Enterprise State Roaming : Sync It Like a Pro (Because Microsoft Can’t Always Sync Its Ideas)

Hey there, fellow sys admin wizards! Let’s talk about Enterprise State Roaming (ESR) in Azure AD—Microsoft’s way of saying, “We’ll make your users’ settings follow them around, even if the boss keeps changing their mind about where they work.” It’s a neat trick for syncing user settings and app data across devices, so your folks feel like they’re at home on every machine. Let’s dive in.

Why Enable Enterprise State Roaming?

Because Consistency is Key (and Microsoft Knows How to Spell It):
ESR gives your users a seamless experience across all their devices. Their desktop theme, passwords, and browser settings follow them around like a lost puppy—but way less annoying.

Setup Time? Who Needs That?
Deploy a new laptop, log in, and boom—settings are already there. It’s like magic, except it’s Microsoft, so maybe think of it as a decent magic trick that only works most of the time.

Security You Can Brag About:
Before you roll your eyes, hear me out—ESR encrypts the data before it leaves the device and stores it securely in Azure. Sure, Microsoft has had its fair share of oopsies, but they’ve got this one down.

What You Need (Besides Patience)

• Azure AD Premium (P1 or P2): Yep, that means it costs extra. Microsoft loves dangling features behind a paywall.
• Windows 10 or 11 Devices: Sorry, XP diehards. It's time to let go.
• Azure AD or Hybrid Azure AD Join: If you're not here yet, stop reading and go fix that. Seriously.

How to Set It Up (With a Side of Snark)

1. Log in to Azure Portal:
   Head to the Microsoft Entra admin center. Use your Global Admin account because we all know sys admins are the real superheroes here.
2. Find Device Settings:
   Navigate to Identity > Devices > Overview. Don’t get lost—Azure loves burying things in menus.
3. Flip the Magical Sync Switch:
   Under Enterprise State Roaming, choose Users may sync settings and app data across devices. You can decide if this is for everyone or just the VIPs (Very Important Pains).
4. Make Sure Devices are Ready to Play Ball:
   On each Windows machine, head to Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings and turn it on. Feel free to double-check everything because, you know, Microsoft.

What Does ESR Actually Sync?

Here’s the hit list:

• Themes (so users can keep their beloved dark mode)
• Passwords (yes, securely)
• Language Preferences (finally, no more “why is my keyboard set to Canadian French?” emails)
• Edge Favorites and Settings (because someone’s actually using Edge, apparently)

The Fine Print (a.k.a. What Microsoft Didn’t Put in Bold)

• Hybrid AD Join: If you’re still rocking on-premises AD, Hybrid Azure AD Join is your golden ticket. Don’t skip this step, or ESR won’t play nice.
• Regional Data Storage: ESR keeps data in Azure regions that match your organization’s location, so your EU users won’t end up with data chilling in the U.S.
• Management is Key: Regularly review synced devices because rogue laptops happen.

Final Thoughts (And a Little Venting)

ESR is one of those features that makes you say, “Finally, Microsoft!” It solves a real problem by reducing user downtime and giving everyone a consistent experience. But let’s be honest: like every Microsoft feature, it comes with quirks, licenses, and that one colleague who says, “Can we just do this with GPOs?” (Spoiler: No, Carl. We can’t.)

So go ahead, flip the sync switch, and let your users bask in the glory of their settings following them around. Just don’t forget to double-check everything, because when it comes to Microsoft, even the smallest checkbox can send you down a rabbit hole.