From Box to Production: Windows as a Service With Deployment Rings and Autopilot
TL;DR
- Windows 10 is the last numbered iteration of the OS, so the model shifts to Windows as a service, where devices receive updates on a cadence that mirrors the ProPlus licensing model.
- Deployment rings separate machines into a deployment timeline so you can be proactive rather than reactive about new updates.
- Windows Autopilot takes a device from box to production with no IT intervention by pre-configuring it through partnerships with vendors like Dell, Lenovo, and HP.
- Autopilot can also reset, repurpose, and recover existing devices, not just provision new ones.
The Modern Desktop changes how you deploy and patch Windows. Windows 10 is the last numbered iteration of the OS, and from here the model is Windows as a service: devices receive their updates on a cadence that mirrors the ProPlus licensing model rather than waiting for the next big-bang release. Two capabilities make that manageable at scale. Deployment rings stage updates so you control the rollout timeline, and Windows Autopilot gets a device from box to production with no IT intervention.
Microsoft partners with major hardware vendors like Dell, Lenovo, and HP, so you can completely customize the out-of-box experience (OOBE) without physically touching the devices. The downloadable guide below steps through creating deployment rings for Windows 10 updates under the new M365 licensing models, and shows how to create Windows Autopilot profiles to deploy new devices to end users.
Click here for the complete guide (opens in new tab).
Stage your rollout with Windows 10 deployment rings
Deployment rings in Windows 10 are similar to the deployment groups most organizations constructed for previous major revision upgrades. They are simply a method to separate machines into a deployment timeline. Use deployment rings to become more proactive rather than reactive with new updates as they release.
Understand what Windows Autopilot does
Windows Autopilot is a collection of technologies used to set up and pre-configure new devices, getting them ready for productive use. You can also use Windows Autopilot to reset, repurpose, and recover devices.
Configure device profiles and add devices to Autopilot
Add devices from the hardware IDs provided by major vendors like Dell, HP, and Lenovo. Customize the OOBE for your end users by assigning them different profiles.
Frequently asked questions
What are deployment rings in Windows 10?
Deployment rings are similar to the deployment groups organizations built for past major upgrades. They are a way to separate machines into a deployment timeline so updates roll out in stages, letting you be proactive rather than reactive.
What is Windows Autopilot?
Windows Autopilot is a collection of technologies used to set up and pre-configure new devices for productive use. You can also use it to reset, repurpose, and recover devices.
Do I need to physically touch devices to use Autopilot?
No. Microsoft partners with hardware vendors like Dell, Lenovo, and HP so you can customize the out-of-box experience using hardware IDs the vendors provide, without physically touching the devices.
Update rings only help if they stay configured.
Endpoint and update policies drift like everything else in M365. CloudCapsule checks Intune and device controls alongside 250+ others across every tenant you manage in about 60 seconds each.
Run a free scan
Written by
Nick Ross
CEO · Microsoft MVP · Founder, T-Minus 365
Nick is not just a CEO, he's a respected thought leader and influencer in the MSP space. Tens of thousands of MSPs learn through his YouTube channel, T-Minus365. Nick has been honored as a three-time Microsoft MVP for his educational content; his expertise and influence are the backbone of our mission, ensuring that you are in the best hands when it comes to security.
Nick joined Pax8 in 2017, where he would ultimately oversee product management for PSA and Microsoft integrations. Following his tenure at Pax8, Nick has continued to demonstrate his leadership prowess as an executive at various MSPs, culminating in his most recent role at Sourcepass.
Nick holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Florida State University, as well as a Minor Degree in Entrepreneurship. In his free time, Nick is an avid hiker, reader, and fitness-junkie.
