How to Manually Register Devices with Windows Autopilot

When we set up Windows Autopilot, we aim to streamline and automate the deployment of Windows devices within an organization. To get started, I need to manually register each device with Autopilot. This process ensures that their configurations are consistent and tailored to their intended use.

Here’s how we can manually register devices with Windows Autopilot.

Preparing the Devices

Before we start the registration process, we should gather the necessary information from the devices we want to register. Each device needs to have specific hardware details to be registered with Autopilot.

1. Collecting Device Information

   To manually register devices, I first need to collect the hardware ID and serial number of each device. We can retrieve this information by running a PowerShell script on the device. Here’s how we do it:

   • Open PowerShell with administrative privileges on the device.
   • Run the command Get-WindowsAutopilotInfo -OutputFile AutoPilotHWID.csv. This command generates a CSV file containing the hardware ID and other essential details needed for registration.

2. Saving and Preparing the CSV File

   After generating the CSV file, we need to review and ensure it includes all required information. We can open the CSV file using any text editor or spreadsheet application to verify its contents. Make sure the file includes columns such as Device Serial Number, Windows Product ID, and Hardware Hash. This step helps us avoid registration issues later.

Registering Devices with Autopilot

Once I have the hardware information from each device, the next step involves registering them with Windows Autopilot. We accomplish this through the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center.

1. Accessing Microsoft Endpoint Manager Admin Center

   • Open a web browser and navigate to the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center at endpoint.microsoft.com.
   • Sign in with an account that has the necessary permissions to manage Autopilot profiles and devices.

2. Uploading the CSV File

   With the Endpoint Manager admin center open, I proceed to register the devices:

   • In the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, select Devices from the left-hand menu.
   • Choose Windows and then click on Windows Autopilot deployment program.
   • Select Add to upload the CSV file containing the device information.

   This upload process allows us to import multiple devices at once. We can also see a summary of the devices being added, including their IDs and statuses.

3. Assigning Profiles to Devices

   After successfully uploading the device information, we need to assign deployment profiles to the registered devices. These profiles configure the settings and applications installed on each device.

   • Go to the Deployment Profiles section within the Windows Autopilot deployment program.
   • Click on Create Profile and select the type of profile that fits the organization’s needs.
   • Configure the profile settings, including provisioning options, branding, and user experience settings.

   Once the profile is created, we assign it to the devices by selecting the profile and choosing Assign. Here, we can specify which devices receive the profile by using their unique IDs.

Validating the Registration

After registering the devices and assigning the profiles, it’s essential to validate the registration to ensure that everything is set up correctly.

1. Checking Device Status

   We can monitor the status of the registered devices in the Endpoint Manager admin center:

   • Navigate to the Devices section and select Windows Autopilot deployment program.
   • Here, we see a list of all registered devices along with their current statuses.

   We need to verify that each device appears correctly in the list and that there are no errors in the registration details.

2. Testing the Autopilot Deployment

   To ensure that the Autopilot deployment process works as expected, I test the setup with a sample device:

   • Power on the device and connect it to the network.
   • Follow the Windows setup process, which should apply the Autopilot profile settings automatically.

   If the device receives the profile and configures itself according to the specified settings, the registration process is successful.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

During the manual registration of devices with Autopilot, I might encounter some issues. Here are common problems and their solutions:

1. Device Not Showing Up in Autopilot

   If a device does not appear in the Autopilot list, I check the following:

   • Ensure the CSV file was correctly formatted and included all necessary information.
   • Verify that the device has internet connectivity and can communicate with the Autopilot service.
   • Re-upload the CSV file if needed and monitor the import process for any errors.

2. Profile Not Applying Correctly

   If the assigned profile does not apply as expected, I review the profile settings:

   • Confirm that the profile configuration matches the intended setup.
   • Check for any errors in the profile assignment and correct them if needed.

3. Errors in Device Registration

   Errors during the device registration process often relate to incorrect or incomplete information. I should double-check the hardware details and ensure they match the specifications required by Autopilot.

Conclusion

Manually registering devices with Windows Autopilot involves a series of steps that ensure each device is correctly configured and ready for deployment. By collecting the necessary hardware information, uploading it to the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, and assigning appropriate deployment profiles, we streamline the process of setting up new devices. Validating the registration and addressing any issues that arise helps us maintain a smooth and efficient deployment process.