I need to delete an orphaned automation account

Question

I need to delete an orphaned automation account

Simon Taylor 20

I deleted a log analytics workspace before unlinking an automation account. I have exhausted options trying to delete the resource so now I think I need microsoft to delete it in the backend.

PS C:\Windows\system32> Remove-AzAutomationAccount -Name aa-management-prod-uks-001 -Force -ResourceGroupName rg-management-prod-uks-001

Remove-AzAutomationAccount : Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

At line:1 char:1

Remove-AzAutomationAccount -Name aa-management-prod-uks-001 -Force -R ...


    + CategoryInfo          : CloseError: (:) [Remove-AzAutomationAccount], NullReferenceException

    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : Microsoft.Azure.Commands.Automation.Cmdlet.RemoveAzureAutomationAccount

Ashok Gandhi Kotnana 10,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-05-18T03:08:05.8233333+00:00

Hi @Simon Taylor,

Please follow below details and do let us know how it goes.

Go to the workspace and then find legacy solutions on the left pane.

T

There you will see change tracking click on that one and go to overview.

Click on the delete.

Do the same process for updates.

Click on the delete.

Do the same process for updates.

You need to delete both of them.

Please let me know if you face any challenge here, I can help you to resolve this issue further

Provide your valuable Comments how it goes
Ashok Gandhi Kotnana 10,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-05-19T03:29:49.59+00:00

Hi @Simon Taylor,

Please let me know if the above provides solution worked for you.

Thankyou
Simon Taylor 20 Reputation points

2025-05-19T06:55:07.8633333+00:00

Hi. Unfortunately I do not have the log analytics workspace anymore so cannot unlink it. I have exhausted all options using the gui and also CLI / Powershell. The only option as I see it is for Microsoft to remove it in the backend for me.

The only resource I have in the subscription is the automation account and it will not delete because of the missing LA workspace
Ashok Gandhi Kotnana 10,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-05-19T06:58:15.6666667+00:00

@Simon Taylor

I have reached out to you in a private message
Simon Taylor 20 Reputation points

2025-05-23T13:36:39.3266667+00:00
Hi, I tried the suggested workaround (below) but the command failed on the first step (not available to restore).... please advise.

Restore-AzOperationalInsightsWorkspace -ResourceGroupName "resource-group-name-the-workspace-was-in" -Name "deleted-workspace-name" -Location "region-name-the-workspace-was-in"

Remove-AzOperationalInsightsWorkspace -ResourceGroupName "resource-group-name" -Name "workspace-name" -ForceDelete

After this wait for 1 day, before deleting your Automation Account.

3. Remove-AzAutomationAccount -Name "automationAccountName" -Force -ResourceGroupName “resourceGroupName”

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Ashok Gandhi Kotnana 10,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-05-18T03:08:05.8233333+00:00

Hi @Simon Taylor,

Please follow below details and do let us know how it goes.

Go to the workspace and then find legacy solutions on the left pane.

T

There you will see change tracking click on that one and go to overview.

Click on the delete.

Do the same process for updates.

Click on the delete.

Do the same process for updates.

You need to delete both of them.

Please let me know if you face any challenge here, I can help you to resolve this issue further

Provide your valuable Comments how it goes
Ashok Gandhi Kotnana 10,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-05-19T03:29:49.59+00:00

Hi @Simon Taylor,

Please let me know if the above provides solution worked for you.

Thankyou
Simon Taylor 20 Reputation points

2025-05-19T06:55:07.8633333+00:00

Hi. Unfortunately I do not have the log analytics workspace anymore so cannot unlink it. I have exhausted all options using the gui and also CLI / Powershell. The only option as I see it is for Microsoft to remove it in the backend for me.

The only resource I have in the subscription is the automation account and it will not delete because of the missing LA workspace
Ashok Gandhi Kotnana 10,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-05-19T06:58:15.6666667+00:00

@Simon Taylor

I have reached out to you in a private message
Simon Taylor 20 Reputation points

2025-05-23T13:36:39.3266667+00:00

Hi, I tried the suggested workaround (below) but the command failed on the first step (not available to restore).... please advise.

Restore-AzOperationalInsightsWorkspace -ResourceGroupName "resource-group-name-the-workspace-was-in" -Name "deleted-workspace-name" -Location "region-name-the-workspace-was-in"

Remove-AzOperationalInsightsWorkspace -ResourceGroupName "resource-group-name" -Name "workspace-name" -ForceDelete

After this wait for 1 day, before deleting your Automation Account.

3. Remove-AzAutomationAccount -Name "automationAccountName" -Force -ResourceGroupName “resourceGroupName”

Answer 1

SadiqhAhmed-MSFT 49,331 Microsoft Employee Moderator

@Simon Taylor

The issue arose due to the soft delete policy applied to the Log Analytics workspace, which temporarily prevents its deletion to allow for recovery Once this grace period concluded, the associated automation account was successfully deleted, resolving the problem. It's important to note that during the soft delete phase, the workspace and its linked resources remain in a non-functional state, which can impact operations.

Please let me know if you face any challenge here, I can help you to resolve this issue further

Provide your valuable Comments.

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Please do not forget to "Accept the answer” and “upvote it” wherever the information provided helps you, this can be beneficial to other community members.it would be greatly appreciated and helpful to others.

Ashok Gandhi Kotnana 10,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-05-27T09:50:32.1866667+00:00

@Simon Taylor
Just want to check if the above answer worked for you or else please let us know if any help, we are always here to help whenever you need us.

Please do not forget to "Accept the answer” and “upvote it” wherever the information provided helps you, this can be beneficial to other community members.it would be greatly appreciated and helpful to others.

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I need to delete an orphaned automation account

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