Key Planning Steps Before Modernizing with Intune and Autopilot.
Migrating to a fully modern management environment with Microsoft Intune, Windows Autopilot, and Entra ID isn’t something that happens overnight. It requires careful planning, progressive adoption, and a clear migration strategy that aligns with your organization’s operational and security goals.
No one expects you to wipe every existing device and instantly transition everything to Autopilot that’s simply not realistic for medium or large enterprises with diverse environments. However, with the end of support for Windows 10 approaching, there’s no better time to modernize both your OS and management approach.
This section focuses on the strategic considerations and key planning stages before starting your migration journey. If you’re looking for step-by-step implementation details including tenant setup, PowerShell automations, and Microsoft Graph integrations I’ve published a dedicated guide covering the full technical deep dive.
For a fast and secure start, you can also leverage my automated deployment toolkit, designed to establish a compliant baseline with Intune and Autopilot in just a few clicks.
Final Considerations
Building a successful Intune and Autopilot deployment strategy starts with understanding your current landscape, defining clear modernization objectives, and aligning business, security, and compliance requirements. Every decision from hardware lifecycle to policy enforcement must serve a single purpose: creating a resilient, scalable, and cloud-first endpoint ecosystem.
Your journey toward modern endpoint management is not about speed it’s about strategy, governance, and sustainability. When executed properly, this transition not only simplifies IT operations but also strengthens your organization’s security posture, device compliance, and user experience across the entire environment.
Key Goals of the Planning Phase
Define a clear migration roadmap aligned with organizational priorities
Identify existing infrastructure dependencies and potential blockers
Establish security and compliance baselines before rollout
Build a cross-functional implementation team (IT, Security, and Operations)
Create a communication and change management plan for end users
Prepare a proof-of-concept (PoC) to validate configurations before scale deployment
Ensure backup and rollback strategies are in place before execution
1 - Define the Business Justification and Objectives
Before diving into deployment, it’s essential to align the technical vision with business priorities and that starts with a strong, data-driven business case.
Transitioning to a modern Intune and Autopilot environment requires not only the right Microsoft licensing but also operational readiness and in-house expertise. If your organization doesn’t have both, it’s important to factor in consulting costs, implementation time, and skill enablement as part of the project’s total investment.
A well-built business case should include:
License optimization opportunities if you’re currently using third-party MDMs or antivirus tools, evaluate whether Intune and Defender for Endpoint can replace them.
Consolidation benefits the more solutions you centralize under the Microsoft 365 Security & Compliance stack, the greater the cost efficiency, governance, and visibility across your environment.
Security improvements devices joined to Entra ID significantly reduce attack surfaces and lateral movement, providing a stronger security posture from day one.
Pro Tip: Engage a qualified consultant or partner who can run the Microsoft Value Calculator and help you quantify the ROI, TCO reduction, and security gains. (If you’d like help building this assessment, feel free to reach out I can share a practical framework I use in real customer projects.)
And don’t forget to highlight AI innovation in your proposal Security Copilot is now available for Intune and integrates directly into the Microsoft 365 Defender suite. Executives love initiatives that combine automation, intelligence, and measurable value.
Once your plan is approved even if it’s just a one-line “OK” in an email you’ll have the foundation you need to move forward confidently, backed by clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and executive support.
Key Goals of this Phase
Build a compelling, ROI-driven business case aligned with executive priorities
Identify license consolidation opportunities within the Microsoft ecosystem
Evaluate the financial and security benefits of Defender for Endpoint adoption
Strengthen the security baseline with Entra ID-joined devices
Include AI-powered initiatives like Security Copilot to enhance engagement
Ensure leadership approval and stakeholder alignment before execution
2 - Perform an Environment Assessment and Inventory Audit
Before beginning any migration, you need to understand your current environment in detail. While it’s technically possible to “lift and shift” your Group Policies, applications, and user directory sync, that approach only replicates existing problems in a new system. Modern management isn’t about duplication it’s about optimization, simplification, and long-term governance.
This is the perfect time to audit your infrastructure and decide what truly deserves to move forward.
Group Policy Rationalization
Start by reviewing all your legacy GPOs. Many of them were designed for environments that no longer exist blocking MSN Messenger or filtering for Windows 7 clients is no longer relevant today. Document everything:
What you currently have
What is still needed
What can be retired
Then, map these to modern Intune Configuration Profiles.
Explore: Migrate Group Policy to Microsoft Intune using the MDM Migration Analysis Tool (MMAT)
Pro Tip: Group Policy Analytics in Intune helps you analyze, compare, and convert existing GPOs into cloud-native policies.
Application Inventory & Rationalization
Next, perform a deep audit of your applications. Identify:
Which apps are still in use
Which were temporary fixes (like registry keys pushed via MSI packages )
Which now have SaaS or web-based alternatives
Do you really need three different PDF editors or multiple browsers? Reducing your application footprint lowers your attack surface, simplifies patching, and reduces zero-day exposure.
For the apps that remain:
Consider repackaging into MSIX for modern deployment
Leverage Winget or Intune’s Win32 App Management for automation
For freeware tools, evaluate trusted repositories or vendor-certified installers
Learn more: Use Win32 app management in Microsoft Intune Learn more: Package and deploy MSIX apps with Intune
Identity & Directory Structure Review
Evaluate your on-premises Active Directory and determine if improvements are needed before hybrid or cloud migration.
Use this opportunity to implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and user personas that align with your Intune and Entra ID strategy.
Reference: Role-based access control (RBAC) with Microsoft Intune
Cross-Platform Device Management
Don’t overlook mobile devices (Android/iOS) and macOS endpoints. Ask key questions:
Are they company-managed or unmanaged?
Do you enforce enrollment and compliance?
Are your apps cross-platform compatible?
Using personas, you can assign policies and applications consistently across devices, delivering a unified, secure experience for users regardless of platform.
Learn more: Manage devices with Microsoft Intune
Good to know: Intune’s macOS management capabilities have evolved significantly app deployment, compliance, and policy enforcement are now fully supported.
Security Alignment
Lastly, always bring your security team into these discussions early. Every decision whether removing legacy apps, changing GPOs, or repackaging installers must align with the organization’s Zero Trust and defense-in-depth strategy.
Explore: Microsoft Zero Trust Framework
Key Goals of this Phase
Conduct a comprehensive audit of GPOs, apps, and AD structure
Identify legacy dependencies and opportunities for modernization
Consolidate redundant tools and reduce attack surface
Prepare role-based personas for future policy targeting
Include all device platforms in your management strategy
Align migration with Zero Trust principles and security baselines
3 - Establish Baseline Configurations and Standards
Now that you have a clear vision of what your Intune environment should look like, it’s time to design your core policies the foundation of every secure and well-governed deployment.
I always recommend starting with security baselines first. These policies serve as the building blocks of your environment and should apply consistently across all devices. The goal is simple: every endpoint should be secure and compliant from the moment it’s provisioned no exceptions.
Start with Security: The Core of Your Configuration
Review your previously analyzed on-premises policies encryption standards, firewall rules, malware protection, and access controls. Then translate these into modern Intune Endpoint Security profiles, which offer more granular control and better integration with Defender for Endpoint and Entra ID.
Learn more: Endpoint Security policies in Microsoft Intune
Learn more: Security Baselines in Intune
Pro Tip: If you’re just starting out, the built-in Microsoft Security Baselines for Windows, Microsoft Defender, and Edge provide an excellent starting point but consider expanding beyond them with custom profiles tailored to your compliance and risk model.
Use Industry Standards for Guidance
You don’t have to build every policy from scratch leverage the global best practices from frameworks like:
CIS (Center for Internet Security) Benchmarks
NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) Recommendations
These frameworks can highlight misconfigurations or risks that might go unnoticed. Even if you don’t apply every control, they help ensure your endpoint posture meets recognized global standards.
Reference: CIS Microsoft 365 & Windows Benchmarks
Reference: NCSC End User Device Guidance
Baseline Validation and Automation
Once your baselines are designed, you should validate your configuration against those standards. If you’re managing an existing tenant, tools like Group Policy Analytics, Microsoft Secure Score, or even custom PowerShell-based audit scripts can help you identify gaps.
Pro Tip: Use Microsoft Secure Score to benchmark your configuration and continuously monitor compliance across your tenant.
Learn more: Microsoft Secure Score Overview
For advanced automation, you can deploy a Landing Zone for Endpoint Management, pre-configured with core Intune, Defender, and compliance settings a method I’ve automated in my own deployment scripts for fast, repeatable results.
Key Goals of this Phase
Establish a security-first approach to configuration management
Define Intune security baselines aligned with organizational policies
Map legacy policies to modern Endpoint Security profiles
Benchmark against CIS and NCSC recommendations
Use Secure Score and analytics tools to validate posture
Automate baseline deployment with repeatable scripts or landing zones
4 - Develop and Apply Configuration & Compliance Policies
After reviewing your Group Policy Objects (GPOs), it’s time to start building your modern configuration framework in Intune. The key principle here is simple: don’t replicate modernize.
From Legacy GPOs to Modern Policies
Begin by removing any configuration already covered by your security baselines. Then, for the remaining settings, create new configuration profiles using the Settings Catalog, which provides the most granular and updated control available in Intune today.
Learn more: Use the Settings Catalog to configure devices in Intune
While Intune technically allows you to import GPOs directly, avoid treating this as a “lift and shift” project. It’s the same logic as migrating virtual machines directly to Azure it works, but it brings legacy complexity and bad configurations with it. Instead, use this opportunity to clean up and modernize your environment.
Policy Structure and Persona-Based Assignments
Define clear personas (such as Sales, IT, Executives, Frontline, etc.) and assign policies based on role-specific needs. This approach improves manageability and prevents misconfigurations across departments.
Learn more: Scope and assignment best practices in Intune
Be careful not to overload a single policy combining hundreds of settings in one profile will make troubleshooting, versioning, and exception handling extremely difficult. Instead, break them down by category or function, such as:
Security Configuration
Productivity Enhancements
Network and Connectivity
User Experience and Restrictions
Pro Tip: Avoid broad “catch-all” configurations for C-levels or IT admins. Use exclusions or dedicated policies to ensure flexibility without losing control.
Naming Standards and Documentation
Every environment benefits from consistency. Adopt a clear naming convention and description format for all your policies.
Bad example:
“Test Policy”
Good example:
“WIN10 | Device Restriction | Password Policy | v1.2 | 2025-10”
Reference: Best practices for naming conventions in Intune
This improves traceability, supports version management, and simplifies collaboration when multiple admins work in the same tenant.
Testing and Deployment Strategy
Never deploy new configurations directly to production. Adopt a ring-based approach, similar to Windows Update rings, to safely validate policies.
Example deployment rings:
Pilot Group – IT admins or test devices
Early Adopters – selected business users
Production – full rollout after validation
For advanced validation, consider maintaining a dedicated Dev Tenant for experimentation. You can easily export and import JSON templates between tenants once validated.
Learn more: Export and import Intune policies using PowerShell or Graph API
Key Goals of this Phase
Replace legacy GPOs with modern Intune configuration profiles
Use Settings Catalog for granular and flexible policy creation
Implement persona-based assignments with minimal overlap
Apply consistent naming and versioning standards
Establish a ringed deployment approach for safe testing
Maintain a Dev Tenant for pre-production validation
5 - Design and Implement Windows Update Rings
Most organizations already have an on-premises Windows Update solution, such as SCCM (Configuration Manager), WSUS, or another patch management tool. When moving to Intune, it’s crucial to transition this workload carefully to avoid update conflicts or policy overlap.
Transitioning from On-Premises to Intune
Once your Update Rings are created in Intune or ideally, if you’re licensed for it, through Windows Autopatch make sure to remove or disable any existing on-premises configurations that control Windows Updates.
If both environments are managing the same devices, on-prem policies take precedence, and Intune configurations will not apply. This can lead to missed updates, inconsistent patch levels, or even compliance failures.
Learn more: Configure Windows Update policies in Intune
Learn more: Overview of Windows Autopatch
Defining Update Rings and Deployment Strategy
When defining your update rings, always consider business impact and device diversity:
Don’t group all IT devices in the same preview ring if an update causes failure, you’ll lose your entire IT team’s endpoints.
Instead, mix devices by hardware model, department, and business-critical roles.
Use early rings (Pilot/Preview) to validate against core business apps, drivers, and firmware dependencies.
Your second ring (Broad Validation) should include a diverse sample of users and configurations before deploying organization-wide.
Pro Tip: Each ring should represent a balance between risk and coverage the goal is to catch potential issues before they impact the entire enterprise.
Simplify with Windows Autopatch
If your organization is licensed for Windows Autopatch, use it. It automates patch deployment, ring management, and rollback handling across your tenant.
Windows Autopatch intelligently categorizes devices into Test, First, Fast, and Broad deployment groups minimizing risk while ensuring consistent update compliance.
Learn more: What is Windows Autopatch?
Key Goals of this Phase
Transition update management fully from on-premises to Intune
Disable or remove conflicting SCCM/WSUS policies
Implement ring-based deployment to minimize business disruption
Validate updates using diverse hardware and department profiles
Utilize Windows Autopatch for automated, intelligent patch cycles
Maintain continuous monitoring of update compliance
6 - Modernize File Storage and Access Management
In the modern workplace, users can provision and operate devices from anywhere in the world. Requiring a VPN connection just to access files is outdated and counterproductive. Traditional drive mappings and legacy file servers were efficient in on-prem environments, but they don’t scale well in a cloud-first model especially when integrating with Entra ID-joined or Autopilot-provisioned devices.
Migrate User Data to OneDrive for Business
For individual user data, OneDrive for Business should be your first step. It provides a seamless, secure, and user-friendly experience that eliminates the complexities of offline file syncs and manual backups.
Key benefits include:
Automatic file synchronization across devices
Point-in-time restore options for end users
Auto-save support in Office applications
Reduced server storage footprint and dependency on VPN
Learn more: Redirect and move Windows known folders to OneDrive
Learn more: Configure OneDrive settings in Intune
Pro Tip: Even though OneDrive includes version history and recovery options, always maintain a centralized backup strategy consider third-party or Microsoft 365-native backup solutions for compliance and disaster recovery.
Modernize Central File Shares
For shared or departmental data, consider moving your on-premises file shares to SharePoint Online or Microsoft Teams (which uses SharePoint as its backend). This enables:
Granular permissions and access controls
Real-time collaboration and co-authoring
Simplified access from Explorer via mapped SharePoint libraries
Elimination of legacy file server maintenance and network dependencies
Learn more: Sync SharePoint libraries with OneDrive
Learn more: Map SharePoint document libraries to File Explorer
You can even configure Intune policies to automatically map SharePoint libraries into Windows File Explorer, providing a native experience without relying on the browser interface.
Pro Tip: If you’re licensed for Intune, chances are you’re already licensed for OneDrive and SharePoint maximize the value of your existing Microsoft 365 subscription.
Interim and Hybrid Access Scenarios
Of course, this migration isn’t instantaneous in many organizations, it becomes a separate parallel project. In the meantime, you may need to maintain hybrid access to file shares for specific workloads.
To achieve this:
Use Rudy Ooms’ ADMX template for drive mappings in Intune
Deploy Kerberos Cloud Trust with Windows Hello for Business (WHfB) to enable seamless access from non-domain joined devices
Learn more: Deploy Kerberos Cloud Trust for hybrid authentication
Learn more: Windows Hello for Business Overview
Key Goals of this Phase
Replace legacy file servers with OneDrive and SharePoint Online
Enable remote, VPN-free file access through Entra ID
Use Intune to deploy OneDrive & SharePoint configurations
Maintain centralized backups for compliance and resilience
Automate drive mappings and permissions via Intune
Implement Kerberos Cloud Trust + WHfB for hybrid access
7 - Integrate and Deploy Network & Cloud Printers
In a cloud-first environment, legacy printers and unmanaged applications are often the final obstacles standing between you and a truly modern endpoint estate. Managing them the same way as before through on-prem GPOs, mapped ports, or manual installs will only create complexity, risk, and frustration.
Printer Modernization: From On-Prem to Cloud
If you’re still relying on traditional print servers, it’s time to rethink your strategy. After the PrintNightmare vulnerabilities, print deployment and management require more control, automation, and identity-based access.
Instead of maintaining legacy print queues, consider:
Microsoft Universal Print – A fully cloud-based print management service integrated with Entra ID and Intune.
Follow-Me Printing solutions – like Papercut MF or YSoft SafeQ, offering secure “pull printing” workflows.
Learn more: Overview of Universal Print
For non-Microsoft printing solutions, you can deploy printers via PowerShell scripts or Win32 app deployments in Intune. Use Kerberos Cloud Trust for seamless authentication between devices and printers in hybrid environments.
Pro Tip: If you’re licensed for Intune and Entra ID, Universal Print is already included eliminating the need for VPN-based printing and legacy print servers altogether.
Deploying Printers via Intune
During the transition, you may need a temporary solution for hybrid or unmanaged devices. You can:
Deploy PowerShell scripts as Proactive Remediations in Intune
Or bundle scripts as Win32 applications for automatic deployment
A great starting point is the Rock My Printers tool by Nicklas Ahlberg, which simplifies printer deployment packaging.
Learn more: Deploy PowerShell scripts in Intune
Application Rationalization and Deployment
Once your application audit is complete, package your software as Win32 or MSIX apps and deploy them through Intune. Always test thoroughly before production rollout including install, uninstall, and update scenarios.
Best Practices:
Create dedicated Entra ID groups for each application (Install / Uninstall).
Use nested group assignments to maintain structure and visibility.
Always define uninstall commands you never know when you’ll need to roll back quickly.
Learn more: Add and assign Win32 apps in Intune
Learn more: Package MSIX apps for deployment
Avoid the legacy MSI Line-of-Business deployment method it’s less reliable, offers limited logging, and often causes dependency issues. It’s better to invest time wrapping your apps as Win32 packages now than spend hours troubleshooting MSI conflicts later.
Office and Core Productivity Apps
For Microsoft 365 Apps, consider packaging the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) as a Win32 application. This approach often delivers smoother installations during Autopilot provisioning compared to Intune’s built-in Office policy deployment.
Learn more: Deploy Microsoft 365 Apps with the Office Deployment Tool
Keep Applications Up to Date
Keeping applications updated isn’t just best practice it’s often a security compliance requirement (e.g., Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 27001, NIST CSF). Manually maintaining updates for browsers and third-party apps like Chrome, Zoom, or Adobe Reader can quickly consume valuable IT time.
To simplify this, use a package manager that automates updates for common applications such as Patch My PC, Winget, or Chocolatey.
Learn more: Use Winget with Intune
Key Goals of this Phase
Transition print management to Universal Print or secure follow-me solutions
Use Kerberos Cloud Trust for seamless authentication
Package and deploy applications as Win32 or MSIX for stability
Implement structured group assignments (Install / Uninstall)
Automate updates using a trusted package manager
Eliminate reliance on MSI LOB deployments and on-prem print servers
8 - Packge, Assign, and Deploy Application
Once your configuration policies, baselines, and applications are in place, it’s time to test your environment end-to-end before full deployment. This is the most crucial stage of your migration where every assumption meets reality.
Testing with Autopilot and Hybrid-Join Scenarios
Begin by provisioning a test device using Windows Autopilot. If your environment includes on-premises dependencies, also hybrid-join a machine to validate directory synchronization, policy application, and certificate-based authentication flows.
Pro Tip: While virtual machines work fine for initial validation, physical devices often reveal hardware-specific issues such as:
Driver conflicts
Firmware or BIOS compatibility problems
TPM or Secure Boot inconsistencies
For flexible cloud-based testing, consider using Windows 365 Cloud PCs, which let you quickly validate Intune, policy assignments, and app installations in isolated environments.
Learn more: Set up Windows Autopilot
Learn more: Windows 365 overview
Validate Policy Application and App Behavior
Once the build completes, review your Intune policy reports:
Confirm that configuration and compliance policies have applied successfully
Investigate any conflicts or pending assignments
Verify that security baselines and Defender for Endpoint policies are enforced
Learn more: Monitor Intune device and policy deployment
Then, move on to application validation:
Test both installation and uninstallation of all apps
Use the Available assignment type where possible it speeds up app validation and lets you confirm user-initiated installs work as expected
Verify dependencies, uninstall scripts, and detection rules function correctly
Why it matters:
The last thing you want is an urgent app uninstall failing during a live incident because it was never tested properly.
Iterative Testing and Peer Review
When you’re done testing test again. Repeat the entire cycle on a fresh device, ideally from a different hardware class or department.
Then, involve another engineer or admin to perform independent testing. Fresh eyes often catch missed configurations, inconsistent behavior, or unassigned profiles.
Remember: this stage determines stability and user experience. If you feel rushed, don’t cut corners call in an experienced expert or MVP who’s seen and resolved these migration scenarios before.
Learn more: Troubleshoot Autopilot deployment
Key Goals of this Phase
Validate Autopilot provisioning and hybrid-join compatibility
Confirm policy application and detect any configuration conflicts
Test application install/uninstall flows thoroughly
Use Available assignments for faster user testing
Perform multi-device and peer review testing
Ensure stability and readiness before production rollout
9 - Conduct End-to-End Testing and Validation
You are likely the only person who fully understands your Intune environment right now and that’s both a strength and a risk. In six months, even you might forget why a certain PowerShell script or exception exists.
That’s why proper documentation is not optional it’s a core part of governance, continuity, and operational resilience.
Document Everything
Every configuration, every workaround, and every PowerShell script deserves documentation. If you’ve used a custom script or temporary fix, make sure it’s clearly recorded along with the reason it was implemented and the devices or policies it impacts.
Pro Tip: Intune evolves rapidly that “custom script” you created today may become a native setting tomorrow. When that happens, you can retire the script and replace it with an official policy, maintaining compliance and reducing maintenance effort.
Learn more: Use Intune management extension PowerShell scripts
You can use tools like:
Microsoft Endpoint Manager Documentation Generator (PowerShell-based)
Graph API exports for JSON-based policy backup
Intune Reporting and Data Warehouse for configuration snapshots
Learn more: Export Intune policies and settings using Graph API
Keep It Living Update Regularly
Documentation isn’t static it must evolve as your environment evolves. Microsoft Intune introduces new features and policy templates frequently, often replacing older methods or merging settings under new experiences.
Set a quarterly review cycle to:
Revalidate your existing policies
Update your documentation
Remove outdated scripts or deprecated settings
Implement improvements based on new capabilities
Learn more: What’s new in Microsoft Intune
Store Documentation Securely and Accessibly
Keep your documentation centralized, version-controlled, and accessible to authorized administrators. Avoid saving it in personal folders like “My Documents” use a shared and secured repository such as:
SharePoint Online / Teams Wiki
OneNote for IT Operations
Azure DevOps Wiki
GitHub private repositories
This ensures continuity even if staff changes occur, and provides a clear audit trail for future assessments or compliance reviews.
Key Goals of this Phase
Document every custom configuration, script, and policy decision
Review documentation quarterly to align with product evolution
Replace temporary fixes with native Intune capabilities
Centralize documentation in secure, shared repositories
Maintain operational transparency and governance
10 - Document Configuration, Procedures, and Learnings
Unlike traditional infrastructure systems, Microsoft Intune does not include built-in backup or rollback functionality. If a policy is deleted, overwritten, or misconfigured, your only recovery option is to manually reconstruct it based on audit logs and even that may not capture every setting.
This makes backup and change management absolutely critical.
Why You Need Intune Backups
Every configuration profile, compliance policy, and app deployment represents hours of work and potentially, the stability of your entire device fleet. A single misclick or bulk edit could disrupt your users or create compliance gaps across the organization.
That’s why it’s best practice to perform a backup snapshot before and after every configuration change, just like you would with a VM snapshot before modifying a server.
Backup and Export Options
While Intune doesn’t natively support full backups, several approaches and tools can help you automate this process:
Microsoft Graph API – Export JSON definitions of all policies, apps, and configuration profiles. Learn more: Export Intune policies using Graph API
Community and Open-Source Tools – There are PowerShell-based utilities (including community projects and MVP-created tools) that automate policy exports, version tracking, and restore operations.
Self-Hosted Backup Portals – If you prefer self-management, deploy a private solution or a licensed backup service to automatically archive your Intune configuration state at regular intervals.
Pro Tip: Schedule backups before major rollouts or feature updates. Even subtle changes in policy structure can cause unexpected results when features evolve within Intune.
Change Management Best Practices
Backup is only half the equation change control ensures consistency and accountability. Establish a lightweight Change Management process that includes:
Version tracking of each policy
Peer review or approval before production changes
Documentation of the reason and expected outcome for every modification
Rollback plans for critical configurations
Learn more: Monitor and troubleshoot Intune changes
This disciplined approach minimizes human error and ensures you can quickly recover or revert changes if something goes wrong.
Key Goals of this Phase
Perform pre- and post-change backups of all configurations
Use Graph API or automation tools for policy exports
Implement a structured change control process
Document all policy modifications and rollback plans
Ensure quick recovery and operational continuity
11 - Implement Backup, Recovery, and Rollback Procedures
There’s often a lot of criticism toward Hybrid Azure AD Join and, in many cases, that criticism is justified. Hybrid join adds complexity when combined with Autopilot provisioning, especially now that Windows Hello for Business and Cloud Trust SSO make pure cloud-join both simpler and more secure.
That said, Hybrid Join still has its place particularly during large-scale transitions where you can’t rebuild every device immediately.
Modern Devices: Go Cloud-Only
For new devices or rebuild scenarios, always opt for Autopilot with Azure AD Join. This gives you:
Full cloud-native management via Intune
Seamless authentication with Entra ID + Cloud Trust
Simplified lifecycle operations (reset, redeploy, retire)
Learn more: Windows Autopilot Deployment Overview Learn more: Plan your Azure AD Join strategy
Pro Tip: Pairing Azure AD Join with Windows Hello for Business eliminates the need for VPN authentication and delivers passwordless access through device-based trust.
Existing Devices: Leverage Hybrid Join for Gradual Transition
Nobody expects you to reimage every existing machine overnight that’s neither practical nor efficient. Instead, you can hybrid-join existing on-prem devices to Entra ID, allowing Intune to manage them alongside your new, fully cloud-joined endpoints.
To maintain consistency:
Move hybrid-joined devices into a dedicated OU without legacy GPOs
Apply Intune-based policies and apps across all machines
Use this approach as an intermediate phase toward full modern management
Learn more: Hybrid Azure AD Join overview and deployment guide
This hybrid coexistence ensures a unified MDM platform while you progressively retire legacy systems and replace hardware over time.
Gradual Modernization and Lifecycle Renewal
As devices reach end-of-life or fail, use that as the perfect opportunity to rebuild them using Autopilot with Azure AD Join steadily shifting your organization toward a fully modern, cloud-managed environment.
Over time, you’ll reduce infrastructure dependencies, eliminate GPO overhead, and simplify endpoint lifecycle management.
Key Goals of this Phase
Use Hybrid Join only as a transitional bridge not a permanent state
Migrate new or rebuilt devices to Azure AD Join with Autopilot
Consolidate management under a single MDM (Intune)
Decommission legacy GPOs and dependencies gradually
Implement Windows Hello for Business + Cloud Trust for SSO
Achieve a fully cloud-native endpoint ecosystem
12 - Execute Migration Plan – Considerations for Hybrid Environments
There’s plenty of skepticism around Hybrid Azure AD Join and, in many scenarios, it’s justified. Hybrid adds operational complexity when paired with Autopilot, especially now that Windows Hello for Business (WHfB) and Cloud Trust SSO make cloud-only (Entra ID-joined) devices simpler, more secure, and easier to operate.
That said, hybrid still has a role as a transitional bridge during large rollouts where a full rebuild of every device isn’t feasible on day one.
Cloud-Only for New and Rebuilt Devices
For net-new devices or device rebuilds, standardize on Autopilot with Entra ID (Azure AD) Join:
Cloud-native management via Intune
Passwordless access with WHfB + Cloud Trust
Streamlined lifecycle: provision → reset → redeploy → retire
Hybrid Join for Existing Endpoints (Transitional)
No one expects you to reimage the entire fleet overnight. For existing machines:
Hybrid-join them to Entra ID to bring them under Intune for apps, policies, and compliance.
Move devices to a clean OU with no legacy GPOs to avoid policy conflicts.
Manage all devices from the same MDM (Intune) while you phase out legacy dependencies.
Gradual Renewal, Continuous Modernization
As devices age out, fail, or return from repair, take the opportunity to rebuild with Autopilot and convert them to cloud-only. Over time you’ll:
Reduce on-prem footprint and GPO overhead
Simplify support and security baselines
Achieve a fully modern, cloud-managed endpoint estate
Key Goals of this Phase
Treat Hybrid Join as a temporary bridge, not the final state
Default new/rebuilt endpoints to Autopilot + Entra ID Join
Consolidate management under Intune for all devices
Use clean OUs (no GPOs) for hybrid-joined machines to prevent drift
Leverage WHfB + Cloud Trust SSO to remove VPN/password frictions
Replace hardware and modernize at natural lifecycle events
Closing note:
This staged approach allows you to deliver value early, maintain operational stability, and progress steadily toward a secure, scalable, and cloud-first endpoint environment.
If you’d like guidance or collaboration with planning, implementation, or migration, I’m always open to support and share insights from real-world Intune and Autopilot projects.
Final Thoughts
This journey isn’t about speed it’s about strategy, alignment, and continuous improvement. Each phase builds upon the last, moving your organization closer to a secure, scalable, and fully modern endpoint environment.
Thank you!
Ricardo Barbosa
Microsoft MVP | Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)
Intune & Cloud Architect | Technology Director at Altelix.com