Endpoint management strategy — Intune-only or hybrid AD in 2026?

Hi Harry Porter,

Just checking in on your endpoint management strategy. Have you decided to pull the trigger on a 100% Cloud-Native (Entra Joined + Intune) approach, or did you find some specific legacy on-prem dependencies that are holding you back?

Let me know if you need any help mapping out the migration path!

Tracy.

Hi Harry Porter,

The short answer for 2026: Go 100% Cloud-Native (Entra Joined + Intune). In the architecture I am currently designing for our massive company merger, we are completely dropping Hybrid AD for all endpoints. Here is exactly why you should do the same:

Why Hybrid AD is a trap in 2026:

Hybrid Azure AD join was originally designed as a temporary stepping stone, not a final destination. Keeping it forces you to maintain legacy dependencies:

Endpoints still need "line of sight" to an on-prem Domain Controller to properly process GPOs and password changes.

You constantly battle synchronization delays between local AD and Entra ID.

VPN dependencies break the true modern "work from anywhere" model.

The Intune-Only (Cloud Native) Advantage:

Zero-Trust Ready: Devices authenticate directly to the cloud. No VPN is needed for device provisioning (Windows Autopilot) or policy updates.

Simplified Management: Intune Configuration Profiles completely replace and modernize legacy GPOs.

Seamless On-Prem Access: This is the biggest misconception—Entra Joined devices can still access on-prem resources (like file shares, printers, and legacy servers) via Kerberos SSO, as long as your user identities are synced via Entra ID Connect.

Unless you have a hyper-specific regulatory requirement tying end-user devices to a physical domain controller, cut the cord and go fully cloud-managed.

What kind of legacy on-prem infrastructure or applications are you currently worried about breaking if you move away from Hybrid AD?

Tracy Le.