Group writeback

Concept

A Microsoft Entra synchronization feature that provisions cloud-authored groups back to on-premises Active Directory so legacy file servers and applications can still use them for access.

Title graphic: Group writeback (Concept)

Type	Concept

Key points about Group writeback

Group Writeback should be used only where legacy systems still need on-prem visibility. · Use Entra ID Group Writeback for Legacy File…

Episodes about Group writeback

Use Entra ID Group Writeback for Legacy File Servers

2025-11-03 · Video on YouTube

Most orgs still treat on-prem AD groups as sacred, syncing them to Entra ID and calling it “hybrid.” In reality, those objects are zombies: visible in Entra but ruled by on-prem, which blocks modern governance (dynamic membership, access reviews, APIs) and…

Articles about Group writeback (1)

Why Your Active Directory Groups Are Lying to You
2026-08-28 · Mirko Peters
Welcome back to the blog! Today, we are diving deep into a topic that plagues almost every IT department operating in a hybrid environment: the uncomfortable truth …

Frequently asked questions

When should I use Group Writeback?

Only where legacy systems, such as file servers, still need on-prem visibility of cloud-managed groups. It is a bridge for old systems and should not be the default. · From the episode: Use Entra ID Group Writeback for Legacy File…

Glossary

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Feed for this topic (RSS): entity/group-writeback/feed.xml
M365.FM episodes on this topic: 1
Articles on this topic: 1

Maintained by Mirko Peters (Microsoft MVP) · Last updated: 2026-11-03