Convert Hybrid Azure AD Join Device to Azure AD Join Only

There are three common ways to migrate Windows devices to Microsoft Entra ID Join:

Traditional Method: Reset Device and Re-Provision using Windows Autopilot (data protected with OneDrive)
This approach wipes and resets the device, then re-provisions it as a cloud-only Entra ID–joined device using Windows Autopilot. To avoid data loss, user files are synced to OneDrive first.

Simple flow

• Sync user folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures) to OneDrive
• Add devices to Autopilot and trigger a device reset
• Device boots into Windows Autopilot
• User signs in using Entra ID credentials
• Device auto-configures security policies, applications, and compliance settings
• OneDrive restores user files after sign-in

What users experience

• New Windows setup experience
• Applications reinstall
• Settings and preferences reset
• Files are restored, but desktop look-and-feel is new

Pros

• Clean and secure approach, Microsoft-recommended
• Ideal for device refresh or security rebuild
• Fully automated provisioning

Limitations

• Requires device reset
• Limited end-to-end logging/monitoring of the full migration activity (depends on how you implement it)
• User downtime typically 1–3 hours
• User profile/settings are not preserved
• Requires strong OneDrive adoption

Manual Method: Leave Domain and Join Entra ID (no reset, but profile migration required)
IT manually unjoins the device from Active Directory and joins it to Entra ID without resetting Windows.

Simple flow

• Unjoin device from on-prem AD
• Join device to Entra ID
• Back up LAPS and BitLocker recovery keys
• User signs in with Entra ID (new Windows profile is created)
• Manually copy user data and limited settings (browser data, some app settings)
• Update device ownership (if DEM is used)
• Remove local admin rights if needed (depending on join method and policy)

What users experience

• New Windows profile
• Files may be copied manually (often requires permission mapping to access the old profile)
• Applications might need reconfiguration
• Some settings are lost

Pros

• No full device reset
• Often faster than Autopilot reset
• Does not depend on OneDrive

Limitations

• Manual and error-prone
• Requires old profile permission/SID mapping to move data correctly
• Risk of data/settings loss
• Limited logging/monitoring and harder troubleshooting
• Not scalable for large environments

Modern Method: Migrate using Opsole Migrate (no reset, minimal downtime)
Opsole Migrate enables an in-place migration from AD/Hybrid join to Entra ID Join without resetting the device, while preserving the existing user profile and minimizing downtime.

Simple flow

• Deploy Opsole Migrate remotely (Intune or GPO)
• Run migration under IT scheduling or user self-service
• Device is disjoined from AD and joined to Entra ID
• User profile is preserved, including BitLocker and LAPS continuity
• User signs in and continues working with minimal interruption

What users experience

• No reset
• Same desktop, files, apps, and settings
• Minimal interruption (typically 10–15 minutes, device-dependent)

Pros

• No device reset and no new user profile
• Minimal downtime
• Detailed logging and monitoring by phase
• Scalable for large enterprises
• Well-suited for business-critical users and large fleets

Why customers prefer this approach

• Minimal disruption to daily work
• No retraining or confusion
• Faster completion for larger device fleets (100+ devices)
• Lower support ticket volume