Automate user profile creation - Windows 10

Question

We are deploying Windows 10 laptops for new starters and my colleagues are creating the new user's profile manually by RPD'ing with the user's credentials, then they create the Outlook profile along with Teams and Onedrive.

I am looking at automating the process skipping the above. Is this possible and is the effort involved worth it ?

1) Create the new starter profile
2) Create the Outlook365 profile
3) Create the teams profile
4) Create the Onedrive profile

Thanks
Gaetan

Answer 1

I can't speak to creating profiles for Teams or OneDrive but from past experience I can for Outlook. My advice: don't try it unless you're into sadomasochism (another definition of MAPI). The Outlook profile is a collection of arcane property names (some of which are just hexadecimal values) and binary and decimal values, and bitmaps. I had to do it once, using the Kixstart scripting language (many years ago, predating PowerShell and easier to use than VBS) and I wouldn't wish that experience on my worst enemy!

That's just my opinion. You may find others that have had more pleasant experiences.

It's certainly possible to do, though. Just be prepared for a steep learning curve.