Using ConfigMgr (SCCM) to Refresh a Lab or Classroom

I’m a geek who lives for automation. My happy place is a classroom full of PCs that just work—fresh images, clean profiles, the right drivers—so students can focus on learning instead of login drama. This post is about using the ConfigMgr Computer Refresh scenario to reset fleets fast and keep classes smooth.

Background – The Computer Refresh Scenario

When you create a basic ConfigMgr task sequence for bare metal deployments, the same template can also be used for Computer Refresh Scenarios. If you skipped enabling USMT during the creation of the task sequence, you now have a task sequence you can push out (deploy) to an entire lab, to refresh those machines. Behind the scenes the following happen.

1. In Windows, the task sequence will stage WinPE to the hard drive and reboot.
2. In WinPE, the task sequence will apply your Windows image, and stage drivers, and reboot into Windows again.
3. In Windows, Windows setup will kick in briefly to install the drivers, and then let the control back to the task sequence
4. In Windows, the task sequence finishes installing the ConfigMgr client, and install any applications that you may have configured it to deploy.

Step 1 – Creating the Task Sequence

Here is a guide that will walk you through the necessary steps for creating a computer refresh task sequence. The guide assumes that you have an existing ConfigMgr environment with a Windows 11 image imported. In this example, I use a Windows 11 24H2 image.

1. Using Configuration Manager Console, in the Software Library workspace, expand Operating Systems, right-click Task Sequences, and select Create Task Sequence.

2. Use the following settings for the Create Task Sequence wizard.

• Create a new task sequence: Install an existing image package
• Task sequence name: Windows 11 Enterprise x64 24H2 – Refresh
• Boot image: <your boot image>
• Run as high performance power plan: <selected>
• Image package: Windows 11 Enterprise x64 24H2

• Domain: <your domain>
• Domain OU: <your OU>
• Account: <your domain join account>

• Package: Configuration Manager Client Package
• Capture user settings and files: <Not selected>
• Capture network settings: <Not selected>
• Capture Microsoft Windows settings: <Not selected>

• Include software updates: Do not install any software updates
• Install applications: <select any applications, if needed, I selected 7-Zip and Audacity>

Step 2 – Deploying the Task Sequence

The next step is to deploy the task sequence to a collection containing your lab or classroom machines. While testing, ensure that you deploy the TS as available so that you can launch it from Software Center on demand or via PowerShell. Once you have verified that the task sequence works, you can apply more automation such as required deployments.

1. Using Configuration Manager Console, right-click the Windows 11 Enterprise x64 24H2 – Refresh task sequence, and then select Deploy.
2. Use the following settings for the Deploy Software Wizard:

• Collection: <your lab or classroom collection>
• Purpose: Available
• Make available to the following: Only Configuration Manager Clients
• Use the default settings for remaining settings…

Step 3 – Testing time

Now it's time for testing.. Log in to one of the classroom machines, open Software Center and run the refresh task sequence.