Deploy Windows OS automatically via Autopilot upon SSD change

Question

Hi there,

Is it possible to automatically begin deploying the Windows 10 OS upon a hardware change such as an SSD swap?

For example, a user's SSD in their laptop is no longer working so a new blank SSD is put into the laptop, however ideally the user wouldn't have to fiddle around with mounting a Windows image onto the new SSD, they would just put the new SSD in and the Windows OS would automatically begin installing via Autopilot and hardware hashes etc. then taking them to the standard autopilot company login screen.

Would an Autopilot automation like this be possible to configure?

Cheers,
Andrew

Answer 1

Hi Andrew,

You cannot currently install the OS through Autopilot / Intune.

You would need to get Windows onto the SSD, but you could pre-image the SSDs before sending to the user.

Once the user booted up it would begin configuring any policies, configurations, and applications.

Hope that helps.

Jamie

Answer 2

@AndrewN01 Thanks for posting in our Q&A.

For this issue, I agree with JamieSabbatella. Intune doesn't have the capability to deploy an OS.

At the same time, I will add some information about autopilot from intune's point of view. It is needed to upload a CSV file to intune. The CSV file included some device information, such as hardware hash.

If you replace parts, you need to gather the new hardware hash, though it depends on what is replaced, and the characteristics of the parts. For example, if you replace the TPM or motherboard, it's a new device and you must have new hardware hash. If you replace one network card, it's probably not a new device, and the device will function with the old hardware hash. However, as a best practice, you should assume the old hardware hash is invalid and get a new hardware hash after any hardware changes. This process is recommended anytime you replace parts.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/autopilot/autopilot-faq#hardware-hash

In conclusion, it is suggested to get windows OS onto the new SSD first, then get the new CSV file from the device and start the autopilot.

Hope it will address your confusions.

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