MD-102 AppLocker Practice Question
A company uses Microsoft Intune to manage Windows 10 devices. They want to prevent users from installing unapproved applications. Which approach provides the most granular control?
⚠ Common exam trap
MD-102 often tests the difference between application control (AppLocker/WDAC) and application management (Intune app deployment); candidates may confuse 'prevent installation' with 'control availability' and pick Store for Business or SmartScreen, which do not provide granular allow-listing.
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
✓
Deploy AppLocker rules via Intune to allow only approved publishers.
AppLocker provides the most granular control because it allows administrators to create rules based on publisher, product name, file name, file version, or file hash, and apply them to specific users or groups. Deployed via Intune, these rules can enforce which applications are allowed to run, effectively blocking unapproved installations. This level of detail (e.g., allowing only signed apps from a specific publisher) is not achievable with the other options.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use the Microsoft Store for Business to deploy only approved apps.
Why it's wrong here
Microsoft Store for Business restricts Store-sourced deployment, but users can still install unapproved apps from other sources such as sideloaded MSI or EXE files. It is tempting because it curates an approved catalogue, which would be correct if all installation were confined to the Store.
- ✓
Deploy AppLocker rules via Intune to allow only approved publishers.
Why this is correct
AppLocker rules deployed through Intune let you allow only approved publishers, giving publisher, product name, file name and version-level control over executables, which is more granular than the broader allow or block lists offered by other application control methods.
- ✗
Enable Windows Defender SmartScreen to block unknown apps.
Why it's wrong here
SmartScreen blocks only executables lacking reputation or a valid signature, so signed or reputable unapproved installers still run; it cannot enforce an allowlist. It is tempting because SmartScreen genuinely filters unknown downloads, which suits blocking malicious software rather than controlling which approved applications users may install.
- ✗
Configure User Account Control (UAC) to always notify.
Why it's wrong here
UAC always-notify prompts for elevation but users with admin rights can approve the install, so it enforces nothing. UAC suits standard-user elevation prompts; granular control over which applications install requires Intune app protection or Windows Defender Application Control policies.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Enrolling Devices with Microsoft Intune
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.
Key term
AppLocker
AppLocker is a Windows security feature that helps IT administrators control which applications and files users are allowed to run on their computers.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
This MD-102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 MD-102 exam.