Windows 11 Offered Despite Intune Blocks
Introduction
Microsoft has acknowledged a recent issue where some Windows devices were offered upgrades to Windows 11, despite administrators configuring policies to block such updates using Microsoft Intune. This unexpected behavior has sparked concern in IT and enterprise communities relying on strict deployment controls. If you’re managing devices via Microsoft Endpoint Manager and noticed unauthorized upgrade prompts, you’re not alone.
What Happened?
Between February 20 and February 22, 2024, a limited number of devices managed through Intune saw Windows 11 upgrade offers, even though they had update deferral policies in place. These policies are designed to prevent premature feature updates by setting specific timing around when such updates should be delivered or offered.
Why Did This Occur?
According to Microsoft, a service-side issue inadvertently ignored or bypassed the configured deployment settings for feature updates. This misalignment between policy enforcement and backend update logic led to some eligible systems incorrectly receiving Windows 11 upgrade offers.
Microsoft stated: “The issue occurred due to a service-side problem and not the result of a configuration mistake on the part of IT administrators.”
Who Was Affected?
While the impact was not widespread, devices that met hardware requirements for Windows 11 and were configured through Microsoft Intune with update deferral settings were most likely to be affected. Microsoft specifically pointed out that affected devices received an upgrade offer from Windows Update, which could have caused disruption if acted upon by end users.
Commonly Impacted Scenarios
- Devices managed using Windows Update for Business (WUfB).
- Environments with policies set to defer feature updates for specific durations.
- Machines using CSP (Configuration Service Provider) configuration profiles.
Microsoft’s Mitigation Efforts
Once the unintended behavior was identified, Microsoft acted quickly to resolve it. The issue was remediated by February 22, 2024, with backend changes rolled out to ensure policy respect moving forward. Microsoft is also taking further steps to mitigate the risk of similar issues in the future.
In response, the company is:
- Improving internal monitoring mechanisms for deployment policy adherence.
- Enhancing service validation processes before rollout changes affect end users.
- Communicating more transparently with IT admins during and after service disruptions.
What Should IT Admins Do Now?
If your environment was affected, it’s crucial to check your update management policies in Microsoft Intune. Review the status of your Windows Update for Business configurations, and ensure your deferral settings remain consistent with your organization’s deployment strategy.
Recommended Steps
- Audit devices for unauthorized upgrade prompts or version changes.
- Reconfirm update deferral policy settings in Intune.
- Monitor the Windows release health dashboard for any further updates from Microsoft.
Final Thoughts
This incident is a reminder of how even robust device management tools like Microsoft Intune can be affected by backend service issues. While Microsoft has addressed and resolved the problem, IT teams should remain vigilant in monitoring update behavior and reporting anomalies.
Ultimately, Microsoft’s quick acknowledgement and mitigation of the issue demonstrate the importance of communication and responsiveness in modern IT environments. For administrators, staying informed is key to maintaining control over device fleet upgrades — especially when disruption could impact thousands of end users.