Windows Autopilot V2: Setup in Minutes

Key insights

• Windows Autopilot Device Preparation (Autopilot V2)
  New, cloud-first provisioning that uses device serial numbers and Microsoft Entra ID instead of hardware hashes, simplifying Windows 11 device onboarding and reducing manual steps during enrollment.
• Intune group setup & owners
  Create required device and user groups in Microsoft Intune, assign group owners, and use enrollment-time grouping so devices join the right groups during OOBE for faster policy and app delivery.
• Device Preparation policies
  Build and assign Device Preparation policies in Intune to control platform restrictions, enrollment settings, and which apps or scripts run before the user signs in.
• Block personal device enrollment
  Enable platform and enrollment restrictions to prevent personal devices from using Autopilot Device Prep, tightening security and keeping corporate devices managed.
• CSV upload for device identifiers
  Upload manufacturer, model, and serial number data via CSV to register corporate devices; validate entries before import to avoid enrollment failures.
• Real-world testing, app delivery & diagnostics
  The video shows a side-by-side test of Autopilot V1 vs Device Prep: V2 delivers faster setup, supports selective app install during OOBE (critical apps), runs provisioning PowerShell scripts, and provides improved real-time reporting and diagnostics for troubleshooting.

A new how-to video from Dean Ellerby [MVP] offers a practical, step-by-step walkthrough of Microsoft’s latest provisioning flow, focusing on Windows Autopilot Device Preparation, commonly called Autopilot V2. In the recording, the presenter navigates the Microsoft Intune console and demonstrates how to configure device preparation, create the necessary groups, and assign owners for real device enrollments. Consequently, the video is aimed at IT administrators and Intune specialists who want a hands-on look at the features rather than a conceptual overview. Moreover, it includes a side-by-side live test that compares the original Autopilot experience with the new Device Preparation flow.

Overview of the Video and Key Concepts

The video opens by defining what Windows Autopilot Device Preparation is and how it contrasts with traditional Autopilot (V1). Dean Ellerby explains that Autopilot V2 relies on device identifiers such as serial numbers and is designed for cloud-first, Microsoft Entra-joined Windows 11 devices. In addition, he highlights that this shift removes the need to upload hardware hashes, which streamlines onboarding and reduces certain administrative steps. As a result, organizations that are ready to commit to cloud-only workflows may find the new approach simpler in many scenarios.

Step-by-Step Configuration in Intune

Next, the video takes viewers through concrete actions inside the Intune console, starting with group creation and user targeting. Dean demonstrates how to set up required device and user groups, create device preparation policies, and assign owners to those groups, while explaining each setting’s purpose and effect. He also shows how to block personal device enrollment to tighten security, and he explains the enrollment and platform restriction settings that enforce corporate device use. Furthermore, the demonstration covers practical items like importing corporate device identifiers using a CSV file and how to handle manufacturer-provided data.

Live Enrollment Test: Autopilot vs Device Preparation

The video’s live test is particularly informative because it compares the original Autopilot flow with Autopilot Device Preparation in parallel on real hardware. During this section, Dean times setup speed, watches app installation order, and observes user-facing prompts to illustrate differences in experience. He points out that Autopilot Device Preparation can deliver up to ten critical apps during setup and that additional apps install after user login, which shortens time-to-ready for end users. Moreover, with recent updates, the flow can now include Enterprise App Catalog apps during preparation, which further improves out-of-box readiness.

Tradeoffs and Practical Challenges

Even though Autopilot V2 brings faster provisioning and cleaner identification, there are tradeoffs that administrators should weigh carefully. For example, while deploying key apps during preparation enhances startup speed, it limits the number of apps that can be installed immediately and may require prioritization; consequently, administrators must balance which apps are critical at first logon and which can wait. In addition, Autopilot Device Preparation is optimized for Windows 11 and cloud-only environments, so hybrid join or Windows 10 estates will face compatibility challenges and may require parallel processes.

Operational Considerations and Troubleshooting

Dean also addresses troubleshooting and monitoring, noting that newer Intune releases improve real-time reporting and automatic diagnostic capture during provisioning failures. These capabilities help administrators identify script or app failures more quickly, yet they also introduce dependency on telemetry and connectivity during setup. Meanwhile, accurate CSV imports and reliable manufacturer cooperation remain operational hurdles; errors in serial number data can delay or block enrollment and require manual cleanup. Therefore, rigorous validation and staged pilot testing are essential before broad rollout.

Implications for IT Teams and Final Takeaways

Overall, the video serves as a practical guide for teams considering a move to Autopilot Device Preparation, and it provides actionable configuration steps that IT teams can replicate in test environments. Dean’s side-by-side comparisons offer clear evidence that the new flow can improve setup speed and readiness, yet the choice to adopt it depends on organizational constraints like OS baseline, cloud strategy, and app delivery needs. Finally, the presenter encourages administrators to test thoroughly and to weigh security controls, provisioning speed, and operational complexity before deciding to migrate production fleets.

Keywords

Windows Autopilot V2, Autopilot V2 setup guide, Windows Autopilot deployment, Autopilot enrollment Windows 10 11, Intune Autopilot V2 tutorial, Zero touch Windows deployment, Autopilot troubleshooting tips, Windows Autopilot best practices