Configure devices
Enroll Windows, Apple, and Android devices and apply appropriate settings.
Intune explained simply
What is Microsoft Intune?
Microsoft Intune is a cloud service that organizations use to centrally configure, manage, and protect work devices and company apps. IT defines rules and Intune distributes them to the intended laptops, phones, and tablets. The service then shows whether the settings arrived and whether devices meet the defined requirements.
What is Intune used for?
Distribute apps
Provide, update, or remove required software on managed devices.
Check security rules
Evaluate encryption, password protection, and operating system status, for example.
Support access decisions
Provide device health information for access decisions in Microsoft Entra ID.
A workplace example
- 1
A new company laptop is unpacked and connected to the internet.
- 2
The employee signs in with their work account.
- 3
The device automatically receives its assigned apps and security rules.
- 4
IT can see whether setup succeeded and what still needs attention.
Intune is the control plane. The operating system, app stores, and other services perform individual jobs.
Where does Intune fit?
These Microsoft services work together but have different responsibilities:
Microsoft Entra ID
Identities, sign-in, and access
Microsoft Intune
Devices, company apps, and central policies
Microsoft Defender
Protection, detection, and threat response
Microsoft 365
Work services such as email, files, and collaboration
Intune does not replace a security strategy, support, or testing. It is not a covert performance-monitoring tool or antivirus software. What IT can see depends on platform, ownership, and management mode and must be communicated transparently.
How a checked device state turns into an access decision through Conditional Access is explained on the Compliance and Conditional Access page. Understand Compliance and Conditional Access
Would you like to apply the idea yourself?
The free starter exercise shows how the course thinks and works, using a safe planning case. No tenant or sign-in required.
Open the free starter exercise