As businesses move towards a digitally equipped infrastructure that incorporates modern technologies like Windows autopilot while maintaining end 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 mobile device management (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.
In this article, we will discuss the out-of-the-box provisioning of Windows 10 devices with the Windows Autopilot program supported by Scalefusion.
What is Microsoft Windows Autopilot?
Microsoft Windows Autopilot is a collection of technologies designed to pre-configure and deploy 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 provisioning and device deployment 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 new Windows PCs required a significant amount of manual work for activating the device, configuring settings, creating user accounts, and deploying apps. With Windows Autopilot deployment, 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 will 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.
How does Windows Autopilot work?
Windows Autopilot functions as a cloud-based provisioning system that connects device identity with predefined setup rules. The moment a device is unboxed and powered on, it follows a sequence of steps that transform it into a fully configured, secure, and business-ready machine.
1. Device Registration
Every Windows device has a unique hardware identifier (hardware ID). This identifier is either provided directly by the manufacturer, shared by the reseller, or extracted by IT using a PowerShell script. Once collected, the ID is uploaded to the Windows Autopilot service, linking the device to the organization’s tenant in Microsoft’s cloud. This step ensures that even before the device reaches the employee, it already “belongs” to the company.
2. Profile Assignment
IT admins create and assign deployment profiles in a MDM platform. These profiles define critical setup instructions, such as whether the device should join Azure Active Directory or Hybrid AD, enforce security baselines, block local admin account creation, and preconfigure settings for corporate use. Profiles can be customized to specific device groups based on roles, departments, or device types, making the process flexible.
3.Cloud Mapping
Once the hardware ID and deployment profile are linked, the device is mapped in the Autopilot service. This means that whenever the device connects to the internet, it knows exactly which setup rules and policies to apply. This mapping acts as the blueprint for how the device will behave during the first-time setup.
4. Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)
When the new devices are powered on, instead of going through the default Windows setup wizard, it connects to Microsoft’s Autopilot service. The system checks the device’s hardware ID against the cloud registry, retrieves its assigned autopilot profile, and applies the organization’s custom setup flow. From the user’s perspective, the device feels personalized and company-ready right from the start.
5. Automatic Enrollment
At this stage, the device automatically joins Azure AD (or Microsoft Entra Hybrid AD, depending on the organization’s setup). It is also auto-enrolled into the chosen MDM solution, such as Intune or Scalefusion. Enrollment ensures that corporate policies, compliance rules, and restrictions are applied without IT needing to manually touch the device.
6. Configuration & Apps
After enrollment, the device begins pulling down all required settings and resources. This includes installing business-critical applications, applying Wi-Fi/VPN configurations, enforcing encryption, and enabling security baselines. Any additional compliance requirements or software packages defined by IT are also downloaded and installed in the background.
7. Ready for Use
By the time the employee signs in with their work credentials, the device is already configured according to company standards. It has the right apps, security settings, and access controls in place. The entire setup happens seamlessly over the air, eliminating the need for imaging, staging, or in-person IT support.
Windows Autopilot requirements
To successfully implement Microsoft 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 configure 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 step-by-step instructions for configuring Windows Autopilot with Scalefusion Windows device management.
Step-by-step process to setup Windows Autopilot with Scalefusion
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.
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 or CSV file.
- 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 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, Microsoft 365, 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.ce.
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 Scalefusion and Windows Autopilot, IT teams can exercise enhanced control over Windows device operations for business and education.
FAQ’s
1. Is Windows Hello similar to Windows Autopilot?
No. Windows Hello is an authentication feature that lets users log in with biometrics or a PIN. Windows Autopilot, on the other hand, is a provisioning service that configures devices automatically before users start working on them.
2. What is a Windows Autopilot deployment profile?
A deployment profile is a configuration template that tells a device how it should be set up during the out-of-box experience (OOBE). It defines key settings like directory join type (Azure AD or Hybrid AD), MDM enrollment, app installations, and whether local admin rights are allowed. Essentially, it’s the blueprint for Autopilot provisioning.
3. How to create an Autopilot profile in Windows 11?
To create a Windows Autopilot profile, admins define the setup rules in their chosen management platform. The profile typically includes:
- Join type (Azure AD / Hybrid AD)
- Device enrollment into the organization’s MDM
- Security and compliance policies
- User experience settings (like skipping certain OOBE screens)
Once saved and assigned, the profile is linked to device hardware hash or hardware IDs. When those devices are powered on, they automatically receive the profile from the cloud.
4. Why is integrating Windows Autopilot with MDM necessary?
Autopilot prepares devices during setup, but it doesn’t handle ongoing management. With MDM integration, devices automatically enroll into the company’s system, receive policies, apps, and security settings, and stay managed throughout their lifecycle. Without MDM, Autopilot is limited to one-time provisioning.
5. What is the Enrollment Status Page when using Windows Autopilot?
The Enrollment Status Page (ESP) appears during device setup when using Windows Autopilot. It shows progress as the device enrolls, applies policies, and installs apps before the user reaches the desktop. ESP ensures that required configurations are in place, so employees only access a fully prepared device once setup is complete.
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