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Mastering Certificates with Microsoft Intune September 2026

I’m excited to announce that I will be delivering another edition of the Mastering Certificates with Microsoft Intune course, hosted by ViaMonstra Online Academy. This is a three-day live online training course that takes place September 1-3, 2026. This course dives deep into issuing and managing certificates using Microsoft Intune, covering both on-premises and cloud-based solutions.

Course Overview

This interactive training equips IT professionals with the skills to provision and manage enterprise PKI certificates using Microsoft Intune. It explores Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS), Microsoft Cloud PKI for Intune, and non-Microsoft solutions, with live demonstrations featuring real-world scenarios.

Key Learning Objectives

Those taking the online training course will learn the following.

  • Certificate Basics: Understand certificate roles and enterprise use cases.
  • Deployment Options: Master Intune certificate deployment (Intune policies, revocation, security) and Microsoft Cloud PKI (licensing, benefits, limitations, BYOCA).
  • Intune Deployment: Learn PKCS and SCEP deployment, security best practices, and troubleshooting.
  • High Availability: Explore strategies for reliable certificate management.

Course Highlights

Here are some key highlights for attendees of the training.

  • Expert-Led: Learn from a veteran IT professional, a Microsoft MVP, with deep PKI and Intune expertise.
  • Interactive Demonstrations: The course includes numerous practical exercises in real-world scenarios.
  • Resources: Access to security best practices and sample scripts for automated configuration.
  • Community: Join a private Facebook group for peer collaboration.
  • Live Q&A: Engage directly with the instructor for a clearer understanding.

Who Should Attend?

This training event is ideal for IT administrators, security professionals, and systems engineers working with Intune, AD CS, or Microsoft Cloud PKI for Intune.

Prerequisites

Those attending the online training course should be familiar with the following.

  • Basic networking knowledge (TCP/IP, DNS).
  • Familiarity with Active Directory, Windows OS, and Intune.
  • Access to an AD CS setup and an Azure subscription with Intune Suite licenses.

Why It Matters

Certificates are vital for secure authentication and communication. This course bridges theory and practice, equipping you to deploy and manage digital certificates effectively in cloud-native environments.

Details

Here is some additional information about the training event.

  • When: September 1-3, 2026 (sessions begin at 9:00 AM CDT).
  • Where: Live online via ViaMonstra Online Academy.
  • Cost: $2,395.00 (Sold separately – not included in All-Access Pass).

Why ViaMonstra?

ViaMonstra delivers top-tier IT training from Microsoft MVPs, focusing on practical, up-to-date skills and fostering a collaborative community.

Take the Next Step

Ready to master certificate management with Microsoft Intune? Register at ViaMonstra Online Academy for the August 2025 Mastering Certificates with Microsoft Intune training course today!

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by Richard M. Hicks on June 8, 2026  •  Permalink
Posted in Active Directory, Active Directory Certificate Services, AD CS, administration, authentication, Azure Active Directory, Azure AD, CBA, Certificate Authentication, Certificate Authority, Certificate Connector for Intune, Certificate Services, Certificate-Based Authentication, certificates, cloud, Cloud PKI, Cloud Service, Cryptography, Deployment, Device Management, education, Encryption, Endpoint Manager, Enterprise, enterprise mobility, Entra, Entra CBA, Entra Certificate-Based Authentication, Entra ID, Infrastructure, Intune, Intune Certificate Connector, Intune PFX Connector, learning, MDM, MEM, Microsoft, Microsoft Endpoint Manager, Microsoft Entra, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Intune, Mobile Device Management, Mobility, NDES, Network Device Enrollment Service, Network Device Enrollment Services, Operational Support, PFX Connector, PKCS, PKI, public cloud, public key infrastructure, SCEP, Security, Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol, systems management, Training, troubleshooting, Trusted Platform Module, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2025
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on June 8, 2026

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2026/06/08/mastering-certificates-with-microsoft-intune-september-2026/

REMINDER: Windows Server 2016 End of Life January 2027 – Plan Your AD CS Migration Now

With just over six months remaining before Windows Server 2016 reaches end of support, now is the time to begin planning migrations for workloads hosted on this platform. Mainstream support ended on January 11, 2022, and Windows Server 2016 has since remained in extended support. However, extended support ends on January 12, 2027. After that date, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support, increasing the risk of running production workloads due to exposure to newly discovered vulnerabilities and exploits.

Active Directory Certificate Services

Many organizations are still running critical infrastructure on Windows Server 2016. Administrators often delay upgrading Microsoft Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) due to its complexity. However, a well-planned AD CS migration not only reduces risk but also provides an opportunity to modernize cryptography, certificate templates, and operational practices.

Certificate Authorities

Administrators must carefully migrate Certificate Authorities (CAs) running on Windows Server 2016 to minimize downtime. In environments where ongoing CA maintenance has been limited, migrating the CA database can be especially challenging. If the CA is installed on a domain controller, now is a good time to consider separating these services to ensure reliable operation. Also, it’s a good idea to evaluate the CA’s configuration and security posture during migration to enhance security and improve service resilience.

NDES Servers

Microsoft Network Device Enrollment Services (NDES) servers, commonly deployed to facilitate certificate enrollment via Microsoft Intune, pose a unique challenge during migration. Unfortunately, configuring NDES is exceedingly complex and error-prone. NDES relies on a delicate combination of specialized IIS configuration, AD service accounts, custom certificate templates, and CA permissions, making even minor changes risky without proper planning. Not surprisingly, administrators are often hesitant to touch these systems as they are notoriously difficult to troubleshoot when problems arise.

Pro Tip: We spend an entire day covering NDES configuration in the Mastering Enterprise PKI Certificates with Microsoft Intune training course. The next session is September 1-3, 2026. Register now!

Intune Certificate Connectors

Don’t overlook Windows Server 2016 servers with the Intune Certificate Connector installed. Fortunately, this is one of the more manageable workloads to migrate. All that’s required is to install new connectors on supported servers and delete the old ones.

Summary

With extended support for Windows Server 2016 ending on January 12, 2027, organizations running production workloads—especially critical infrastructure such as Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS), Certificate Authorities (CAs), and NDES servers—face significant security risks from unpatched vulnerabilities once the OS reaches end-of-life. Careful migration planning to newer versions such as Windows Server 2022 or 2025 is essential to minimize downtime, improve security posture, and ensure long-term resilience.

Start Planning Now

Don’t leave these mission-critical infrastructure services to the last minute! Begin planning your migration today. If you’d like expert guidance, I have many years of experience migrating these workloads. I have developed specialized tools and techniques to ensure a smooth, secure, and successful transition. Fill out the form below to schedule a free one-hour consultation to assess your Windows Server 2016 AD CS workloads, identify migration risks, and outline next steps.

Additional Information

Windows Server 2016 Lifecycle Policy

PKI Fundamentals with Microsoft Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) Online Training Course

Mastering Enterprise PKI Certificates with Microsoft Intune Online Training Course

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by Richard M. Hicks on June 1, 2026  •  Permalink
Posted in Active Directory Certificate Services, AD CS, ADCS, authentication, CBA, Certificate Authentication, Certificate Authority, Certificate Connector for Intune, Certificate Services, Certificate-Based Authentication, certificates, Consulting Services, Cryptography, Encryption, end of life, Enterprise, Entra Certificate-Based Authentication, EOL, Infrastructure, Intune, Intune Certificate Connector, Intune PFX Connector, Microsoft, Microsoft Intune, NDES, Network Device Enrollment Service, Network Device Enrollment Services, Operational Support, PFX Connector, PKCS, PKI, Professional Services, public key infrastructure, SCEP, Security, Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol, Update, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2025
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on June 1, 2026

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2026/06/01/reminder-windows-server-2016-end-of-life-january-2027-plan-your-ad-cs-migration-now/

Troubleshooting NDES Error 0x80070003 Path Not Found on Windows Server 2025

When deploying enterprise PKI certificates with Microsoft Intune using SCEP, administrators must deploy one or more on-premises Network Device Enrollment Service (NDES) servers together with the Intune Certificate Connector. Installing and configuring NDES can be challenging because the solution includes multiple dependencies and has many moving parts. Troubleshooting installation failures can be difficult, particularly on Windows Server 2025 where I have observed installation issues more frequently than on earlier Windows Server releases.

Path Not Found

As I work with customers to migrate their existing NDES services to Windows Server 2025, I frequently encounter installation errors. Specifically, the ‘Path Not Found’ error is increasingly common. Using PowerShell or the Server Manager, administrators may encounter a failed NDES installation that returns the following error message.

CMSCEPSetup::Install: The system cannot find the path specified. 0x80070003 (WIN32: 3 ERROR_PATH_NOT_FOUND)

Investigation

Reviewing the NDES installation log at C:\Windows\certocm.log yields an important clue.

Microsoft Active Directory Certificate Services: Failed to add the web virtual directory. The system cannot find the path specified. 0x80070003 (WIN32: 3 ERROR_PATH_NOT_FOUND): The system cannot find the path specified. 0x80070003 (WIN32: 3 ERROR_PATH_NOT_FOUND)

Root Cause

This error occurs after a failed installation attempt which corrupts the IIS configuration on the NDES server. This prevents the NDES installer from configuring applications in the default web site. Fortunately, the problem is easy to resolve.

Recovery Steps

To recover from this error, first uninstall the NDES service (not the role) by opening an elevated PowerShell command window and running the following command.

Uninstall-AdccsNetworkDeviceEnrollmentService -Force

Next, remove the corrupt IIS configuration file.

Remove-Item C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\config\applicationHost.config -Force

Copy a known-good IIS configuration file from the WinSxS folder.

$WinSxSConfig = Get-ChildItem C:\Windows\WinSxS -Recurse -Filter applicationHost.config -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Sort-Object LastWriteTime -Descending | Select-Object -First 1
Copy-Item -Path $WinSxSConfig.FullName "C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\config\applicationHost.config" -Force

And finally, recreate the default website.

& "$env:SystemRoot\System32\inetsrv\appcmd.exe" add site /name:"Default Web Site" /bindings:http/*:80: /physicalPath:"%SystemDrive%\inetpub\wwwroot"

Once complete, proceed with the NDES configuration.

Pro Tip

Because this issue occurs frequently enough in my experience, I recommend backing up the IIS configuration immediately after installing the NDES role and before beginning configuration. You can backup the IIS configuration by opening an elevated PowerShell command window and running the following command.

& "$env:SystemRoot\System32\inetsrv\appcmd.exe" add backup 'Backup Name'

If the NDES configuration subsequently fails, uninstall the configuration, then restore the backup using the following command.

& "$env:SystemRoot\System32\inetsrv\appcmd.exe" restore backup 'Backup Name'

Once complete, proceed with the NDES configuration once again.

Summary

NDES installation failures on Windows Server 2025 can leave IIS in an inconsistent state and trigger 0x80070003 ERROR_PATH_NOT_FOUND errors during configuration. Restoring a known-good IIS configuration and recreating the default web site resolves the issue quickly. Backing up the IIS configuration before beginning NDES configuration can significantly reduce recovery time if installation problems occur.

Additional Information

Troubleshooting NDES Error 0x80094800 Unsupported Cert Type on Windows Server 2025

Intune PKCS and SCEP Certificate Validity Period

TRAINING: Mastering Enterprise PKI Certificates with Microsoft Intune

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by Richard M. Hicks on May 26, 2026  •  Permalink
Posted in Active Directory Certificate Services, AD CS, ADCS, authentication, Certificate Authentication, Certificate Authority, Certificate Connector for Intune, Certificate Services, certificates, Cryptography, Device Management, Encryption, end of life, Enterprise, Infrastructure, Intune, Intune Certificate Connector, Intune PFX Connector, MDM, Microsoft, Microsoft Intune, Mobile Device Management, NDES, Network Device Enrollment Service, Network Device Enrollment Services, PFX Connector, PKI, public key infrastructure, Security, Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol, troubleshooting, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2025
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Richard M. Hicks on May 26, 2026

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2026/05/26/troubleshooting-ndes-error-0x80070003-path-not-found-on-windows-server-2025/

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