Refresh 2 release for Azure File Sync Agent (Preview): May 2018

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.

• Added Azure Backup and Restore support in Portal.
• The Azure File Sync agent now supports application-specific proxy settings.
• Tiered files can now be moved outside the server endpoint directory​ (files will be downloaded locally in the background).
• Improved interoperability with antivirus solutions.
• Added support for Cloud Service Provider (CSP) accounts when the Server Registration UI is used.
• 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.
• Miscellaneous performance, reliability, and telemetry improvements.

• 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.

• The Azure File Sync agent is supported on Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2016.
• You must use elevated (administrator) permissions to install the agent installation package.
• 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.
• Restart requirement:
  • New agent installation: A restart may be required if files are being used during the update rollup installation.
  • 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.
• The agent version for the Refresh 2 Preview release is 3.0.12.0.
• Future Azure File Sync agent updates will require Refresh 2 to be installed.

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

1. Select Start, and then select Settings.
2. In Settings, select Update & security.
3. In the Windows Update window, select Check online for updates from Microsoft Update.
4. Verify that the Refresh 2 update is listed, and then select Install now.

Server 2012 R2

1. Select  Start, and then select Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, double-click Windows Update.
3. In the Windows Update window, select Check for updates.
4. Select  Important updates are available.
5. 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:

 Download the Refresh 2 update package now.

Microsoft Download Center

Go to the following website to download the Refresh 2 agent installation package from the Microsoft Download Center:

 Download the Refresh 2 agent installation package now.

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.exe file 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.

Learn about the terminology that Microsoft uses to describe software updates.