Hey everyone! I'm a junior support engineer working on imaging laptops for a long-term client, and I'm trying to figure out if our imaging process is pretty standard or if it's more complicated than it needs to be. Here's a quick rundown of how we do things: We start by using Intune to check the laptop's serial number and remove any previous users. Then, we enter the BIOS to enable Secure Boot, reboot from a USB stick to run MDT, and let it do its thing. This involves downloading the local language, installing a few updates, and eventually moving on to Autopilot for configuration. The entire process can take anywhere from one to three hours, which isn't ideal when we need to set up multiple devices in a day. We've noticed some recurring issues too, like the 'Dirty Environment Found' error and delays with internet connections that cause the process to sometimes skip steps. I'm curious about how other companies handle imaging and whether we could streamline our approach.
5 Answers
I've found that combining MDT and Autopilot isn’t typical. MDT is mainly for bare-metal imaging, while Autopilot handles provisioning. Maybe look into a pre-provisioning package with Autopilot. It'll likely save you time and streamline the process. You shouldn’t need to do a full re-image if you can reset the OS instead.
Your process isn't too far off from what some companies do, but it definitely seems overcomplicated. It sounds like you could simplify things significantly, perhaps by prioritizing either Autopilot or MDT instead of both. Also, tweaking the Lite Touch process might help with the delays you're experiencing.
Exactly! A little bit of adjustment with the timing could make a world of difference.
We don’t handle devices at all anymore. We just buy Dells with a 'ready image' and have them shipped directly to users. Has less hassle and is way quicker.
Really? That’s impressive. What’s your success rate with those? My organization has had issues with dead machines already.
We also solely rely on Autopilot and have to run some initial scripts ourselves, which is a bit of a pain. Each laptop can take about an hour before it’s ready for users. It's a totally manual process at my organization’s scale, which isn't ideal.
That sounds tedious! I guess some companies prefer the manual touch.
In my experience, we use Intune Autopilot to install our management software, which automatically runs a set of onboarding scripts and security suite installations. This way, we just re-image, assign a user, and explain to them that everything will be ready within an hour after their first login. Way simpler than what you’re describing!
That sounds way easier! Using both MDT and Autopilot seems unnecessary; one should work just fine for your needs.
Right? It sounds like there are better methods out there. Maybe consider simplifying your steps.
That’s good advice! I'll look into pre-provisioning; it sounds more efficient.