SharePoint 2010 user profile synchronization on a 'Standalone' environment

https://support.microsoft.com/kb/983061/

Consider the following scenario:

  • You run Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 in a single-server environment. (This is known as a stand-alone installation.)
  • You try to start the User Profile Synchronization service.
  • You provide a password for the NT Authority\Network Service account.

In this scenario, the User Profile Synchronization service does not start.

 

reference: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff681014.aspx

 

How to check server role of SharePoint:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Web Server Extensions\14.0\WSS\ServerRole

-SINGLESERVER : Stand-alone
-WFE : Farm Stand-alone
-APPLICATION : Farm Complete