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How to Migrate Microsoft 365 Users from Active Directory to Microsoft Entra ID
Question details
The user needs to migrate Microsoft 365 users from an on-premises Active Directory to a cloud-only Microsoft Entra ID environment.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 / Microsoft Entra ID
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Disabling directory synchronization, migrating users, and decommissioning on-premises domain controllers and Entra Connect servers.
- Observed behavior
- The goal is to successfully transition users to cloud-native authentication while ensuring proper testing and rollback plans are established.
Ensure you have global administrator privileges in your Microsoft 365 tenant and a complete backup of your on-premises Active Directory before modifying any synchronization configurations.
Consult Microsoft FastTrack and Azure Experts
Engaging with Microsoft experts is highly recommended due to the complexity of identity management, synchronization, and infrastructure migration.
Disabling directory synchronization and migrating users directly impacts authentication and access. It is best to consult with professionals who specialize in Azure and identity management.
Navigate to the Microsoft FastTrack portal and sign in with your Microsoft 365 global admin credentials.
Submit a request for deployment and migration assistance specifically regarding your Active Directory to Entra ID transition.
Visit the Microsoft Azure Community forums to review peer advice and best practices for disabling directory synchronization safely.
Create a Staged Migration and Rollback Plan
Proper planning and isolated testing are crucial before globally altering synchronization settings or decommissioning legacy servers.
Manage Your Business Documents with WPS Office
While transitioning your IT infrastructure to the cloud with Microsoft Entra ID, consider optimizing your organization's software costs. WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative to Microsoft Office for your daily document processing needs.
- 1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the official WPS website to download the latest version of WPS Office.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the suite.
- 3. Start Creating: Open WPS Office and begin seamlessly editing your Microsoft Office documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to user passwords when directory synchronization is disabled?
When directory synchronization is disabled, synced users are converted to cloud-only users in Microsoft Entra ID. Their last synced passwords will continue to function until they are explicitly changed in the cloud.
Can I migrate only a specific group of users to Microsoft Entra ID?
Yes, you can utilize the Staged Rollout feature in Microsoft Entra ID to test cloud authentication for specific user groups before fully cutting over the entire domain.
Do I need to keep Azure AD Connect running after the migration is complete?
Once all users are fully migrated to become cloud-only in Microsoft Entra ID and you have safely decommissioned your on-premises Active Directory, Azure AD Connect is no longer required and can be uninstalled.
