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220-1102 Practice Question: A small business is deploying Windows 11 to 20…
A small business is deploying Windows 11 to 20 new workstations. During the setup, you need to ensure that each computer receives a unique computer name and joins the domain automatically. Which Windows deployment tool should you use to automate this process?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse MDT as a standalone deployment tool, but MDT requires a deployment mechanism like WDS or bootable media to initiate the network boot, whereas WDS directly handles PXE boot and can automate domain join and naming without MDT.
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
✓
Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
Windows Deployment Services (WDS) is the correct tool because it is designed to deploy Windows operating systems over a network using Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) boot. It can be configured with answer files to automatically assign unique computer names (via naming policies or a prestaged computer accounts in Active Directory) and join the domain without manual intervention, making it ideal for deploying 20 workstations simultaneously.
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 (Windows SIM) is a crucial tool for creating and modifying answer files (unattend.xml), which are XML-based scripts used to automate Windows setup. It allows administrators to configure various settings, including product keys, user accounts, regional settings, and domain join information, before deployment. However, Windows SIM itself does not perform the actual operating system deployment; it merely generates the configuration file that deployment tools like WDS or MDT consume during installation. It is strictly a pre-deployment configuration utility.
- ✓
Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
Why this is correct
Windows Deployment Services (WDS) is the correct choice for network-based deployment of Windows operating systems, especially in scenarios involving multiple machines. WDS enables PXE booting, allowing client computers to start the installation process over the network without local media. It serves Windows images (WIM files) and can integrate seamlessly with answer files (unattend.xml) to automate post-installation tasks such as computer naming, joining an Active Directory domain, and installing drivers, making it highly efficient for deploying Windows 11 to 20 machines.
- ✗
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT)
Why it's wrong here
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) is a comprehensive, free solution that provides an end-to-end framework for deploying Windows operating systems and applications. While MDT can certainly automate deployments, it is a more advanced and feature-rich tool that often integrates with WDS for network booting and image delivery. For a relatively straightforward requirement of deploying Windows 11 to 20 machines with automated domain join, WDS alone offers a more direct and less complex solution, whereas MDT provides extensive task sequencing and application management capabilities beyond the immediate scope.
- ✗
Sysprep
Why it's wrong here
Sysprep (System Preparation Tool) is a command-line utility used to generalize a Windows installation, preparing it for imaging and deployment to multiple computers. Its primary function is to remove system-specific data, such as security identifiers (SIDs) and unique hardware drivers, making the installation hardware-independent. While essential for creating a master image that can be deployed without conflicts, Sysprep does not handle the actual deployment process or automate post-installation tasks like computer naming or domain joining; it merely prepares the source image for use by deployment tools.
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Windows Editions and Features
Key term
Windows 11
Windows 11 is Microsoft's latest desktop operating system, offering a redesigned interface, enhanced security features, and improved support for modern hardware.
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.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.