⌨️ Managing applications and settings across Windows devices has always been a key part of IT administration. One of the most powerful tools to achieve this is ADMX templates. These files provide a way to standardise and enforce policies across your organisation. With Microsoft Intune, administrators can now upload and use ADMX files directly in the cloud, removing the dependency on on-premises Group Policy.

In this article, we’ll explore what ADMX is, how to add it in Intune, and what you can do with it. To make things practical, we’ll also look at an example using think-cell, a popular PowerPoint add-in, which provides its own ADMX templates.

What is ADMX?

ADMX stands for Administrative Template XML. These files define policies that can configure Windows and applications. They tell Windows (or Intune) what settings are available and how they can be applied. For example:

  • Enforcing password complexity rules.
  • Controlling which apps users can install.
  • Configuring application-specific features like updates or integrations.

Traditionally, ADMX files were imported into Group Policy on domain-joined devices. With Intune, the same functionality is available in the cloud, making it possible to apply consistent policies to devices wherever they are.

Why Use ADMX in Intune?

By adding ADMX templates to Intune, you gain the ability to:

  • Apply application-specific policies, even if they aren’t natively included in Intune.
  • Provide consistent configuration across Windows devices.
  • Simplify large-scale deployments by centralising policy management.
  • Reduce reliance on on-premises Active Directory and Group Policy.

This is especially useful for third-party applications like think-cell, which provides an ADMX file so IT admins can configure licensing, update behaviour, feature access, etc.

How to Add ADMX in the Latest Intune

Adding an ADMX template to Intune is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Get the ADMX file ready
    Obtain the ADMX file from the software vendor or create one manually if needed. Eg. ThinkCell provides its ADMX policy template within the installation folder. Deployment guide . (sample files are included in Step 3)

  2. Log in to the Intune portal
    Go to the Microsoft Intune admin centre .

  3. Navigate to Import ADMX

  4. Create a profile

    • Once uploaded, create a new configuration profile using Templates > Imported Administrative Templates (Preview). (As of Sep 2025)
    • Select the ADMX template you’ve imported.

  5. Configure settings

    • Browse through the available settings exposed by the ADMX file.
    • Configure policies according to your organisation’s requirements (eg. disable auto-updates, set licence keys or restrict certain features).

  6. Assign to groups

    • Target the profile to specific Entra ID groups (users or devices).

  7. Monitor and validate

    • Use the Device status and User status tabs in Intune to confirm that policies are being applied.

Key Takeaway

ADMX templates are no longer just a Group Policy tool, they’re now an essential part of modern cloud-based management in Intune. Whether you’re managing Windows settings or third-party applications, importing ADMX files into Intune gives you greater control and consistency across your devices.

If you haven’t explored this feature yet, now is the perfect time to start. This simple step can save you hours of manual configuration and troubleshooting.

#MicrosoftIntune #EndpointManagement #ADMX #CloudManagement