What is the primary function of MDM in Microsoft Intune?

Full device management, settings, compliance, and enforcement

Is it true that Autopilot is a device join type.?

Autopilot is a provisioning framework that automates device setup; it is distinct from enrollment types, device join states, and ownership configurations.

Is it true that Intune handles all Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for an organization.?

Intune specifically manages App Protection Policies for data within apps. Broader M365 DLP is managed through Microsoft Purview.

Microsoft Intune Daily Revision Cheat Sheet

Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint management service (EMM/MDM/MAM) that allows organizations to manage devices, deploy applications, configure security policies, and protect corporate data across various operating systems.

Core Principles

MDM provides full device management, settings, compliance, and enforcement.
MAM protects company data within supported apps without requiring full device enrollment.
Windows Autopilot automates device setup and provisioning for seamless user experience.
Configuration Profiles push settings like Wi-Fi and VPN, Compliance Policies check security rules, and Conditional Access enforces access based on compliance.
Endpoint Security policies cover Antivirus, Firewall, Disk Encryption, and more.
Application deployment supports Win32 apps, Microsoft Store apps, LOB/MSI, and Microsoft 365 Apps.
MAM and DLP work together to protect data at the app level and across M365 services.
Windows Updates are managed through Update Rings, Feature Updates, and Expedite Updates.
Remote Actions like Sync, Wipe, Retire, Fresh Start, and Remediations allow for device management and issue resolution.
Co-management allows dual management of Windows devices by SCCM and Intune.

Action Steps

To deploy BitLocker, create a Disk Encryption policy under Endpoint Security, specify the encryption algorithm, mandate silent enablement with TPM, enforce automatic key backup to Entra ID, assign the policy to a device group, and monitor compliance.
To deploy applications, navigate to intune.microsoft.com, select Apps > All Apps > Add, choose the App Type, upload the source, configure App Info and Install/Uninstall commands, and define Detection Rules.
To upgrade Windows 24H2 to 25H2 via Intune, verify hardware compatibility, create a Feature Update Policy targeting version 25H2, assign it to a pilot group, monitor deployment, and then expand to production groups.
To migrate from on-prem AD/SCCM to Intune, sync identities via Entra Connect, enable Co-Management or Cloud Attach in ConfigMgr, assess Group Policies, recreate GPOs as Settings Catalog profiles, shift workloads to Intune via pilot collections, and transition to direct Cloud Native Entra Join for new devices.

Key Terms

MDM: Mobile Device Management - full device management, settings, compliance, and enforcement.
MAM: Mobile Application Management - protects company data inside supported apps without full device enrollment.
Entra ID: Microsoft's cloud identity & access service for user accounts, security groups, and authentication.
Tenant: Your organization's dedicated cloud environment instance in Microsoft 365.
RBAC: Role-Based Access Control - grants administrative permissions based on assigned roles.
Scope Tags: Restricts administrative visibility and policy management based on assigned tag parameters.
Assignment: Targets a configuration profile, application, or policy to user or device groups.
Sync: Forces a managed device to check in with Intune to fetch updated policies, apps, and status.
Windows Autopilot: Automates Windows device setup and out-of-box provisioning, enabling users to set up new or reset devices seamlessly with enterprise applications and security settings.
Entra Registered: Links device to corporate identity, typically for personal/BYOD; does not imply full MDM control.
Entra Joined: Joins device directly to cloud identity (Entra ID) without traditional on-prem Active Directory domain join.
Hybrid Entra Joined: Device is joined to traditional on-premises AD and simultaneously registered/joined in Entra ID.
Automatic Enrollment: Automatically triggers Intune enrollment when an eligible device is Entra joined or hybrid joined.
BYOD vs Corporate: Personally owned vs company-owned/controlled devices; determines privacy, enrollment path, and wipe capabilities.
Configuration Profile: Applies settings. Pushes Wi-Fi, VPN, certificates, passcodes, and system restrictions to devices.
Compliance Policy: Checks requirements. Validates if a device meets security rules like OS build, BitLocker, or Firewall.
Conditional Access: Enforces access rules. Evaluates user, location, risk, and device compliance to grant or block access.
BitLocker: Windows drive encryption protecting data at rest.
Recovery Key: Backup key stored in Entra ID / Intune for recovery.
Win32 Apps: Windows apps packaged using Microsoft Win32 Content Prep Tool (.intunewin format), supporting custom install commands & detection rules.
App Protection Policy: Controls data transfer within apps (prevents copy/paste, cut, save-as, or screen capture between work and personal apps).
Microsoft Purview DLP: Broader enterprise DLP managing data classification, labels, and protection across Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams.
Update Rings: Defines servicing channel, deferral periods, active hours, and restart behavior for regular updates.
Feature Updates: Major OS version upgrades (e.g., upgrading from Windows 10 to 11, or 24H2 to 25H2).
Autopatch: Automated Microsoft service that manages ring membership and update deployment across the tenant.
Wipe: Destructive: Performs factory reset. Removes all data, apps, and OS settings.
Retire: Non-Destructive to Personal Data: Removes managed corporate data/apps; leaves personal data intact. Ideal for BYOD offboarding.
Remediations: Proactive remediation scripts running in tandem (Detection Script + Remediation Script) to fix issues automatically.
Co-Management: Allows dual management of Windows devices by both SCCM and Intune. Specific workloads are shifted to Intune using sliders.
Entra Connect: Syncs on-prem AD identities to Entra ID. Note: Syncs users/groups, NOT GPOs/policies!
Dynamic Group: Auto-populates via query rules.
Assignment Filter: Real-time device filtering.
Settings Catalog: Granular Windows policy store.

Pro Tips

Autopilot is a provisioning framework, not a join type; Enrollment type, device join state, and ownership are distinct configurations.
A Compliance Policy alone does not block access; Conditional Access (CA) in Entra ID must be configured to enforce access decisions based on the compliance state reported by Intune.
DLP isn't solely in Intune; Intune handles App Protection Policies, while overall M365 DLP is managed in Microsoft Purview.
When using remote actions, always verify ownership before running Wipe or Retire, especially on personal BYOD devices.

Pitfalls to Avoid

Skipping the verification of ownership before running remote actions like Wipe or Retire can lead to accidental data loss on personal devices.
Relying solely on Compliance Policies without configuring Conditional Access in Entra ID means access rules will not be enforced based on device compliance.

Myth vs Reality

Autopilot is a device join type.: Autopilot is a provisioning framework that automates device setup; it is distinct from enrollment types, device join states, and ownership configurations.
Intune handles all Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for an organization.: Intune specifically manages App Protection Policies for data within apps. Broader M365 DLP is managed through Microsoft Purview.

Real World Examples

Deploying a corporate Wi-Fi profile and certificates to devices.: This is achieved using a Configuration Profile in Intune.
Flagging a device as non-compliant because BitLocker is disabled.: This is an example of a Compliance Policy check.
Blocking access to Exchange Online if a device is non-compliant.: This is enforced by Conditional Access in Entra ID, based on compliance state reported by Intune.
Packaging and deploying custom Windows applications with specific install commands and detection rules.: This is done using Win32 Apps in Intune, packaged in .intunewin format.
Protecting company data in Outlook and Teams on personal BYOD devices by preventing copy/paste to personal apps.: This is managed by Intune App Protection Policies.
Upgrading Windows 24H2 to 25H2 for a pilot group of devices.: This is managed by creating and assigning a Feature Update Policy in Intune.
Automatically resetting a personal BYOD device to factory settings when an employee leaves the company.: This is performed using the 'Wipe' remote action in Intune.
Removing only managed corporate data and apps from a personal BYOD device while leaving personal data intact.: This is achieved using the 'Retire' remote action in Intune.
Automatically fixing issues like incorrect registry settings on devices.: This is done using Remediations, which run detection and remediation scripts.
Managing OS deployment, patch management, and inventory for devices already using on-premises SCCM.: This is done using SCCM/ConfigMgr, with specific workloads potentially shifted to Intune via Co-Management.

Statistics

Daily Revision Strategy Breakdown: 2 Mins Fundamentals, 3 Mins Enrollment & Apps, 3 Mins Security & Troubleshooting, 2 Mins Migration & Scenarios

Timeline

2 Mins: Review Fundamentals & Core Terms
3 Mins: Review Enrollment & Apps
3 Mins: Review Security & Troubleshooting
2 Mins: Review Migration & Scenarios

People

Microsoft Intune: Cloud-based endpoint management service (EMM/MDM/MAM)
Entra ID: Cloud identity & access service
Windows Autopilot: Device provisioning framework
Microsoft Purview: Manages broader M365 Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
SCCM (ConfigMgr): On-premises management system for OS deployment, patch management, and inventory

Quiz

What is the primary function of MDM in Microsoft Intune?: Full device management, settings, compliance, and enforcement
Which feature automates Windows device setup and out-of-box provisioning?: Windows Autopilot
What is required to enforce access rules based on device compliance status?: Conditional Access in Entra ID
Which Intune feature allows for removing managed corporate data from a BYOD device while keeping personal data intact?: Retire