Microsoft Intune March 2025 Update: Key Features for Device Management

Microsoft Intune’s March 2025 update is turning heads in the IT community with a host of new features designed to streamline device management and bolster enterprise security. The latest release from Microsoft Intune, as highlighted by Petri IT Knowledgebase, introduces automated policies for Apple devices, an exciting public preview of Windows Autopilot device preparation for Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PCs, expanded Remote Help functionalities, and enhanced management for Samsung Knox devices. Let’s dive into these updates and explore their implications for IT administrators.

A Fresh Perspective on Device Management​

Microsoft Intune is once again raising the bar with its March 2025 update. In a rapidly evolving tech environment, enterprise mobility platforms must not only keep pace but also anticipate future management needs. This update embodies that philosophy by introducing features that allow IT admins to manage devices more effectively and securely.
Key enhancements include:

• Automatic update policies for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices.
• A public preview for Windows Autopilot device preparation on Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PCs, ensuring critical configurations are applied before user sign-in.
• Improvements to Remote Help for multisession Azure Virtual Desktop VMs, bolstering support and security.
• New capabilities for managing Samsung Knox devices, enhancing security and streamlining Android Enterprise deployments.

These improvements are not just incremental but strategic moves to simplify everyday management in a diverse computing landscape. Let’s unpack each major update.

Automated Apple Device Management​

Apple’s Declarative Device Management (DDM) has recently rolled out new controls for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, giving enterprise administrators a more powerful way to enforce update policies. Microsoft Intune now leverages these advancements to automate what was once a painstaking manual process.

What’s New?​

• Automatic OS Update Policies: Administrators can now create policies that automatically maintain Apple devices on the latest operating system. Instead of manually updating policies whenever a new OS version is released, IT admins can rely on automation to keep devices current.
• Customizable Deployment Strategies: With group assignments and time delays, IT teams can roll out updates to a small subset of devices initially, monitor outcomes, and then deploy on a broader scale. This phased approach minimizes disruption while ensuring robust compliance.

Benefits for IT Admins​

• Efficiency: Automation reduces manual intervention, freeing up precious time for more strategic tasks.
• Security: Keeping devices updated is crucial for patching vulnerabilities—a key focus given Microsoft security patches and evolving cybersecurity advisories.
• Flexibility: Custom deployment timings allow teams to test and validate updates in their environment before a full-scale rollout.

Key Takeaway​

The new automated update policies for Apple devices exemplify how Microsoft Intune is aligning with industry trends. As Apple updates its DDM controls, Intune’s ability to adapt ensures that enterprises maintain a secure, resilient IT environment without the administrative overhead of constant manual adjustments.

Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PCs: Enhancing Shared Device Deployments​

Shared device experiences have become increasingly relevant, especially in scenarios such as call centers, retail, and other frontline operations. With the Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PCs update, Microsoft brings the power of Windows Autopilot into shared environments with greater assurance that device configurations are applied promptly.

Key Updates in Shared Device Mode​

• Public Preview of Windows Autopilot Device Preparation: Microsoft is rolling out a public preview for device preparation provisioning specifically tailored to Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PCs in shared mode.
• Automatic Mode for Device Preparation: The new capability leverages Intune’s automatic mode to deploy necessary apps and scripts before the user even signs in, ensuring that every shared session meets the required configuration standards.
• Step-by-Step Configuration: IT admins now need to:
  1. Create a dedicated Device Group.
  2. Assign essential apps and scripts to this group.
  3. Develop a device preparation profile in automatic mode.
  4. Establish a provisioning policy tailored for shared Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PCs.

Advantages​

• Pre-Sign-In Configuration: By ensuring configurations are in place prior to user logins, IT departments can guarantee that the shared environment remains secure and compliant.
• Streamlined Management: With shared mode, multiple users can utilize a single cloud PC seamlessly, enabling efficient resource allocation.
• Enhanced User Experience: A consistent and non-personalized desktop experience reduces configuration errors and increases productivity.

Key Takeaway​

The integration of Windows Autopilot into the Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PCs ecosystem represents an important shift toward automated, secure, and efficient shared device management. For organizations relying on shared resources, this update is a welcome advancement that simplifies provisioning and enhances operational consistency.

Remote Help for Azure Virtual Desktop Multisession VMs​

Remote support is the backbone of effective IT management, and Microsoft is keenly aware of this necessity. With enhancements in Remote Help for Azure Virtual Desktop multisession VMs, Microsoft Intune is offering a more secure way for IT teams to provide assistance.

What’s Improved?​

• Enhanced Remote Help Experience: The update brings a more secure and supported Remote Help experience for multisession VMs within the Azure Virtual Desktop ecosystem.
• Security-Focused Design: By tightening the reporting and monitoring mechanisms, IT security teams benefit from improved oversight in remote troubleshooting sessions. This is especially important given today’s cybersecurity advisories and heightened focus on threat prevention.

Use Case in Practice​

Imagine an organization with numerous multisession VMs where help requests increasingly come from frontline employees encountering routine issues. With the updated Remote Help functionality, IT administrators can:

• Get real-time insights into user sessions.
• Run diagnostics without disrupting the session.
• Provide targeted and secure support, ensuring that the troubleshooting process itself does not expose vulnerabilities.

Key Takeaway​

The enhanced Remote Help capabilities for Azure Virtual Desktop bolster IT support—a critical component when managing a large-scale enterprise environment. This update promises not only improved support workflows but also an elevated security posture for remote troubleshooting.

Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment: A New Era for Android Enterprise​

In an era where mobile security is paramount, the partnership between Microsoft and Samsung is a strategic move aimed at reinforcing device management capabilities, particularly for Android Enterprise.

What’s New?​

• Seamless Device Enrollment: Leveraging the Knox Mobile Enrollment tool, IT administrators can now simultaneously enroll multiple Samsung Galaxy devices. This applies to an array of device types, including dedicated, fully managed, and corporate-owned devices with a work profile.
• Enhanced Security Measures: Samsung Knox’s hardware-backed attestation mechanisms ensure that enrolled devices operate within a secure environment. This not only improves integrity but also enables stringent control over application usage on these devices.
• Centralized Management: Administrators gain greater control over application permissions and device policies, aligning mobile device security with broader enterprise cybersecurity strategies.

Benefits for Organizations​

• Operational Efficiency: Bulk enrollment through Knox Mobile Enrollment reduces setup time and administrative overhead.
• Stringent Security: Enhanced hardware-backed attestation ensures devices remain secure against sophisticated threats, a critical advantage paired with Microsoft security patches.
• Unified Management: Integration with Microsoft Intune means that Android devices are managed alongside Windows and Apple devices in a single pane of glass—a definite win for cohesive IT management.

Key Takeaway​

The new capabilities for Samsung Knox devices mark a significant stride toward unified endpoint management. By facilitating bulk enrollment and providing enhanced security, Microsoft Intune and Samsung Knox together offer a robust solution for managing the diverse array of devices found in a modern enterprise.

Implications for IT Administrators​

The March 2025 updates to Microsoft Intune are a treasure trove for IT administrators seeking to enhance efficiency, security, and user experience across multiple platforms. Here are some actionable insights:

• Adopt Automation: With Apple devices automatically kept up-to-date, shift your focus from manual policy tweaks to strategic initiatives. This frees up resources for other critical security and management tasks.
• Leverage Shared Cloud PCs: Utilize the public preview for Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PCs to ensure your shared device environments meet compliance and performance benchmarks before full-scale deployment.
• Utilize Enhanced Support Tools: With the Remote Help improvements in Azure Virtual Desktop, streamline your support workflows and bolster your security framework during troubleshooting.
• Simplify Android Management: Capitalize on the new Samsung Knox integration to enroll and manage Android Enterprise devices effortlessly, ensuring they meet your organization’s security standards from the get-go.

A Glimpse into the Future of Enterprise Device Management​

The relentless pace of technological change demands that IT solutions continually evolve. Microsoft Intune’s latest update not only addresses current needs but also positions enterprises for future challenges. As companies increasingly adopt hybrid work models and diverse device ecosystems—from cloud PCs to mobile endpoints—the need for a unified, automated management solution grows ever more critical.
Some future directions to consider:

• Expansion of Automated Policies: As more operating systems incorporate automated management features, expect future releases of Intune to further refine these capabilities.
• Deeper Integration with Cloud Services: The seamless provisioning of Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PCs is just the beginning. Look for more integrations that provide a converged management experience across cloud and on-premise platforms.
• Enhanced Cybersecurity Features: With escalating cybersecurity threats, advanced security features like hardware-backed attestation and fortified Remote Help sessions will be pivotal in safeguarding organizations.

Conclusion​

Microsoft Intune’s March 2025 updates represent a significant leap forward in enterprise device management. From automated update policies for Apple devices to the public preview of Windows Autopilot device preparation for Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PCs, and from enhanced Remote Help for Azure Virtual Desktop multisession VMs to streamlined enrollment for Samsung Knox devices—the updates are designed to make IT administration more efficient and secure.
Key points summarized:

• Automated OS update policies for Apple using Declarative Device Management.
• Streamlined Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PC provisioning through Windows Autopilot’s public preview.
• Improved Remote Help capabilities for multisession Azure Virtual Desktop VMs.
• Simplified and secure management of Samsung Knox-enabled Android devices.

As these solutions are deployed, IT professionals should consider updating their administrative practices to embrace these new efficiencies. For those interested in further details on Microsoft Intune updates and related Microsoft security patches or Windows 11 updates, keeping abreast of the latest cybersecurity advisories and best practices is essential.
The future of IT management is here—automated, secure, and seamlessly integrated across platforms. It’s an exciting time for IT professionals who now have even more robust tools at their disposal to manage the complex landscape of enterprise devices. As always, smart management is the key to turning technological innovation into tangible business advantage.
This comprehensive update invites organizations to rethink their IT strategies and opens opportunities for innovation in device management practices, making every enterprise session safer and more productive.

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Source: Petri IT Knowledgebase What’s new in Microsoft Intune - March 2025