There are different scenarios that require a device to be reset, for example:
The device isn't responding to commands.
The device is lost or stolen.
It's the end of the life of the device.
It's the end of the school year and you want to prepare the device for a new school year.
The device has hardware problems and you want to send it to the service center.
Intune provides reset functionalities that enable IT administrators to remotely execute them:
Factory reset (also known as wipe) is used to wipe all data and settings from the device, returning it to the default factory settings.
Autopilot reset is used to return the device to a fully configured or known IT-approved state.
Factory reset (also known as wipe) is used to wipe all data and settings from the device, returning it to the default factory settings.
Factory reset (wipe)
✅ Return a device to original settings
A factory reset, or a wipe, reverts a device to the original settings when it was purchased. All settings, applications, and data installed on the device after purchase are removed. By default, the device is also removed from Intune management.
Once the wipe is completed, the device is in out-of-box experience.
Intune
Intune For Education
Here are the steps to perform a factory reset from Intune:
Sign in to the Microsoft Intune admin center.
Select Devices > All devices.
Select the device you want to reset.
Select Wipe and follow the instructions.
Select Wipe to confirm the action.
Consider using factory reset in the following example scenarios:
The device isn't working properly.
It's the end of school year and you want to prepare the device for a new school year.
You need to reassign the device to a different student, and you want to reset the device to its original settings.
You're returning a device to the service center, and you want to remove all data and settings from the device.
Tip
Consider that once the device is wiped, the new user will go through OOBE. This option may be ideal if the device is also registered in Autopilot to make the OOBE experience seamless, or if you plan to use a provisioning package to re-enroll the device.
✅ Return a device to original settings but maintain enrollment
Autopilot Reset is ideal when all data on a device needs to be wiped, but the device remains enrolled in your tenant.
Once the Autopilot reset action is completed, the device asks to chose region and keyboard layout, then it displays the sign-in screen.
Intune
Intune For Education
Here are the steps to perform an Autopilot reset from Intune:
Sign in to the Microsoft Intune admin center.
Select Devices > All devices.
Select the device you want to reset.
Select Autopilot Reset and follow the instructions.
Select Yes to confirm the action.
Consider using Autopilot reset in the following example scenarios:
The device isn't working properly, and you want to reset it without reimaging it.
It's the end of school year and you want to prepare the device for a new school year.
You need to reassign the device to a different student, and you want to reset the device to without requiring the student to go through OOBE.
Tip
Consider that the end user will not go through OOBE, and the association of the user to the device in Intune doesn't change. For this reason, this option may be ideal for devices that have been enrolled in Intune as shared devices (for example, a device that was enrolled with a provisioning package or using Autopilot self-deploying mode).
Wiping and deleting a device
✅ Wipe and remove a device from management
There are scenarios that require a device to be deleted from your tenant, for example:
The device is lost or stolen (for iOS devices, you may consider using Lost Mode instead).
It's the end of the life of the device.
The device is replaced or has a new hardware components.
Important
The following actions should only be performed for devices that are no longer going to be used in your tenant.
To completely remove a device, you need to perform the following actions:
If possible, perform a factory reset (wipe) of the device. If the device can't be wiped, delete the device from Intune using these steps.
If the device is registered in Autopilot, delete the Autopilot object using these steps.
Delete the device from Microsoft Entra ID using these steps.
If possible, perform a factory reset (wipe) of the device. If the device can't be wiped, delete the device from Intune using these steps.
Delete the device from Microsoft Entra ID using these steps.
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint management solution. It manages user access to organizational resources and simplifies app and device management across your many devices, including mobile devices, desktop computers, and virtual endpoints.
Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. You should see a title that says “Reset this PC.” Click Get Started. You can either select Keep My Files or Remove Everything.
Fresh Start boosts performance by removing bloatware while keeping configurations intact. Wipe resets devices completely, making them ready for new users. Retire removes corporate data but leaves personal data untouched. Delete cleans up device records without affecting the actual device.
The Wipe device action restores a device to its factory default settings. The user data is kept if you choose the Wipe device, but keep enrollment state and associated user account checkbox. Otherwise, all data, apps, and settings are removed.
Note: If you're using your Chromebook at work or school, you can't reset it. Ask your administrator to wipe the data on your Chromebook and re-enroll the device on your work or school network.
Reset this PC (Remove everything option) will delete all apps, personal files, and Windows settings. But, Fresh start can keep your personal files and some settings.
Because personal files are deleted and system files are replaced with fresh copies, most malware is removed. A fresh start not only helps with malware but can also improve system performance.
Thorough cleanup and software update. Elimination of bloatware (unwanted pre-installed apps). Preservation of critical user data alongside a genuine fresh start.
Factory reset (also known as wipe) is used to wipe all data and settings from the device, returning it to the default factory settings. Autopilot reset is used to return the device to a fully configured or known IT-approved state.
The device is reset to its factory settings. All work data, personal data, and apps are removed. Only option is Wipe device. The device is reset to its factory settings.
The Intune feature “Device clean-up rules”, provides the ability to configure the automatic cleanup rule for the devices that are inactive, orphaned and have not checked in recently. The rule allows administrators to choose between 30 and 270 days to remove the inactive device records from Intune automatically.
One of the easiest ways to reset your PC without a password is by issuing the Restart command while pressing the SHIFT key. This allows us to invoke the same Reset operation as from the Windows Repair menu. On the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot: Reset your PC or see advanced options. Choose Reset this PC.
When deleting data, be extra cautious, as this could lead to legal trouble. Experts recommend that you don't do a factory reset. Employers often have their own rules around data retention and in some cases may be legally obligated to keep certain information for a specified amount of time.
Introduction: My name is Errol Quitzon, I am a fair, cute, fancy, clean, attractive, sparkling, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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