Microsoft has rolled out a significant update to Intune, its cloud-based endpoint management solution, introducing new hardware checks to bolster Windows 11 security. This enhancement aims to ensure devices meet the stringent hardware requirements of Windows 11 while providing IT administrators with greater control over device compliance.

What’s New in the Microsoft Intune Update?

The latest Intune update introduces hardware-based security checks that verify whether a device meets Windows 11’s minimum system requirements. These checks include:

  • TPM 2.0 verification – Ensures Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 is present and enabled.
  • Secure Boot validation – Confirms Secure Boot is active to prevent unauthorized firmware modifications.
  • CPU generation check – Validates that the processor is from a supported generation.
  • RAM and storage verification – Confirms devices have at least 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.

Why These Hardware Checks Matter

Windows 11 was designed with enhanced security as a core principle, requiring modern hardware to support features like Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) and Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI).

  • Prevents unauthorized upgrades – Organizations can block non-compliant devices from upgrading to Windows 11.
  • Reduces security risks – Ensures only devices with hardware-level security protections can access corporate resources.
  • Simplifies compliance management – IT teams can enforce policies without manual checks.

How IT Admins Can Configure These Checks

Microsoft Intune now allows administrators to set conditional access policies based on hardware compliance. Here’s how to implement them:

  1. Navigate to Endpoint Security in the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center.
  2. Select Device Compliance and create a new policy for Windows 11.
  3. Enable hardware checks under the Compliance Settings tab.
  4. Assign the policy to relevant user groups.

Impact on Enterprises and End Users

For enterprises, this update ensures only secure devices access sensitive data, reducing the risk of breaches. For end users, it means a more secure computing environment, though some older devices may no longer be eligible for upgrades.

Future Outlook

Microsoft continues to prioritize zero-trust security, and future Intune updates may include:

  • Deeper firmware checks for BIOS/UEFI security.
  • Expanded hardware attestation for hybrid work environments.
  • Automated remediation for non-compliant devices.

Conclusion

This Intune update reinforces Microsoft’s commitment to hardware-enforced security in Windows 11. IT administrators should review their device fleets and update compliance policies to leverage these new protections.