Deploying Windows 10 with AutoPilot

Although most of the information in this report is still correct, for a newer report on Autopilot, please see: “Autopilot Key Tool for Ongoing Windows 10 Management.”

Windows AutoPilot Deployment Service (AutoPilot) is a new hosted service for configuring devices running Windows 10 version 1703 (or greater) with an organization’s initial desired settings and applications. AutoPilot is another indication of the continuing transition from traditional on-premises device deployment and management to hosted, subscription-based, mobile device management (MDM) designed to work with the semiannual release cadence of new Windows 10 versions. Deploying AutoPilot requires setting up several hosted services, training admins, and making ongoing payments of user subscription fees for as long as an organization decides to stay with the hosted service.

A Replacement for Device Imaging

With previous versions of Windows, such as Windows 7, organizations typically deployed Windows within the organization by creating an image: a preconfigured installation of the desired OS features and, often, all desired applications, such as the Office suite. Some organizations only imaged the OS and used other technologies such as App-V to deploy applications. In other cases, larger organizations negotiated with OEMs to apply an organization’s custom images to new devices before shipping.