This article describes the improvements and issues that are fixed in the Azure File Sync Agent v19 release that is dated September 2024. Additionally, this article contains installation instructions for this release.
Improvements and issues that are fixed
General Availability: Faster server provisioning & improved disaster recovery for Azure File Sync server endpoints
We have reduced the time it takes for the new server endpoint to be ready to use. Prior to the v19 release, when a new server endpoint is provisioned, it could take hours and sometime days for the server to be ready to use. With our latest improvements, we've substantially shortened this duration, ensuring a faster setup process.
The improvement applies to the following scenarios, when the new server endpoint location is empty (no files or directories):
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Creating the first server endpoint of new sync topology after data is copied to the Azure File Share.
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Adding a new empty server endpoint to an existing sync topology.
This improvement will be gradually enabled in all regions within the next month. Once the improvement is enabled in your region, you will see a Provisioning steps tab in the portal after server endpoint creation which allows you to easily determine when the server endpoint is ready for use. For more information, see Create an Azure File Sync server endpoint documentation.
Preview: Managed Identities support for Azure File Sync service and servers
Azure File Sync support for managed identities eliminates the need for shared keys as a method of authentication by utilizing a system-assigned managed identity provided by Microsoft Entra ID.
When you enable this configuration, the system-assigned managed identities will be used for the following scenarios:
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Storage Sync Service authentication to Azure file share
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Registered server authentication to Azure file share
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Registered server authentication to Storage Sync Service
For more information, see: How to use managed identities with Azure File Sync (preview).
Sync performance improvements
Sync performance has significantly improved for file share migrations and when metadata-only is changed (for example, ACL changes). Performance numbers will be posted when they are available.
Support for Windows Server 2025
The Azure File Sync agent is now supported on Windows Server 2025 (build 26100).
Miscellaneous reliability and telemetry improvements for cloud tiering and sync
More information about the Azure File Sync Agent v19 release
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This release is available for Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022 and Windows Server 2025 installations.
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A restart is required for servers that have an existing Azure File Sync agent installation if the agent version is older than 18.2.0.0. If the agent is updated using the auto-upgrade feature, you can use the Get-StorageSyncServer PowerShell cmdlet to check if a restart is required to complete the agent installation.
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The agent version for this release is 19.1.0.0.
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The following updates must be installed on the Windows Server:
Note: If the Windows Updates are not installed prior to installing the Azure File Sync agent, the Storage Sync Agent service (FileSyncSvc) will fail to start. To learn more, see the Azure File Sync troubleshooting documentation.
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:
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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.
Microsoft Update Catalog
Go to the following website to manually download this update from the Microsoft Update Catalog:
Azure File Sync Agent v19 release: August 2024 (KB5040924)
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 KB5040924.log
For example, to install the Azure File Sync agent update for Server 2016, run the following command:
msiexec.exe /p StorageSyncAgent_WS2016_KB5040924.msp REINSTALLMODE=OMUS REINSTALL=StorageSyncAgent,StorageSyncAgentAzureFileSync,StorageSyncAgentGuardFilter,StorageSyncAgentUpdater /qb /l*v KB5040924.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 AFSv19Installation.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 AFSv19Installation.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.
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To perform a silent installation with custom settings, see How to install the Azure File Sync agent silently.
