X

Photos: Windows Intune

What does Microsoft's cloud-based systems management service look like on the desktop? Take our tour of Windows Intune to find out.
By Simon Bisson, Contributor
intuneclientsetup.jpg
1 of 11 Simon Bisson/ZDNET

Installing the Intune agent on a PC is a simple process, with no user intervention required. Put the installer on a share, or send it via email to let your users connect to Intune.

intuneintunecenter.jpg
2 of 11 Simon Bisson/ZDNET

Users can work with Intune from the Intune Center, where they can check for updates, ensure they have the latest malware protection, or ask for help form a support desk.

intuneendpointprotection.jpg
3 of 11 Simon Bisson/ZDNET

Along with its management agent, Intune's client software includes a version of Forefront Endpoint Protection, replacing the anti-malware tools on a managed PC.

intunemultiaccount.jpg
4 of 11 Simon Bisson/ZDNET

The release version of Windows Intune adds support for administrators to work with multiple accounts, with an overview of the situation in each account when they log on.

intunesystemoverview.jpg
5 of 11 Simon Bisson/ZDNET

The Windows Intune web service gives you an overview of your managed PCs, indicating any security issues and flagging alerts that need to be resolved.

intuneupdatesoverview.jpg
6 of 11 Simon Bisson/ZDNET

You can get a quick feel for what needs to be done from the Updates Overview, seeing what updates Intune has ready to deploy, and what's waiting to be installed on managed PCs.

intuneupdates.jpg
7 of 11 Simon Bisson/ZDNET

Drilling down into Intune's update list allows you to see just what each update is, so you can approve the updates you want to deploy.

intuneunassigned.jpg
8 of 11 Simon Bisson/ZDNET

PCs with management software installed are automatically placed in the Unassigned Computers group, where you can handle basic management tasks before assigned them to groups for more specific actions.

intuneaddtogroup.jpg
9 of 11 Simon Bisson/ZDNET

Managed computers can be placed in groups, which can then be used to control policies and to manage which users get which updates.

intunedetails.jpg
10 of 11 Simon Bisson/ZDNET

Use Intune's details view to drill down into the state of individual PCs. You can see what updates they need, whether there are any alerts associated with a machine, and the state of its malware protection.

intunesoftwareaudit.jpg
11 of 11 Simon Bisson/ZDNET

You can use Intune to see just what software is installed on which PC, which helps keep track of deployed applications and ensure you have the right number of licences. You can also use it to track down issues with specific applications and proactively deliver updates.

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes
Holiday lights in Central Park background

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes

21 Photos
Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting
Wooden lodge in pine forest with heavy snow reflection on Lake O'hara at Yoho national park

Related Galleries

Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting

21 Photos
Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes
3D Rendering Christmas interior

Related Galleries

Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes

21 Photos
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza
img-8825

Related Galleries

Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza

26 Photos
A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex
img-9792-2

Related Galleries

A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex

22 Photos
Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup
shutterstock-1024665187.jpg

Related Galleries

Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup

8 Photos
Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'
Full of promises!

Related Galleries

Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'

8 Photos