Wipe, reset or delete??

In Intune, there are several actions that you can take with devices, each serving a different purpose. Here are the key differences between “Wipe,” “Retire,” “Delete,” “Fresh Start,” and “Autopilot Reset”:

Wipe:

• Purpose: Wiping a device means removing all data and settings from the device, effectively restoring it to a factory-like state.
• Use Case: Wiping is typically used when a device is lost, stolen, or needs to be repurposed without retaining any previous user data. It can be performed as a full wipe (removing all data) or selective wipe (only corporate data).

Retire:

• Purpose: Retiring a device means removing it from active use within the organization. It doesn’t wipe the device but marks it as retired in the Intune console.
• Use Case: Retiring is suitable when a device is no longer in use, such as when an employee leaves the company or a device is no longer needed for business purposes. It’s a way to decommission a device without wiping it.

Delete:

• Purpose: Deleting a device removes it from the Intune console, meaning it’s no longer managed by Intune. This action doesn’t affect the device itself.
• Use Case: Deleting is used when you want to remove a device from your Intune management but still want the device to remain active and retain its data.

Fresh Start:

• Purpose: Fresh Start is a Windows-specific feature that reinstalls the Windows operating system on a device, effectively providing a clean, up-to-date Windows installation.
• Use Case: Fresh Start is helpful when you want to reset a Windows device to a clean state without entirely wiping it. It removes non-Windows Store applications but retains user data.

Autopilot Reset:

• Purpose: Autopilot Reset is part of Windows Autopilot, and it resets a device to its initial state without requiring a full reinstallation of the operating system.
• Use Case: Autopilot Reset is used to prepare a device for a new user or repurpose it without the need for a full OS reinstall. It’s a more streamlined approach for Windows devices managed through Autopilot.

It’s essential to choose the appropriate action based on your specific needs and the status of the device. Each action has its use cases and implications, so understanding when to use them is crucial for effective device management in Intune.