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Microsoft Active Directory pros and cons

Vendor: Microsoft
4.3 out of 5
137 followers
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Pros & Cons summary

Microsoft Active Directory is user-friendly, easy to manage, and integrates seamlessly with cloud services like Azure AD and Office 365. It offers robust security management, group policies, and advanced features like single sign-on. However, MFA and integration with Mac and iOS need improvement. Scalability and local single sign-on implementation are complex, and security features could be enhanced.

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

Microsoft Active Directory is user-friendly and integrates well with other Microsoft products, enhancing usability and familiarity.
It offers valuable features such as group policy management, user and computer search capabilities, and scalable platform management.
Microsoft Active Directory can be integrated with cloud services like Microsoft Office 365, allowing for a flexible hybrid management setup.
Key strengths include enhanced security features such as audit, authentication, and authorization, which are integral for effective IT management.
Microsoft Active Directory excels in management capabilities, allowing easy organization and administration of user policies and email accounts.

CONS

Microsoft Active Directory could improve its security features.
Scalability needs improvement, requiring additional software for network monitoring.
Integration with other solutions and Mac/IOS products should be enhanced.
Premium support services are perceived as expensive.
Single sign-on and multi-factor authentication functionalities are lacking.
 

Microsoft Active Directory Pros review quotes

Rajitha Abhisheka - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 29, 2022
The Solution's most important feature is that it can merge with a cloud-based active directory via Azure AD Connect.
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Shivaram Venkatesh - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 10, 2023
One noteworthy aspect we discovered is the ability to exercise tight control over systems, specifically Windows PCs. This pertains to the management of policies, usage patterns, and user access on these devices, particularly within the framework of Active Directory which is extremely well thought. This actually works better with on-premises solutions. However, as the global trend shifts towards cloud and hybrid environments, Active Directory and its use is diminishing. Yet, it hasn't entirely lost its relevance and remains a presence that cannot be entirely disregarded.
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Ashutosh Naik - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 10, 2023
The scalability of the solution is high...The initial setup of the solution is easy, and I would rate it an eight or nine out of ten on a scale of one to ten, where one being difficult and ten being easy.
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Microsoft Active Directory
October 2024
Free Report: Microsoft Active Directory Reviews and More
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Hussein Taha - PeerSpot reviewer
Dec 13, 2022
We can also have separate domain controllers in different Active Directory sites based on their location.
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MM
Aug 10, 2023
Active Directory plays a focal point in security management, encompassing aspects like credential management, lifecycle, dynamic provisioning, and the network infrastructure of customers.
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MR
Aug 3, 2023
It is easy to handle, and it gives a hundred percent results with the group policies.
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SHUBHAM BHINGARDE - PeerSpot reviewer
Feb 8, 2024
The user interface of the product is very easy to use.
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CW
Jan 19, 2023
The most valuable feature of Microsoft Active Directory is the ability to search for computers and users. While I do not have administrative privileges to reset passwords, I can view user information such as department, and communicate with someone who can make the changes.
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Benjamin Mpolokoso - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 8, 2023
It's quite easy to integrate into other directories.
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Kazem Mirabedini - PeerSpot reviewer
May 19, 2022
The solution is user-friendly, and I like using Microsoft products. I think there is no other choice for Active Directory. Microsoft Windows Server Active Directory is the best.
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Show 10 more reviews (out of 39)
 

Microsoft Active Directory Cons review quotes

Rajitha Abhisheka - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 29, 2022
The interface for logs should be user-friendly and allow for enhanced filtering to drill down to incidents.
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Shivaram Venkatesh - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 10, 2023
Typically, it depends on the customer's situation. If the customer operates in smaller locations where most PCs are in a common location, we usually aim to consolidate the directory infrastructure for easier maintenance. However, for distributed setups spanning multiple countries, configuring multiple sites becomes necessary and more intricate to handle. Our objective is to minimize the number of sites, simplifying operations for IT administrators and reducing errors. Mistakes in Active Directory can be costly for organizations, as disruptions can occur rapidly. Moreover, when it comes to hybrid single sign-on across various applications, Microsoft hasn't put forth significant effort. Single sign-on has become a challenge for many customers who utilize diverse solutions beyond Microsoft products. While implementing single sign-on is relatively straightforward in the Azure cloud, it's considerably more complex when dealing with the local Active Directory. This presents a big challenge for many of our customers.
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Ashutosh Naik - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 10, 2023
In the solution, assigning permissions is complex, making it difficult to grant them at a granular level or to multiple users without templates or alternative tools.
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Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Active Directory
October 2024
Free Report: Microsoft Active Directory Reviews and More
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Active Directory. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: October 2024.
DOWNLOAD NOW
814,649 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Hussein Taha - PeerSpot reviewer
Dec 13, 2022
If Microsoft is going to add anything to the on-prem solution, it should be an updated GUI.
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MM
Aug 10, 2023
I would like to see more integration with cloud-based applications. This would make it easier to manage users and devices across multiple platforms.
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MR
Aug 3, 2023
If you are using the Active Directory, the main concern is that the policy is restricted to the specific local area network.
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SHUBHAM BHINGARDE - PeerSpot reviewer
Feb 8, 2024
Microsoft Active Directory restricts most of the features our company's employees want to use since they are involved in research and development activities.
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CW
Jan 19, 2023
There has been a change in the layout of the user information. Previously, I had to go to properties to view the information, but now it is displayed directly below the search results. It takes some time to get used to.
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Benjamin Mpolokoso - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 8, 2023
The product must provide remote password reset features.
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Kazem Mirabedini - PeerSpot reviewer
May 19, 2022
The interface hasn't changed much over the years. It's suitable for my tastes, but that doesn't mean everybody likes it.
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Show 10 more reviews (out of 38)

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Product Categories

Product Categories
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