220-1102 Operating Systems Practice Question
A technician is tasked with deploying Windows 10 to 50 new computers using network-based deployment via PXE boot. The technician has created a reference image using Sysprep and wants a tool that can manage the entire deployment process, including capturing the image, creating a task sequence, and deploying over the network. Which tool should the technician use?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse Windows SIM, which only creates answer files, with a full deployment solution like MDT, assuming that an answer file alone can manage the entire network-based deployment process including image capture and task sequences.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT)
The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) is the correct tool because it provides a complete solution for network-based deployment via PXE boot, including capturing a Sysprep-prepared reference image, creating and managing task sequences, and deploying the image to multiple computers. MDT integrates with Windows Deployment Services (WDS) to handle the PXE boot process and automates the entire deployment workflow, making it ideal for deploying Windows 10 to 50 new computers.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM)
Why it's wrong here
Windows System Image Manager is specifically designed for authoring and editing unattended answer files (XML) that control Windows Setup settings, but it does not manage any part of the actual deployment process. It cannot orchestrate network booting via PXE, execute task sequences, or coordinate the distribution of an OS image to multiple computers. For 50 new machines, you need a deployment solution that can automate end-to-end setup, not just create answer files. Therefore, it is not the correct choice for this network deployment scenario.
- ✓
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT)
Why this is correct
The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit is the correct choice because it provides a complete, integrated deployment solution that automates network-based installation of Windows 10. It supports PXE boot through Windows Deployment Services, creates and manages task sequences for driver injection, application installation, and OS deployment, and lets you build a reference image that can be deployed to all 50 computers. MDT leverages the ADK and Windows PE under the hood but adds the necessary management interface and orchestration. This makes it the preferred tool for large-scale network deployments.
- ✗
Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) only
Why it's wrong here
The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) is a collection of low-level tools like DISM and Windows PE, but it lacks a management framework, task sequencing, and an interface for coordinating deployments. You could theoretically use ADK components in custom scripts to perform network deployment, but that would require considerable manual effort and coding. For 50 computers, using only the ADK would be impractical because there is no built-in PXE boot manager or deployment orchestrator. That is why ADK alone is insufficient; it serves as a foundation for MDT, not a standalone deployment solution.
- ✗
System Preparation Tool (Sysprep)
Why it's wrong here
System Preparation Tool (Sysprep) is used to generalize a Windows image by stripping out computer-specific identifiers such as the security identifier (SID) and unique driver information, so the same image can be cloned to different hardware. However, Sysprep is solely a preparation step and does not handle network deployment, PXE booting, or task sequences. After running Sysprep, you still need a deployment tool like MDT to capture the image, create a deployment share, and push it over the network to all 50 computers. Thus, Sysprep alone cannot perform the required network deployment.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Disk Imaging and OS Deployment
Key term
Windows
Windows is a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft that manages computer hardware and software, providing a graphical user interface for users to interact with their devices.
Key term
Windows 10
Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft that combines the familiarity of Windows 7 with the modern features of Windows 8, designed to run on a wide range of devices from desktops to tablets.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1102 exam.