Comparing the Different Ways to Set Up a Single-App Kiosk on Windows 10/11: Local Setup, Windows Configuration Designer, and Microsoft Intune

Comparing the Different Ways to Set Up a Single-App Kiosk on Windows 10/11: Local Setup, Windows Configuration Designer, and Microsoft Intune

What is a Kiosk and why would we use it on a Windows Device

 

A kiosk is a computer terminal that is typically used to access a specific application or service. Kiosks are often used to provide information or allow users to interact with a service in a public setting, such as a museum or airport. They are designed to be user-friendly and easy to use, and typically do not require any technical knowledge to operate.

There are several reasons why someone might want to use a kiosk on a Windows 10/11 computer:

1. To provide information or services to the public in a convenient and accessible way. For example, a museum might use a kiosk to provide information about exhibits or a tourism bureau might use a kiosk to provide maps and information about local attractions.
2. To allow users to interact with a service or application without the need for a personal device. This can be particularly useful in settings where personal devices are not allowed, such as hospitals or schools.
3. To reduce the risk of tampering or unauthorized access. Because kiosks are typically used in a public setting, they may be at risk of tampering or unauthorized access. By using a kiosk, organizations can ensure that the information or service being provided is secure and can only be accessed through the kiosk.
4. To provide a consistent user experience. Because kiosks are designed to be user-friendly and easy to use, they can provide a consistent experience for all users, regardless of their technical expertise.

 

 

Set up a single-app kiosk on Windows 10/11 set up locally

To set up a single-app kiosk on Windows 10 or Windows 11 locally, you'll need to use the Assigned Access feature in Windows. This feature allows you to specify which app or apps users can access when they sign into the device.

To set up your device as a kiosk, follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu, and then click "Settings."
2. Click "Accounts," and then click "Family & other users."
3. Under "Other users," click "Set up a kiosk."
4. Select the account that you want to use as the kiosk account, and then select the app that

Set up a single-app kiosk on Windows 10/11 set up using Windows Configuration Designer

To set up a single-app kiosk on Windows 10 or Windows 11 using Windows Configuration Designer (WCD), you'll need to install WCD on your development PC and use it to create a configuration package that specifies the kiosk app and any other necessary settings.

To create a configuration package using WCD, follow these steps:

1. Install Windows Configuration Designer on your development PC.
2. Open WCD and create a new configuration package.
3. Click "Add," and then click "Kiosk."
4. In the "Kiosk" pane, select the account that you want to use as the kiosk account, and then select the app that you want to use as the kiosk app. You can also configure additional kiosk settings, such as which features and settings users can access when using the kiosk app.
5. Click "Save" to save the package, and then click "Export" to export the package as an .msi file.

You can then deploy the configuration package to your Windows devices using Group Policy, Microsoft Intune, or any other preferred deployment method.

Set up a single-app kiosk on Windows 10/11 set up using Microsoft Intune

To set up a single-app kiosk on Windows 10 or Windows 11 using Microsoft Intune, you'll need to have a subscription to Intune and access to the Intune portal.

To create a kiosk profile using Intune, follow these steps:

1. Sign into the Intune portal at https://portal.azure.com
2. Click "Devices," and then click "Configuration profiles."
3. Click "Create profile," and then select "Windows 10 and later" as the platform.
4. In the "Profile settings" pane, select "Kiosk" as the profile type, and then specify the app that you want to use as the kiosk app. You can also configure additional kiosk settings, such as which features and settings users can access when using the kiosk app.
5. Click "Save" to save the profile.

Next, you'll need to assign the kiosk profile to a device group. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click "Assignments," and then select the device group that you want to assign the profile to.
2. In the "Assign" pane, select the kiosk profile that you just created, and then click "Save."

The kiosk profile will then be deployed to the devices in the selected device group. You can monitor the deployment status of the profile by clicking "Monitoring," and then selecting "Configuration profiles."

After the kiosk profile has been deployed, sign into the device and verify that you can only access the specified kiosk app. Make sure to test any other configured settings to ensure that they are working as expected.

 

Conclusion

In summary, there are three main ways to set up a single-app kiosk on Windows 10 or Windows 11: locally using the Assigned Access feature, using Windows Configuration Designer (WCD) to create a configuration package, or using Microsoft Intune to create a kiosk profile.

Setting up a kiosk locally is the most straightforward option, but it requires manual configuration on each device and does not offer the scalability or management features of the other two methods.

Using WCD allows you to create a configuration package that can be deployed to multiple devices, but it requires the installation of WCD on a development PC.

Using Intune is the most flexible and scalable option, as it allows you to easily manage and deploy the kiosk configuration to multiple devices. However, it requires a subscription to Intune and access to the Intune portal.

Ultimately, the best method for setting up a single-app kiosk on Windows 10 or Windows 11 will depend on your specific needs and resources.