Tuesday, 10 February 2026

Intune application

Got it 👍
Below is a more detailed, document-style set of notes with deeper explanations, step-by-step clarity, example visuals, and a clear comparison table (Win32 vs Store vs MSIX).
This is written like official training material + real admin experience, not quick notes.


📘 Application Management with Microsoft Intune


1️⃣ Introduction to Application Management in Intune (Detailed)

Application Management in Intune is the process of packaging, deploying, managing, updating, and troubleshooting applications across managed devices.

Why Application Management Is Critical

In modern enterprises:

  • Users work remotely
  • Devices are cloud-managed
  • Manual installs are not scalable
  • Security must be enforced automatically

Intune solves this by providing:

  • Centralized control
  • Policy-based deployment
  • User-based or device-based installs
  • Integration with security and identity (Entra ID)

Core Capabilities

  • Application deployment
  • App updates & replacement
  • Conditional access for apps
  • App protection (MAM)
  • Reporting and troubleshooting

2️⃣ Structure of Application Management in Intune

High-Level Architecture

Admin → Intune Portal → Policy + App Config
      → Entra ID Groups
      → Device / User
      → Intune Management Extension (IME)

Logical Components

  1. App Package
  2. Deployment Configuration
  3. Detection Logic
  4. Assignment
  5. Execution on Endpoint
  6. Monitoring & Reporting

3️⃣ Overview of Applications and Types in Intune

Windows Application Types Explained

App Type Description Typical Usage
Win32 App Traditional EXE/MSI apps Enterprise apps
Microsoft Store (New) Winget-backed Store apps Common utilities
MSIX Modern packaged apps Clean installs
LOB (MSI) Simple MSI apps Legacy installs
Web App URL-based apps SaaS platforms
Microsoft 365 Apps Office apps Productivity
Microsoft Edge Browser Standardization

4️⃣ Assignment Options for Applications (Deep Explanation)

Assignment Behavior

Option What Happens
Required App installs automatically
Available User installs from Company Portal
Uninstall App removed if detected

Assignment Targeting

  • User groups → follows user across devices
  • Device groups → fixed hardware targeting
  • Filters → OS version, device ownership, SKU

Best Practices

✔ Use Required for security tools
✔ Use Available for optional apps
✔ Use Filters to reduce group sprawl


5️⃣ Creating & Deploying Windows Applications (Step-by-Step)


🔹 A. Win32 Applications (Most Important)

What Is a Win32 App?

A Win32 app is any traditional Windows installer:

  • .exe
  • .msi
  • Scripts or custom installers

Step-by-Step Deployment

  1. Package app using IntuneWinAppUtil
  2. Upload .intunewin
  3. Configure:
    • Install command
    • Uninstall command
    • Detection rules
  4. Define requirements
  5. Assign app

Detection Rule (Critical Concept)

Intune must detect the app to mark install as successful.

Detection methods:

  • File existence
  • Registry key/value
  • MSI product code
  • Custom script

⚠️ Wrong detection = endless reinstall loop


🔹 B. Microsoft Store Apps (New Experience)

Key Characteristics

  • Uses Windows Package Manager (Winget)
  • No packaging required
  • Auto updates supported
  • Cleaner than legacy Store apps

Limitations

  • Limited customization
  • Dependent on Microsoft Store availability

🔹 C. MSIX Applications

What Is MSIX?

MSIX is a modern Windows app packaging format that:

  • Is containerized
  • Has clean install/uninstall
  • Supports version upgrades

Advantages

✔ No registry pollution
✔ Built-in detection
✔ Safe rollback

Disadvantages

❌ App compatibility issues
❌ Packaging complexity


6️⃣ Deep Dive Troubleshooting (Windows Applications)

Key Log Locations

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\IntuneManagementExtension\Logs
Log File Purpose
IntuneManagementExtension.log Core engine
AppWorkload.log App execution
Detection.log Detection logic
AgentExecutor.log Script execution

Common Issues & Fixes

Issue Root Cause Resolution
App stuck installing Detection fails Fix detection rule
Error 0x80070001 Installer failed Test locally
Reinstall loop Wrong detection Use registry/file
App not visible Assignment issue Check group

7️⃣ Other Application Types

Web Apps

  • Simple URL shortcuts
  • Can be pinned
  • Used for cloud platforms

Mobile Apps

  • iOS / Android managed apps
  • Works with:
    • App Protection Policies
    • Conditional Access
    • BYOD scenarios

8️⃣ Microsoft 365 Apps and Microsoft Edge

Microsoft 365 Apps

  • Custom install
  • App-level selection
  • Channel control
  • Shared device licensing

Microsoft Edge

  • Automatic deployment
  • Extension enforcement
  • Security baseline integration

9️⃣ ⭐ Comparison Table: Win32 vs Store vs MSIX

🔍 Detailed Comparison

Feature Win32 App Microsoft Store (New) MSIX App
Packaging Required ✅ Yes ❌ No ✅ Yes
Installer Types EXE / MSI Store / Winget MSIX
Detection Rules Manual Automatic Built-in
Custom Install Cmd ✅ Yes ❌ No ❌ Limited
Uninstall Control ✅ Full ⚠️ Limited ✅ Clean
Supersedence ✅ Yes ❌ No ✅ Versioned
Updates Manual Automatic Automatic
App Isolation ❌ No ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Enterprise Flexibility ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommended Use Complex apps Common tools Modern apps

✅ When to Use What

  • Win32 → Complex enterprise software
  • Store (New) → Standard utilities
  • MSIX → Modern, clean apps

🔚 Final Summary

✔ Win32 apps give maximum control
✔ Store apps offer simplicity & auto-updates
✔ MSIX provides modern, clean deployment
✔ Detection rules decide success or failure
✔ Logs are mandatory for troubleshooting


If you want next steps, I can:

  • Convert this into a PDF / Word document
  • Create hands-on lab exercises
  • Add real interview questions
  • Make flowcharts for troubleshooting
  • Create a Win32 packaging checklist

Just tell me 👍




Perfect choice 👌

Below are clear, exam-ready troubleshooting flowcharts plus a practical Win32 packaging checklist that real Intune admins actually use in production.


I’ve written this so you can:


Follow it during a live issue


Memorize it for interviews


Use it as a build standard




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🔧 Intune Application Troubleshooting – Flowcharts


🔁 Win32 App Installation Troubleshooting Flowchart


Step-by-Step Flow (Text Version)


App Deployment Fails

        ↓

Check Intune Portal Status

        ↓

Is status "Failed"?

        ↓ YES

Check Error Code

        ↓

Check IME Logs on Device

        ↓

Did install command run?

   ↓ YES ↓ NO

Check Detection Check Install Command

Rule (syntax, path, context)

        ↓

Is detection correct?

   ↓ YES ↓ NO

Check Requirements Fix Detection Rule

(OS, disk, user)

        ↓

Retry Deployment



---


🟡 App Stuck on "Installing" Flowchart


App shows "Installing"

        ↓

Wait > 30 minutes?

        ↓ YES

Check Detection Rules

        ↓

Does detection logic match reality?

   ↓ YES ↓ NO

Check Logs Fix detection

(AppWorkload.log)

        ↓

Is app actually installed?

   ↓ YES ↓ NO

Detection failure Install failure

        ↓ ↓

Fix detection Fix install command


💡 Most common root cause:

➡️ Detection rule checks the wrong file, registry, or version



---


🔴 App Reinstalling Repeatedly Flowchart


App installs → reinstalls → repeats

        ↓

Check Detection Rule

        ↓

Is detection static?

   ↓ NO ↓ YES

Fix detection Check context

(file/registry)

        ↓

User vs System mismatch?

        ↓

Align install + detection context


⚠️ Example mistake:


App installs to Program Files


Detection checks AppData




---


🔵 App Not Showing in Company Portal Flowchart


App not visible

        ↓

Is app assigned as "Available"?

        ↓ NO → Fix assignment

        ↓ YES

Is user licensed?

        ↓ NO → Assign license

        ↓ YES

Is device compliant?

        ↓ NO → Fix compliance

        ↓ YES

Sync device + restart portal



---


📦 Win32 Application Packaging Checklist (Production-Grade)


✅ Pre-Packaging Checklist


☐ Confirm installer type (.exe / .msi)

☐ Test manual install locally

☐ Identify silent install switches

☐ Identify silent uninstall command

☐ Confirm install context (System/User)

☐ Check app architecture (x64 / x86)



---


🧰 Packaging Checklist (IntuneWinAppUtil)


☐ Place installer + files in one folder

☐ Run IntuneWinAppUtil

☐ Confirm .intunewin file created

☐ Store source files securely



---


⚙️ App Configuration Checklist


App Information


☐ App name clear & versioned

☐ Publisher populated

☐ Category assigned


Program


☐ Install command tested

☐ Uninstall command tested

☐ Correct install behavior (System/User)

☐ Return codes validated



---


🔍 Detection Rule Checklist (MOST IMPORTANT)


☐ Detection method chosen:


☐ File


☐ Registry


☐ MSI product code


☐ Script



☐ Detection checks post-install state

☐ Detection is version independent (if possible)

☐ Detection matches install context


🚫 Avoid:


Temp folders


User paths for system installs


Version-specific EXE names




---


📋 Requirements Checklist


☐ OS version defined

☐ Architecture correct

☐ Disk space sufficient

☐ No conflicting requirements



---


🎯 Assignment Checklist


☐ Assigned to correct group

☐ Required vs Available correct

☐ Filters applied (if needed)

☐ Test group used first



---


📊 Post-Deployment Checklist


☐ App installs successfully

☐ App reports Installed

☐ No reinstall loop

☐ Logs clean

☐ User experience verified



---


🚀 Best Practices (Real-World)


✔ Always test on pilot group

✔ Prefer registry detection

✔ Keep install commands simple

✔ Use Win32 over LOB

✔ Document detection logic



---


🧠 Interview Tip (Bonus)


If asked:


> “Why do Intune app deployments fail?”




Correct answer:


> “Mostly because of incorrect detection rules or mismatched install context.”





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If you want next, I can:


Turn these flowcharts into printable diagrams


Create a Win32 packaging template


Add real Intune error codes explained


Build a hands-on lab with test cases


Create interview Q&A based on these



Just say the word 👍





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