The correct answer is to suspend BitLocker before the Format and Partition Disk step and ensure the boot image includes the BitLocker optional component in WinPE. This is necessary because a Configuration Manager task sequence that attempts to repartition or format a BitLocker-protected volume will fail, as the TPM validation and encryption keys would be invalidated; suspending protection first allows the disk operations to proceed without triggering a recovery event. Additionally, the WinPE boot image must contain the BitLocker component to support essential operations like suspend, resume, or preprovisioning during the task sequence. On the MD-102 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of OS deployment prerequisites and the interaction between BitLocker and task sequence steps—a common trap is forgetting that WinPE lacks BitLocker support by default. Memory tip: think “Suspend before Format, include BitLocker in WinPE” to avoid a failed deployment.
MD-102 Deploy Windows client Practice Question
This MD-102 practice question tests your understanding of deploy windows client. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company is deploying Windows 11 using a task sequence in Configuration Manager. They encounter an issue where the task sequence fails on devices that have BitLocker enabled. Which TWO actions should you take to ensure the task sequence completes successfully on BitLocker-enabled devices?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a 'Suspend BitLocker' step before the 'Format and Partition Disk' step
Option C is correct because suspending BitLocker before the 'Format and Partition Disk' step prevents the task sequence from failing due to BitLocker-protected volumes. When BitLocker is active, the disk cannot be repartitioned or formatted without first suspending protection, as the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) validation and encryption keys would be invalidated. Option D is correct because the boot image must include the BitLocker optional component in WinPE to enable BitLocker-related operations (e.g., suspend, resume, preprovision) during the task sequence execution.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Add a 'Preprovision BitLocker' step before the 'Apply Operating System' step
Why it's wrong here
Preprovision is for enabling BitLocker, not for partition operations.
✗
Ensure the boot image includes the Microsoft BitLocker Administration and Monitoring (MBAM) optional component
Why it's wrong here
MBAM is not needed; the BitLocker optional component in WinPE is required.
✓
Add a 'Suspend BitLocker' step before the 'Format and Partition Disk' step
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Ensure the boot image includes the BitLocker optional component in WinPE
Why this is correct
This component is needed to handle BitLocker during deployment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Disable Secure Boot in the device BIOS
Why it's wrong here
Disabling Secure Boot is not recommended and not required.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'Preprovision BitLocker' (used to enable encryption after OS deployment) with 'Suspend BitLocker' (used to temporarily disable protection during disk operations), leading them to incorrectly select Option A instead of Option C.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a task sequence runs in WinPE, the BitLocker optional component (winpe-bitlocker.wim) provides the necessary drivers and APIs (e.g., manage-bde.exe) to interact with encrypted volumes. Suspending BitLocker writes a clear key to the volume, allowing the TPM to release the encryption key without validation, which is essential before repartitioning. In real-world scenarios, failing to suspend BitLocker can cause the task sequence to hang or error out with 'Disk 0 is not a valid boot disk' or 'Unable to format protected volume' messages.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this MD-102 question in full detail.
Deploy Windows client — This question tests Deploy Windows client — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a 'Suspend BitLocker' step before the 'Format and Partition Disk' step — Option C is correct because suspending BitLocker before the 'Format and Partition Disk' step prevents the task sequence from failing due to BitLocker-protected volumes. When BitLocker is active, the disk cannot be repartitioned or formatted without first suspending protection, as the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) validation and encryption keys would be invalidated. Option D is correct because the boot image must include the BitLocker optional component in WinPE to enable BitLocker-related operations (e.g., suspend, resume, preprovision) during the task sequence execution.
What should I do if I get this MD-102 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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