The delta sync in Azure AD Connect is the most common form of synchronization. It only performs a partial synchronization of any changes since last synchronization, so it’s very quick.
How to One-Click Azure AD Connect
EasyEntra is a FREE, modernized, and extremely powerful replacement for Active Directory Users & Computers. One of its standout features is one-click Azure AD Connect synchronization:
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Without EasyEntra, you’ll need to use PowerShell.
How to Sync Azure AD Connect From PowerShell
Use the following PowerShell command to trigger an Azure AD Connect delta synchronization:
Start-ADSyncSyncCycle -PolicyType DeltaYou must be logged in to the Azure AD Connect server to run this command.
Alternatively, if remote PowerShell is enabled on your AAD Connect server you can remote it like this:
Enter-PSSession [AAD Connect Server]
Start-ADSyncSyncCycle -PolicyType Delta
Exit-PSSessionTroubleshooting
The most common problems you’ll encounter with this command are the following:
Delta Sync Error: AAD is Busy
A busy AAD Connector will throw something like this at you:
Start-ADSyncSyncCycle : System.InvalidOperationException:
Connector: skrubbeltrang.onmicrosoft.com - AAD is busy.
at Microsoft.MetadirectoryServices.Scheduler.Scheduler.StartSyncCycle
(String overridePolicy, Boolean interactiveMode)
at SchedulerUtils.StartSyncCycle(SchedulerUtils* , Char* policyType,
Int32 interactiveMode, Char** errorString)
At line:1 char:1
+ Start-ADSyncSyncCycle -PolicyType Delta
+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+ CategoryInfo : WriteError:
(Microsoft.Ident...ADSyncSyncCycle:StartADSyncSyncCycle)
[Start-ADSyncSyncCycle], InvalidOperationException
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : System.InvalidOperationException:
Connector: skrubbeltrang.onmicrosoft.com - AAD is busy.
at Microsoft.MetadirectoryServices.Scheduler.Scheduler.StartSyncCycle
(String overridePolicy, Boolean interactiveMode)
at SchedulerUtils.StartSyncCycle(SchedulerUtils* , Char* policyType,
Int32 interactiveMode, Char** errorString)
,Microsoft.IdentityManagement.PowerShell.Cmdlet.StartADSyncSyncCycle
The meaning of this error message is that the AAD Connector is currently synchronizing, so you’ll have to wait until it’s done.
Depending on the type of synchronization and amount of data you can just try again after waiting a few seconds.
Delta Sync Error: Azure AD Connect scheduler is unable to start
With this type of issue you’ll get an error message similar to this:
Start-ADSyncSyncCycle : System.InvalidOperationException: Azure AD Connect scheduler is unable to start
a new sync cycle because Azure AD Connect wizard is open. Please close the wizard if it is not in use.
at Microsoft.MetadirectoryServices.Scheduler.Scheduler.StartSyncCycle(String overridePolicy,
Boolean interactiveMode)
at SchedulerUtils.StartSyncCycle(SchedulerUtils* , Char* policyType, Int32 interactiveMode,
Char** errorString)
At line:1 char:1
+ Start-ADSyncSyncCycle -PolicyType Delta
+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+ CategoryInfo : WriteError: (Microsoft.Ident...ADSyncSyncCycle:StartADSyncSyncCycle)
[Start-ADSyncSyncCycle], InvalidOperationException + FullyQualifiedErrorId : System.InvalidOperationException:
Azure AD Connect scheduler is unable to start a new sync cycle because Azure AD Connect wizard is open.
Please close the wizard if it is not in use.
at Microsoft.MetadirectoryServices.Scheduler.Scheduler.StartSyncCycle(String overridePolicy, Boolean interactiveMode)
at SchedulerUtils.StartSyncCycle(SchedulerUtils* , Char* policyType, Int32 interactiveMode, Char** errorString),
Microsoft.IdentityManagement.PowerShell.Cmdlet.StartADSyncSyncCycle
The meaning of this error message is that the AAD Connect wizard is open by someone. It could be yourself or one of your colleagues working in a different session to the server.
To find the culprit use the Get-Process PowerShell command:
PS C:\Windows\system32> Get-Process AzureADConnect -IncludeUserName
Handles WS(K) CPU(s) Id UserName ProcessName
------- ----- ------ -- -------- -----------
576 188748 2.33 2880 GIGACORP\adm.ad.jane AzureADConnect
Or check with TaskManager:
Now, that you have the name of the perpetrator who forgot to close the AAD Connect wizard, take a screenshot! It makes for good evidence who should be buying cake next Wednesday 😉
How to Manage AD and EXO Mailboxes In One Box
Many admins are frustrated that you need multiple web consoles, PowerShell, and an on-premises Exchange Server in order to manage Microsoft 365.
With EasyEntra, all daily Microsoft 365 mailbox operations will become available directly in standard AD user properties. Even the configuration of calendar permissions, which is normally only available via complex PowerShell scripting:
If you’re looking to make your first-line helpdesk work efficiently and confidently, EasyEntra has got you covered.
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