Windows Autopilot is designed to change the way organizations deploy Windows devices. With the availability of Windows 10, version 1903, we have introduced additional capabilities to make that process even better.
First, there is the new Windows Autopilot white glove process, which lets IT technicians, partners, and even OEMs pre-provision devices before they are delivered to the user. Using this process, all device configuration tasks, including apps (machine-targeted or user-targeted), certificates, and policies, can be completed in advance, making it so that when the user gets the device, the device can be ready for productive use within a few minutes.
For more details about the Windows Autopilot white glove process, check out the new Microsoft Mechanics video:
The Windows Autopilot white glove process will be available in preview in the coming days. For a demo of Windows Autopilot white glove pre-provisioning, watch the latest Endpoint Zone episode with Brad Anderson and Simon May, which also includes a demo of the Windows Autopilot Companion app.
In Windows 10, version 1903, we've also enhanced the Enrollment Status Page so that it can track Win32 apps being installed by Microsoft Intune management extensions. We've changed the OOBE process so that Cortana no longer talks (with Windows 10, version 1903 Pro and above SKUs). And, we've added a new mechanism that will enable us to update the Windows Autopilot feature itself without waiting for a new Windows 10 release, through a Windows Update-driven mechanism.
In Windows 10, version 1809, we introduced Windows Autopilot user-driven mode for Hybrid Azure AD Join, in which devices are deployed into Active Directory, where they can continue to leverage capabilities like Group Policy while also being connected to Azure AD for single sign-on to Azure AD-based services such as Microsoft Intune, OneDrive for Business, and Office 365. We are pleased to announce that, based on customer feedback and deployment activity, this scenario is no longer in preview.
The Enrollment Status Page, introduced with Windows 10, version 1803, is also no longer in preview. With the addition of Office 365 ProPlus tracking with Windows 10, version 1809 and Win32 app tracking with Windows 10, version 1903, we believe the Enrollment Status Page should be enabled for all Windows Autopilot deployments, to ensure that devices are ready for productive use before users can access the Start menu.
Windows Autopilot self-deploying mode, which enables devices to be deployed without any user interaction or credentials being entered, was originally released as a preview feature with Windows 10, version 1809. Based on customer feedback related to TPM attestation challenges, we have made additional enhancements in Windows 10, version 1903 to improve TPM attestation so that, going forward, this scenario will only support Windows 10, version 1903 and above. Windows Autopilot self-deploying mode will remain in preview as we seek out customer feedback on these enhancements.
We also introduced Windows Autopilot for existing devices with Windows 10, version 1809, which enables devices running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 to be migrated to Windows 10 and Azure Active Directory. Based on customer feedback, we will be adding additional support for Hybrid Azure AD Join to this scenario. Stay tuned for additional details.
To learn more about Windows Autopilot, be sure to check out these additional resources:
If you have any feedback or suggestions for Windows Autopilot, please submit your ideas via the Microsoft Intune UserVoice site.
