# Pause Active Directory Synchronization

Once Active Directory (AD), Microsoft's directory service for company users, groups, and organizational units, is connected to Cloud Voice, updates made in AD flow automatically into your phone system (the PBX, or Private Branch Exchange). There are times when you do not want that to happen, for example while you reorganize AD or make bulk edits that should not touch your extensions yet. Pausing synchronization freezes the current data in place, so incoming AD changes are ignored until you turn sync back on.

You can pause each type of sync independently: users, organizational units (OUs), and groups. Each one is controlled from **Integrations > Collaboration** in the management portal.

:::note
Pausing only stops future updates from AD. It does not delete anything on its own. The extensions, organizations, and groups you already synced stay in place unless you explicitly choose to delete them in the confirmation dialog described below.
:::

:::caution
While a sync is paused, the items you kept are locked. You cannot edit or delete the synced extensions, organizations, or groups until you resume that sync. To resume later, return to the same section and switch the toggle back on.
:::

## Pause user synchronization

1. Sign in to the management portal and open **Integrations > Collaboration**.
2. In the **User Synchronization** section, switch the toggle off.

   ![The User Synchronization toggle in its off position](/images/pbx/disable-user-sync.png)
3. Click **Save**.
4. In the confirmation dialog:

   ![Dialog confirming that user synchronization will be turned off](/images/pbx/confirm-to-disable-user-sync.png)

   a. To remove the extensions that were created for the synced AD users, select **Delete the PBX extensions in sync with the Users**. Leave it clear to keep those extensions.

   b. Click **Confirm**.

:::danger
Selecting **Delete the PBX extensions in sync with the Users** permanently removes those extensions from Cloud Voice. This cannot be undone. Any phone tied to a deleted extension stops working, which includes the ability to place emergency (E911) calls. If you are not certain you want the phones gone, leave the checkbox clear.
:::

**What happens next**

- User synchronization stops.
- The **User Synchronization** settings are retained but become read-only.
- If you kept the associated extensions, you cannot edit their user details or delete them while sync is paused.

## Pause organizational unit synchronization

1. Sign in to the management portal and open **Integrations > Collaboration**.
2. In the **Organizational Unit Synchronization** section, switch the toggle off.

   ![The Organizational Unit Synchronization toggle in its off position](/images/pbx/disable-ou-sync.png)
3. Click **Save**.
4. In the confirmation dialog:

   ![Dialog confirming that organizational unit synchronization will be turned off](/images/pbx/confirm-to-disable-ou-sync.png)

   a. To remove the organizations and extension groups created for the synced AD organizational units, select **Delete the PBX organizations/groups in sync with the Organizational Units**. Leave it clear to keep them.

   b. Click **Confirm**.

:::caution
Selecting the delete checkbox permanently removes the organizations and extension groups created from these OUs, and it cannot be undone. Leave it clear if you want to preserve your existing structure.
:::

**What happens next**

- Organizational unit synchronization stops.
- The **Organizational Unit Synchronization** settings are retained but become read-only.
- If you kept the associated organizations and extension groups, you cannot edit or delete them while sync is paused.

## Pause group synchronization

1. Sign in to the management portal and open **Integrations > Collaboration**.
2. In the **Group Synchronization** section, switch the toggle off.

   ![The Group Synchronization toggle in its off position](/images/pbx/disable-group-sync.png)
3. Click **Save**.
4. In the confirmation dialog:

   ![Dialog confirming that group synchronization will be turned off](/images/pbx/confirm-to-disable-group-sync.png)

   a. To remove the extension groups created for the synced AD groups, select **Delete the PBX extension groups in sync with the Groups**. Leave it clear to keep them.

   b. Click **Confirm**.

:::caution
Selecting the delete checkbox permanently removes the extension groups created from these AD groups, and it cannot be undone. Leave it clear if you want to keep the groups.
:::

**What happens next**

- Group synchronization stops.
- The **Group Synchronization** settings are retained but become read-only.
- If you kept the associated extension groups, you cannot change their name or membership, or delete them, while sync is paused.