This article describes the improvements and issues that are fixed in the Azure File Sync Agent v17.2 release that is dated February 2024. Additionally, this article contains installation instructions for this release.
Improvements and issues that are fixed
The Azure File Sync v17.2 release is a rollup update for the v17.0 and v17.1 releases:
Note: If your server has v17.1 agent installed, you do not need to install the v17.2 agent.
More information about the Azure File Sync Agent v17.2 release
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This release is available for Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2022 installations.
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Azure File Sync agent v17.2 is the last agent release currently planned for Windows Server 2012 R2. Agent support for Windows Server 2012 R2 will end on March 4, 2025. See Windows Server 2012 R2 agent support section below for more information.
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The agent version for this release is 17.2.0.0.
How to obtain and install the Azure File Sync Agent
The Azure File Sync agent is available from Microsoft Update, Microsoft Update Catalog, and Microsoft Download Center.
Notes
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If the Azure File Sync agent is not currently installed on a server, use the agent installation package on the Microsoft Download Center. The agent installation package on Microsoft Update and Microsoft Update Catalog is intended for agent upgrades only.
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To update existing agent installations, run AfsUpdater.exe (located in the agent installation directory) or download and install the update from Microsoft Update or Microsoft Update Catalog.
Microsoft Update
To obtain and install from Microsoft Update, follow these steps on a server that has Azure File Sync agent installed:
Windows Server 2022, Server 2019 and Server2016
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Click Start, and then click Settings.
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In Settings, click Update & security.
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In the Windows Update window, click Check online for updates from Microsoft Update.
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Verify the Azure File Sync agent update is listed and then click Install now.
Server 2012 R2
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Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
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In Control Panel, double-click Windows Update.
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In the Windows Update window, click Check for updates.
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Click Important updates are available.
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Verify the Azure File Sync agent update is selected, and then click Install.
Note: For servers with Azure File Sync agent version v16.0 or lower, both v16.2 and v17.2 will be available in Microsoft Update.
Microsoft Update Catalog
Go to the following website to manually download this update from the Microsoft Update Catalog:
Azure File Sync Agent v17.2 release: February 2024 (KB5023055)
To manually install the update package, extract the cab file and run the following command from an elevated command prompt:
msiexec.exe /p packagename.msp REINSTALLMODE=OMUS REINSTALL=StorageSyncAgent,StorageSyncAgentAzureFileSync,StorageSyncAgentGuardFilter,StorageSyncAgentUpdater /qb /l*v KB5023055.log
For example, to install the Azure File Sync agent update for Server 2016, run the following command:
msiexec.exe /p StorageSyncAgent_WS2016_KB5023055.msp REINSTALLMODE=OMUS REINSTALL=StorageSyncAgent,StorageSyncAgentAzureFileSync,StorageSyncAgentGuardFilter,StorageSyncAgentUpdater /qb /l*v KB5023055.log
Microsoft Download Center
Go to the Microsoft Download Center to manually download the agent installation package for new agent installations.
How to perform a silent installation for a new agent installation
To perform a silent installation for a new agent installation that uses the default settings, run the following command at an elevated command prompt:
msiexec /i packagename.msi /qb /l*v AFSv16Installation.log
For example, to install the Azure File Sync agent for Windows Server 2016, run the following command:
msiexec /i StorageSyncAgent_WS2016.msi /qb /l*v AFSv16Installation.log
Notes
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Use the /qb switch to display restart prompts (if required), agent update, and server registration screens. To suppress the screens and automatically restart the server (if required), use the /qn switch.
To perform a silent installation with custom settings, follow the steps documented in KB4459986.
Windows Server 2012 R2 agent support will end on March 4, 2025
Windows Server 2012 R2 reached end of support on October 10, 2023. Azure File Sync will continue to support Windows Server 2012 R2 until the v17.x agent is expired on March 4, 2025. Once the v17 agent is expired, Windows Server 2012 R2 servers will stop syncing to your Azure file shares.
Action Required
Perform one of the following options for your Windows Server 2012 R2 servers prior to v17 agent expiration on March 4, 2025:
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Option #1: Perform an in-place upgrade to a supported operation system version. Once the in-place upgrade completes, uninstall the Azure File Sync agent for Windows Server 2012 R2, restart the server and install the agent for the new server operating system (Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, or Windows Server 2022).
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Option #2: Deploy a new Azure File Sync server that is running a supported operation system version to replace your Windows 2012 R2 servers. For more guidance, see Replace an Azure File Sync server.
Note: Azure File Sync agent v17.2 is the last agent release currently planned for Windows Server 2012 R2. To continue to receive product improvements and bug fixes, upgrade your servers to Windows Server 2016 or later.
