In today’s era of hybrid work, where employees access corporate systems from anywhere, traditional on-premise Windows administration using Active Directory (AD) and Group Policy (GPO) is becoming less and less effective. Organizations are moving to modern management that enables:
- Better scalability and flexibility
- Greater security thanks to Zero Trust principles
- Automation and centralised control via Microsoft Intune and Autopilot
- Integration with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) for conditional access and user authentication
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at modern Windows management, including Windows Autopilot, Microsoft Intune, Entra ID, Endpoint Analytics, and Windows Update for Business, and explain how businesses can streamline the management and security of their devices.
Windows Autopilot: Automated device deployment
What is Windows Autopilot?
Windows Autopilot is a cloud-based technology that enables automated configuration and deployment of devices without the need for manual intervention by IT. It enables zero-touch provisioning, which means a new laptop can be delivered directly to an employee and connected to the corporate environment once the user logs in.
Key features of Autopilot:
- Pre-Provisioning: the IT team can pre-configure the device, reducing deployment time.
- Self-Deploying Mode: The device automatically connects to the Microsoft Entra ID and installs corporate applications and configurations.
- White Glove Deployment: allows manufacturers or IT departments to prepare the device before shipping to the end user.
- Hybrid Join: Connect devices to Entra ID and on-premise AD for compatibility with legacy systems.
How does Windows Autopilot work in practice?
- The manufacturer or distributor registers the device with the Autopilot deployment service using the Hardware Hash ID.
- The device is delivered to the user without the need for manual IT intervention.
- After turning on the device and connecting to the Internet, the user verifies his identity against Entra ID. The device is automatically enrolled in Microsoft Intune, which applies the prepared configurations.
- Once registration is complete, the device is ready for use with all corporate applications and security policies.
This method significantly saves IT department time and eliminates the need for manual installation of OS and applications.
Microsoft Intune: Central device management and security
Why Microsoft Intune?
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based MDM (Mobile Device Management) and MAM (Mobile Application Management) platform that enables the management of Windows, iOS, Android and macOS devices without the need for on-premise infrastructure.
Key benefits of Intune:
- Zero Trust principles – devices are controlled before accessing corporate data.
- Conditional Access – Access to corporate applications only from trusted devices.
- Configuration Profiles – Central configuration of Windows policies and settings.
- Compliance Policies – rules for checking the safety status of equipment.
- Integration with Microsoft Defender – EDR/XDR threat analysis and attack prevention.
How do I manage Windows devices with Intune?
- The device is connected to Entra ID and Intune using Windows Autopilot.
- Configuration profiles set corporate policies such as BitLocker, Windows Defender Firewall, Wi-Fi and VPN.
- Compliance Policies ensure that the device meets security requirements (e.g. minimum OS version, disk encryption enabled).
- Applications are deployed via Microsoft Store for Business or Win32 deployment.
- Continuous monitoring and anomaly detection with Endpoint Analytics.
The advantage of Intune over GPO is the ability to manage devices outside the corporate network, which is ideal for remote work scenarios.
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD): modern identity and authentication
How does Entra ID replace traditional Active Directory?
Microsoft Entra ID provides cloud-based identity and access management without the need for an on-premise AD domain. Key security mechanisms include:
- Passwordless Authentication (Windows Hello for Business, FIDO2)
- Conditional Access
- Privileged Identity Management (PIM)
- Just-in-Time access (JIT) for admin roles
Conditional access as a key security feature
Conditional Access allows access to company resources only if:
- The device meets the safety requirements (Compliance Policy in Intune).
- It is connected from a trusted network/IP address.
- MFA authentication is enabled (e.g. Microsoft Authenticator or FIDO2 key).
This approach eliminates the risk of unauthorized access and provides better protection of corporate data.
Endpoint Analytics: proactive device monitoring and diagnostics
Endpoint Analytics is part of Microsoft Intune and provides:
- Overview of Windows device and application performance
- Identifying potential problems before they escalate
- Automated recommendations for optimization
AI-driven analytics can minimize performance issues and improve user experience.
Windows Update for Business (WUfB): efficient update management
How does WUfB replace the traditional WSUS and SCCM?
Windows Update for Business enables automated distribution of updates by:
- Update Rings – manage testing and deployment of updates by user group.
- Feature Update Deferrals – Defer large updates for testing purposes.
- Quality Updates Management – managing the distribution of security patches.
Combined with Intune, you can ensure that all devices are up-to-date and protected from threats.
How can we help you with modern Windows administration?
The transition to modern Windows administration requires not only technological tools, but also experience with their proper implementation. System4u will help you with:
- Deploying Windows Autopilot and Microsoft Intune
- Integration with Microsoft Entra ID and Conditional Access
- Ensuring secure update management via WUfB
- Device monitoring with Endpoint Analytics
- Deploying a Zero Trust strategy and securing corporate devices
