Migrating Devices from Entra Hybrid Join to Entra Join: A Cloud-First Approach

Migrating devices from Entra Hybrid Join to Entra Join is an important step for organizations embracing a modern, cloud-first IT infrastructure. Starting with this configuration sets a strong foundation for security, scalability, and simplified management.

Since our initial engagement with Microsoft around Zero Trust security, we have decided to start with Entra Join instead of Hybrid Join, aligning with Microsoft’s recently adjusted recommendations. Here’s why it’s beneficial to start with Entra Join for both new deployments and device refreshes, and how group policies should be managed during the transition.

Overview

Entra Join represents Microsoft’s cloud-first approach to device management, eliminating the complexities of hybrid environments while providing enhanced security and simplified administration.

Benefits of a Cloud-First Approach

Benefit	Capability	Business Value
Simplified Management	Cloud-only device management through Microsoft Intune	Eliminates hybrid complexity and reduces administrative overhead
Enhanced Scalability	Standardized cloud-native device management	Supports organizational growth without infrastructure changes
Improved Security	Modern security baselines and policies	Ensures devices meet current security standards
Future-Ready	Aligned with Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem	Prepares for ongoing cloud innovations and features

Challenges with Hybrid-Joined Devices

While Hybrid Join adds the PC to Azure AD and enables the use of conditional access and other controls, it introduces several challenges, particularly for devices that do not consistently connect to a VPN or corporate network.

Common Issues

Issue	Impact	Root Cause
Machine Account Password Changes	Domain trust issues requiring manual intervention	Infrequent VPN connections prevent password rotation
User Password Changes and Caching	Authentication failures for remote users	New AD passwords not cached without VPN connectivity
TPM Resets	Security module synchronization problems	Lack of secure on-premises network connection
Group Policy Updates	Outdated security and compliance policies	Devices not receiving updated GPOs without VPN
AD Security Group Membership	Restricted access to resources and applications	Group membership changes not synchronized
Certificate Issues	Authentication failures and service disruptions	Delayed certificate issuance and renewal
Policy Conflicts	Inconsistent device configurations	Dual management by Group Policy and Intune

Implementation Strategy

1. New Users and Devices

Ideal for: Fresh deployments and new device provisioning

Approach: Adopt Entra Join from the start for all new devices and users.

Key Benefits:

Consistent Deployment: Automatic enrollment in Microsoft Intune with uniform configuration profiles
Future-Proofing: Alignment with Microsoft’s cloud-first management direction
Simplified Onboarding: Streamlined device provisioning and user setup

2. Device Refresh Management

Ideal for: Hardware replacement cycles and device reassignment

Approach: Migrate refreshed devices from Entra Hybrid Join to Entra Join.

Implementation Steps:

Reset and Re-enrollment: Use Microsoft Autopilot to provision devices under Entra Join
Latest Security Baselines: Ensure devices receive current security configurations
Consistent Policies: Apply uniform cloud-managed policies across all devices

Migration Considerations

Pre-Migration Requirements

Before migrating from Entra Hybrid Join to Entra Join, ensure:

No On-Premises Dependencies: Verify no applications rely on machine authentication
Certificate Configuration: Address Wi-Fi access point certificates, especially with RADIUS authentication
Alternative Authentication: Implement Intune-pushed certificates or user credentials for Wi-Fi access

User Profile Management

Challenge: Users will receive a new user profile during migration.

Solution: Use tools like ProfWiz to migrate user profiles:

Preserve user settings, files, and configurations
Minimize disruption during the transition
Maintain continuity of user experience

Group Policy Migration to Intune

A key part of transitioning from hybrid join to Entra Join is managing group policies effectively.

Migration Strategy

Policy Type	Migration Approach	Recommended Solution
Security Policies	Replace, don’t migrate	Microsoft Security Baselines in Intune
Configuration Settings	Migrate to cloud-native format	Intune Configuration Profiles
Unsupported Settings	Custom implementation	PowerShell or custom scripts via Intune
Policy Analysis	Evaluate before migration	Group Policy Analytics in Intune

Implementation Steps

Policy Analysis: Use Group Policy Analytics to import and analyze existing GPOs
Security Baseline Adoption: Implement Microsoft Security Baselines for modern security
Configuration Migration: Convert Group Policy settings to Intune Configuration Profiles
Gap Filling: Deploy custom scripts for unsupported settings
Validation: Test policies to ensure consistent configuration

Conclusion

Key Takeaway: Migrating devices from Entra Hybrid Join to Entra Join is the optimal path for modern, cloud-first organizations seeking enhanced security and simplified management.

Benefits of Migration:

Streamlined Management: Centralized control through Intune
Enhanced Security: Modern security baselines and policies
Improved Scalability: Support for organizational growth
Reduced Complexity: Elimination of hybrid environment challenges

Migration Outcomes:

Resolved Common Issues: Eliminates password rotation, policy update, and connectivity problems
Cloud-First Operations: Devices fully equipped for modern management environments
Zero Trust Foundation: Strong security posture aligned with Microsoft recommendations

By transitioning to Entra Join, organizations can phase out legacy infrastructure while maintaining robust security and operational consistency across their device fleet, positioning themselves for a more secure and manageable future.