Event details
We're currently dealing with an issue trying to implement some settings in our tenant via Intune settings catalogs. When applying the settings catalogs to test groups of devices, either some or all of the devices will fail to have the settings applied.
For example, one setting we are trying to deploy is "RequirePrivateStoreOnly". These settings are compatible with Windows 11 Enterprise, but not Pro. Assigning a user to a O365 Business Premium license should automatically upgrade their SKU to Win11 pro, but instead on one device it's still showing Enterprise in Intune but displaying "Windows 11 Business" on the device. On another device, it shows Pro in Intune, but displays as "Business" on the device, and the second device doesn't apply this CSP (as expected). I would expect these devices to downgrade to Windows 11 Pro based on the license included in the Business Premium SKU, but the fact that it's changed to Windows 11 Business on the device while still showing up as Enterprise in Intune makes me concerned that certain CSP policies will not apply correctly/consistently.
There have been a few other forum discussions around the topic of Windows 11 "Business" SKU, which seems to not exist in any Microsoft documentation. Can you confirm which version of Windows is included in the Business Premium license and what we should expect for workstation license activation after assigning that license to a user? Do we need to manually switch the activation key for workstations we want running Windows 11 Pro?
Microsoftcdadm Great question and I understand the confusion. Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes licensing rights for Windows 11 Pro — there is no official "Windows 11 Business" edition/SKU in the Windows product lineup. What you're likely seeing is a display inconsistency.
When a device is activated via subscription with M365 Business Premium, Windows may report the edition name differently depending on where you look (Settings app vs. Intune vs. winver). The underlying edition should be Pro, and CSP policies compatible with Pro should apply correctly.
A few things to check:
- Run slmgr /dli on the affected devices to confirm the actual activated edition.
- Ensure the devices had a qualifying base license (Windows 10/11 Pro) before the M365 Business Premium license was assigned — subscription activation upgrades Pro, but won't upgrade Home.
- The device showing "Enterprise" in Intune but "Business" locally may have a stale record in Intune — try syncing the device.
If the base OS is actually Pro and policies like RequirePrivateStoreOnly still aren't applying, check the CSP documentation for that specific policy's edition requirements, as some settings require Enterprise. M365 Business Premium does not grant Enterprise — you'd need M365 E3/E5 or a standalone Windows Enterprise license for that.
Fantastic clarification, thank you Joe! Would be interested in seeing this get updated in the documentation so there is a clear understanding of where we would see Pro vs Business, because I can see this question coming up again when someone sees their edition as "Business".