In-Depth Guide: Configuring Windows Hello for Business with Microsoft Intune
Modern enterprises are moving beyond passwords to more secure, user-friendly authentication. Windows Hello for Business (WHfB) replaces traditional passwords with device-bound credentials—PINs or biometrics—backed by cryptographic keys stored in hardware. When paired with Microsoft Intune, you can enforce WHfB across your Windows 10 and 11 fleet, ensuring consistent security and a seamless sign-in experience.
What Is Windows Hello for Business?
Windows Hello for Business is a passwordless sign-in solution that uses strong two-factor authentication. It verifies identity through:
- PIN: A device-specific numeric or alphanumeric code. This isn’t sent over the network—instead it unlocks cryptographic keys stored securely in the device’s TPM (Trusted Platform Module).
- Fingerprint: A biometric scan matched against a template stored in the TPM.
- Facial Recognition: Infrared-based facial scan compared to a trusted profile, stored locally.
All credentials are device-bound. During enrollment, WHfB generates a public/private key pair unique to that device. The private key never leaves the TPM, preventing extraction by malware or OS-level attacks. Sign-in requires both possession of the enrolled device and successful biometric or PIN verification.
Why Use Windows Hello for Business?
- Enhanced Security: Cryptographic keys are more resistant to phishing, replay attacks, and credential theft than passwords.
- User Convenience: Quick PIN or biometric gestures streamline sign-in, reducing helpdesk password reset requests.
- Compliance: Meets regulatory requirements for multifactor authentication without requiring extra hardware tokens.
- Hybrid & Cloud Support: Works with both Azure AD and on-premises Active Directory (with Azure AD hybrid join), enabling seamless integration across environments.
Configuration Methods in Intune
Intune offers four main ways to deploy WHfB settings:
- Enrollment (Tenant-Wide) Policy
Automatically provisions WHfB during Windows Autopilot or manual enrollment. - Endpoint Security → Account Protection Profiles
Enforces WHfB settings post-enrollment with a focused security policy. - Settings Catalog
Provides granular control over every WHfB parameter—PIN complexity, biometric options, TPM requirements. - Security Baselines
Include WHfB defaults as part of Microsoft’s recommended baseline configurations.
Step-by-Step: Configuring WHfB via Enrollment Policy
- Sign in to the Intune Admin Center (https://intune.microsoft.com).
- Go to Devices → Windows → Windows enrollment → Windows Hello for Business.
- Choose the configuration state:
- Enabled: Automatically provisions WHfB during device enrollment.
- Disabled: Blocks any WHfB setup.
- Not configured: Leaves WHfB to user choice or other policies.
- When Enabled, fine-tune settings:
- PIN complexity: Minimum length, character requirements, expiration, reuse history.
- Biometric options: Enable fingerprint, facial recognition, or both.
- TPM enforcement: Require TPM 2.0 in tested or secure mode.
- Click Save. All new and re-enrolled devices will follow these defaults.
Step-by-Step: Configuring WHfB via Account Protection Profile
- In Intune Admin, navigate to Endpoint security → Account protection → + Create policy.
- Select Platform: Windows 10 and later and Profile: Windows Hello for Business.
- Configure your key settings:
- Enable Windows Hello for Business toggle.
- PIN rules: Enforce minimum length, complexity, expiration cycle, history.
- Biometric options: Allow or block fingerprint and facial recognition.
- TPM requirements: Mandate TPM presence and mode.
- Assign the profile to specific user or device groups—target only your Windows 10/11 machines.
- Review the summary and click Create. Devices will enforce these settings on next check-in.
Advanced Control with Settings Catalog
For complete parameter control, use the Settings catalog:
- Go to Devices → Configuration profiles → Create profile.
- Platform: Windows 10 and later.
- Profile type: Settings catalog.
- In the catalog, search Windows Hello for Business.
- Select each relevant setting—PIN complexity, biometric enablement, TPM configuration, certificate issuance options.
- Save, assign to groups, and deploy. This approach suits organizations needing nonstandard or highly restrictive configurations.
Security Baselines with Built-In WHfB Options
Microsoft’s Security Baselines include a default WHfB configuration. To leverage:
- Go to Endpoint security → Security baselines.
- Choose the baseline for your OS (Windows 10 or 11).
- In the baseline settings, locate the Windows Hello for Business section.
- Review default PIN and biometric rules and adjust if needed.
- Assign the baseline to devices.
Security baselines offer a vetted starting point, reducing the effort to align with industry best practices.
Testing and Validation
- Enroll a test device via Autopilot or manually.
- Verify enrollment policy provisions WHfB automatically.
- Test PIN and biometric sign-in to confirm functionality.
- Review device compliance in Intune to ensure WHfB settings applied.
- Monitor event logs on the device under Applications and Services Logs → Microsoft → Windows → HelloForBusiness for provisioning and sign-in events.
Exam & Real-World Considerations
- Know how WHfB replaces passwords with device-bound cryptographic keys.
- Understand each Intune configuration method and when to use it.
- Be able to create and assign WHfB policies via enrollment, account protection, settings catalog, and baselines.
- Recognize how WHfB integrates into hybrid Azure AD join and Autopilot scenarios.
Implementing Windows Hello for Business with Intune not only strengthens security with passwordless authentication but also delivers a smoother sign-in experience for users. By choosing the right configuration method—whether it’s tenant-wide enrollment, endpoint security profiles, granular settings, or security baselines—you can tailor WHfB to meet your organization’s needs and compliance requirements.
