Creating and managing configuration profiles in Intune

Continue Reading

Types of configuration profiles

When creating device profiles in Intune, administrators have several options:

• Administrative Templates: For Windows 10 and 11 devices, administrative templates use ADMX settings. If you are already familiar with Group Policy Objects (GPOs), leveraging these templates in Intune will feel intuitive. They allow you to configure a wide range of settings consistently.
• Security Baselines: This feature offers preconfigured security settings tailored for Windows 10 and 11 devices. If your organization prioritizes security, these baselines—developed from Microsoft’s recommendations—provide a solid foundation for establishing robust security policies.
• Settings Catalog: The settings catalog is a comprehensive repository for configuring device features across Apple and Windows devices. It enables administrators to locate all applicable settings in one place, streamlining the configuration process. For example, you can focus solely on BitLocker settings or Microsoft Edge configurations.
• Templates: Available for Android, iOS/iPadOS, macOS, and Windows devices, templates logically group settings to manage features such as VPN, email, and kiosk mode. If you’re already using Intune for device configuration, these templates will facilitate your policy management.

Steps to create a configuration profile

To create a profile in Microsoft Intune, follow these steps:

1. 1. Access the Admin Center: Navigate to the Microsoft Intune admin center and select Devices. This section provides an overview of your existing profiles, allowing you to monitor their statuses and performance.
2. 2. Choose Your Platform: Under Manage devices, select Configuration and then Create. Choose the appropriate platform for the devices you want to manage, such as Android, iOS/iPadOS, or Windows.
3. 3. Add Settings: Once you’ve selected the platform, configure the settings specific to that platform. For example, if you select Windows, you can manage various aspects, including Windows Update Rings, PowerShell scripts, and device restrictions.
4. 4. Add Scope Tags: After adding your settings, consider applying scope tags. These tags help filter profiles for specific IT groups, enhancing the management of distributed IT environments.
5. 5. Implement Applicability Rules: To target specific devices, create applicability rules that ensure profiles only apply to devices meeting certain criteria. This feature is especially useful for large organizations with diverse device types.

Monitoring and managing profiles

Regularly monitoring the status of your profiles is essential. The Intune admin center allows you to check for successes or failures and view logs related to your profiles. Additionally, users can initiate a sync with the Company Portal app to manually check for updates.

Best practices for configuration profiles

When creating configuration profiles, keep these recommendations in mind:

• Descriptive Naming: Use clear, descriptive names for your policies and include a detailed description to communicate the policy’s purpose effectively.
• User Communication: When implementing restrictive policies, inform your users in advance to ensure smooth transitions and avoid confusion. For instance, notify users if passcode requirements are changing.
• Utilize Microsoft Copilot: Take advantage of Microsoft Copilot within Intune to evaluate your policies, understand their impact, and enhance overall security.

Conclusion

Creating and managing configuration profiles in Microsoft Intune is crucial for organizations looking to maintain security and efficiency across their devices. By leveraging administrative templates, security baselines, and the settings catalog, IT teams can create tailored solutions for their unique needs. Effective communication and ongoing monitoring will ensure successful implementation. Partnering with AVASOFT can help organizations optimize their use of Intune and achieve their device management goals.