The most likely reason the custom policy fails to apply is that the OMA-URI path is incorrect for an ADMX-backed policy. This is because Intune requires the path to follow the exact syntax `./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_<Category>/<PolicyName>`, where the `ADMX_` prefix and the precise administrative template category name are mandatory; any deviation, such as omitting the prefix or misspelling the category, causes the policy to be unrecognized by Windows 10 devices. On the MD-102 exam, this tests your understanding of how Intune maps Group Policy administrative templates to mobile device management, often appearing as a trap where a seemingly valid path is missing the `ADMX_` segment or uses a friendly name instead of the internal category identifier. A common memory tip is to think of the path as a street address: the `ADMX_` prefix is the street name, the category is the building, and the policy name is the apartment number—leave any part out, and the delivery fails.
MD-102 Manage and maintain devices Practice Question
This MD-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage and maintain devices. 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.
You have created the above custom policy but it fails to apply on Windows 10 devices. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The OMA-URI path is incorrect for an ADMX-backed policy.
Option D is correct because the OMA-URI path for an ADMX-backed policy must follow the exact format: `./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_<Category>/<PolicyName>`. If the path is incorrect—for example, missing the `ADMX_` prefix or using a wrong category name—the policy will fail to apply on Windows 10 devices. Custom configuration policies do support ADMX-backed policies, but the URI must precisely match the ADMX administrative template structure.
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.
The URI starts with './Device', so it targets the device.
✗
Custom configuration policies are not supported on Windows 10.
Why it's wrong here
Custom policies are supported.
✓
The OMA-URI path is incorrect for an ADMX-backed policy.
Why this is correct
ADMX policies require a specific URI format that includes the category path.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume any OMA-URI error is due to targeting (user vs. device) or data type issues, but the MD-102 exam specifically tests the precise URI syntax for ADMX-backed policies, which is a common misconfiguration point.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ADMX-backed policies in Intune rely on the Policy CSP (Configuration Service Provider), which maps administrative template settings to OMA-URI nodes under `./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_<Category>/<PolicyName>`. The URI must include the `ADMX_` prefix followed by the exact category name (e.g., `ADMX_ControlPanel`), and any typo or incorrect hierarchy will cause the CSP to reject the policy silently. In real-world scenarios, administrators often copy URIs from documentation but miss the underscore or use a localized category name, leading to deployment failures that are hard to debug without checking the MDM logs.
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.
Manage and maintain devices — This question tests Manage and maintain devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The OMA-URI path is incorrect for an ADMX-backed policy. — Option D is correct because the OMA-URI path for an ADMX-backed policy must follow the exact format: `./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_<Category>/<PolicyName>`. If the path is incorrect—for example, missing the `ADMX_` prefix or using a wrong category name—the policy will fail to apply on Windows 10 devices. Custom configuration policies do support ADMX-backed policies, but the URI must precisely match the ADMX administrative template structure.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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