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Intune Autopilot User-Driven/Self-Deployed Mode

   December 13, 2023

Intune Autopilot User-Driven is a deployment scenario that empowers end-users to take an active role in the initial setup and configuration of their Windows devices. In this model, users initiate and complete the Autopilot setup process, allowing for a more personalized and user-centric device onboarding experience. Users follow a guided process to configure their devices, ensuring that they are provisioned according to organizational policies and security standards.

Features:

  1. User Initiation:
    • End-users trigger the Autopilot setup process, initiating the device provisioning experience.
  2. Configuration Profiles:
    • Configuration profiles from Microsoft Intune are applied to the device during the setup, ensuring compliance with organizational policies.
  3. Authentication:
    • Users authenticate during the initial setup, associating the device with their Azure Active Directory (AAD) identity.
  4. Flexible Setup:
    • Users have the flexibility to make certain choices and configurations during the setup process.

Functions:

  1. User-Initiated Enrollment:
    • End-users initiate the Autopilot setup by signing in with their Azure AD credentials.
  2. Profile Application:
    • Configuration profiles from Intune are applied to the device based on policies defined by IT administrators.
  3. App Deployment:
    • Applications specified in the configuration profiles are deployed to the device during the Autopilot setup.

Pros:

  1. User Empowerment:
    • Users take an active role in configuring their devices, leading to a sense of ownership and empowerment.
  2. Flexible Setup Choices:
    • End-users can make certain choices during the setup, providing flexibility within the defined policies.
  3. Positive User Experience:
    • Offers a positive onboarding experience as users actively participate in the setup process.
  4. Reduced IT Involvement:
    • Users handle the initial device setup, reducing the direct involvement of IT administrators.

Cons:

  1. Dependency on User Actions:
    • Success depends on users initiating and correctly following the Autopilot setup process.
  2. Limited Centralized Control:
    • IT administrators may have limited control over certain setup choices made by users.

Working Examples and Usages:

  1. BYOD Scenarios:
    • In Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) scenarios, users can use Autopilot User-Driven to enroll their personal devices for work while following organizational policies.
  2. Education and Training Environments:
    • In educational institutions or training environments, students or trainees can use Autopilot User-Driven to set up devices according to their preferences within organizational constraints.
  3. User-Configurable Devices:
    • For scenarios where users have specific preferences for device configurations, Autopilot User-Driven allows them to set up devices with flexibility.
  4. Flexible Remote Onboarding:
    • In remote work scenarios, where devices are shipped directly to end-users, Autopilot User-Driven enables users to set up devices without the need for on-site IT support.
  5. Quick Onboarding for Temporary Workers:
    • Temporary workers or contractors can use Autopilot User-Driven for quick device onboarding without significant IT assistance.

Autopilot User-Driven is suitable for scenarios where organizations want to provide a user-friendly and flexible onboarding experience, allowing end-users to actively participate in configuring their devices while still adhering to organizational policies. It is particularly valuable in environments where user choice and preferences play a significant role in the device provisioning process.

“Intune Autopilot Self-Deploy” in Microsoft Intune. However, you might be referring to Windows Autopilot’s Self-Deploying mode, which is often associated with Intune.

Windows Autopilot’s Self-Deploying mode is designed to streamline the out-of-the-box experience for users and organizations by enabling devices to be shipped directly to end-users without requiring IT involvement. In this scenario, devices are pre-registered with Autopilot, and the Autopilot Self-Deploying mode is configured. Users unbox the device, power it on, and the device goes through the Autopilot setup automatically.

Features:

  1. Pre-Configuration:
    • Devices are pre-configured with Autopilot settings by IT administrators before being shipped to end-users.
  2. OOBE Customization:
    • Customization of the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) allows for branding and additional information during the setup.
  3. Azure AD Integration:
    • Integration with Azure Active Directory ensures secure user authentication during the device setup process.

Functions:

  1. Device Unboxing and Power-On:
    • End-users unbox the device, power it on, and the Autopilot Self-Deploying mode begins automatically during the Out-of-Box Experience.
  2. User Authentication:
    • Users authenticate using their Azure AD credentials, associating the device with their user account.
  3. Profile and Policy Application:
    • Configuration profiles and policies from Microsoft Intune are applied to the device, ensuring compliance with organizational settings.

Pros:

  1. User-Friendly Onboarding:
    • Provides a user-friendly onboarding experience with minimal user effort.
  2. Reduced IT Involvement:
    • IT administrators pre-configure devices, reducing the need for direct IT involvement in the initial device setup.
  3. Consistency in Configuration:
    • Pre-configured devices ensure a consistent and standardized configuration across the organization.

Cons:

  1. Dependency on User Actions:
    • The success of the Self-Deploying mode depends on users following setup instructions correctly.
  2. Limited User Customization:
    • While IT administrators can pre-configure devices, users may have limited flexibility in customizing certain settings during the initial setup.

Working Examples and Usages:

  1. Remote Employee Onboarding:
    • In scenarios where employees work remotely, Autopilot Self-Deploying mode allows organizations to send pre-configured devices directly to employees. Employees set up the devices without the need for on-site IT support.
  2. Quick Onboarding for Temporary Workers:
    • Temporary workers or contractors can use Autopilot Self-Deploying mode for quick device onboarding without significant IT assistance.
  3. Kiosk or Shared Device Deployments:
    • In environments where devices are shared among multiple users or used in kiosk mode, Autopilot Self-Deploying mode simplifies the initial setup process for users.
  4. Corporate Device Rollouts:
    • Organizations purchase a batch of new devices, pre-configure them using Autopilot, and ship them directly to end-users. Users unbox the devices, power them on, and complete the Autopilot Self-Deploying mode.

It’s important to note that features and functionalities may evolve, and new updates may be released after my last knowledge update in January 2023. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, I recommend checking Microsoft’s official documentation or resources.

Let’s compare Windows Autopilot’s Self-Deploying mode and Autopilot User-Driven in minute detail across various aspects:

**1. Concept:

  • Self-Deploying Mode:
    • Concept involves devices being shipped directly to end-users.
    • Devices are pre-registered with Autopilot and configured for Self-Deploying mode.
    • Minimal user intervention is required as the setup process begins automatically during the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE).
  • User-Driven Mode:
    • Concept involves empowering end-users to take an active role in device setup.
    • Users initiate and complete the Autopilot setup, providing more control over the process.
    • Suitable for scenarios where user involvement is desired or required.

**2. Device Configuration:

  • Self-Deploying Mode:
    • Devices are pre-configured with Autopilot settings by IT administrators.
    • Offers a consistent and standardized configuration.
  • User-Driven Mode:
    • Configuration is influenced by user choices during the setup process.
    • Flexibility for end-users within defined policies.

**3. User Authentication:

  • Self-Deploying Mode:
    • Users authenticate during the initial setup, associating the device with their Azure AD identity.
    • Part of the OOBE.
  • User-Driven Mode:
    • Users authenticate during the initial setup, ensuring secure device association with their Azure AD identity.

**4. Customization:

  • Self-Deploying Mode:
    • Limited user customization during the initial setup.
    • IT administrators pre-configure devices, including OOBE customization.
  • User-Driven Mode:
    • Customization options available for end-users during the setup process.
    • Users have more control over certain settings within defined policies.

**5. IT Involvement:

  • Self-Deploying Mode:
    • Reduced direct IT involvement in the initial device setup.
    • IT administrators pre-configure devices, reducing the need for on-site IT support.
  • User-Driven Mode:
    • IT administrators may provide support and guidance during the initial setup.
    • Users take an active role, potentially reducing the workload on IT.

**6. End-User Experience:

  • Self-Deploying Mode:
    • Provides a user-friendly onboarding experience with minimal user effort.
    • Users follow straightforward setup instructions.
  • User-Driven Mode:
    • Empowers users to take ownership of their device onboarding.
    • Positive user experience, especially for those who prefer self-service.

**7. Flexibility:

  • Self-Deploying Mode:
    • Offers consistency and standardization in device configuration.
    • Suitable for scenarios where a consistent setup is crucial.
  • User-Driven Mode:
    • Provides more flexibility for end-users in choosing certain settings.
    • Suitable for scenarios where user customization is desirable.

**8. Dynamic Group Assignments:

  • Self-Deploying Mode:
    • Devices can be dynamically assigned to groups based on criteria such as user attributes.
    • Allows for flexible grouping and configuration.
  • User-Driven Mode:
    • Similar dynamic group assignments based on user attributes.
    • Offers flexibility in grouping for tailored configurations.

**9. Dependency on User Actions:

  • Self-Deploying Mode:
    • Success depends on users following setup instructions correctly.
    • Limited dependency on user choices during the initial setup.
  • User-Driven Mode:
    • Success depends on users initiating and correctly following the Autopilot setup process.
    • Greater dependency on user choices during the initial setup.

**10. Usage Scenarios:

  • Self-Deploying Mode:
    • Ideal for corporate device rollouts with pre-configured devices.
    • Suited for remote employee onboarding with devices shipped directly to users.
  • User-Driven Mode:
    • Suitable for scenarios where users prefer an active role in the device onboarding process.
    • Appropriate for education and training environments where user customization is beneficial.

Self-Deploying mode focuses on pre-configured devices with reduced IT involvement, providing a consistent and user-friendly onboarding experience. User-Driven mode empowers users to actively participate in the setup process, offering more flexibility and control. The choice between the two depends on factors such as the desired level of user involvement, customization requirements, and the need for standardized device configurations.

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Author: tonyhughes