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 Title: A Guide to Enrolling Devices into Microsoft Intune: Exploring Different Methods.

In today’s increasingly mobile workforce, ensuring that devices are secure and compliant is more important than ever. Microsoft Intune provides a comprehensive solution for managing devices, applications, and data—especially as more organizations adopt cloud-based management strategies. However, to effectively manage devices with Intune, they first need to be enrolled.

In this article, we’ll explore the three primary methods of enrolling devices into Microsoft Intune: Azure AD Join, Company Portal, and Work or School Account enrollment. Each method has its own use cases and advantages, depending on the organization's needs.

1. Enrolling via Microsoft Entra (Azure AD Join)

Azure AD Join is used when an organization wants to fully manage corporate devices in the cloud, with no reliance on on-premises Active Directory (AD). This method is ideal for organizations that have transitioned to a cloud-first strategy and wish to manage their devices entirely through Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) and Microsoft Intune.

How It Works:

1. Device Setup: During the setup process, the user signs into their device using their work or school account.

2. Azure AD Join: The device is automatically joined to Azure AD during the setup. This means the device is now part of your organization's directory.

3. Intune Enrollment: Once the device is Azure AD-joined, Microsoft Intune automatically takes over to apply organizational policies, configure settings, and enforce security protocols like encryption and password requirements.

Ideal For:

• Corporate-owned devices that are fully managed in the cloud.

• Organizations that are moving to a cloud-only infrastructure and have no need for on-premises Active Directory.

Example:

A new laptop for an employee is set up with Azure AD Join. The employee logs in with their corporate credentials, and the laptop is automatically enrolled in Intune, ensuring it complies with company security policies and configurations.

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2. Enrolling via Company Portal (Office Portal)

The Company Portal app is used primarily for enrolling personal devices (BYOD) into Microsoft Intune. This method is ideal for organizations that want employees to use their own devices for work but still need to enforce security policies to protect corporate data.

How It Works:

1. Install Company Portal: The user downloads the Company Portal app from the Microsoft Store, App Store, or Google Play, depending on their device.

2. Sign In: The user signs in to the app with their work or school account.

3. Device Enrollment: The Company Portal app guides the user through the enrollment process, which may include setting up a passcode, enabling encryption, and granting the organization permissions to manage the device.

4. Intune Management: Once the device is enrolled, Intune applies the necessary security policies, manages apps, and monitors compliance with corporate policies.

Ideal For:

• Personal devices (BYOD) that need to access corporate resources but remain under the user’s control.

• Employees working from remote locations or using mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

Example:

An employee wants to use their personal Android phone to access corporate email. They install the Company Portal app, sign in with their work credentials, and the device is enrolled in Intune, which applies necessary security policies, such as enforcing device encryption and a PIN.

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3. Enrolling via Work or School Account (Automatic Enrollment)

This method is often used when the organization’s devices are already part of Azure AD. It enables automatic enrollment into Intune when users add a work or school account to their device. This method is commonly used for Windows 10/11 devices.

How It Works:

1. Add Work Account: The user navigates to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school on their Windows 10/11 device.

2. Sign In: The user clicks Add work or school account and signs in with their Azure AD credentials.

3. Automatic Enrollment: Once the device is added, Azure AD enrollment is triggered automatically. The device is immediately registered in Intune, and management policies (such as security configurations, app deployments, and compliance rules) are applied.

Ideal For:

• Windows 10/11 devices that are already part of Azure AD and need to be automatically enrolled in Intune for cloud-based management.

• Employees who are using company-provided devices and need seamless integration with Azure AD and Intune.

Example:

An employee receives a new Windows 11 laptop. The employee goes to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school, adds their work account, and the device is automatically enrolled in Intune. All required security policies, apps, and updates are then pushed to the device automatically.

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Comparing the Enrollment Methods

Method	Best For	Device Types	Management Type
Azure AD Join	Corporate-owned devices requiring full cloud management	Windows 10/11 Pro/Enterprise	Full Azure AD join + Intune management
Company Portal	BYOD (personal devices) or non-Azure AD-joined devices	iOS, Android, Windows	Device management through Intune
Work or School Account Enrollment	Windows devices that are part of Azure AD	Primarily Windows 10/11	Automatic enrollment via Azure AD + Intune

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Conclusion: Choosing the Right Enrollment Method

When selecting an enrollment method for Intune, it’s important to consider your organization's device management strategy, the type of devices being used, and the level of control required.

• Azure AD Join is the go-to method for organizations managing corporate devices in a cloud-only environment, ensuring full control over device configurations and compliance.

• The Company Portal is perfect for employees using personal devices (BYOD) to access corporate resources while maintaining a level of security through Intune.

• Work or School Account Enrollment offers an automated and seamless experience for Windows 10/11 devices already part of Azure AD, ensuring devices are automatically enrolled and fully managed.

Each method provides unique benefits to help organizations securely manage their devices while enabling a productive and flexible work environment.

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🔗 #AzureAD | #Intune | #CloudManagement | #MobileDeviceManagement | #BYOD | #Security | #DeviceManagement