Azure AD Connect Download: How to Install and Configure It
If you want to integrate your on-premises Active Directory with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), you need to download and install Azure AD Connect. This tool allows you to synchronize your users, groups, and other objects between your local and cloud directories. It also enables various sign-in methods and optional features that enhance your hybrid identity experience.
In this article, we will show you how to download, install, and configure Azure AD Connect using express or custom settings. We will also cover some common troubleshooting steps in case you encounter any issues during or after the installation.
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What is Azure AD Connect and why do you need it?
Azure AD Connect is an on-premises Microsoft application that's designed to meet and accomplish your hybrid identity goals. It acts as a bridge between your on-premises and cloud identities and gives users secure access to the corporate network from any device.
Azure AD Connect provides the following features:
Password hash synchronization - A sign-in method that synchronizes a hash of a users on-premises AD password with Azure AD.
Pass-through authentication - A sign-in method that allows users to use the same password on-premises and in the cloud, but doesn't require the additional infrastructure of a federated environment.
Federation integration - Federation is an optional part of Azure AD Connect and can be used to configure a hybrid environment using an on-premises AD FS infrastructure. It also provides AD FS management capabilities such as certificate renewal and additional AD FS server deployments.
Synchronization - Responsible for creating users, groups, and other objects. As well as, making sure identity information for your on-premises users and groups is matching the cloud. This synchronization also includes password hashes.
Health Monitoring - Azure AD Connect Health can provide robust monitoring and provide a central location in the Azure portal to view this activity.
Azure AD Connect features and benefits
Azure AD Connect offers many advantages for organizations that want to leverage their existing identity infrastructure and extend it to the cloud. Some of the key benefits are:
Great user experience - Users use the same passwords to sign into both on-premises and cloud-based applications. Users spend less time talking to the IT helpdesk resolving password-related issues. Users can complete self-service password management tasks in the cloud.
Easy to deploy & administer - No need for complex on-premises deployments or network configuration. Needs just a lightweight agent to be installed on-premises. No management overhead. The agent automatically receives improvements and bug fixes.
Secure - On-premises passwords are never stored in the cloud in any form. Protects your user accounts by working seamlessly with Azure AD Conditional Access policies, including Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and by filtering out brute force password attacks.
Scalable - Supports an unlimited number of users and directory objects. Can handle high volumes of authentication and synchronization requests.
Flexible - Supports multiple topologies and scenarios, such as single or multiple AD forests, single or multiple Azure AD tenants, password sync or pass-through authentication, and optional federation with AD FS or PingFederate.
Azure AD Connect installation types and prerequisites
Azure AD Connect can be installed in two ways: using express settings or custom settings. The express settings are recommended for single forest scenarios where you want to use password hash synchronization as your sign-in method. The custom settings are recommended for more complex scenarios where you want to use pass-through authentication, federation, or advanced synchronization options.
Before you install Azure AD Connect, you need to meet the following prerequisites:
An Azure AD tenant with a global administrator account.
An on-premises Active Directory with an enterprise administrator account.
A Windows Server 2012 R2 or later machine to install Azure AD Connect on. This machine must have .NET Framework 4.7.1 or later and PowerShell 5.1 or later installed.
An internet connection to download Azure AD Connect and communicate with Azure AD.
A valid SSL certificate if you plan to use pass-through authentication or federation.
How to download Azure AD Connect
You can download Azure AD Connect from two sources: the official Microsoft website or the Azure portal. Both sources provide the same installer file, so you can choose the one that is more convenient for you.
Downloading Azure AD Connect from the official Microsoft website
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Go to .
Click on the Download button and select the AzureADConnect.msi file.
Save the file to your local machine and run it as an administrator.
Downloading Azure AD Connect from the Azure portal
To download Azure AD Connect from the Azure portal, follow these steps:
Sign in to the with your global administrator account.
Go to Azure Active Directory > Azure AD Connect.
Click on the Download Azure AD Connect button and save the file to your local machine.
Run the file as an administrator.
How to install Azure AD Connect using express settings
If you want to install Azure AD Connect using express settings, follow these steps:
Running the Azure AD Connect installer and accepting the license terms
After you run the AzureADConnect.msi file, you will see the Welcome screen of the installer. Click on Continue to proceed.
You will then see the license terms screen. Read the terms and check the box to accept them. Click on Continue to proceed.
Entering your Azure AD credentials and verifying your domain
You will then see the Connect to Azure AD screen. Enter your global administrator credentials for your Azure AD tenant and click on Next.
You will then see the Verify domain screen. If you have already verified your domain name in Azure AD, you will see it listed here. If not, you will need to add a custom domain name and verify it before you can proceed. Click on Next when you are done.
Choosing your sign-in method and optional features
You will then see the Express Settings screen. Here you can choose your sign-in method and enable some optional features. The default sign-in method is Password Hash Synchronization, which syncs the hash of your on-premises passwords with Azure AD. You can also choose Pass-through Authentication, which validates your on-premises passwords directly with your Active Directory. If you want to use Federation with AD FS or PingFederate, you will need to use custom settings instead of express settings.
The optional features that you can enable are:
Azure AD app and attribute filtering - Allows you to filter which attributes and applications are synchronized to Azure AD.
Password writeback - Allows users to change their passwords in the cloud and have them written back to your on-premises Active Directory.
User writeback - Allows users created in the cloud to be written back to your on-premises Active Directory.
Group writeback - Allows groups created in the cloud to be written back to your on-premises Active Directory.
Device writeback - Allows devices registered in the cloud to be written back to your on-premises Active Directory.
Directory extension attribute sync - Allows you to sync custom attributes from your on-premises Active Directory to Azure AD.
Choose the sign-in method and optional features that suit your needs and click on Install to proceed.
Reviewing your configuration and starting the synchronization
You will then see the Ready to configure screen. Here you can review your configuration and make any changes if needed. You can also check the box to start the synchronization process as soon as the configuration is complete. Click on Configure to proceed.
You will then see the Configuration complete screen. Here you can see the summary of your installation and the status of your synchronization. You can also access the Azure AD Connect Health portal to monitor your hybrid identity health and performance. Click on Exit to close the installer.
How to install Azure AD Connect using custom settings
If you want to install Azure AD Connect using custom settings, follow these steps:
Choosing the custom installation option and installing the required components
After you run the AzureADConnect.msi file, you will see the Welcome screen of the installer. Click on Customize to choose the custom installation option.
You will then see the Install required components screen. Here you can see the list of components that are required for Azure AD Connect to work. These include SQL Server Express, Azure AD PowerShell module, and Azure AD Connect sync. Click on Install to install these components.
Configuring your user sign-in, connect to directories, and domain/OU filtering
You will then see the User sign-in screen. Here you can choose your sign-in method from four options: Password Hash Synchronization, Pass-through Authentication, Federation with AD FS, or Federation with PingFederate. Choose the option that suits your needs and click on Next.
You will then see the Connect to Azure AD screen. Enter your global administrator credentials for your Azure AD tenant and click on Next.
You will then see the Connect directories screen. Here you can add and verify your on-premises Active Directory forests that you want to sync with Azure AD. You can also specify a service account for Azure AD Connect to use. Click on Add Directory and follow the instructions to add your forests. Click on Next when you are done.
You will then see the Domain/OU filtering screen. Here you can select which domains and organizational units (OUs) you want to sync with Azure AD. You can also exclude any specific objects from syncing by using the Synchronization Filters option. Click on Next when you are done.
Configuring optional features such as password writeback, group writeback, and device writeback
You will then see the Optional features screen. Here you can enable some optional features that enhance your hybrid identity experience. These include:
Password writeback - Allows users to change their passwords in the cloud and have them written back to your on-premises Active Directory.
User writeback - Allows users created in the cloud to be written back to your on-premises Active Directory.
Group writeback - Allows groups created in the cloud to be written back to your on-premises Active Directory.
Device writeback - Allows devices registered in the cloud to be written back to your on-premises Active Directory.
Directory extension attribute sync - Allows you to sync custom attributes from your on-premises Active Directory to Azure AD.
Azure AD app and attribute filtering - Allows you to filter which attributes and applications are synchronized to Azure AD.
Password synchronization - Allows you to synchronize password hashes from your on-premises Active Directory to Azure AD.
Password expiration policy - Allows you to apply a password expiration policy for synced users in Azure AD.
Choose the optional features that suit your needs and click on Next.
Configuring federation with AD FS or PingFederate (optional)
If you chose Federation with AD FS or Federation with PingFederate as your sign-in method, you will need to configure some additional settings for federation.
If you chose Federation with AD FS, you will see the following screens:
AD FS Farm screen - Here you can create a new AD FS farm or join an existing one. You also need to specify a service account and a SSL certificate for AD FS.
Web Application Proxy screen - Here you can install and configure a web application proxy to provide secure access to your AD FS farm from the internet. You also need to specify a SSL certificate for the web application proxy.
Configure federation screen - Here you can review and confirm your federation settings and start the configuration process.
If you chose Federation with PingFederate, you will see the following screens:
Connect to PingFederate screen - Here you need to enter your PingFederate administrator credentials and the base URL of your PingFederate server.
Configure PingFederate screen - Here you can review and confirm your PingFederate settings and start the configuration process.
How to troubleshoot Azure AD Connect issues
If you encounter any issues during or after the installation of Azure AD Connect, you can use the following troubleshooting steps to resolve them:
Troubleshooting connectivity issues with on-premises Active Directory and Azure AD
If you have problems connecting to your on-premises Active Directory or Azure AD, you can check the following things:
Make sure that your Azure AD Connect server has internet access and can communicate with Azure AD endpoints. You can use the Test-NetConnection PowerShell cmdlet to test the connectivity.
Make sure that your Azure AD Connect server can communicate with your on-premises Active Directory domain controllers. You can use the Test-ComputerSecureChannel PowerShell cmdlet to test the secure channel.
Make sure that your Azure AD Connect server has the required ports and protocols open. You can use the PortQry.exe tool to test the port availability.
Make sure that your Azure AD Connect server has the required permissions to access your on-premises Active Directory and Azure AD. You can use the Test-ADSyncServiceAccountPermissions PowerShell cmdlet to test the service account permissions.
Troubleshooting installation issues with Azure AD Connect wizard and PowerShell module
If you have problems installing or configuring Azure AD Connect using the wizard or the PowerShell module, you can check the following things:
Make sure that your Azure AD Connect server meets the system requirements and has the latest updates installed.
Make sure that you have downloaded the latest version of Azure AD Connect from the official Microsoft website or the Azure portal.
Make sure that you have run the Azure AD Connect installer as an administrator and accepted the license terms.
Make sure that you have entered valid credentials for your on-premises Active Directory and Azure AD.
Make sure that you have verified your domain name in Azure AD and added it as a verified domain in the wizard or the PowerShell module.
Make sure that you have chosen a supported sign-in method and optional features for your scenario.
Make sure that you have reviewed and confirmed your configuration settings before starting the installation or configuration process.
Check the installation logs in %localappdata%\AADConnect for any errors or warnings. You can also use the Get-ADSyncDiagnostics PowerShell cmdlet to get diagnostic information.
Troubleshooting object synchronization issues with Azure AD Connect sync service
If you have problems synchronizing objects between your on-premises Active Directory and Azure AD, you can check the following things:
Make sure that your Azure AD Connect sync service is running and has a valid schedule. You can use the Get-ADSyncScheduler PowerShell cmdlet to check the sync service status and configuration.
Make sure that your objects are in scope for synchronization based on your domain/OU filtering and synchronization filters settings. You can use the Get-ADSyncScope PowerShell cmdlet to check the sync scope configuration.
Make sure that your objects have the required attributes and values for synchronization. You can use the Get-ADSyncObjectAttributes PowerShell cmdlet to check the object attributes and values.
Make sure that your objects are not affected by any synchronization errors or conflicts. You can use the Get-ADSyncConnectorRunStatus PowerShell cmdlet to check the sync connector run status and the Get-ADSyncConnectorRunError PowerShell cmdlet to check the sync connector run errors.
Make sure that your objects are synchronized successfully to Azure AD. You can use the Get-ADSyncObject PowerShell cmdlet to check the object synchronization status and the Get-ADSyncObjectError PowerShell cmdlet to check the object synchronization errors.
Troubleshooting password hash synchronization issues with Azure AD Connect sync service
If you have problems synchronizing password hashes between your on-premises Active Directory and Azure AD, you can check the following things:
Make sure that you have enabled password hash synchronization as your sign-in method or as an optional feature in Azure AD Connect.
Make sure that your Azure AD Connect sync service account has the required permissions to read the password hashes from your on-premises Active Directory. You can use the Test-ADSyncPasswordHashSyncPermissions PowerShell cmdlet to test the sync service account permissions.
Make sure that your password hashes are not filtered out by any synchronization filters or scoping rules. You can use the Get-ADSyncPasswordHashSyncConfiguration PowerShell cmdlet to check the password hash sync configuration.
Make sure that your password hashes are not affected by any synchronization errors or conflicts. You can use the Get-ADSyncPasswordHashSyncStatus PowerShell cmdlet to check the password hash sync status and the Get-ADSyncPasswordHashSyncError PowerShell cmdlet to check the password hash sync errors.
Conclusion
Azure AD Connect is a powerful tool that allows you to integrate your on-premises Active Directory with Azure Active Directory and provide a seamless hybrid identity experience for your users. You can download and install Azure AD Connect using express or custom settings, depending on your scenario and requirements. You can also troubleshoot any issues that may arise during or after the installation using various PowerShell cmdlets and tools.
We hope this article has helped you understand how to download, install, and configure Azure AD Connect. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Azure AD Connect:
Q: How do I update Azure AD Connect?
A: You can update Azure AD Connect using the Azure AD Connect wizard or the PowerShell module. The wizard will automatically check for updates and prompt you to install them. The PowerShell module will allow you to manually check and install updates using the Invoke-ADSyncAutoUpgrade cmdlet.
Q: How do I uninstall Azure AD Connect?
A: You can uninstall Azure AD Connect using the Control Panel or the PowerShell module. The Control Panel will allow you to remove all components of Azure AD Connect from your machine. The PowerShell module will allow you to remove specific components of Azure AD Connect using the Uninstall-ADSyncComponent cmdlet.
Q: How do I restore Azure AD Connect?
A: You can restore Azure AD Connect using a backup of your configuration database and encryption keys. You will need to install Azure AD Connect on a new machine and restore the database and keys using the Restore-ADSyncBackup cmdlet. You will also need to reconfigure your sign-in method and optional features using the Azure AD Connect wizard or the PowerShell module.
Q: How do I monitor Azure AD Connect?
A: You can monitor Azure AD Connect using the Azure AD Connect Health portal or the PowerShell module. The portal will provide you with a dashboard of your hybrid identity health and performance, as well as alerts and recommendations. The PowerShell module will provide you with diagnostic information and troubleshooting tools using various cmdlets.
Q: How do I contact support for Azure AD Connect?
A: You can contact support for Azure AD Connect using the Microsoft Support website or the Azure portal. The website will allow you to create a support request and provide details about your issue. The portal will allow you to access the Azure AD Connect Health portal and create a support request from there.
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