Entra ID Only Devices in Hybrid Environments — Why and How

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Entra ID-Only Devices in Hybrid Environments: Why and How

Setting up a hybrid environment is often about compromise. You want cloud benefits, but you’re still tied to some on-prem needs. For many, Entra ID-only devices are an excellent way to move the needle toward a modern workplace—without breaking everything that still relies on legacy.

But what does it take to get started? And why would you even want to?

Let’s dive in.

Why Choose Entra ID-Only?

Entra ID-joined devices are designed for the cloud. They offer better integration with modern identity and security services like Conditional Access, Defender, and Microsoft Purview. If you’re already in a hybrid environment, the idea of removing AD Join might feel like jumping off a cliff—but for many organizations, it’s actually a step forward.

Here’s what you gain:

Better user experience: faster sign-ins, fewer password issues
Simpler device management: native Intune support
Improved security posture: Conditional Access and MFA as the baseline
Reduced dependency on legacy infrastructure

If you’re supporting field workers, remote teams, or bring-your-own-device scenarios, the benefits grow even more obvious.

Requirements and Considerations

Before diving in, there are a few things you need in place:

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD)
Intune (Microsoft Endpoint Manager)
Ideally, an M365 E3 or E5 license
A clear understanding of device lifecycle: provisioning, compliance, and retirement

You’ll also need to think about whether your existing tools and workflows rely on domain-join-only functionality—especially things like GPOs, legacy printers, or mapped drives. If so, consider hybrid join or explore modern alternatives.

Configuring the Device

The setup flow is quite clean:

Install Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise (Pro is fine for most scenarios)
At the OOBE (Out of Box Experience), connect to Wi-Fi and choose Set up for work or school
Sign in with an Entra ID user account
Device joins Entra ID and registers in Intune automatically

If you’re doing this at scale, tools like Windows Autopilot make life easier. But for smaller rollouts or testing, manual setup works just fine.

You’ll want to make sure:

BitLocker is enabled
Device compliance policies are in place
Microsoft Authenticator is set up for passwordless sign-ins

Deploying Intune and Policies

Now the fun begins.

Start with your baseline policies:

Windows – Config – Security Baseline
Windows – Config – Defender Antivirus
Windows – Compliance – M365 Devices
Windows – Policy – Enrollment Restrictions

Stick to a clear naming convention. I use:
Windows - Config - [Area]
e.g., Windows - Config - Edge

Need a shortcut? I’m sharing my JSON exports on GitHub:
👉 GitHub – techwithludwig/Windows Config

Nice-to-Haves

Beyond the essentials, here are some policies that make the experience better:

Edge browser settings: set home page, block legacy protocols
Lock screen branding: personalize with your org’s name and support contact
OneDrive integration: Known Folder Move and auto sign-in
Storage Sense: keep disk space optimized
Microsoft 365 Apps config: set update channels, auto-activate with user credentials

These polish the user experience and reduce support tickets down the road.

Wrap-Up and Resources

Shifting to Entra ID-only devices doesn’t mean giving up control—it means using better tools. If your organization is already licensing Intune and Entra, there’s no reason not to explore the full potential of a modern device strategy.

In my experience, the biggest hurdle isn’t technical—it’s organizational buy-in. So start small, show results, and scale from there.

Don’t bring the entire GPO jungle with you. Do a gap analysis. Build fresh.

Test, validate, move forward.

Resources: