Getting Started with Microsoft Intune for Endpoint Management
Getting Started with Microsoft Intune for Endpoint Management
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint management solution that lets IT teams manage devices, apps, and security policies from a single pane of glass. In this post, I'll share what I've learned working with Intune as a Client Engineer.
What Is Intune?
Intune is part of the Microsoft Endpoint Manager suite. It handles:
- Device enrollment — Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
- Configuration profiles — apply settings to devices at scale
- App deployment — push, update, or remove applications
- Compliance policies — enforce security baselines
- Update rings — control Windows Update rollout
Device Enrollment Methods
There are several ways to enroll Windows devices into Intune:
| Method | Best For |
|---|---|
| Autopilot | New devices out of the box |
| Bulk enrollment | Existing devices, no user interaction |
| Azure AD Join | Modern devices for cloud-first orgs |
| Hybrid AADJ | Devices that still need on-prem AD |
For most modern deployments, Windows Autopilot is the recommended path. It lets users set up their device themselves while IT controls the full configuration.
Creating a Configuration Profile
A configuration profile lets you enforce settings — like requiring BitLocker encryption or disabling USB storage. Here is the basic workflow in the Intune portal:
- Go to Devices → Configuration profiles → Create profile
- Select Windows 10 and later as the platform
- Choose Settings catalog as the profile type
- Search for the setting you need (e.g., "BitLocker")
- Assign the profile to a device group
App Deployment
Intune supports several app types:
- Win32 apps — traditional .exe/.msi packages
- Microsoft Store apps — direct from the store
- LOB apps — Line-of-business .msi packages
- Microsoft 365 Apps — Office suite via the built-in wizard
For Win32 apps, you package them with the Microsoft Win32 Content Prep Tool, which creates an .intunewin file:
<h1 id="package-an-installer-for-intune">Package an installer for Intune</h1>
.\IntuneWinAppUtil.exe -c "C:\Source" -s "setup.exe" -o "C:\Output"
Compliance Policies
Compliance policies define what a "healthy" device looks like. If a device fails compliance, you can block it from accessing corporate resources via Conditional Access.
Common compliance requirements:
- Minimum OS version
- BitLocker encryption enabled
- Antivirus up to date
- No jailbreak / root
Key Takeaways
Intune gives IT teams powerful control over their device fleet without requiring on-premises infrastructure. The learning curve is real, but once you understand the concepts of profiles, groups, and assignments, it becomes a very efficient tool.
Start with a pilot group, test your configurations thoroughly, and roll out in waves. Intune is an evolving platform — check the Microsoft Intune documentation for the latest features.