How to Update ADMX Templates in Microsoft Intune

How to Update ADMX Templates in Microsoft Intune

Updating ADMX (Administrative Templates) files in Intune ensures that you can manage the latest Windows settings through the Settings Catalog and Administrative Templates profiles. These templates define Group Policy settings and their mapping to CSPs (Configuration Service Providers) used by Intune. When Microsoft or your organization releases new templates, keeping them up to date helps maintain compatibility and unlock new management options.

---

1. Understanding How ADMX Works in Intune

Intune automatically includes Microsoft’s built-in ADMX templates for Windows 10 and Windows 11. These are regularly updated with each new Windows release or cumulative update. However, you can also upload custom ADMX/ADML files to extend configuration capabilities for third-party apps (like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Adobe).

• Built-in ADMX: Automatically updated by Microsoft.
• Custom ADMX: Managed and updated manually by administrators.

---

2. When to Update ADMX Templates

You should update ADMX templates in Intune when:

• Microsoft releases new Windows versions (e.g., 24H2 or 25H2).
• Your organization adopts new software that provides updated administrative templates.
• Older ADMX files are deprecated or missing settings for new features.
• You encounter version mismatches or unsupported setting errors during policy deployment.

---

3. Preparing Updated ADMX Files

1. Download the latest ADMX files:
   • For Windows: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=104003
   • For Microsoft Edge: https://www.microsoft.com/edge/business/download
   • For third-party apps: Visit the vendor’s official site (e.g., Chrome Enterprise Policy Templates).
2. Extract the ZIP file.
   • Locate the .admx files and their corresponding .adml language files (usually found in the en-US folder).
3. Review version and release notes before uploading to avoid duplication or overwriting default policies.

---

4. Uploading Custom ADMX Templates in Intune

1. Go to the Microsoft Intune Admin Center:
   https://intune.microsoft.com
2. Navigate to:
   Devices > Configuration > Custom Templates > Import ADMX
3. Click + Add to upload:
   • Select the .admx file.
   • Upload the corresponding .adml (language) file if required.
4. Confirm and click Create.

Once uploaded, the policy settings defined in your ADMX file will be available under Templates in Intune.

---

5. Replacing or Updating Existing ADMX Files

If you’ve already uploaded an older version of an ADMX file:

1. Go to Devices > Configuration > ADMX Templates.
2. Locate the existing custom ADMX template.
3. Delete or replace it with the new version.
4. Upload the updated .admx and .adml files as described above.

Note: When updating, ensure that policy names and identifiers match between versions. Mismatched entries may cause policy duplication or failure to apply.

---

6. Assigning Updated Policies

After updating the templates:

1. Create a new Configuration Profile using the Templates > Imported Administrative Templates (Preview) option.
2. Select the updated ADMX-based policy.
3. Configure your desired settings.
4. Assign the policy to device or user groups.
5. Save and deploy.

---

7. Verifying ADMX Policy Deployment

You can confirm successful policy deployment in several ways:

• Intune Admin Center:
  Go to Devices > Configuration Profiles > select the policy > Device Status or User Status.
• Event Viewer (on the client):
  Open:
  Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > DeviceManagement-Enterprise-Diagnostics-Provider > Admin
  Look for Event ID 814, confirming ADMX-backed policy application.
• Registry Verification:
  Many ADMX settings map to registry keys. Check under:
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies or
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies.

---

8. Best Practices for ADMX Management

• Keep a central repository for all ADMX and ADML versions used in your environment.
• Avoid redundant uploads of the same template version.
• Test updated ADMX policies on a pilot group before broad deployment.
• Document version changes and update history for auditing and rollback.
• Regularly monitor Microsoft’s Intune release notes and Windows release documentation for new ADMX capabilities.

---

9. Troubleshooting ADMX Upload Issues

If uploads fail or settings don’t appear:

• Ensure file size is under the 1 MB limit per ADMX file.
• Validate XML syntax — malformed ADMX files can’t be parsed.
• Ensure the language .adml file matches the ADMX file version.
• If settings don’t appear after upload, clear browser cache or re-sync devices.

---

Summary

Updating ADMX files in Intune allows administrators to take advantage of the latest Windows management features, enforce modern policy settings, and maintain alignment with Microsoft and third-party software updates. By routinely checking for new templates and keeping your Intune environment current, you ensure consistent, secure, and policy-compliant endpoints across your organization.