Configuration Manager

Configuration Manager deploys OSs, updates, patches, and applications over a corporate network (or over the Internet using a VPN connection, Azure-hosted servers, or the Microsoft-hosted Intune service) and collects inventories of Windows clients and Windows Servers. It can help customers manage power settings and policies and provides the infrastructure used by Microsoft’s Endpoint Protection (not to be confused with the paid Microsoft Defender for Endpoint service) antimalware software. 

Configuration Manager was traditionally part of the System Center suite of management products but was briefly rebranded under a separate moniker, Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MEM), now retired in favor of simplified Intune branding. These and other trends suggest that enhancements to the product will primarily focus on integrated management in concert with Intune through a unified console, a capability only available for Windows client systems.

Servicing and Support 

Since 2016, Configuration Manager and Endpoint Protection have offered two servicing branches, which have different product support terms. (See “Configuration Manager Timeline.”)