script with some logic around that sends me an Email if the HCW Version has changed. In the first run, the HCWVersion.txt does not exist, so it sends an email. In the next run, the Versions are equal so no Email will be sent.

I’ve created a Sheduled Task an will now be informed, when a new Version of HCW will be released.

###############################################################################
# CheckHCWVersion.ps1
# Downloads Exchange Online Hybrid Configuration Wizard (HCW) and checks
# Version against stored Version in TXT File
# 14.07.2025 - V1.0 - Andres Bohren 
###############################################################################
$HCWFile = "E:\Scripts\Microsoft.Online.CSE.Hybrid.Client.application"
$From = "Administrator@icewolf.ch"
$To = "a.bohren@icewolf.ch"
$SMTPServer = "172.21.175.21"

#Download HCW
Invoke-WebRequest -Method GET -Uri https://hybridconfiguration.blob.core.windows.net/shcw/Microsoft.Online.CSE.Hybrid.Client.application -OutFile $HCWFile

#Load XML
[XML]$XML = Get-Content -Path $HCWFile

#Get HCW Version
$HCWVersion = $xml.assembly.assemblyIdentity.version
Write-Host "HCWVersion: $HCWVersion" -ForegroundColor Cyan

If ((Test-Path -Path ".\HCWVersion.txt") -eq $false)
{
    #HCWVersion.txt does not exist
    $StoredHCWVersion = "0"
} else {
    $StoredHCWVersion = Get-Content -Path ".\HCWVersion.txt"
}
Write-Host "StoredHCWVersion: $StoredHCWVersion" -ForegroundColor Cyan
Set-Content ".\HCWVersion.txt" -Value $HCWVersion

If ($HCWVersion -ne $StoredHCWVersion)
{
    #Versions are diffrent
    $sendMailMessageSplat = @{
    From = $From
    To = $To
    Subject = "HCW Version Test"
    Body = "StoredVersion: $StoredHCWVersion`r`nHCWVersion: $HCWVersion"
    SmtpServer = $SMTPServer
    }
    Write-Host "Diffrent Versions: Send Mail" -ForegroundColor Cyan
    Send-MailMessage @sendMailMessageSplat
}

Summary

I’ve created a script to check for newer Versions of the Hybrid Configuration Wizard. Hope this helps you too.

Regards
Andres Bohren