Group Policy (GP) and Intune Policy (Microsoft Intune) Including their Functionality & Differences with Examples (2024)

Group Policy (GP) and Intune Policy (Microsoft Intune) are both policy management solutions provided by Microsoft. While they share some similarities, they target different types of devices and environments. Let's explore their functionality and differences, along with examples:

Group Policy (GP):

Functionality:

1. Group Policy is a feature of Microsoft Windows Active Directory. It is used to manage and configure settings for computers and users within a Windows domain environment.
2. GP primarily targets Windows-based devices (e.g., desktops, laptops) and allows administrators to control various aspects of the operating system and applications.
3. It relies on the Group Policy Object (GPO) framework to apply configurations based on Organizational Units (OUs) in Active Directory.
4. Group Policy settings are applied when the devices are connected to the on-premises Active Directory domain.

Intune Policy:

Functionality:

1. Intune Policy, part of Microsoft Intune, is a cloud-based Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Mobile Application Management (MAM) solution.
2. Intune is designed to manage mobile devices (iOS, Android) and Windows 10 devices (including Windows 10 PCs).
3. It allows administrators to apply policies and configurations over the air, making it suitable for devices that are not connected to the local network or are managed remotely.

Differences:

1. Device Types:

Group Policy primarily targets Windows-based computers within an on-premises Active Directory domain. In contrast, Intune Policy supports mobile devices (iOS, Android) and Windows 10 devices (including PCs), both on-premises and remotely.

2. Management Scope:

Group Policy is designed for on-premises management within an Active Directory environment. Intune, on the other hand, is cloud-based and allows for over-the-air management of devices, making it suitable for remote and mobile device management scenarios.

3. Cloud-Based vs. On-Premises:

Group Policy settings are applied from on-premises Active Directory domain controllers, while Intune Policy settings are managed and applied through the cloud-based Intune management console.

4. Platform Independence:

Intune Policy is platform-independent, allowing management of devices running various operating systems, including iOS, Android, and Windows, making it suitable for modern, diverse IT environments.

In summary, Group Policy is focused on managing Windows-based devices within an on-premises Active Directory domain, while Intune Policy is designed to manage mobile devices (iOS, Android) and Windows 10 devices both on-premises and remotely through a cloud-based solution. Organizations may use both solutions together to manage a mixed IT environment with Windows and mobile devices.