Filters Generally Available in Microsoft Endpoint Manager
As a cloud architect, I’ve seen firsthand the value of using filters in the Microsoft Endpoint Manager. Filters allow you to quickly and accurately target specific groups of users or devices, making it easier to manage them and manage their access to applications and other resources. In this article, I’ll provide an overview of the filters generally available in Microsoft Endpoint Manager.
What are Filters?
Filters are a way to segment the user and device population in the Microsoft Endpoint Manager. A filter can be used to target users or devices with certain criteria, such as device type, user location, or application usage. For example, you can create a filter for all users in a specific country, or for all devices that are running a particular application.
Using filters, you can quickly see who or what is affected by a particular policy or setting. This makes it easier to manage and troubleshoot access issues. For example, you can quickly see which users or devices are being affected by a particular setting, and make any necessary adjustments.
Types of Filters in Microsoft Endpoint Manager
Microsoft Endpoint Manager provides several types of filters that you can use to target specific users or devices. These include:
* Device Type Filters—Target specific types of devices, such as Android, iOS, or Windows.
* User Location Filters—Filter users by their geographic location, such as a country or city.
* Application Usage Filters—Target users or devices that are using a particular application or service.
* Device Model Filters—Target specific device models, such as iPhone or Samsung.
* Operating System Version Filters—Target users or devices with a specific version of a particular operating system.
Creating Filters in Microsoft Endpoint Manager
Creating filters in Microsoft Endpoint Manager is a simple process. You can either create filters directly in the console or use PowerShell scripts to automate the process. Here’s an example of a PowerShell script that creates a filter for users in a specific country:
$countryCode = “GB”
$filterName = “Users in United Kingdom”
$filter = New-CimInstance -Namespace root/Microsoft/Windows/DeviceManagement/AdmPowershell -ClassName MSFT_Filter -Property @{
DisplayName = $filterName
FilterType = “User”
Criteria = “Country -eq ‘$countryCode'”
}
Set-CimInstance -InputObject $filter -Namespace root/Microsoft/Windows/DeviceManagement/AdmPowershell
Once you’ve created the filter, you can then use it to target users and devices with the specified criteria. For example, you can use the filter to deploy applications or settings to users in the specified country.
Conclusion
Filters are a powerful tool in the Microsoft Endpoint Manager, allowing you to quickly and accurately target specific users or devices. There are several types of filters available, including device type, user location, application usage, device model, and operating system version. You can create filters directly in the console or use PowerShell scripts to automate the process.
