Hello reader!

I want to share something I just discovered that honestly made me laugh at myself for not noticing it sooner. If you work with Microsoft Intune, you’ve probably spent time deploying devices, managing policies, and making sure everything runs smoothly. But have you ever thought about what the onboarding experience actually looks like for the person unboxing that laptop?

Here’s what I mean — that new hire opens their “brand-new” device (okay, maybe not new, maybe just a repurposed Lenovo T14), powers it on, and goes through setup. Everything works fine… but it’s just plain Windows screens. Nothing about it says, “Welcome to our company, we’ve got you covered.”

That’s where Intune Branding comes in.

What Intune Branding Actually Does

In simple terms, Intune Branding lets you customize the setup experience for your company-managed devices. It’s a feature that lives quietly inside Intune but adds a huge touch of personality and professionalism to how your users start up their machines.

You can:

Add your company name and logo (yep, the real one, not a pixelated version).

Set a color scheme or background that matches your brand.

Include support contact info right on the setup screen.

Even drop in a friendly welcome message — something that says, “Hey, we’re glad you’re here.”

So instead of your users seeing generic Windows setup text, they’ll see your company’s identity front and center — something that makes it feel like the device was made just for them.

Why This Matters (More Than You’d Think)

You might be thinking, “Okay, cool — but does this really matter?”

Yes. It does.

Because the first impression your IT department makes often happens during setup. That’s when a user decides if this company has its tech life together or not.

With Intune Branding, you’re not just deploying a device — you’re giving your users confidence that IT knows what it’s doing. And that matters whether you’re a large organization or a five-person startup.

Here’s what this feature really gives you:

Professional polish: The process feels intentional, not just default Windows.

Better communication: You can display your support email or number so users know who to call.

Consistency: Every device, no matter where it’s set up, looks the same.

Trust: Users see your logo and know it’s official — not just another “mystery setup” screen.

These little touches make IT feel like a well-run part of the business, not just the team that resets passwords.

How To Set It Up (No Deep Dive Needed)

The best part? You don’t need a deep technical dive to turn this on. Here’s all you have to do:

Head into your Microsoft Intune Admin Center.

Go to Tenant Administration → Customization.

Click Edit and upload your logo (bonus points if you have both light and dark versions).

Add your company name, support info, and a welcome message.

Save your changes.

That’s it. Seriously. The next time a user goes through Autopilot setup, they’ll see your company’s branding instead of the default Microsoft blue. It’s one of those small wins that makes you look like an IT rockstar with very little effort.

A Real-World Example

Let’s imagine you’re rolling out a new laptop for a hire named Sarah. She opens the box, powers it on, and instead of the plain “Setting up your device” message, she sees:

“Welcome to the team, Sarah! We’re getting your computer ready. If you need help, reach out to IT Support at helpdesk@yourcompany.com

.”

Now that’s an onboarding experience. It’s small, but it makes a huge difference. Sarah immediately knows she’s in the right place and that her IT team is organized.

It’s the digital version of handing someone a clean desk with their nameplate already on it.

Final Thoughts

When I first started working with Intune, I was focused on the technical side — images, updates, drivers, compliance. All the heavy lifting that keeps systems running. But finding out about Intune Branding reminded me that the user experience matters too.

It’s not just about getting the laptop online — it’s about making that first boot-up moment feel like the company cares.

So, if you haven’t tried it yet, go set up your Intune Branding. It takes maybe ten minutes, and it’s one of the easiest ways to make your IT setup feel like part of the brand — not an afterthought.

Because let’s face it — anyone can deploy a laptop. But making that process feel good? That’s what sets great IT apart.

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