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Microsoft says a Windows Server 2025 issue could leave synchronization incomplete for on-premises Active Directory groups with more than 10,000 members. The issue affected software using the AD DS DirSync control, including Microsoft Entra Connect Sync. Microsoft lists the November 11, 2025 update KB5068861 and later updates as the fix.
What the Windows Server 2025 sync bug affects
Microsoft describes the problem as “Directory synchronization fails for AD groups exceeding 10,000 members.” The documented scope is Windows Server 2025 after installation of the September 9, 2025 security update KB5065426 or later updates in the affected period. The 10,000-member figure is the threshold for the affected group scenario, not an estimate of how many organizations were affected.
The issue involves synchronization through the Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) DirSync control. Microsoft Entra Connect Sync is one named example of software using that control. Microsoft describes incomplete directory synchronization—not a general failure of Active Directory or all domain-controller replication. It should also not be confused with unrelated Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) synchronization delays.
Microsoft’s release-health page does not provide an affected-installation estimate or an incident prevalence rate. See Microsoft’s Windows Server 2025 resolved-issues page.
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- 64 bit | 1 Server with 16 or less processor cores | provides 2 VMs
- For physical or minimally virtualized environments
- Requires Windows Server 2025 User and/or Device Client Access Licenses (CALs) | No CALs are included
- Core-based licensing | Additional license packs required for servers with more than 16 processor cores or to add VMs | 2 VMs whenever all processor cores are licensed.
- Product ships in plain envelope | Activation key is located under scratch-off area on label |Beware of counterfeits | Genuine Windows Server software is branded by Microsoft only.
How to resolve the issue
Install the fixing update
Microsoft lists KB5068861, released November 11, 2025, and updates released after it as resolving the issue. Its current guidance is to install the latest Windows update. Systems with an update released on or after November 11, 2025 do not need the issue-specific Known Issue Rollback (KIR) or special Group Policy.
Use the workaround only on an earlier affected system
If a Windows Server 2025 system is still on an earlier affected update and experiencing incomplete synchronization, Microsoft documents an issue-specific KIR Group Policy workaround. Follow the policy instructions on Microsoft’s release-health page: configure the listed rollback value as Disabled, then restart Windows Server 2025.
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Microsoft also documents a registry override as an alternative workaround for earlier affected systems. Registry changes can cause serious problems if made incorrectly, so use Microsoft’s exact instructions and take appropriate safeguards. These workarounds are fallback options; installing the update that resolves the issue is the current remedy.
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Rank #4
- 64 bit | 1 Server with 24 or less processor cores | provides 2 VMs
- For physical or minimally virtualized environments
- Requires Windows Server 2025 User and/or Device Client Access Licenses (CALs) | No CALs are included
- Core-based licensing | Additional license packs required for servers with more than 16 processor cores or to add VMs | 2 VMs whenever all processor cores are licensed.
- Product ships in plain envelope | Activation key is located under scratch-off area on label |Beware of counterfeits | Genuine Windows Server software is branded by Microsoft only.
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What administrators should check
- Confirm the platform and symptoms. Check whether the server is Windows Server 2025 and whether synchronization involving AD groups with more than 10,000 members is incomplete.
- Check the update level. Determine whether the server has KB5068861 or an update released after November 11, 2025.
- Apply the appropriate remedy. If it is not updated, install the latest Windows update. Use the issue-specific KIR or registry workaround only if the system remains on an earlier affected update and the issue is occurring.
- Reassess synchronization. After updating—or applying the documented fallback and restarting—check whether the affected synchronization completes. If it does not, investigate the broader identity and synchronization environment rather than assuming this specific defect explains every sync problem.
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