Simplify New Hire Setup: Using Microsoft Autopilot and Intune for Instant Employee Onboarding

Setting up a new laptop for a new hire often involves hours of manual configuration, software installation, and security hardening. With Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopilot, small business owners can automate this entire process. Instead of preparing devices on-site, new employees can simply open a sealed laptop, log in with their corporate credentials, and find their work environment already configured and secured.

Detailed Instructions

1. Assign Licenses

1. Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin centre.
2. Navigate to Users > Active users.
3. Select the user who will be using the device.
4. Under the Licenses and apps tab, ensure Microsoft Intune is enabled.
5. Click Save changes.

2. Register Devices for Autopilot

1. Obtain the hardware hash (CSV file) from your device vendor or reseller.
2. Log in to the Microsoft Intune admin centre.
3. Go to Devices > Windows > Windows enrolment > Devices.
4. Click Import and upload the CSV file containing the hardware hashes.
5. Once imported, the devices will appear in your Autopilot device list.

3. Create Configuration Profiles

1. In the Intune admin centre, navigate to Devices > Configuration profiles.
2. Click Create profile.
3. Select Windows 10 and later as the platform and Settings catalog as the profile type.
4. Configure the required settings, such as Wi-Fi passwords, VPN configurations, and security baselines.
5. Assign the profile to a specific group, such as All New Hires.

4. Assign Applications

1. Navigate to Apps > All apps > Add.
2. Select the application type (e.g., Microsoft Store app or Win32 app).
3. Upload the application package and configure the installation settings.
4. Assign the app as Required for the target user or device group.

5. The Employee Onboarding Experience

1. Ship the sealed device directly to the new employee's home or office.
2. The employee powers on the device and connects to a Wi-Fi network.
3. They enter their corporate email address and password.
4. Windows Autopilot detects the device, applies the Intune profiles, and installs the required applications automatically.
5. Once complete, the user is logged into a fully configured desktop ready for work.

Tip: Always test your Autopilot deployment with a single device before rolling it out to all new hires to ensure your configuration profiles are correct.

Warning: Resetting a device during the Autopilot process may require the user to re-enter credentials. Ensure the user has their MFA method available before starting setup.

If you encounter issues during setup or need assistance configuring your tenant, Open a Ticket with the 220 Internet Services support team.