Introduction
This article describes the Refresh 2 release improvements for the Azure File Sync Agent (Preview) that's dated May 2018. Additionally, this article contains installation instructions for this release.
Improvements and issues that are fixed
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Added Azure Backup and Restore support in Portal.
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The Azure File Sync agent now supports application-specific proxy settings.
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Tiered files can now be moved outside the server endpoint directory (files will be downloaded locally in the background).
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Improved interoperability with antivirus solutions.
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Added support for Cloud Service Provider (CSP) accounts when the Server Registration UI is used.
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Added FileSyncErrorsReport.ps1 PowerShell script (located in the agent installation directory) to identify files that failed to sync because of open handles, invalid characters, or other issues.
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Miscellaneous performance, reliability, and telemetry improvements.
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Azure Files added support for syncing files and directory names that have Unicode characters. This improves sync reliability for all Azure File Sync agent versions.
More information about the Refresh 2 release
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The Azure File Sync agent is supported on Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2016.
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You must use elevated (administrator) permissions to install the agent installation package.
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Update KB 4130942 is a required update when you upgrade an existing Azure File Sync agent installation. If Update KB 4130942 is not already installed, it will be automatically installed.
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Restart requirement:
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New agent installation: A restart may be required if files are being used during the update rollup installation.
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Upgrading existing agent installation: A restart is required to install Refresh 2. If Update KB 4130942 is not installed, two restarts are required to complete the Refresh 2 installation.
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The agent version for the Refresh 2 Preview release is 3.0.12.0.
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Future Azure File Sync agent updates will require Refresh 2 to be installed.
How to get and install Refresh 2 for the Azure File Sync Agent (Preview)
Refresh 2 for the Azure File Sync agent is available from Microsoft Update, Microsoft Update Catalog, and Microsoft Download Center.
Microsoft Update
To get and install the Refresh 2 update from Microsoft Update, follow these steps on a server that has Azure File Sync agent installed:
Server 2016
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Select Start, and then select Settings.
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In Settings, select Update & security.
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In the Windows Update window, select Check online for updates from Microsoft Update.
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Verify that the Refresh 2 update is listed, and then select Install now.
Server 2012 R2
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Select Start, and then select Control Panel.
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In Control Panel, double-click Windows Update.
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In the Windows Update window, select Check for updates.
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Select Important updates are available.
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Verify that the Refresh 2 update is selected, and then select Install.
Microsoft Update Catalog
Go to the following website to manually download the Refresh 2 update package from the Microsoft Update Catalog:
Microsoft Download Center
Go to the following website to download the Refresh 2 agent installation package from the Microsoft Download Center:
How to do a silent installation
To perform a silent installation for a new agent installation, you must use the MSI package that is included in the Refresh 2 installer package. To extract the MSI package, double-click the appropriate Refresh 2 agent installer package(for example, StorageSyncAgent_PreviewRefresh2_WS2016.exe),copy the MSI packages that are located under %systemdrive%\AfsInstallerUpgrade to another location, and then cancel the attended agent installation. To perform a silent installation by using the MSI package, follow these steps:
New agent installation
To perform a silent installation for a new agent installation, run the following command at an elevated command prompt:
msiexec /i packagename.msi /qb /l*v Refresh2Installer.log
For example, to install the Azure File Sync agent for Server 2016, run the following command:
msiexec /i torageSyncAgent.msi /qb /l*v Refresh2Installer.log
Note Use the /qb switch to display restart prompts, agent update, and server registration screens. To suppress the screens and automatically restart the server, use the /qn switch.
Update existing agent installation
To perform a silent installation for an existing agent installation, run the Refresh 2 installer package. For example, run the StorageSyncAgent_PreviewRefresh2_WS2016.exefile from an elevated command prompt.
Note A restart is required to install Refresh 2. If update KB 4130942 is not installed, two restarts are required to complete the Refresh 2 installation.
References
Learn about the terminology that Microsoft uses to describe software updates.