Apple has included this crucial capability to enhance Mac MDM.

Thanks to enhancements in macOS Ventura, Mac administrators now have more control over login and background activities.

The vast majority of Mac users have always had the option to configure programmes to open when they log in, but this has changed with the release of macOS Ventura. Apple has also made it possible for Mac admins to handle login things using MDM software. Login items are now controlled in a different location.

What have I logged in with?

Traditionally, the Users & Groups area of System Preferences on a Mac was where login items were maintained. With Ventura, this has changed; in addition to changing from System Preferences to System Settings, they have also been covertly moved to a new area under the General category.

Typically, login items are programmes that you’ve instructed your Mac to run when you log in, but they can also be other processes like launch agents or launch daemons that are necessary for some programmes to function reliably.

You already know that the MDM service you use will have launch agents installed to execute on registered Macs if you are an IT manager who manages Macs. These may be found in Login Items as well.

What has macOS Ventura changed?

The following are the two greatest modifications to this strategy:

Changing the preference’s location from Users & Groups to General
increasing the visibility of more login-only elements
With the latter, startup elements like installation packages, software components, and other things that are required by certain apps are now accessible.

Users will be notified after the installation to let them know it has happened, and these things may also be deactivated in Login Items. This is a significant difference from the past, when similar elements were typically hidden from the user.
Additionally, the Login Items section has been modified. It now provides two major categories: Open at Login and Permit Background Access.

Any programme (like your browser) that you want your Mac to launch as soon as you log in will reside in the former.
The latter will contain any supporting components, such MDM software.
If they want not to have certain background programmes run automatically, users can check and uncheck a box next to them. However, they are unable to stop MDM system agents; only administrators with access to the system’s console may accomplish that.

What have I logged in with?

Traditionally, the Users & Groups area of System Preferences on a Mac was where login items were maintained. With Ventura, this has changed; in addition to changing from System Preferences to System Settings, they have also been covertly moved to a new area under the General category.

Typically, login items are programmes that you’ve instructed your Mac to run when you log in, but they can also be other processes like launch agents or launch daemons that are necessary for some programmes to function reliably.

You already know that the MDM service you use will have launch agents installed to execute on registered Macs if you are an IT manager who manages Macs. These may be found in Login Items as well.

What has macOS Ventura changed?

The following are the two greatest modifications to this strategy:

Changing the preference’s location from Users & Groups to General
increasing the visibility of more login-only elements
With the latter, startup elements like installation packages, software components, and other things that are required by certain apps are now accessible.

Users will be notified after the installation to let them know it has happened, and these things may also be deactivated in Login Items. This is a significant difference from the past, when similar elements were typically hidden from the user.

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Additionally, the Login Items section has been modified. Open at Login and Allow in the Background are the two major categories that are now available.

Any programme (like your browser) that you want your Mac to launch as soon as you log in will reside in the former.
The latter will contain any supporting components, such MDM software.
If they want not to have certain background programmes run automatically, users can check and uncheck a box next to them. However, they are unable to stop MDM system agents; only administrators with access to the system’s console may accomplish that.

How about the admins?

Mac administrators may now use their preferred MDM software to remotely manage login and background items on their Mac fleets. This entails that they may either deactivate components that don’t adhere to security policy standards or mandate that certain components operate on every Mac.

Additionally, Apple has released a new SMAppService API, which is described here, that MDM systems utilise to handle these objects. This is crucial as administrators work to safeguard Macs that are in use outside of the usual security perimeter. Apple continues to strive to increase the security of Macs.

Exist any more changes?

In contrast to System Preferences, Apple made further adjustments in System Settings (Ventura) (previous iterations of macOS). These have been updated to mirror the Settings for iPads and iPhones, and they now include include additional sections for:

Xbox One controllers
Play Center
Screen Lock (which has moved out of Security & Privacy)
Computer & Dock (previously in Desktop & Screen Saver and Dock & Menu Bar)
Display Saver (once available in Desktop & Screen Saver)
Wallpaper (also formerly available in Desktop & Screen Saver) (also once available in Desktop & Screen Saver)
Use the enhanced search feature to find a certain control if it can’t be found because it has been moved.