Transfer not-managed devices to managed devices (software versions)

[theunknown]

I would like to implement Microsoft Intune at our company and have a question regarding existing software on existing devices that are not managed by Intune. Since the devices were managed by the users themselves, there are numerous software products on the computers, some of which have different versions.

I am currently still in the test phase.

With Intune, I would now like to slowly but surely transfer the devices from an unmanaged state to a managed state.

How do I deal with existing devices?

Here is a simple example:
- Firefox version 90, for example, is installed on an existing computer
- Firefox is now to be distributed and managed via Intune
- I would prefer to use the Firefox app from the Microsoft Store, as the updates are carried out automatically
- Version 120 of Firefox is currently available

If Firefox is distributed on the device as required software, will the existing version be updated?

Or are two versions installed in parallel?
How can I ensure that, for example, the old version is removed and the new one is installed?

Or how can I ensure that the old version is updated?

I hope you understand the problem - I'm finding it difficult to formulate the scenario.

[#2]

Hi @theunknown,

if I understand your situation good, here are steps you can consider:

1. Converting Unmanaged Devices to Managed:
   In Intune, you can transform unmanaged devices into managed ones, especially in a hybrid environment. Refer to Microsoft Learn documentation for a detailed migration guide:
   Migration guide to Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn
   
   

2. Software Version Updates:
   Use Intune's capabilities to manage updates and patches for Windows devices.
   Control access to organizational data during the validation of new operating system releases and encourage users to upgrade to approved versions.
   Manage operating system versions of devices you manage with Intune - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Le...
   
   

3. Managing Firefox with Intune: Download the Firefox ADMX template from Github, sign in to Microsoft Endpoint Manager, create a profile, and apply policies.
   For distributing the Firefox app via the Microsoft Store, make it available in Intune applications.
   Managing Firefox with Microsoft Endpoint Manager (Intune) | Firefox for Enterprise Help (mozilla.org...

Please click Mark as Best Response & Like if my post helped you to solve your issue.
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Kindest regards,

Leon Pavesic
(LinkedIn)

[#3]

@theunknown Hi! 

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[#4]

Hello Leon,

Thank you very much for your answer - but unfortunately it doesn't really help me.

I'm actually now relatively proficient in Intune and have already set up a few apps, policies, etc. Autopilot for new devices also works.

My question from above referred to existing devices. Firefox was just a small example (it could be any app). To perhaps illustrate the topic further:

Let's assume we have 500 devices that were managed by the users themselves. In other words, each user could install whatever they wanted! Using Firefox as an example, I wanted to illustrate that any version can be on the devices, as some users are very IT-savvy and make updates, but others do not.

With which features in Intune do I get the following solution?
I would like to have the latest version of Firefox on every computer and managed by Intune. To do this, I would have to:

a) somehow update the old Firefox version with Intune to the latest version and transfer it to a managed state

or

b) Install a new version of Firefox via Intune, migrate the data (e.g. bookmarks) and delete the old versions

How can I do this with Intune?

[#5]

Hi @theunknown,

thanks for the update.

I would go for the option A (I am using Firefox as an example):

1. Inventory:

• Tools:
  • Use tools like PowerShell scripts, registry queries, or third-party software to compile a list of devices and their current Firefox versions.

2. Intune Portal:

• Access:
  • Log in to the Microsoft Endpoint Manager portal using your admin credentials.

3. Application Configuration:

• Navigate to Apps:

  • In the Intune portal, go to "Apps."

• Add Application:

  • Click on "Add," then select "Windows app (Win32)" for the Firefox application.

• Configure Settings:

  • Fill in details like Name, Description, and Publisher.
  • Specify the Installation command: This may involve providing the command to install the latest version or a link to the installer.

4. Deployment Settings:

• Installation Behavior:

  • Choose whether to install the application only if it's not already installed.

• Detection Rules:

  • Configure detection rules to identify if the old Firefox version is present.
  • Example: Registry key, file version, or product code.

5. PowerShell Script:

• Create Script:

  • Open a text editor and copy the PowerShell script:

Get-WmiObject -Query "SELECT * FROM Win32_Product WHERE Name LIKE 'Mozilla Firefox%'" | ForEach-Object { $_.Uninstall() }

• Save Script:

  • Save the script, for example, as UninstallOldFirefox.ps1.

6. Deployment Rings:

• Create Device Groups:

  • Go to "Endpoint security" > "Device groups."
  • Create groups like "Test Devices," "Pilot Devices," and "Production Devices."

• Assign Applications:

  • Assign the Firefox update application to the "Test Devices" group first.

• Monitor:

  • Monitor the deployment status in the Intune portal.

Add and assign Win32 apps to Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn

Assign apps to groups in Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn

Add and assign an app - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn

Monitor app information and assignments - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn

Microsoft Intune reports - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn

Please click Mark as Best Response & Like if my post helped you to solve your issue.
This will help others to find the correct solution easily. It also closes the item.

If the post was useful in other ways, please consider giving it Like.

Kindest regards,

Leon Pavesic
(LinkedIn)