What is Windows Autopilot: A Step-by-Step Admin’s Guide

As businesses move towards a digitally equipped infrastructure that incorporates modern technologies like Windows autopilot while maintaining user preference and ease of use to be a top priority, one of the most overlooked aspects is that of the cognitive IT load. IT teams today have more than one task at hand and have to simultaneously juggle multiple tasks- from device provisioning to software enablement, from security maintenance to device troubleshooting.

One of the most important tasks that IT teams have to undertake is the configuration of devices for security and usability with an MDM solution. IT teams have to spend several hours individually provisioning devices for work/education. And this is why a remote provisioning program to configure the devices for work without touch is crucial.

According to gs StatCounter¹, Windows enjoys a substantial market desktop and laptop share of around 77%.  In this article, let us discuss the out-of-the-box provisioning of Windows 10 devices with the Windows Autopilot program supported by Scalefusion. 

What is Windows Autopilot?

Microsoft Windows Autopilot is a collection of technologies designed to pre-configure Windows 10 devices and prepare them for productivity. It provides IT teams with tools to recover, refurbish, and reuse old, pre-provisioned Windows 10 devices effectively. By leveraging Azure Autopilot capabilities, IT teams can streamline device provisioning with minimal infrastructure while simplifying remote setup processes.

Windows Autopilot utilizes the OEM-optimized OS version in new Windows 10 devices, eliminating the need for custom images and drivers for every device model. This makes business deployment quicker and more efficient. Once deployed, these Windows 10 devices can be seamlessly managed using a Windows MDM solution.

Why do we need Windows Autopilot?

For IT teams managing Windows devices, the task of provisioning and configuring devices for employees can be overwhelming. This process can be even more challenging with the need for remote deployments and varying device configurations. 

Windows Autopilot—whether for Windows 10 or Windows 11—addresses these challenges by simplifying the entire device setup.

Simplified Setup Process: Historically, setting up a new Windows device required a significant amount of manual work—activating the device, configuring settings, creating user accounts, and deploying apps. With Windows Autopilot, this process is automated. IT admins can pre-configure everything before the device even reaches the user, allowing the device to be ready for use once powered on, minimizing the need for IT intervention.

Efficient Distribution of Corporate Resources: When paired with an MDM solution, Windows Autopilot allows organizations to automate the deployment of essential resources, including corporate applications, documents, and policies. Devices can be shipped directly to employees, and upon first boot, they’ll automatically receive the necessary configurations without requiring on-site setup.

Improved Security and Control: With Windows Autopilot, organizations can restrict the creation of local administrator accounts, ensuring that only designated IT staff have admin rights. This enhances device security by reducing the potential for unauthorized changes and ensuring a controlled environment.

Windows Autopilot requirements

To successfully implement Windows Autopilot, ensure you meet the following Windows Autopilot requirements:

• Supported Windows Versions:
  • Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education
  • Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise
• Windows Autopilot Device Preparation:
  • Collect hardware IDs for devices and register them in the Microsoft Endpoint Manager
  • Ensure devices are compatible with Autopilot’s provisioning process
• Azure AD Integration:
  • An Azure AD environment with an Azure AD Premium subscription is required for management and integration

How to set up Windows Autopilot?

To perform a Windows Autopilot setup and enable device provisioning out of the box with Scalefusion MDM, you first need to sign up on Scalefusion using Azure AD credentials. 

Let us take a look at the Windows Autopilot step-by-step instructions to configure it in combination with Scalefusion Windows device management.

Windows 10 Autopilot step-by-step Process:

Step 1: 

• Sign up on the Scalefusion dashboard using Office 365 credentials. 
• If you have already signed up on Scalefusion using any other account credentials, you can easily achieve Microsoft Office 365 migration.

Step 2: 

• Complete the Azure AD setup on the Scalefusion dashboard. 
• Sign in to your Azure portal, select a default configuration- this deployment profile will be applied to your devices when they are auto-enrolled. 
• Choose device type- kiosk (company-owned) or BYOD (employee-owned) to configure OOB experience.
• Enter your organization info and complete the set up by providing the necessary permissions. Set up Scalefusion as your MDM provider in Azure AD.

Read more

Step 3: 

• Generate hardware IDs of the devices to be enrolled. These can be obtained from the vendor or can be extracted using a hardware script.
• Upload the hardware IDs to Azure portal and assign users to the hardware IDs
• Check the devices in the Autopilot section of the Scalefusion dashboard.

You can now ship your new devices/factory reset devices to the users. On their first power-up after connecting to a network, the devices will be prompted to enroll the devices using their Azure AD credentials. On log-in, the device will be ready with a deployment profile and the admin can push any desired device profile on the devices to make it further ‘business-ready’!

What can you do with Windows Autopilot?

Windows is essentially most beneficial for IT teams who spend productive time customizing settings on each device after it is already set up. Windows Autopilot enables IT teams to:

• Automatically join devices to Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) or Active Directory (via Hybrid Azure AD Join). 
• Auto-enroll Windows 10 devices into Scalefusion MDM 
• Restrict the Administrator account creation
• Create and auto-assign devices to configuration groups based on a device’s profile.
• Customize out-of-the-box content specific to the organization.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Windows Autopilot

Like any technology, Windows Autopilot has its share of pros and cons. Here’s a closer look:

Benefits:

• Effortless Remote Deployment: Windows Autopilot enables IT teams to configure and deploy devices remotely. Employees can unbox a device, connect to the internet, and be ready to work—no IT on-site required.
• Seamless Integration: Built to complement the Microsoft ecosystem, Autopilot works smoothly with tools like Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Entra ID, ensuring automatic domain joins and policy configurations.
• Customizable User Experience: IT admins can tailor the out-of-box experience (OOBE), pre-loading applications, settings, and policies unique to their business needs.
• Reduced Overhead: Autopilot leverages the OEM-installed Windows OS, reducing the need for infrastructure-heavy processes.

Drawbacks:

• Steep Learning Curve: Setting up Windows Autopilot requires meticulous planning, licenses, and network configurations, which can make the initial implementation time-intensive.
• Limited Troubleshooting Tools: When deployment hiccups occur, Autopilot’s diagnostics can feel limited, making it tricky to identify and resolve issues quickly.
• Pre-Installed Software Concerns: Devices rely on the OEM’s optimized version of Windows, which may come loaded with unnecessary applications, leading to additional clean-up efforts.

While Windows Autopilot offers an efficient way to manage device rollouts, understanding its limitations is essential for maximizing its potential. With careful setup and planning, it can significantly ease the burden on IT teams while enhancing the end-user experience.

Windows 10 Autopilot Provisioning – Use Cases

1. In enterprise setup

In enterprises, IT teams can leverage the Windows 10 autopilot program to provision devices out of the box without manual intervention. The devices can be provisioned over the air and can be directly shipped to the employees. On the first power-up, the devices will be enrolled into corporate usage policies, and the device will be equipped with business apps and content.

Learn more: How to Secure your Workstation with Kiosk Lockdown Software

2. In customer-facing setup

For retail and customer-facing devices, Windows 10 devices can be provisioned as digital signage or as single/multi-app kiosks and be directly shipped to diverse locations without IT teams having to individually provision the devices. 

Read more: How to Lockdown Windows 10 Devices in Multi-App Kiosk Mode

3. In education

In schools/educational institutions, devices to be used by students can be provisioned with educational content and apps, and the student can simply power up the device and start using it for learning. 

Also read: Windows 10 for Education: Overview, Benefits, Challenges, Management

Conclusion

As IT teams handle multiple tasks critical to business continuity and security, Windows Autopilot helps to streamline and automate one major task of Windows device provisioning over the air. With Scaleusion and Windows Autopilot, IT teams can exercise enhanced control over Windows device operations for business and education.

FAQ’s

1. Why do we need Windows Autopilot?

Windows Autopilot simplifies the deployment and management of Windows devices, streamlining the setup process for IT administrators. It ensures a seamless out-of-the-box experience for users, reducing manual intervention and saving time and resources typically associated with traditional device provisioning methods.

2. What are the benefits of using Windows Autopilot?

Windows Autopilot streamlines device deployment for IT administrators by enabling them to preconfigure settings, apps, and policies. It enhances user experience by simplifying the out-of-the-box setup process, reducing manual intervention, and ensuring devices are ready for productive use quickly and securely.

3. How do I start Autopilot on Windows?

To activate Autopilot on Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program. Enroll in the program, select “Dev Channel,” and download Insider builds. Then, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced options, and select “Start” under “Automatic (recommended).”

4. How does Windows Autopilot work?

Windows Autopilot is a cloud-based deployment service by Microsoft that simplifies the setup and configuration of Windows devices. It allows IT admins to preconfigure settings, apps, and policies, enabling users to easily set up their devices out of the box with minimal intervention.

5. What is the purpose of using Windows Autopilot?

The primary purpose of Windows Autopilot is to simplify and automate the deployment and configuration of Windows devices. It allows IT admins to predefine setup processes, ensuring devices are ready for use with minimal manual effort. This streamlines onboarding reduces infrastructure requirements and delivers a seamless user experience while enhancing overall efficiency for businesses.

Sources:

1. Gs statcounter.com
2. microsoft.com