Hardening updates for Microsoft Entra Connect Sync

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@ --- title: Hardening updates for Microsoft Entra Connect Sync-description: Learn how to upgrade Microsoft Entra Connect Sync to meet the minimum version requirements and prevent synchronization failures after September 30, 2026.+description: Learn how to upgrade Microsoft Entra Connect Sync to meet the minimum version requirements and prevent synchronization failures after April 7, 2027. ms.reviewer: sharonrutto-ms.date: 09/19/2025+ms.date: 09/30/2026 ms.topic: concept-article ms.subservice: hybrid-connect @@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ ms.subservice: hybrid-connect  As part of increasing the security posture of Microsoft Entra Connect, Microsoft deployed a dedicated first-party application to enable the synchronization between Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID. This new application will manifest as a first party service principal called the "Microsoft Entra AD Synchronization Service" (Application Id: `6bf85cfa-ac8a-4be5-b5de-425a0d0dc016`) and will be visible in the Enterprise Applications experience within the Microsoft Entra admin center. This application is critical for the continued operation of on-premises to Microsoft Entra ID synchronization functionality through Entra Connect. -We have since released a new version (2.5.79.0) of Microsoft Entra Connect that contains this service change.  All customers are required to upgrade to the minimum versions by September 30, 2026 to avoid service disruptions.+We have since released a new version (2.5.79.0) of Microsoft Entra Connect that contains this service change.  All customers are required to upgrade to the minimum versions by April 7, 2027, to avoid service disruptions.  ## Expected impacts  @@ -21,25 +21,25 @@ If you aren’t upgraded to the minimum required version (2.5.79.0), you might e All synchronization services in Microsoft Entra Connect Sync will fail.  > [!NOTE]-> If you’re unable to upgrade by the deadline, you can restore the impacted functionalities by upgrading to the latest version. However, **all synchronization services will fail** during the period between **September 30, 2026, and when you upgrade**.+> If you’re unable to upgrade by the deadline, you can restore the impacted functionalities by upgrading to the latest version. However, **all synchronization services will fail** during the period between **April 7, 2027, and when you upgrade**.  ## Minimum versions -To avoid any service impact, customers should be on the following version by September 30, 2026:+To avoid any service impact, customers should be on the following version by April 7, 2027: -Version [2.5.79.0](/entra/identity/hybrid/connect/reference-connect-version-history#25790) or higher.+Version [2.5.79.0](/entra/identity/hybrid/connect/reference-connect-version-history#25790) or higher.  The Microsoft Entra Connect Sync .msi installation file for this version is exclusively available on Microsoft Entra Admin Center under [Microsoft Entra Connect](https://entra.microsoft.com/#view/Microsoft_AAD_Connect_Provisioning/AADConnectMenuBlade/%7E/GetStarted).  > [!IMPORTANT]-> Make sure you familiarize yourself with the [minimum requirements](/entra/identity/hybrid/connect/how-to-connect-install-prerequisites) for the versions, including but not limited to:+> Make sure you familiarize yourself with the [minimum requirements](/entra/identity/hybrid/connect/how-to-connect-install-prerequisites) for the versions, including but not limited to:  - [.NET framework of 4.7.2](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet-framework/net472#:~:text=Downloads%20for%20building%20and%20running%20applications%20with%20.NET%20Framework%204.7.2)  - [TLS1.2](/entra/identity/hybrid/connect/reference-connect-tls-enforcement) -To assist customers with the upgrade process, we occasionally auto upgrade customers where supported. If you would like to be auto upgraded, ensure you have the [auto upgrade feature](/entra/identity/hybrid/connect/how-to-connect-install-automatic-upgrade) configured.-For [auto upgrade to work](/entra/identity/hybrid/connect/security-updates-pks), you should be on version [2.3.20.0](/entra/identity/hybrid/connect/reference-connect-version-history#23200) or higher.+To assist customers with the upgrade process, we occasionally auto upgrade customers where supported. If you would like to be auto upgraded, ensure you have the [auto upgrade feature](/entra/identity/hybrid/connect/how-to-connect-install-automatic-upgrade) configured.+For [auto upgrade to work](/entra/identity/hybrid/connect/security-updates-pks), you should be on version [2.3.20.0](/entra/identity/hybrid/connect/reference-connect-version-history#23200) or higher.  ## Consider moving to Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync