Windows Autopilot: The Complete Guide

Windows Autopilot is Microsoft’s modern deployment solution. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is Autopilot?

A cloud-based deployment service that:

• Transforms new devices from “blank” to “ready to use”
• Requires no IT infrastructure
• Configures devices via Intune

Deployment Modes

User-Driven

• Traditional OOBE experience
• User logs in with corporate credentials
• Device joins Azure AD and enrolls in Intune

Self-Deploying (Zero-Touch)

• No user interaction required
• Device provisions itself
• Great for kiosks, digital signage

White Glove

• IT pre-provisions device
• User gets fresh out-of-box experience

Getting Started

Step 1: Register Devices

# Get hardware hash
Get-WindowsAutoPilotInfo -Computer . | Export-CSV -Path ".\hardwarehash.csv"

# Or use CSV import in Intune

Step 2: Create Profile

1. Go to Intune → Devices → Windows → Autopilot deployment profiles
2. Create profile
3. Configure settings:
   • Join type: Azure AD joined
   • Out-of-box experience: User-driven
   • Language: Match device
   • Account type: Standard user

Step 3: Assign Profile

• Assign to device group
• Or auto-assign based on order ID

Profile Settings

Setting	Options
Deployment mode	User-driven / Self-deploying
Join to	Azure AD
Out-of-box experience	Full customization
Language	en-US, etc.
Keyboard	Primary + login
Device name template	CORP-%SERIAL%

Device Preparation

For Self-Deploying Mode

• TPM 2.0 required
• Ethernet recommended
• Wired connection for initial setup

For User-Driven

• Works over WiFi
• User needs credentials

Troubleshooting

Profile Not Applying

# Check device enrollment
dsregcmd /status

# Check Autopilot state
Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Provisioning\Diagnostics\Autopilot"

Device Not Showing

• Import hardware hash again
• Check assigned group
• Verify profile status

Autopilot Reset

# Local reset (preserve enrollment)
Reset-AzureAutopilotDevice -DeviceId "device-id"

# Full reset (wipe and re-enroll)
Wipe-AzureAutopilotDevice -DeviceId "device-id"

Wrap-Up

Autopilot transforms device deployment. Start with user-driven mode, then explore self-deploying as you mature.

Questions? Drop them below!