Convert AD domain users to Azure AD users (Manual)

With the move to the cloud there might be a time where you would like to remove the Active Directory link (AD Connect) and go for a cloud only strategy. With a few simple steps you can disconnect the AD connect sync from Azure AD.

When you look in your Office 365 environment you will notice that the sync status has different symbols. One for cloud only, and one for Active Directory. To disable the link, open a PowerShell window and run the following steps.

STEP 1: First make sure that you disable the AD Connect sync service by disabling the service, or set it to staging mode.

STEP 2: Connect to your Microsoft Office 365 environment using the following command, and login to the desired environment:

connect-msolservice

STEP 3: Now run the following command to disable the sync, confirm your actions, you cannot undo this change!

Set-MsolDirSyncEnabled –EnableDirSync $false

After you’ve run the command, all accounts will be disconnected. This process might take up to 72 hours to complete. All users will keep their current password that they have on-premise.

To verify that everything worked out as expected, you can run the following command:

get-msolcompanyinformation