Migrate from GPO to Intune Configuration Policies for Hybrid Devices: A Complete Guide
Many organizations still rely on traditional Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to manage Windows settings across on-premises environments. While GPOs are powerful, they were designed for a different era — one where devices rarely left the corporate network.
Today’s hybrid workplaces require flexibility, cloud control, and zero-trust security. That’s where Microsoft Intune and Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies come in. Migrating from GPO to Intune allows you to manage policies anywhere, on any network, without relying on domain connectivity.
This article explains the best way to transition from GPO to Intune Configuration Policies for hybrid devices — safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption.
Why Move from GPO to Intune?
Before diving into migration steps, it’s important to understand why this shift matters.
| GPO | Intune Configuration Policies |
|---|---|
| Requires on-prem Active Directory | Works with Entra ID (Azure AD) |
| Limited to network-connected devices | Cloud-based management (internet or corporate) |
| No native mobile device support | Supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Reactive updates (logon/startup) | Real-time sync and reporting |
| Complex VPN dependencies | Simplified remote device control |
| Manual reporting | Integrated compliance and analytics |
Intune offers cloud-native management, continuous updates, and integration with Endpoint Security, Windows Update for Business, and Defender for Endpoint.
If you’re using hybrid Azure AD join or co-management, Intune can coexist with Configuration Manager (SCCM) or GPOs during the transition.
Phase 1: Assess Existing GPOs
The first step is discovery. You need a clear view of what’s currently managed through GPOs.
Use Group Policy Analytics
In the Intune Admin Center, navigate to:
Devices → Group Policy Analytics → Import
Upload your exported GPO XML files. Intune automatically analyzes each GPO and shows:
- Supported settings: have direct CSP (Configuration Service Provider) equivalents.
- Partially supported: may require adjustments or OMA-URI profiles.
- Unsupported: need alternate handling (scripts or custom remediation).
This tool also provides a readiness score — showing what percentage of your settings can be migrated to MDM.
💡 Pro Tip: Remove outdated GPOs first. Many legacy settings (like IE restrictions, SMBv1 tweaks, or deprecated templates) no longer apply to modern Windows 11 environments.
Phase 2: Plan a Pilot and Migration Strategy
A successful migration happens in stages, not overnight.
Start small and scale gradually.
- Select pilot users or devices.
Choose a group that represents real-world use cases but has manageable risk. - Prioritize high-impact, low-risk settings.
Focus on things like Windows Update, security baselines, or desktop personalization. - Define precedence.
For hybrid devices, enable MDMWinsOverGP so Intune settings take priority over conflicting GPOs. - Map timelines.
Decide which GPOs to migrate first and which ones can be retired later. - Document everything.
Record CSP mappings, testing results, and replacement policies.
Phase 3: Migrate the GPOs
There are two ways to migrate GPO settings into Intune — automated and manual.
Option A: Automated Migration with Group Policy Analytics
This method works best when most of your GPOs are supported by MDM.
- Export the GPO as XML.
- Import into Group Policy Analytics.
- Review the MDM Support column.
- Click Migrate to create a Settings Catalog policy directly in Intune.
- Assign the new policy to a pilot device group.
The migration wizard automatically converts compatible GPO settings into MDM equivalents using CSPs.
Example:
A GPO enforcing “Turn off Windows Consumer Features” becomes a CSP setting under./Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/Experience/AllowWindowsConsumerFeatures.
Option B: Manual Recreation or Redesign
Some GPOs don’t map directly to Intune CSPs. In that case, you’ll need to rebuild them.
- Use Settings Catalog for native MDM settings.
- Use Administrative Templates (ADMX-backed) for registry-based policies.
- Use OMA-URI Custom Profiles for unsupported CSPs.
- Deploy PowerShell scripts, Win32 apps, or Proactive Remediations for advanced tasks (like scheduled tasks or registry keys).
This approach ensures every configuration is intentional — not just copied from the past.
Phase 4: Manage Coexistence (GPO + Intune)
During migration, both systems will likely apply settings to the same hybrid devices. This is normal — but you need to control precedence.
Key Considerations
- Enable MDMWinsOverGP: ensures Intune policies override legacy GPOs.
- Avoid policy duplication: configure each setting in only one system.
- Gradually unlink GPOs as you validate Intune equivalents.
- Use WMI filters to restrict old GPOs to older OS versions or AD OUs.
💡 Community Insight: Many admins report that trying to clean up legacy GPOs on live devices leads to conflict errors and registry tattoos. In some cases, wiping and re-enrolling devices directly into Intune is faster and cleaner.
Phase 5: Retire and Decommission GPOs
Once a policy has been validated in Intune, begin phasing out its GPO equivalent.
- Unlink or disable the GPO from its OU.
- Confirm that affected settings now come only from Intune.
- Monitor compliance and device configuration reports.
- Document changes for audit and rollback purposes.
Cleaning up “Tattooed” Settings
When a GPO writes directly to the registry (not managed by CSP), the setting can persist even after removal.
Use PowerShell remediation scripts or Proactive Remediations to clean these values.
Example cleanup snippet:
$regPath = "HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System"
if (Test-Path $regPath) {
Remove-ItemProperty -Path $regPath -Name "DisableCMD" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}
Phase 6: Monitor, Audit, and Optimize
After migration, continuous monitoring ensures stability.
What to Track
- Policy deployment success/failure in Intune reports.
- Compliance status across devices.
- Event Viewer logs under DeviceManagement-Enterprise-Diagnostics-Provider.
- Endpoint Analytics insights for performance or drift detection.
As Microsoft adds more CSPs and Settings Catalog options, revisit older unsupported configurations — you may now be able to move them fully into Intune.
Common Migration Challenges
| Challenge | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Unsupported GPO settings | Use OMA-URI, scripts, or third-party extensions. |
| Registry tattoos | Deploy remediation scripts post-GPO removal. |
| Policy sync delays | Manually trigger sync via Company Portal or PowerShell (Start-IntuneManagementExtensionPolicySync). |
| Multiple policy sources | Standardize on Intune; disable overlapping GPOs. |
| User confusion post-enrollment | Communicate changes clearly before rollout. |
Final Recommendations
Migrating from GPO to Intune is not just a technical task — it’s a strategic modernization step.
- Audit first. Know what you have before you move.
- Start small. Pilot, learn, then scale.
- Automate when possible. Use Group Policy Analytics to save time.
- Clean as you go. Don’t migrate legacy clutter.
- Monitor continuously. Track compliance and optimize regularly.
As hybrid and remote work continue to expand, Intune gives organizations the flexibility and visibility that legacy GPOs can’t match.
✅ Migration Checklist
| Step | Task |
|---|---|
| 1 | Export and analyze GPOs with Group Policy Analytics |
| 2 | Identify supported and unsupported policies |
| 3 | Plan pilot with MDMWinsOverGP |
| 4 | Create or migrate policies in Intune |
| 5 | Gradually disable GPOs |
| 6 | Clean up registry remnants |
| 7 | Monitor compliance and optimize |
Conclusion
The shift from GPO to Intune isn’t about replacing tools — it’s about embracing modern management.
By using analytics, planning phased rollouts, and continuously improving configurations, IT administrators can achieve a seamless transition that strengthens security, simplifies management, and future-proofs their environment.
