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Reset devices with remote Windows Autopilot Reset

You can use Intune to start the remote Windows Autopilot Reset process. Resetting in this way avoids the need for someone to visit each device that needs to be reset to start the Windows Autopilot Reset process. Unlike local Windows Autopilot reset, a configuration profile doesn't need to be configured or assigned for remote Windows Autopilot Reset to work. Remote Windows Autopilot Reset is available on any Microsoft Entra join device that is an Autopilot device without any additional configuration.

Workflow

The following steps are required to enable and trigger local Windows Autopilot Reset:

  1. Make sure WinRE is installed on device where Windows Autopilot Reset is triggered.
  2. Make sure Intune admin has appropriate privileges in Intune to perform remote Windows Autopilot Resets.
  3. In Intune, remotely trigger Windows Autopilot Reset on device.
  4. Force device to start the remote Windows Autopilot Reset (optional).

Triggering a remote Windows Autopilot Reset

To trigger a remote Windows Autopilot Reset via Intune, follow these steps:

  1. Make sure that the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is correctly configured and enabled on the device where the Windows Autopilot Reset is being performed. WinRE can be enabled with the REAgentC.exe tool via the following command:

    reagentc.exe /enable

  2. Make sure the Intune admin initiating the remote Windows Autopilot Reset is a member of the Intune Service Administrator role. For more information, see Add users and grant administrative permission to Intune.

  3. Sign in to the Microsoft Intune admin center.

  4. In the Home screen, select Devices in the left pane.

  5. In the Devices | Overview screen, under By platform, select Windows.

  6. In the Windows | Windows devices screen, under Device name select the targeted devices to perform the Windows Autopilot Reset.

  7. In the page that opens that displays the properties of the device, select Autopilot Reset in the toolbar at the top of the window to start the Autopilot reset.

  8. An Autopilot Reset warning message is displayed. Select Yes to continue.

  9. A message should display confirming that the Autopilot reset has been initiated.

Once the Autopilot Reset is complete, the device is again ready for use.

Forcing a device to start the remote Windows Autopilot Reset

Unlike local Windows Autopilot reset, when the remote Windows Autopilot Reset is initiated for a device, the reset may not start immediately. Instead, the reset will occur when the device next checks in with Intune and gets updated policy. For more information, see Policy refresh intervals

A Windows Autopilot Reset can be forced to start sooner on a device by forcing the device to obtain the latest Intune policy. Forcing remote Windows Autopilot Reset to start sooner can be done either remotely or locally on the device.

Remotely force a device to start the remote Windows Autopilot Reset

To force the device to obtain the latest Intune policy remotely, follow these steps:

  1. Sign in to the Microsoft Intune admin center.

  2. In the Home screen, select Devices in the left pane.

  3. In the Devices | Overview screen, under By platform, select Windows.

  4. In the Windows | Windows devices screen, under Device name select the devices where the remote Windows Autopilot Reset was initiated.

  5. In the page that opens that displays the properties of the device, select Sync in the toolbar at the top of the window to start the Autopilot reset.

  6. A Sync warning message is displayed. Select Yes to continue.

These steps should force the device to obtain the latest Intune policy. The Autopilot Reset should start shortly thereafter.

Locally force a device to start the remote Windows Autopilot Reset

To force the device to obtain the latest Intune policy locally on the device, follow these steps:

  1. Sign into the device where the remote Autopilot Reset was initiated.

  2. Right click on the Start Menu and select Settings.

  3. In Settings, select Accounts in the left hand pane.

  4. In the Accounts page, select Access work or school.

  5. In the Accounts > Access work or school page, select Connected by <user@domain> to open a new section.

  6. In the new section, next to Managed by <organization>, select the Info button.

  7. In the Accounts > Access work or school > Managed by <organization> page, under Device sync status, select the Sync button.

These steps should force the device to obtain the latest Intune policy. The Autopilot Reset should start shortly thereafter.

More information

For more information on local Windows Autopilot Reset, see the following article(s):