Windows Autopilot Reset supports two scenarios:
In many environments, you regularly need to reset devices to their initial states after they have been in use for some time. For example, an organization might provide temporary employees with Windows devices, which the organization must reset for every new user. Organizations must also reset the computers in training rooms after each class. With traditional deployment, you would need to redeploy the Windows image each time you reset a device to its initial state. Windows Autopilot Reset enables you to achieve this goal without redeploying a Windows image. It removes all personal files, apps, and settings, and it resets a Windows device to its initial state from the lock screen. It can also deploy organizational apps and settings by using Intune or another MDM solution so that a device is ready to use after the Windows Autopilot Reset.
- Local reset
- Remote reset
Local Windows Autopilot Reset
Local Windows Autopilot Reset uses Windows reset functionality. You can use local Windows Autopilot Reset regardless of how you’re currently managing a device. It preserves device name, Azure AD membership, and MDM enrollment.
By default, local Windows Autopilot Reset is disabled in Windows, which helps ensure that it doesn’t start by accident. To enable local Windows Autopilot Reset, you must set the DisableAutomaticReDeploymentCredentials policy to 0 (false).
After enabling local Windows Autopilot Reset, you can start it by pressing Ctrl+Windows logo key+R when you’re at the Windows lock screen. Only users with administrative permissions can start local Windows Autopilot Reset.
Remote Windows Autopilot Reset
Remote Windows Autopilot Reset uses Windows reset functionality. You can use local Windows Autopilot Reset regardless of how you’re currently managing a device. You use Intune to initiate a remote Windows Autopilot Reset following these steps:
- In Endpoint Manager admin center, navigate to Devices > Windows.
- Select the device for which you want to initiate a remote Windows Autopilot Reset.
- Select More (the ellipsis) and then select Autopilot Reset to start the reset.