Windows Autopilot

2020: Start of the version for HoloLens 2

On May 8, 2020 Microsoft added Windows support of points to the solution Autopilot augmented reality HoloLens 2.

With growth of popularity of HoloLens 2 medical and educational institutions found out that implementation of this device in scale is difficult, labor-consuming and expensive. Imagine that the administrator takes HoloLens 2 glasses, calibrates them, then executes a series of obligatory steps, such as setup of an account to connect the device to the computer. Then he repeats this process for all other points which the organization wishes to implement — gave an example in Microsoft.

Thanks to support of HoloLens 2 in Windows Autopilot and the solution Microsoft Endpoint Manager now implementation of HoloLens 2 in scale is possible without repetition of steps for each device. Besides, as the Windows Autopilot tool was created for implementation and setup of products of Microsoft without resorting to the help of IT specialists, normal administrators will cope with a problem of implementation of HoloLens 2 in scale.

As of the beginning of May, 2020 support of HoloLens 2 in Windows Autopilot is entered in the mode of testing and implemented through the certificate of Azure Active Directory.

All procedure of deployment of points using Windows Autopilot looks as follows: the administrator orders them from the supplier, in advance makes setup of devices in Microsoft Endpoint Manager (or Microsoft Intune), receives devices and connects them to corporate network, turns on a power supply of points and waits for no-touch deployment of all devices. After that each user of HoloLens 2 prevails the device, enters the login and the password for access to it and calibrates it. Then it is possible to start operation.^[1]

2017: Start of Windows Autopilot service

At the end of June, 2017 the Microsoft company announced the service allowing the companies to configure quickly new computers and other devices for work without involvement of technical specialists.

To Windows Autopilot it is intended in order that computer makers, distributors, resellers or Microsoft in a case with tablets and Surface notebooks prepared the equipment for work in the organization which ordered it in advance. At an order stage the supplier connects devices with a profile of the company and loads on them necessary settings and applications. Thus it is also possible to adapt the computer for a certain employee.

Microsoft provided Windows Autopilot service for automatic adjustment of new computers in the companies

Thanks to Windows Autopilot of the company will be able to receive the computer equipment which is already prepared for work. Besides, function will help to configure automatically the devices which are already working at the enterprise instead of specialists of IT departments who often install systems from in advance prepared disk images and manually configure applications.

At the first start of the new PC a system will suggest the user to select language, keyboard layout pattern and to configure connection to the Internet. After that AutoPilot with a choice window between the personal or working device will be started, the corresponding settings of confidentiality will be applied further to OS and services. Also it will be offered to user to be registered in service of management of certificates of Azure AD for receiving uniform access to all corporate services.

The Windows Autopilot function is built in updating of Creators Update for operating system Windows 10. This update left in April, 2017, however Windows Autopilot is announced only more than two months later.

In the fall of 2017 start of the AutoPilot Reset function which will allow to recover quickly corporate computers in which there was a failure, to the last completely operating state to preserving of the applications and settings used in work is expected.^[2]

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