Microsoft 365 E7 & Agent365: From Where You Are to Enterprise AI at Scale
Introduction As organizations move beyond AI experimentation and begin operationalizing agent-based AI workloads, a new set of challenges is emerging governance, visibility, and control. Microsoft’s response to this shift is Microsoft 365 E7, introduced on May 1, 2026. It bundles: Microsoft 365 E5 Microsoft 365 Copilot Microsoft Entra Suite Microsoft Agent 365 This represents Microsoft’s strategic direction toward a human-led, agent-operated enterprise. However, a key pattern is emerging: Many organizations deploy Agent 365 and assume governance is complete. It isn’t. Understanding Agent 365: Control Plane, Not Control Source Agent 365 is not a standalone security solution, it is a control plane for AI agents. It provides: Agent registry and discovery Blueprint governance and lifecycle control Observability across agents Aggregation of signals from Entra, Defender and Purview Simple analogy Agent 365 is like a dashboard in a car It shows status It aggregates signals But it does not generate signals Without identity, data and threat signals → governance visibility is incomplete. The Key Gap: “Enabled” vs “Governed” Agent 365 can be enabled standalone but governance requires: Identity signals (Entra) Threat signals (Defender) Data risk signals (Purview) This gap between “enablement” and “full governance” is where most deployments fall short. Agent 365 Governance Maturity Heatmap The following heatmap summarizes how governance capabilities evolve as you layer the Microsoft stack: Capability Agent 365 on E3 + Defender Suite + Purview Suite + Entra Suite E7 (Full) Agent registry / inventory ✅ Full ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ Shadow agent discovery ✅ Full ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ Blueprint governance / kill-switch ✅ Full ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ First-party agent observability ✅ Full ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ Conditional Access for agents (P1) ✅ Already in BP/E3 ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ID Governance for agents (P1) ✅ Already in BP/E3 ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ Risk-based CA / ID Protection (P2) ❌ ✅ ❌ ✅ ✅ MDA behavioral risk detection ❌ ✅ ❌ ❌ ✅ Risks column fully populated ⚠️ Entra only ⚠️ Entra + Defender ⚠️ Entra + Purview ⚠️ Entra + Network ✅ All signals Purview DLP for agent interactions ⚠️ Basic only ⚠️ Basic only ✅ Full ⚠️ Basic only ✅ Full DSPM for AI ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌ ✅ Shadow AI discovery (external tools) ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅ Security Copilot SCUs ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅ (via E5) 🔍 Interpretation of the Heatmap Key insight: Agent 365 on its own provides visibility and governance scaffolding, but true governance maturity emerges only when identity (Entra) threat (Defender), and data (Purview) signals are combined. Microsoft 365 E7 is the only SKU that delivers all signals, identity, security, compliance and AI governance in a single integrated model. What Works with Agent 365 Alone On Business Premium or E3 + Agent 365, you still get meaningful capabilities: Agent registry (full visibility) Shadow agent discovery Blueprint governance and kill-switch Entra Agent ID (identity registration) Conditional Access for agents (via Entra P1) ID Governance (via Entra P1) First-party agent observability This provides a strong governance foundation, especially for early-stage adoption. What’s Missing Without the Full Stack Without Defender, Purview, and Entra Suite key capabilities are limited: Risk-based Conditional Access (requires Entra P2) Behavioral threat detection (Defender) Data interaction governance (Purview DLP) AI data security posture (DSPM for AI) External shadow AI discovery (Entra Internet Access) Result: You can see agents exist but you cannot fully assess risk, behavior or data exposure. What changes across layers: Layer Added What Improves Defender Threat detection, behavioral risk Purview Data protection, AI data governance Entra Suite Network + identity-level AI control E7 Full integration across all layers Licensing Model: Clarifying Agent 365 Agent 365 licensing is simple but often misunderstood: Licensed per user (not per agent) Covers all agents owned or managed by that user Agents do not need individual licenses This eliminates agent sprawl licensing concerns and anchors governance to the user identity. Upgrade Math by Starting Point This is where architecture meets commercial reality. 📍 Business Premium Starting point: $22/user Step Add-on Total Step 1 Agent 365 ($15) $37 Step 2 Defender + Purview Combo ($15) $52 Step 3 Entra Suite ($12) $64 Step 4 Copilot + Intune Suite ~$95 👉 Full E7 Parity: ~$95/user 👉 E7: $99/user At this stage: Minimal price difference E7 adds Security Copilot + removes 300-user limit ✅ This is where consolidation becomes compelling. 📍 E3 Starting point: $39/user Component Cost E3 Base $39 Agent 365 $15 Defender Suite $12 Purview Suite $12 Entra Suite $12 Intune Suite $10 Copilot $30 Total $130/user 👉 E7: $99/user 💥 Delta: $31/user 💥 ~$74K/year extra for 200 users ✅Use Agent 365 for visibility if needed ✅Avoid building full add-on stack ✅Move to E5 or E7 early 📍 E5 Starting point: $60/user Remaining gaps: Copilot ($30) Entra Suite ($12) Agent 365 ($15) 👉 Total: $117/user 👉 E7: $99/user 💥 Savings: $18/user 💥 ~$108K/year for 500 users ✅ ~15% savings ✅ Simplified licensing ✅ This becomes a strong renewal conversation driver. Architectural Perspective AI governance requires layered architecture: Layer Function Agent 365 Control plane Entra Identity + access Defender Threat detection Purview Data protection Governance is not a feature, it is a system built on continuous signals across identity, security and data. How to Position This in Customer Conversations For Business Premium Start with Agent 365 Add Defender + Purview for maximum value For E3 Avoid incremental add-ons Move to E5/E7 For E5 Position E7 as cost optimization + simplification Final Thought Agent 365 is a foundational capability but it is not a complete solution. On its own, it gives you visibility and a governance layer. But enterprise AI governance is not just about seeing and managing agents it’s about understanding what they’re doing, what they’re accessing and whether they should be doing it at all. A simple way to think about it: Deploying Agent 365 alone is like setting up a badge system in your building you can track who is inside and control access. But without the broader security stack, you still can’t: Detect risky or unusual behavior Protect sensitive data from overexposure Enforce governance consistently across the environment Bottom Line Agent 365 provides the control plane Security and compliance services provide the signals Microsoft 365 E7 brings these together into a unified governance model The Strategic Shift Organizations are moving from: AI as tools → isolated productivity gains AI as systems → integrated workflows and automation AI as governed ecosystems → secure, compliant, and scalable operations Sustainable AI adoption is not defined by capability alone it is defined by how effectively that capability is governed at scale. E7 is not just a licensing evolution it represents a shift to an integrated AI operating model, where governance is embedded by design, not added as an afterthought.
Intune Autopatch Reports - Expected Behavior
I utilize the Intune Autopatch Reports for Quality Updates to monitor the deployment of updates across our environment. We currently have a group of devices which have a 30-day deferral period due to the compliance/testing policy we have to follow. My Understanding is that the "Quality Update Status" Report will determine if the device is Up-to-Date based on if the device has the update that has been released to it but I am finding that all devices are marked as Not Up-to-Date even with the 2026.05 QU installed as the 2026.06 QU is not available for the devices. I am wondering if this is expected behavior or if this changed because before the changes to the reports in May (2026.05) it was showing correctly Thanks!Microsoft #IntuneForMSPs resource guide
Welcome to your home for all things #IntuneForMSPs! Our goal is to help you grow your Microsoft Managed Service Provider (MSP) business by combining productivity apps, intelligent cloud services, and the world-class security of Microsoft 365 with the multi-tenant management capabilities of our partners. Navigate to: Guidance and tutorials | Marketing and business development | Multi-tenant management partners | Additional resources #IntuneForMSPs community meetups Gain valuable insights from first-hand experiences with configuring and managing customer tenants. Up next: Follow this page for the next batch of #IntuneForMSP Community Meetups. We will reconvene in September. On demand: #IntuneForMSPs Community Meetup: June edition Hands on with device configuration and policy From box to business‑ready with Windows Autopilot Advanced automation and PowerShell for Intune Planning your customers' Intune migration Getting started with Microsoft #IntuneForMSPs Guidance and tutorials We hear from many MSPs that time for learning is limited. To help you ramp up quickly, we’ve pulled together ready-to-use decks, videos, and interactive demos you can follow step-by-step for the most common scenarios. A great place to begin is the checklist available by downloading Enhancing Security with Microsoft 365 Business: A Hands-on, Effective Guide. Microsoft 365 Business Premium deployment best practices Download PowerPoint decks that build on the videos listed below. They go deeper with additional guidance, context, and tips you can apply in customer environments. Identity and access controls (14.81 MB) Device enrollment (15.92 MB) Email and app protection (38.84 MB) Device security (17.89 MB) Data security (36.49 MB) Videos and demos ▶️ Achieve greater security and productivity with Microsoft Intune and Microsoft 365 - Follow along with each step of the checklist with complementary videos. Watch on one screen and follow along in your own tenant on the other. We’ll keep expanding this playlist with new content that goes beyond the checklist, so follow along on our social channels for the latest updates. 🖱️ Microsoft Intune guided demos - Learn how to configure app protection policies and Conditional Access, update Windows from the cloud, manage corporate devices, deploy and manage line of business (LOB) apps, enable Universal Print, protect corporate resources on personal-owned devices, utilize Windows Autopilot for new device delivery, and reduce update bandwidth consumption. Marketing and business development Step 1: Join Microsoft Partner programs AI Business Solutions for Partners Microsoft Security Partners Step 2: Join the Partner Skilling Hub Go to the Microsoft Partner Skilling Hub and create your free account. Select solution areas of interest. (Hint: Intune content: AI Business Solutions, Security) Explore these recommended modules: Implement with impact: Endpoint management with Microsoft Intune Implement with impact: Implement identity and access management with Microsoft Entra Step 3: Download turnkey campaign assets "Protect my devices" campaign-in-a-box (119.20 MB) Multi-tenant management partners Microsoft Intune is proud to collaborate with leading global providers of multi-tenant Intune management solutions. These companies are building innovative capabilities on top of Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Security solutions, and the broader Microsoft 365 platform. Their companion solutions empower you to: Centrally view and manage all customer tenants and action items through a unified partner dashboard. Take action across environments, leveraging Intune for device management, cloud security, and compliance. Standardize security settings, automate onboarding, and ensure policy consistency at scale-no more repetitive, manual tasks or risky policy drift. Want an introduction to multi-tenant management? ▶️ Watch this video from Jonathan Edwards. AvePoint is the global leader in data protection, unifying data security, governance, and resilience to provide a trusted foundation for AI. More than 28,000 customers rely on the AvePoint Confidence Platform to secure, govern, and rapidly recover data across multi‑cloud environments. Through AvePoint Confidence Platform: Elements Edition, AvePoint extends Microsoft Intune with secured multi‑tenant automation, lifecycle management, and centralized visibility—enabling partners to scale Intune delivery profitably and consistently across customers. With a single platform for governance, lifecycle control, and recovery, partners reduce operational overhead, prevent sprawl, and accelerate Copilot readiness. AvePoint supports a global partner ecosystem of 6,000 MSPs, VARs, and SIs, with solutions available in over 100 cloud marketplaces. CyberDrain CIPP provides MSPs with a centralized, multi-tenant management platform for Microsoft 365. It enables partners to securely manage tenants at scale, automate common administrative tasks, enforce standards across environments, and gain deep visibility into tenant security and configuration. With built-in automation, governance controls, and extensibility, CIPP reduces reliance on custom scripts and manual processes. MSPs can standardize operations, streamline user and tenant management, monitor security posture, and respond quickly to issues across all customers from a single interface. CIPP is supported by one of the largest and most active MSP communities in the Microsoft ecosystem, with thousands of partners contributing feedback, automation ideas, and best practices. As one of the most widely adopted platforms for Microsoft 365 multi-tenant management, CyberDrain CIPP continues to evolve rapidly to meet the needs of modern MSPs. inforcer empowers MSPs to standardize Microsoft 365 and Intune policies across all tenants, automate environment configuration, monitor compliance in real time, and reduce risk through policy drift detection. Its reporting and automation features free teams from manual, error-prone scripting and help deliver consistent, secure customer experiences, setting MSPs up to deliver advanced AI services to their customers. Nerdio brings deep automation and analytics to Intune, Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and the broader Microsoft cloud. MSPs benefit from multi-tenant dashboards, global policy insights, role-based access, centralized app deployment, and automatic policy versioning with rollback and drift correction. Nerdio’s tooling is designed specifically for MSPs and scales from small teams to large enterprise portfolios. Tenant Manager helps MSPs run Microsoft Intune across multiple customer tenants with consistency and control. MSP teams can standardize policies, manage applications and devices across environments, monitor configuration drift, perform device actions across their entire estate, and maintain cross-tenant visibility through reporting with scheduled email delivery and customer-facing report access, from a single platform. The platform runs entirely on Microsoft Azure with region-selectable deployment for your data protection requirements. It includes CIS certified security baselines, Secure Score monitoring, and license harvesting, helping MSPs deliver secure, repeatable Intune services as their customer portfolios grow, even without in-depth Intune knowledge . Additional resources Microsoft 365 Blog: small and medium business content Microsoft 365 Partner on LinkedIn Microsoft Intune Blog: MVP community contentIntune application migration & app management
Migrating applications from Configuration Manager and other on-prem solutions to Microsoft Intune cloud native remains a challenging and time consuming undertaking, especially when dealing with complex line-of-business, legacy, and custom home-grown applications. Some organizations pursuing a full cloud-native management vision are encountering blockers related to application compatibility, re-packaging, and the scale of existing app estates - all while trying to maintain business continuity, device compliance, and preparing for the AI and Copilot era. Start here Read Face the future today by moving your application to cloud native Bookmark the Microsoft Intune planning guide Navigate to: Why app migration matters | Application packaging partners | Frequently asked questions Why app packaging matters Centralizing application management in Intune can deliver operational benefits such as unified enforcement and improved security posture—while supporting broader modernization goals. Common blockers that slow cloud-native adoption include: App compatibility and dependency complexity Manual repackaging effort at scale Risk of disruption during cutover Application packaging partners To address the complex realities of app migration, the Microsoft partner ecosystem has stepped up with specialized offers designed to reduce risk and accelerate cloud adoption. As part of this initiative our Microsoft partners Rimo3 and Robopack are offering no-cost, time-limited app migration service to all Intune customers who are looking to move from Configuration Manager to Intune. These services can help IT teams automate assessment, package conversion, and remediation for various app types, helping organizations realize the full value of Intune faster and with less disruption. Note: The app migration services listed on this page are offered directly by partners and are subject to their terms. Microsoft makes no guarantees or commitments regarding availability or outcome. Rimo3 helps IT professionals modernize, migrate, and manage applications at enterprise scale. The platform eliminates manual effort by automating packaging, validation, and patch testing. With patented IP, Rimo3 ensures every app is compatible, secure, and visible for dependencies and update readiness before deployment. Automated, unattended workflows reduce migration timelines from months to days, while contextual patch validation minimizes production risk. Rimo3 keeps environments evergreen with zero-touch app management and enhances Microsoft Intune with bulk operations, advanced controls, and unified reporting. Robopack is a cloud-native Intune app lifecycle platform that lets you package, deploy, and keep third-party apps updated, across one or many tenants, with phased control and PowerShell App Deployment Toolkit (PSADT)-based customization. Start with a self-service migration readiness report, mapped to the library of 41,000 pre-packaged, fully documented apps ready to go, or upload your own apps to be analysed and converted. Robopack Radar discovers apps installed across your estate, allowing you to quickly migrate to Intune and uncover Shadow IT. Frequently asked questions Q: Is this a Microsoft-managed service? A: No. Partner offers are provided directly by partners and subject to partner terms; Microsoft makes no guarantees regarding availability or outcomes. Q: What kinds of apps can these paths help with? A: The published focus is on helping migrations from Conifguration Manager to Intune, including complex legacy and line-of-business apps. Q: Where do I start if I’m early in planning? A: Start with the Intune Planning Guide and Migration Guide.
Windows App Update Notification
Hi everyone, We have deployed the Windows App for a client. Currently, when an update is available, users are seeing an in app banner that says: "Click here to update the app. Meanwhile you can use the app." If the user clicks it, the update finishes successfully. However, our organization requires a completely hands off, automated update process. We do not want end-users to have to interact with a notification or manually click a button to keep the app up to date. Is there a specific Group Policy, registry key or Intune configuration that completely suppresses this in app notification and forces the MSIX package to install silently in the background when the app or machine is idle? Any advice on how to bypass this "Notification" behavior and enforce touchless updates enterprise wide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
CanReset value flipping on cloud only devices
Hello, I have a problem with cloud only Windows 11 devices configured with passwordless policy. I have noticed that when you run dsregcmd /status command, CanReset value under User State is flipping between "No" and "DestructiveAndNonDestructive". When it's latter, everything works fine, users can start wizard for facial recognition or make PIN changes under Sign In options in Windows. But when it flips to No, everything is blocked. It seems to happen randomly, you can leave device untouched for few hours and just check dcregcmd and the value will change. CanReset is the only value that changes in the dsregcmd report. It happens for different devices located on different networks. Also, I have disabled web gateway completely for one device just for testing but no change. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Intune Install Printer Driver
I am trying to install a Printer driver via a Win32app using System to install. Have set configuration as below: Its a simple powershell script which runs perfectly when installing on a device as an administrator. $printdriver = "PCL6 V4 Driver for Universal Print" C:\Windows\system32\pnputil.exe /add-driver "r4600.inf" /install Add-PrinterDriver -name $printdriver However installing it via Intune I get an event id 215 with failed error code 0x0 HRESULT 0x80070705 on the device. Any help appreciated.
enrolling in Intune MacBook Pro with an M5 Pro
Hi everyone We have tested the Wi-Fi and ethernet profile without success with Apple businesses manager. The Wi-Fi and the ethernet connection itself works, but the enrollment process into Intune does not complete successfully. At this stage, we cannot sign in, and neither the Wi-Fi nor the Ethernet connection appears to be working. The device is a 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 Pro chip, running macOS 26.5.1 the device connects to the server, the settings begin to apply, but the process suddenly stops, and we are then unable to log in. These are steps followed : Synchronize the device from Apple Business Manager to Intune. Assign the enrollment profile to the device. Perform a device wipe/reset. Start Automated Device Enrollment (ADE). Complete the device setup and user sign-in. The device successfully enrolls into Intune. Intune begins deploying configuration profiles, compliance policies, security policies, and applications. During the policy application process, Wi-Fi connectivity stops responding. The device loses network connectivity and cannot continue synchronizing policies. We are unable to sign in because the enrolment process has not been finalized. As a result, we have to wipe the Mac and start the process again each time. We have disabled some policies, but we are still experiencing the same issue. Have anyone experienced any issues like that ? Regards,
Company Portal No Longer Installing During Autopilot Enrollment
Up until today, Autopilot enrollment which included Company Portal from the Microsoft Store (NEW) was successful. Starting today, the same enrollment workflow with similar hardware is failing to install Company Portal, reporting an error code of 0x87D1041C ("The application was not detected after installation completed successfully"). The only difference between yesterday and today? Today's enrollment including updating Windows to10.0.26200.8457 (today's Patch Tuesday update). I did find information that there was a similar issue nearly a year ago, where the latest Windows Update resulted in the same errors, and Company Portal requiring an update to fix. Are we looking at the same issue again?
