Let’s see how to manually sync Intune policies using multiple methods on Windows devices. Syncing forces your device to connect with Intune to get the latest updates, requirements, and communications from your organization.
In this post, I will show you how to initiate quick manual sync of latest Intune policies from the Company Portal app on Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs.
Company Portal regularly syncs devices with Intune as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection. However, if you ever need to disconnect for an extended period of time, you can manually sync to get any updates you missed when you return.
You can also initiate a device sync for Android and macOS in Intune. You can Sync devices to get the latest policies and actions with Intune.
Requirements for Syncing Intune Policies on Windows Devices
To initiate Intune Policy sync on Windows devices, an important requirement is you must have enrolled the devices in Intune. If the Intune company portal app installed on devices, it is an advantage.
You can refer to the below guides for enrolling Windows devices in Intune (Microsoft Endpoint Manager).
When should you Manually Sync Policies for Devices?
There are four reasons when you would manually sync the Intune Policies from enrolled devices in Endpoint Manager:
- When you want to test the Intune policies ASAP on user’s device, you can force Intune policy update on devices. Be it Intune application deployment or other policy changes, you want to Sync Intune Policies on devices as soon as possible.
- When you are troubleshooting an issue on a user’s device manged by Intune, syncing the policies manually is often performed.
- If you’re experiencing slow or unusual behavior while installing or using a work app, try syncing your device to see if an update or requirement is missing.
- Syncing can also help resolve work-related downloads or other processes that are in progress or stalled.
Intune Policy Sync Interval
Do you know how long does it take for devices to get a Intune policy, profile, or app after they are assigned? The answer is 8 hours. The default Intune policy refresh intervals for different device types are already specified by Microsoft.
Here is a table that lists the default Intune policy sync interval based on device type.
| Intune Device Type | Default Intune Policy Refresh Intervals |
| Windows 10/11 PCs enrolled as devices | Every 8 Hours |
| Android | Every 8 Hours |
| macOS | Every 8 Hours |
| Windows 8.1 | Every 8 Hours |
| iOS/iPadOS | Every 8 Hours |
Note: The Intune management extension (IME) policy cycle is set to run every 60 minutes.
If devices recently enroll in Intune, then the compliance, non-compliance, and configuration check-in runs more frequently.
The below table lists the Intune device check-ins frequency based on the device type.
| Platform | Intune Device Check-ins Frequency |
| Windows 10/11 PCs enrolled as devices | Every 3 minutes for 15 minutes, then every 15 minutes for 2 hours, and then around every 8 hours |
| Android | Every 3 minutes for 15 minutes, then every 15 minutes for 2 hours, and then around every 8 hours |
| macOS | Every 15 minutes for 1 hour, and then around every 8 hours |
| iOS/iPadOS | Every 15 minutes for 1 hour, and then around every 8 hours |
| Windows 8.1 | Every 5 minutes for 15 minutes, then every 15 minutes for 2 hours, and then around every 8 hours |
We will now look at different methods with which you can trigger Intune policies sync on Windows devices.
1. Manually Sync Intune Policies from Device Taskbar or Start menu
You can manually sync Intune policies on a Windows device from Taskbar or Start Menu. Click Start and type “Company Portal” in the search box. Right click Company Portal app and select “Sync this device“.
The Company Portal app opens to the Settings page and initiates your sync. If the sync is successful, you should see the message Sync Successful on the same screen.
2. Sync Intune Policies from Company Portal App
You can quickly initiate the sync for Intune policies from Company Portal app. This method requires you to launch the company portal app and run the Sync option under Settings.
Click Start and launch the Intune Company Portal app. Click Settings and select Sync to synchronize your device to get the latest updates from your organization.
The Company Portal app initiates your sync. It takes a while to sync the latest Intune policies. The line “Last Sync on Date Time was successful” confirms the policy synchronization is successfully completed.
3. Sync Device using Intune Remote Device Action
The Sync device action forces the selected device to immediately check in with Intune. When a device checks in, it immediately receives any pending actions or policies that have been assigned to it.
Tip: The Sync device action is also available for Cloud PCs. With Cloud PC Remote Actions, you can remotely manage Cloud PCs in Intune just like any other managed device.
The Sync device action in Intune is currently supported for following device types:
- Windows
- iOS
- macOS
- Android (Device administrator and Android for Work only)
You can sync a remote device from Intune using following steps:
- Sign in to the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center.
- Select Devices > Windows > All devices.
- In the list of devices you manage, select a device to open its Overview pane, and then select Sync. To confirm Sync, select Yes.
When you initiate a device sync from Intune console, you get a message box. Intune will attempt to check in with this device. If successful, it will sync current actions or policies to the device. Would like to continue. Click Yes.
4. Manually Sync Intune Policies on Windows Devices using Settings App
You can manually sync to refresh Intune policies on Windows devices using the Settings App. On your device, select Start > Settings. Select Accounts.
Under Accounts, select Access work or school. Select the account that has a briefcase icon next to it. Click Info.
Under Device Action status, click Sync. This will sync the latest security policies, network profiles and managed applications from Intune.
Note: You can force Intune policy sync on multiple computers using a PowerShell script to refresh Intune Policies. However, you must go with a PowerShell script when you want to get Intune to re-evaluate a large number of devices against the changed policies.
Ref: https://www.prajwaldesai.com/manually-sync-intune-policies-windows-devices/