Understanding Configuration Profiles in Intune: Importance and Setup Guide
- Tek Doyen
- Dec 18, 2025
- 3 min read
Configuration profiles in Intune are templates of settings that control how managed devices behave. They are needed to enforce security, standardize user experience, and ensure compliance across Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS devices. You set them up in the Intune admin center by choosing a profile type (template or settings catalog), configuring the desired settings, and assigning the profile to user or device groups.
🔎 What Are Configuration Profiles?
Definition: A configuration profile in Microsoft Intune is a collection of device settings and rules that you deploy to managed devices.
Purpose: They define how devices should operate—covering security, features, restrictions, and user experience.
Scope: Profiles can be applied to individual devices, groups of devices, or users across multiple platforms (Windows, iOS/iPadOS, Android, macOS).
⚡ Why Are They Needed?
Security Enforcement: Protect corporate data by enforcing encryption, password policies, and compliance baselines.
Standardization: Ensure all devices follow the same configuration, reducing IT overhead.
User Productivity: Configure Wi-Fi, VPN, email, and app settings automatically so users can work without manual setup.
Compliance: Meet organizational or regulatory requirements by applying consistent policies.
🛠️ How to Set Up Configuration Profiles
Go to Intune Admin Center Navigate to Devices > Configuration profiles > Create profile.
Choose Platform & Profile Type
Templates: Predefined sets of settings (e.g., Wi-Fi, VPN, email).
Settings Catalog: A comprehensive list of all available settings for granular control.
Security Baselines: Recommended security configurations from Microsoft for Windows devices.
Configure Settings Define the rules (e.g., password length, encryption, app restrictions, network settings).
Assign to Groups Target specific Azure AD groups of users or devices.
Monitor & Troubleshoot Use Intune’s reporting tools to check deployment status and compliance.
✅ Best Practices
Start with security baselines for Windows devices.
Use scope tags to delegate management across teams.
Apply applicability rules to ensure profiles only target relevant devices.
Test profiles on a pilot group before broad deployment.
📶 Example: Creating a Wi-Fi Configuration Profile in Intune
1. Navigate to Configuration Profiles
Go to the Microsoft Intune admin center: https://endpoint.microsoft.com
Select Devices > Configuration profiles > Create profile.
2. Choose Platform & Profile Type
Platform: Select the OS you want to configure (e.g., Windows 10 and later, iOS/iPadOS, Android Enterprise, or macOS).
Profile type: Choose Templates > Wi-Fi.
3. Configure Wi-Fi Settings
Fill in the required details:
Network name (SSID): The Wi-Fi network identifier (e.g., CorpNet).
Connection type: Choose Enterprise (for secure networks with authentication) or Basic (for open/pre-shared key networks).
Authentication method: Options include WPA2-Enterprise, WPA3, or pre-shared key.
EAP type: If using enterprise authentication, select the appropriate Extensible Authentication Protocol (e.g., PEAP, TLS).
Certificates: Upload or reference certificates if required for authentication.
Automatic connection: Enable so devices connect automatically when in range.
4. Assign the Profile
Select Assignments and choose the Azure AD groups (users or devices) that should receive the profile.
Example: Assign to All Corporate Devices group.
5. Review & Create
Review the configuration.
Click Create to deploy the profile.
6. Monitor Deployment
Go to Devices > Configuration profiles.
Check Deployment status to confirm devices are receiving and applying the profile.
✅ Benefits of Wi-Fi Profiles
Users don’t need to manually enter SSID or passwords.
Ensures secure authentication with certificates.
Reduces helpdesk calls for connectivity issues.
Standardizes access across all managed devices.
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