Windows 11 Deployment Guide for 2025: From USB to Intune

Part of our Intune, Autopilot and Entra ID guides: every related guide in one place.

Master Windows 11 Deployment in 2025

With Windows 10’s end-of-life hitting October 14, 2025, IT pros and home users alike are shifting to Windows 11 24H2. Whether you’re imaging a single PC or rolling out to an enterprise, this guide has you covered with modern tools and tricks.

Option 1: USB Deployment (Solo or Small Scale)

Step 1: Prep the Media
Download the Windows 11 24H2 ISO from microsoft.com. Grab the current version of Rufus from the official Rufus site (it updates often, so don’t search for a specific old version number) to create a bootable USB. If your hardware’s pre-2021, Rufus can bypass the TPM/hardware-requirement checks, but Microsoft classifies installs that skip these checks as an unsupported configuration: the device isn’t guaranteed to receive future updates the same way a fully supported install would, so treat it as a deliberate trade-off, not a routine step.

Step 2: Install
Boot from USB, follow the prompts, and pick ‘Custom Install’ for a clean slate. Takes 15-20 minutes on modern SSDs.

Step 3: Post-Setup
Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in PowerShell to ensure system integrity.

Option 2: Intune Deployment (Enterprise)

Step 1: Azure Setup
Log into Intune, connect devices via Azure AD. Upload the Windows 11 24H2 image under Devices > Windows > Windows Enrollment.

Step 2: Policy
Create a Device Configuration Profile: Set ‘Edition Upgrade’ to Windows 11 Pro and push updates via Update Rings (max 30-day deferral for quality updates).

Step 3: Monitor
Use Intune’s compliance dashboard to track rollout success. Treat any specific “success rate” figure you see quoted online as a rough guide rather than an official Microsoft target: there isn’t a citable Microsoft source for a fixed benchmark number, so judge your own rollout against your fleet’s baseline instead.

2025 Twist: Copilot Integration

Windows 11 24H2 ships with Copilot+, Microsoft’s AI assistant. Post-deployment, enable it via Settings > System > Copilot for automated troubleshooting: saves hours on helpdesk calls.