User Directories link missing when using Tomcat 7

Platform Notice: Data Center Only - This article only applies to Atlassian products on the Data Center platform.

Note that this KB was created for the Data Center version of the product. Data Center KBs for non-Data-Center-specific features may also work for Server versions of the product, however they have not been tested. Support for Server* products ended on February 15th 2024. If you are running a Server product, you can visit the Atlassian Server end of support announcement to review your migration options.

*Except Fisheye and Crucible

Symptoms

On the confluence administration menu, the User Directories link do not appear under Users and Security session.

Cause

Confluence is running over Tomcat 7, which is not a supported environment for versions prior to 4.2.

Workaround

Downgrade your Tomcat to a supported version such as Tomcat 6. After downgrading Tomcat, Confluence User Directories link should appear within the Confluence admin panel.

To downgrade Tomcat:

  1. Shutdown Confluence

  2. Download a compatible version of Tomcat and unzip it

  3. Copy the bin and lib folder from the unzipped folder into the <confluence install directory>

  4. Agree to overwriting all duplicate files

  5. Start Confluence

Updated on April 8, 2025

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