Microsoft Intune
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Intune, detailing key features, device management, security, integrations, and strategic enterprise benefits.
What is Intune and why should I care?
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint management solution designed to help you manage and secure your organization’s devices and applications. It lets you enforce security policies, configure devices, and deploy apps on both corporate-owned and personal devices.
Intune simplifies compliance and streamlines IT operations by providing a unified dashboard to monitor and manage everything from desktops to mobile devices. It integrates with Microsoft 365 and Azure Active Directory so you can control user access and protect your organization’s data efficiently—making it a key asset for modern enterprise environments and remote workforces.
How does Intune work to manage devices and applications?
Below is an in-depth look at how Microsoft Intune manages devices and applications. In this section, you’ll discover the core functions that help you secure and administer your organization’s endpoints. We’ve broken down the process into key areas so you can quickly see how to execute effective management practices.
How does Intune perform mobile device management (MDM)?
Intune enables you to enroll and manage devices across multiple platforms—Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS. For Windows endpoints, Intune seamlessly manages devices running Windows 11 Enterprise, an operating system built for large organizations, with enhanced security features, comprehensive management tools, and a user experience optimized for modern productivity.
Moreover, Intune can manage emerging endpoint solutions such as the Windows 365 Link, a device which provides dedicated, secure access to Windows 365 Cloud PCs, leveraging features like passwordless authentication and secure boot to streamline IT management and bolster endpoint security for cloud environments. Once devices are enrolled, you can apply configuration settings, enforce compliance policies, and monitor device status from a unified dashboard. This approach ensures that every device meets your organization’s security and operational requirements.
On Windows devices, single sign-on (SSO) is enabled by default, allowing users to seamlessly access Microsoft 365 apps and other resources that rely on Microsoft Entra ID for authentication. You can also configure SSO through Intune for Wi-Fi and VPN connections, providing a consistent and secure sign-in experience across key network services.
Key features include:
- Device enrollment: Securely onboard devices through automatic or manual registration.
- Configuration & compliance: Set up policies to enforce security settings and monitor compliance.
- Remote management: Update, troubleshoot, and manage devices from anywhere.
How does Intune handle mobile application management (MAM)?
For your mobile applications, Intune streamlines the deployment, configuration, and maintenance of apps on enrolled devices. You can push apps directly to devices, update app settings as required, and remove apps when they no longer meet your guidelines. Additionally, by applying data protection policies, Intune helps safeguard corporate information within these applications, whether the device is corporate-owned or part of a BYOD program.
How does Intune enforce endpoint security and maintain compliance?
Intune reinforces endpoint security by verifying that each device complies with your predefined security policies before granting access to corporate resources. It uses conditional access rules to check prerequisites—such as operating system version, encryption requirements, and other security settings—and continuously monitors device health. This ongoing assessment supports your organization’s Zero Trust security model while ensuring that only compliant devices access sensitive data.
How does Intune integrate with the broader enterprise ecosystem?
Here we dig into how Intune connects with other components in your enterprise environment. These integrations are engineered to enhance security, streamline management, and support your hybrid IT infrastructure.
This diagram shows the interdependent security and management roles each service plays.
Azure Active Directory provides identity management, user authentication (SSO), and enforces Conditional Access based on compliance signals from Intune.
Microsoft Intune uses those signals to manage device compliance (e.g., encryption, OS version) and enforce app configuration policies.
Microsoft 365 apps (e.g., Teams, Outlook, SharePoint) use this connected infrastructure to ensure only authenticated and compliant users and devices can access sensitive data.
How does Intune integrate with Microsoft 365 and Azure Active Directory?
Intune works closely with Microsoft 365 and Azure Active Directory to deliver a unified management and security platform. By leveraging single sign-on and conditional access, Intune ensures that only authenticated, compliant devices and users gain access to your corporate resources.
Key integration features include:
- Single sign-on for streamlined user access
- Conditional access based on user and device compliance
- Centralized identity and policy management via Azure AD
How does Intune complement existing IT management solutions?
Intune enhances your current IT management by providing a cloud-based approach that works alongside traditional solutions like Configuration Manager. It extends management to remote and mobile devices, enabling you to co-manage devices in hybrid environments while applying consistent security policies.
Furthermore, as businesses increasingly seek agile and integrated cloud solutions, Intune's robust management capabilities extend to virtualized environments, supporting organizations as they explore modern options beyond Citrix for a streamlined Desktop as a Service (DaaS) experience within the Microsoft ecosystem. Such virtualized environments often rely on Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), a technology that centralizes desktop operating systems on servers and streams them to user devices, offering enhanced security and simplified management which Intune helps enforce.
For enterprises that utilize Citrix on Azure to deliver virtual applications and desktops from Microsoft's cloud platform, Intune can extend its robust policy enforcement and compliance checks to the endpoints accessing these environments, ensuring a secure experience even in mixed-vendor scenarios. Intune's policy enforcement extends to securing the Remote Desktop Protocol connections, which are critical for users accessing Windows virtual desktops and applications, thereby safeguarding data in transit and ensuring authorized access to these remote resources.
Complementary aspects include:
- Cloud-driven management for remote endpoints
- Co-management capabilities for hybrid on-premises and cloud environments
- Consistent policy enforcement across all device types
How does Intune work in tandem with other business-critical applications?
Intune integrates with various business applications to ensure that security settings and app configurations are uniformly enforced. This collaboration means that your critical business apps benefit from automated deployment and consistent policy management, reducing administrative overhead.
Integration highlights include:
- Automated app deployment and configuration
- Consistent security policies across diverse applications
- Streamlined management of corporate and BYOD apps
Know the TCO
This step-by-step wizard tool gives you the total cost of ownership for Windows 365 in your organization.
Why should my enterprise invest in Intune?
Intune offers you a robust, cloud-based solution for centralized device and application management, forming a critical component of a modern end user computing (EUC) strategy, which focuses on providing employees with secure, flexible access to their applications and data across a wide range of devices. By enabling you to manage corporate-owned and BYOD devices alike, it streamlines deployment and offers:
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Consistent policy enforcement
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Automated updates and configuration
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Scalability that grows with your organization
How does Intune improve the efficiency of IT operations?
With Intune, you gain a unified console for monitoring and managing endpoints, reducing manual tasks and speeding up deployments. The platform helps you:
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Automate routine management and compliance checks
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Simplify device enrollment and configuration
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Consolidate IT operations, saving time and resources
How does Intune contribute to risk management and regulatory compliance?
Intune strengthens your security posture by enforcing strict security policies and conditional access. This ensures that only compliant devices access your network and assists you in:
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Reducing vulnerabilities with continuous compliance monitoring
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Meeting regulatory standards through detailed security configurations
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Managing risks effectively with real-time reporting
How does AI enhance the strategic value of Intune?
Copilot in Intune, powered by Microsoft Security Copilot, brings generative AI directly into your endpoint management workflows. It helps you analyze compliance issues, uncover misconfigurations, and receive contextual recommendations—reducing time spent on investigation and troubleshooting. With AI-driven insights embedded in the Intune admin center, you can make faster, more informed decisions that strengthen security and streamline IT operations at scale.
How can I effectively implement and manage Intune?
To implement Intune effectively, you must take a structured approach that aligns with your organization’s infrastructure, compliance requirements, and user needs.
How do IT teams deploy Intune in an enterprise environment?
A successful Intune deployment starts with clear planning and staged rollout. Here’s how you can get started:
Step-by-step: From policy creation to pilot testing
1) Assess and plan
- Audit current device management tools and policies
- Define business goals, compliance needs, and supported platforms (Windows, iOS, Android, macOS)
2) Create baseline policies
- Use Microsoft Endpoint Manager (MEM) admin center
- Define security baselines, compliance policies, and configuration profiles
3) Set up device enrollment
- Choose enrollment methods: automatic (Azure AD Join/Autopilot) or manual
- Configure enrollment restrictions and authentication methods
4) Pilot with a small group
- Roll out Intune to a controlled group (typically IT staff)
- Monitor deployment, test compliance, and gather feedback
5) Scale to production
- Adjust based on pilot feedback
- Communicate rollout plans to stakeholders and end users
Tips for integrating with your existing IT infrastructure
- Active Directory integration: Ensure hybrid Azure AD join is configured if you're using on-prem AD.
- Co-management: If using Configuration Manager (SCCM), enable co-management to gradually shift workloads to Intune.
- Nerdio support: Nerdio Manager for Enterprise can streamline Intune deployments, particularly in Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) environments, by automating policy assignments and user targeting.
What are the best practices for configuring Intune policies?
Configuring Intune policies requires a balance between security, usability, and administrative overhead. Here’s how to do it right:
Balancing security with user experience
- Start with Microsoft’s security baselines as a foundation
- To bolster device protection, Intune allows for the configuration and enforcement of policies for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, a comprehensive security platform offering preventative protection, post-breach detection, automated investigation, and response capabilities for your managed devices.
- Minimize friction by allowing conditional access with trusted devices
- Communicate policy intent to end users to reduce support tickets
Scaling across device types:
| Device Type | Recommended Policy Strategy |
|---|---|
| Windows | Use configuration profiles (e.g., BitLocker, Defender) |
| iOS & Android | Deploy app protection policies and compliance settings |
| macOS | Apply device configuration via custom profiles |
| Virtual Desktops | Use Nerdio Manager to assign consistent policies |
Additional tips:
- Use dynamic Azure AD groups to auto-assign policies based on user/device attributes
- Test policies in staging environments before organization-wide rollout
- Document policy changes in a shared knowledge base for cross-team visibility
How can organizations navigate common challenges during Intune implementation?
Even well-planned Intune deployments encounter issues—proactive management and communication help reduce friction.
Troubleshooting and stakeholder alignment
- Common issues: Enrollment failures, conflicting policies, compliance reporting discrepancies
- Solutions:
- Use Intune Troubleshooting Blade in MEM for device/user-specific diagnostics
- Cross-reference settings using Group Policy Analytics to avoid conflicts
- Ensure clear ownership across IT, HR, and security teams
Ongoing training and change management
- Provide training resources for both end users and IT admins (e.g., Microsoft Learn, internal wikis)
- Set up regular review cadences for updating security baselines and revising compliance rules
Optimizing configurations with expert tips
- Implement naming conventions for profiles and groups to stay organized
- Use filters in Intune to fine-tune policy targeting without creating duplicate profiles
- Leverage Nerdio’s policy management automation for faster, scalable deployment in virtualized environments
What are the common challenges and troubleshooting tips for Intune?
Deploying Microsoft Intune in a real-world enterprise environment often uncovers practical challenges—especially around device onboarding, policy conflicts, and reporting accuracy. Below are common questions IT teams face and actionable tips to help you troubleshoot and optimize your deployment.
Why are some devices failing to enroll in Intune?
Enrollment issues are among the most frequent pain points during initial setup or user onboarding.
Possible causes and solutions:
| Root Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|
| Device already enrolled in another MDM | Remove existing MDM profile or factory reset the device |
| Enrollment restrictions misconfigured | Check MEM > Devices > Enrollment restrictions for platform compatibility |
| User not licensed correctly | Ensure user has a valid Intune/Microsoft 365 E3+ license |
| Azure AD conditional access conflicts | Review conditional access policies tied to device compliance |
Additional tips:
- Use the Intune Troubleshooting blade under “Users” in the Microsoft Endpoint Manager (MEM) admin center to identify errors tied to a specific user or device.
- Check Event Viewer logs (Windows) for MDM enrollment errors: Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > DeviceManagement-Enterprise-Diagnostics-Provider.
Why are some policies not applying or taking effect?
If device configuration or compliance policies aren't being enforced, it's often due to conflicts, targeting issues, or sync delays.
Things to check:
- Conflicting settings between multiple configuration profiles
- Assignment scope errors (e.g., policy not targeted to the right group)
- Policy not synced yet — prompt a manual sync from the Company Portal or device settings
- Licensing or device enrollment errors
Troubleshooting tools:
- Device status view: Shows if a policy has been successfully applied
- Group Policy Analytics: Helps identify conflicts between on-prem GPOs and Intune settings
- Filters and dynamic groups: Confirm the logic is correctly assigning policies only to intended devices/users
Pro tip: Keep profile assignments streamlined. Avoid overlapping profiles for the same setting category (e.g., two password policies).
Why are devices showing as “Not Compliant” even though policies are configured?
Non-compliance alerts often stem from delays in device reporting or improperly scoped compliance policies.
Check the following:
- Policy timing: Intune checks compliance on a schedule (typically every 8 hours)
- Device health: Ensure the device is connected and syncing properly
- Compliance policy logic: Review each rule (e.g., minimum OS version, encryption status)
Use this workflow to diagnose:
- Open the Devices > Monitor > Non-compliant devices dashboard
- Select the device to view specific compliance check results
- Cross-check the rule with current device configuration
How can I keep stakeholders aligned and reduce user disruption during rollout?
Policy changes and enrollment can impact end users if communication and support aren’t handled proactively.
Best practices:
- Communicate early and often with end users—especially when enforcing security controls like PIN requirements or app restrictions
- Use Company Portal branding to reinforce trust and reduce confusion during setup
- Train internal support staff to handle enrollment questions and escalate technical issues
- Create an Intune knowledge base or internal FAQ to document common issues and fixes
Nerdio tip: If you’re managing Intune within a virtual desktop environment (like AVD), Nerdio Manager helps pre-assign policies and apps, reducing user touchpoints and misconfigurations.
How does Nerdio support enterprise management with Intune?
Managing Microsoft Intune at scale—especially in hybrid or virtualized environments—can introduce complexity around policy assignments, device targeting, and automation. Nerdio provides tools and automation that simplify Intune integration and ongoing management, particularly within Microsoft Azure and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) deployments.
How does Nerdio streamline Intune policy deployment in virtual desktop environments?
When managing large numbers of cloud-based or session-hosted endpoints, manual policy assignments in Intune can be time-consuming and error-prone. Nerdio Manager for Enterprise automates this process to ensure consistency and reduce admin overhead.
Key capabilities:
- Auto-assign Intune policies based on AVD host pool or user group membership
- Simplified user onboarding by combining virtual machine provisioning with automatic Intune enrollment
- Dynamic group creation tied to Azure AD and session host metadata
Furthermore, Nerdio's automation streamlines the deployment and configuration of FSLogix, a crucial technology for managing user profiles in AVD environments, which ensures users maintain a consistent and personalized experience across session hosts by separating user profile data into VHD(X) files that dynamically attach at login.
How it helps:
| Without Nerdio | With Nerdio |
|---|---|
| Manual policy assignments per host | Auto-assignment during AVD session host provisioning |
| Separate workflows for VM and policy | Unified management in Nerdio Manager |
| Risk of inconsistent configurations | Standardized deployment across all session hosts |
How can Nerdio help manage and monitor Intune at scale?
Nerdio consolidates policy visibility and reduces the need to switch between consoles for routine tasks. It integrates closely with Azure services to surface the right information and reduce administrative friction.
Use cases:
- View policy status and deployment consistency across host pools and user groups
- Detect misconfigured or missing Intune profiles on AVD session hosts
- Schedule automated restarts or reassignments to enforce configuration baselines
- Leverage Nerdio scripts to handle routine Intune tasks through Azure Automation
Monitoring features include:
- Built-in alerts for non-compliant session hosts
- Logs for Intune policy deployment during VM creation
- Visibility into AVD session performance alongside policy compliance
What’s the benefit of using Nerdio for hybrid or multi-environment Intune deployments?
For organizations with both physical and virtual devices—or hybrid identity configurations—Nerdio helps bridge the gap between on-prem and cloud-native environments.
Nerdio supports:
- Hybrid Azure AD join scenarios with built-in policy assignment logic
- Group-based policy targeting for physical and virtual devices in a single pane of glass
- Integration with Microsoft Endpoint Manager and Azure Virtual Desktop without requiring custom scripting or external tools
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