Many companies are modernizing their endpoint management with Microsoft Intune, Windows Autopilot, Entra ID join, cloud policies, and modern app distribution. This makes sense, as Intune is the right platform for many standard devices today.
Nevertheless, an important question remains: what happens when you need to not just configure an operating system, but completely reinstall it from scratch?
This is exactly where bare-metal deployment remains relevant in 2026. Not as an alternative to Intune, but as a targeted capability for recovery, rebuilds, offline scenarios, hardware refreshes, specialized devices, and environments where you need to truly control the initial state of a Windows system.
Key takeaways
- Bare-metal deployment remains relevant in 2026, because Intune and Autopilot primarily configure devices rather than installing a completely new operating system from the ground up.
- Bare-metal deployment is particularly important for special scenarios such as ransomware recovery, offline and emergency scenarios, hardware refreshes, specialized hardware, isolated environments, or controlled re-installations.
- Cloud-first and bare-metal are not mutually exclusive: Autopilot is suitable for standard devices, while bare-metal deployment complements your endpoint strategy wherever a clean, defined initial state is required.
- Native WDS workflows are no longer a viable future option in 2026. Anyone who seriously requires bare-metal deployment should rely on dedicated platforms like SCCM/MECM or the baramundi Management Suite.
1 What is bare-metal deployment?
Bare-metal deployment refers to the complete reinstallation of an operating system on empty, wiped, or newly prepared hardware. The device typically boots via PXE, USB, or another boot medium. Windows is then reinstalled, partitioned, equipped with drivers, and prepared according to defined standards.
The key point: With bare-metal deployment, the operating system is from scratch built from the ground up. This fundamentally distinguishes it from many modern provisioning scenarios, where an existing Windows installation is reused and then configured.
Typical steps include:
- The device boots via PXE, USB, or local media.
- Storage media are detected, prepared, and repartitioned if necessary.
- Windows is reinstalled.
- Drivers, language settings, basic configurations, and security policies are applied.
- The device is then transferred to your endpoint management system.
Depending on the platform, this process can be managed via task sequences, OS deployment profiles, scripts, driver logic, package sources, and local or centralized deployment infrastructure.
2 Benefits: Why bare-metal deployment is still relevant in 2026
Bare-metal deployment isn't relevant because we should romanticize old deployment methods. It is relevant because certain IT scenarios still require a complete rebuild.
This is especially true when a device's current state is no longer trustworthy, reachable, or standardized.
Recovery after ransomware, malware, or system corruption
After a major security incident, you don't want to rely on cleaning up a compromised operating system through retrospective configuration.
When a device is affected by ransomware, malware, rootkits, tampering, or untraceable system changes, you need a known, clean starting point. This is exactly where bare-metal deployment is valuable.
A complete rebuild can ensure that:
- the old operating system is removed,
- partitions are rebuilt in a controlled manner,
- a defined Windows version is installed,
- drivers and basic configurations are applied according to standard,
For your endpoint strategy, this means: Modern management reduces many operational overheads, but it does not automatically replace a robust recovery capability.
Offline and emergency scenarios
Cloud-based management works perfectly as long as identity services, internet access, cloud endpoints, and network paths are reachable. In emergency situations, however, exactly these may be restricted.
Examples:
- Remote sites without a stable connection
- isolated networks
- Production environments with restricted internet access
- Network outages
- Disaster recovery situations
- Field deployments
- Devices that need to be restored outside of traditional corporate locations
Depending on the implementation, bare-metal deployment can also work with local media, USB sources, or local deployment shares. This is particularly important when central services are not reliably available.
The point is not that every company needs USB-based emergency installations. The point is: If you have such scenarios, you should plan for them consciously rather than discovering in an emergency that your deployment capability depends entirely on cloud or network connectivity.
Standardized reinstallation for hardware refreshes and reuse
Many devices go through more than just a single lifecycle. They are reassigned, returned after repairs, prepared for different roles, or redeployed as part of a hardware refresh. A simple reset is not always enough here.
Bare-metal deployment helps you bring devices to a defined state in a reproducible way. This is particularly helpful when you:
- want to standardize devices from different sources,
- want to clean up OEM installations,
- need to completely wipe devices before passing them on,
- want to securely remove old configurations,
- are preparing hardware for new roles,
- are moving devices between departments, locations, or usage concepts.
Especially with shared devices, kiosk systems, training rooms, or production-related clients, a defined initial state is often more important than maximum flexibility.
Control over Windows version, partitioning, drivers, and basic configuration
Autopilot significantly reduces the effort required for custom images. This is one of its greatest advantages. You have fewer images to maintain, can standardize more effectively, and get new devices up and running faster.
Nevertheless, there are cases where you need more control over the technical base state.
These include, for example:
- defined partitioning
- special driver logic
- specific Windows versions
- language- or region-specific installation builds
- devices with specialized hardware
- preparations for specific security or compliance requirements
- environments where OEM images are not desired
Bare-metal deployment gives you this control back. You decide not only which policies are applied to the device later, but also how the device is technically configured.
Microsoft Configuration Manager supports operating system deployment via task sequences, which can be used to control various actions within a deployment process. Microsoft also documents PXE boot processes in Configuration Manager for OS deployment scenarios.
This is not an argument against Intune. It is an argument for clearly distinguishing between deployment and management.
Special environments remain special environments
Not every endpoint is a standard office laptop. Many companies have device types that can only be partially covered, or not covered at all, by standard Autopilot processes:
- Industrial PCs
- Kiosk systems
- Shared devices
- Laboratory systems
- Training room equipment
- Test and reference systems
- Devices in isolated networks
- Devices with specialized peripherals
- Clients in production-related environments
- OT-related Windows systems
These environments often require more than just cloud enrollment and policy assignment. They need clear standards for installation, recovery, drivers, custom configurations, and ongoing operation.
3 Bare-metal deployment vs. Autopilot: not an either-or choice
The discussion is often framed incorrectly. It is not about whether bare-metal deployment or Autopilot is "better." It is about which method fits which scenario.
Autopilot is powerful when you need to deploy new standard devices quickly, close to the user, and via the cloud. Bare-metal deployment is powerful when you need to completely rebuild the operating system or enforce a specific technical baseline.
The following table summarizes the key differences:
When Intune and Autopilot are usually enough
Intune and Autopilot are a great fit if you:
- deploy new standard devices directly from the manufacturer or distributor,
- work with Entra ID Join or Hybrid Join,
- can set up devices via an internet connection,
- do not require a complete reinstallation,
- accept or intentionally want to use OEM images,
- manage apps, policies, compliance, and security centrally via Intune,
- want end users to have minimal IT contact during initial deployment.
In such cases, bare-metal deployment is often unnecessary. It would actually be extra effort if you already have a stable, lean, and scalable deployment model with Autopilot.
However, it is important to note: by choosing this, you are consciously opting out of certain advantages of a complete rebuild. In special situations such as ransomware recovery, offline or emergency scenarios, as well as requirements for maximum control over installation, drivers, partitioning, and base configuration, bare-metal deployment may still be the better complement.
SCCM and baramundi as potential implementation paths
If you still require bare-metal deployment, the next question is: what tools will you use to implement it?
Native WDS workflows are no longer a viable long-term option for 2026. Microsoft has hardened automated hands-free deployment via WDS in connection with CVE-2026-0386: since the April 2026 updates, it is disabled by default and is no longer supported. This restriction primarily affects native WDS scenarios, not dedicated deployment platforms with their own boot images and provisioning mechanisms.
For many organizations, established platforms are therefore the logical choice, particularly SCCM or the baramundi Management Suite. Both approaches can be effective depending on your existing inventory, expertise, infrastructure, and operating model.
SCCM for complex, Microsoft-centric environments
Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, also known as SCCM or ConfigMgr, remains relevant primarily where a mature Microsoft-client managementenvironment is already in place or where complex OS deployment processes are required.
Typical strengths include:
- Task sequences
- PXE-based deployment
- Integration into existing Microsoft management processes
- Driver and package logic
- Distribution via distribution points
- Support for complex legacy environments
If SCCM is already running smoothly in your organization and isn't just there for historical reasons, it can remain a very powerful component for OS deployment. The crucial question isn't whether SCCM is "modern enough." The crucial question is whether the operational benefits justify the complexity.
baramundi Management Suite for integrated client management and OS deployment
The baramundi Management Suite can be a sensible alternative to SCCM if you want to consolidate OS deployment, client management, and automation into a different platform. In our view, baramundi is currently the strongest alternative to SCCM on the market and, unlike SCCM, is being consistently developed further. Co-management with Microsoft Intune is also an option.
The same applies here: the tool should not be the starting point of your decision. Your requirements should be the starting point.
5 Conclusion: Bare-metal deployment remains a useful component alongside Intune
Bare-metal deployment is not dead in 2026; rather, it has a clearer role: it complements Intune and Windows Autopilot in cases where devices need to be completely rebuilt, not just configured.
For standard devices, Autopilot is often the better path. However, for recovery, offline scenarios, hardware refreshes, specialized hardware, or isolated environments, bare-metal deployment remains an important component.
The practical self-test is: Can you bring a device to a defined, secure state today without an internet connection, without an OEM image, and without manual rework?
If the answer is no, you are missing a critical recovery and deployment capability. SOFTTAILOR helps you accurately assess this gap and build a suitable solution – from Intune and SCCM/MECM to the baramundi Management Suite and Managed Services for Endpoint Management and security.
Dorian has been involved in corporate and IT strategy since 2011. Due to the endpoint security deficiencies of many companies and the information overload, he developed the endpoint strategy. Dorian is co-founder of the “Endpoint Management” expert group at IAMCP e.V.
Years of Experience
Managed Endpoints
