Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Endpoint protectionMigrate to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint - Phase 1: Prepare
In brief
The article now explains that Phase 1 preparation includes licensing, portal access, network connectivity, and performance baselines before Defender for Endpoint setup and onboarding. The wording and metadata were also updated.
What Defender admins need to know
Administrators have a clearer set of preparation areas to review before onboarding devices.
Summaries are generated from the documentation change itself.
Documentation change
View on Microsoft LearnThe comparison below shows only the changed extract. Use the full-page view for complete context.
Migrate to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint - Phase 1: Prepare
Phase 1: Prepare
 Phase 1: Prepare |
 Phase 2: Set up |
 Phase 3: Onboard |
|---|
Welcome to the Prepare phase of migrating to Defender for Endpoint.
In this phase, you ensure your organization's environment is ready before you set up and onboard Defender for Endpoint. This includes getting licensing in place, granting portal access, verifying network connectivity, and capturing performance baselines so you can detect any changes after onboarding.
This migration phase includes the following steps:
- Get and deploy updates across your organization's devices.
Step 2: Get Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 or Plan 2
Now that you've updatedAfter updating your organization's devices, the next step is to get Defender for Endpoint, assign licenses, and make sure the service is provisioned.
- Buy or try Defender for Endpoint today. Start a free trial or request a quote. Microsoft 365 E3 includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 1, and Microsoft 365 E5 includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2.
@@ -13,10 +13,10 @@ ms.collection: - tier1 ms.topic: how-to ms.custom:- - msecd-doc-authoring-1014+ - msecd-doc-authoring-1016 - migrationguides - admindeeplinkDEFENDER-ms.date: 06/17/2026+ms.date: 07/02/2026 ms.reviewer: jesquive, chventou, jonix, chriggs, owtho, yongrhee appliesto: - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 1@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ ai-usage: ai-assisted --- # Migrate to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint - Phase 1: Prepare +## Phase 1: Prepare | <br/>Phase 1: Prepare | [](switch-to-mde-phase-2.md)<br/>[Phase 2: Set up](switch-to-mde-phase-2.md) | [](switch-to-mde-phase-3.md)<br/>[Phase 3: Onboard](switch-to-mde-phase-3.md) | |--|--|--|@@ -33,6 +34,8 @@ ai-usage: ai-assisted **Welcome to the Prepare phase of [migrating to Defender for Endpoint](switch-to-mde-overview.md#the-migration-process)**. +In this phase, you ensure your organization's environment is ready before you set up and onboard Defender for Endpoint. This includes getting licensing in place, granting portal access, verifying network connectivity, and capturing performance baselines so you can detect any changes after onboarding.+ This migration phase includes the following steps: 1. Get and deploy updates across your organization's devices.@@ -65,7 +68,7 @@ Need help with updating your organization's devices? See the following resources ## Step 2: Get Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 or Plan 2 -Now that you've updated your organization's devices, the next step is to get Defender for Endpoint, assign licenses, and make sure the service is provisioned.+After updating your organization's devices, get Defender for Endpoint, assign licenses, and make sure the service is provisioned. 1. Buy or try Defender for Endpoint today. [Start a free trial or request a quote](https://aka.ms/mdatp). Microsoft 365 E3 includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 1, and Microsoft 365 E5 includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2.