Mastering Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM) in Microsoft Intune (2025)

For IT admins, security managers, and tech leaders aiming to enforce least privilege, reduce risks, and keep users productive.

Why Endpoint Privilege Management Matters

Many organizations still grant users permanent local admin rights — a dangerous practice that increases the risk of:

• Malware infections
• Accidental system misconfigurations
• Compliance violations during audits

Microsoft Intune’s Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM) addresses these risks by granting just-in-time admin rights only when needed, with full control, policy-based targeting, and audit visibility.

1. What is Microsoft Intune?

Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint management solution within the Microsoft Endpoint Manager suite. It enables organizations to:

• Manage devices, applications, and users securely
• Enforce compliance policies
• Protect corporate data from unauthorized access
• Streamline IT administration through central control

Why it’s essential today: With hybrid and remote work becoming the norm, IT teams require a unified and secure platform to manage devices anywhere. Intune integrates deeply with Microsoft’s security ecosystem, making it an ideal solution.

Want to learn more? Browse our other articles on Microsoft Intune.

2. What Is Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM)?

Endpoint Privilege Management is a feature in Microsoft Intune that controls and elevates user privileges on-demand, eliminating the need for permanent admin rights.

How it differs from Privileged Identity Management (PIM):

• PIM – Manages privilege elevation for accounts and identities
• EPM – Manages privilege elevation for applications and device-level actions

3. Key Benefits of EPM

• Reduced Attack Surface – No always-on admin accounts for attackers to target
• Just-in-Time Access – Temporary elevation for specific tasks
• Granular Policy Control – Target by user, device, application, or folder path
• Full Audit Logging – Every elevation request is recorded for compliance
• Improved Productivity – Reduces IT intervention delays for end-users

4. Challenges Without EPM

Organizations without EPM often face:

• Over-provisioned admin rights
• Limited visibility into privileged actions
• Increased compliance risks during audits
• Higher exposure to malware attacks

5. EPM and the Zero Trust Model

In traditional environments, many users operated with local admin rights — an open invitation for security breaches.

Zero Trust changes this by granting minimum access, for the shortest necessary time, with ongoing verification.
EPM enforces Zero Trust by ensuring privilege elevation is:

• Temporary
• Policy-driven
• Fully audited

6. Core Features of EPM in Microsoft Intune

7. Prerequisites for Deploying EPM

Before enabling EPM, ensure:

• Device Enrollment – Devices must be enrolled in Intune
• Directory Join – Devices are joined to Microsoft Entra ID (cloud or hybrid)
• Supported OS – Windows 10/11 Enterprise or Education (64-bit)
• Licensing – Either:
  • Microsoft Intune Suite
  • EPM Add-on license for Microsoft 365

8. How to Configure Endpoint Privilege Management in Intune

• Login to the Intune Admin Portal
• Sign in with Intune Administrator access.
• Navigate to Endpoint Security
• Go to Endpoint Security > Endpoint Privilege Management.

• Go to the Policies Tab
• Click on the Policies tab at the top and select Create Policy.
• Create a New Elevation Policy
• Platform: Windows
• Profile Type: Elevation Settings Policy

• Enter a Policy Name and Description, then click Next.
• Configure Settings
• In the Configuration Settings, enable Endpoint Privilege Management.
• Set the Default elevation response to Require support approval (as shown below).

• Assign Devices > Go to the Assignments tab.
• Assign the policy to all Intune-enrolled devices.
• Review and Create > Review the policy configuration and click Create.

9.  End-User Experience: Elevating Privileges

• The end user downloads software or an application from the internet.
• Right-click the downloaded app and select Run with elevated access.

• A request window will appear where the user must provide a justification for the installation.
• Enter the justification and click Send.

10. Admin Approval Process

• The Intune Administrator reviews the request by navigating to:
  Endpoint Privilege Management > Elevation Requests.

• Open the request, select Approve or Deny, provide a reason, and click Yes.

Once approved, inform the user that they can now install the app using Run with elevated access. This allows the user to install the application without needing to manually enter admin credentials.

11. Creating and Managing Elevation Rules

Rule Templates and Conditions

Set conditions like:

• App name
• Publisher
• File hash
• Path-based rules

Best Practices for Rule Creation

• Start with audit mode to see how users interact
• Avoid wildcard paths
• Target specific groups or departments

12.  Common Use Cases for EPM

• Software Installation – Allow users to install approved tools without IT delay
• Temporary Troubleshooting – Helpdesk can grant time-limited admin rights
• Developer Access – Provide developers admin rights for specific tools only

13. Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Native to Microsoft’s ecosystem
• Real-time auditing and reporting
• Easy to manage within Intune

Cons:

• Windows-only support (no macOS/Linux)
• Fewer customization options than some third-party privilege management tools

14. Security and Compliance Impact

• Fully aligns with Zero Trust principles
• Provides clear, exportable logs for audits
• Best practice: Configure the Elevation Response by Default Will Need Support Approval

15. Troubleshooting Tips

If policies are not applying:

• Verify device is Intune and Entra ID enrolled
• Check Intune sync status
• Confirm correct group targeting

For logs and reporting:

• Use Intune reports in Microsoft Endpoint Manager
• Check Event Viewer for local logs

16. Recommended Rollout Strategy

1. Start with a pilot group
2. Monitor usage and request trends
3. Gradually expand deployment to the full organization
4. Train users on request and approval workflows

17. FAQs

Q: Is EPM included with Intune by default?
A: No, it requires the Intune Suite or an EPM add-on license.

Q: Can users elevate their own permissions?
A: Yes, based on your configured policy — either auto-approved or requiring IT approval.

Q: Does EPM work on macOS or Linux?
A: No, only Windows 10/11 Enterprise and Education editions are supported.

Q: How do I monitor elevated actions?
A: Use audit logs and reports in the Intune Admin Center.

Final Thoughts

One effective strategy for maintaining a balance between security and productivity is to use Microsoft Intune’s Endpoint Privilege Management feature. By replacing permanent admin rights with temporary, controlled elevations, organizations can:

• Reduce security risks
• Improve compliance readiness
• Maintain user efficiency

Start with a pilot, refine your policies, and gradually roll out EPM across your organization to fully embrace least privilege without slowing down your workforce.

✅ Next Step: Start your Intune EPM pilot today and see the difference in security and productivity.
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Related Links:

• Microsoft Intune Beginner Guide 2025
• Configure and Implementations of Intune Policies
• Step-by-Step Windows Autopilot guide