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Perform a "Rollback" Migration from Target to Source

Migrate a Workstation from Target back to Source using PowerSyncPro Migration Agent

Written by Jamie Richard

Updated at January 15th, 2026

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Table of Contents

Applies To Overview IMPORTANT Key Concept: Example - AD → Entra → AD Migration Prerequisites Licensing Sync Profile / Translation Table Considerations Runbooks and Batches Create a Rollback Runbook Create a Rollback Batch Run the Migration

Applies To

  • PowerSyncPro Migration Agent
    • All directory types

Overview

During a migration project it may become necessary to migrate an endpoint back to its original directory, or to another entirely different directory.  With this, it's important to note how the PowerSyncPro Migration Agent references endpoints as they register against the product.  With this information you will be able to craft runbooks and batches to ensure that machines can be migrated to their original directory or moved to a different directory, even after they are migrated once.

IMPORTANT

The Migration Agent does not preserve a device’s pre-migration state. It does not capture configuration snapshots, store rollback images, or maintain a record of how the workstation was configured prior to migration.

As a result, a rollback is not a restoration of the original state. It is a new migration that migrates the device back to its original directory. Like any migration, it should be planned, tested, and validated with the same level of due diligence.
 

 

 

Key Concept:

When PowerSyncPro Migration Agent is installed on a machine, it is anchored on the ORIGINAL source directory of the machine.  This does not change, even after the machine has been migrated to another directory.

This means when a machine successfully migrates to a target directory, PowerSyncPro still references the machine as if it was in the original source directory.  Any runbooks that will perform subsequent actions on this system must be configured to take this into consideration.

Example - AD → Entra → AD Migration

In this example, we will show how to perform a rollback after an Hybrid AD to Entra migration.  These concepts can be used for any migration combination (AD -→ AD, Entra -→ AD, etc).

In this example an endpoint has already been migrated from JRR AD to JRR Entra and needs to be moved back to AD.

  • Source: JRR AD
  • Target: JRR Entra

Prerequisites

Licensing

  • Your Migration license must include both the source / target domains as a source and target, this allows for bidirectional sync.  If your license was not provisioned with this, please reach out to sales and we can remedy the situation.
Licensing Allowing Bi-Directional Sync

Sync Profile / Translation Table

  • You must have a sync profile for each direction of the migration.
    • This allows PowerSyncPro to generate a translation table for the rollback migration.
    • Standard “Match Only” sync profile is fine, match on parameters similar to the standard Source → Target Sync Profile.
    • Be sure to run a sync after creating the Sync Profile.
    • Verify your translation table from “Migration Agent” -→ “Translation Table”
      • Select the original Source (e.g. AD) as the target.
      • Ensure that all users who need to rollback have an entry.
Source → Target Sync Profile, Generates Translation Table for the Initial Migration
Target → Source Sync Profile, Generates the Translation Table for the Rollback Migration
Entra → AD Translation Table, Source is Entra, Target is AD.

Considerations

  • If you are returning to an AD the endpoint must have line-of-sight to domain controllers or use an Offline Domain Join to rejoin the domain.
  • If you are using Offline Domain Join, please be aware of requirements as listed in our Documentation.
    • An Offline Domain Join is only an option if the endpoint is joined to an Active Directory (as the original target).  If the endpoint is currently joined to Entra, an Offline Domain Join Cannot be used.
    • After an Offline Domain Join users will not be able to pull Group Policy until they have communication with a domain controller (e.g. VPN).

Runbooks and Batches

Create a Rollback Runbook

  • Create a New Runbook
  • Ensure that “Source Directories” includes your Original Source and Target
    • In this Example, AD & Entra.
  • Ensure that “Target Directory” is your Original Source
    • In this Example, AD.
  • Configure Runbook as normal, mirroring your original runbook with exception of the Device State tab.
  • Configure the Device State:
    • Remove from “All Directories”
    • Join Original Source Type
      • In this Example: AD
    • Configure options required to join the original source AD or Entra.
  • Save the Rollback Runbook
Rollback Runbook - Ensure Source / Target are included in Source Directories.  Target is the Original Source.
Rollback Runbook - Leave All Directories and Join the Original Source Directory

Create a Rollback Batch

  • Create a New Rollback Batch
  • NOTE: Read this carefully, it seems unintuitive - but you are building a batch that appears to migrate to/from the same directory.
  • Source Directory: Original Source Directory
    • In this Example: AD
  • Target Directory: Original Source Directory
    • In this Example: AD
  • Attach the Rollback Runbook created above.
  • Schedule the batch and scope it to the endpoints that require a rollback.
  • Save the Runbook
  • NOTE: PowerSyncPro will report no translations available for this batch.  This is expected - the migration will still work.
Rollback Batch - Note the Source / Target Directories
Rollback Batch - PowerSyncPro shows no translations for the batch - this is expected.

Run the Migration

If the machine is in-scope and in window for this migration, check for runbooks if necessary.  The migration agent will prompt as normal for the user to complete the migration and rejoin the original directory.  When the user logs into the original directory, their profile should be present as normal.

revert undo

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