The correct answer is to register the device hashes in Intune and assign an Autopilot deployment profile. This works because Windows Autopilot relies on the unique hardware hash of each device—essentially a fingerprint of its components—to identify and match it to your tenant. Once the hashes are uploaded into Intune and a deployment profile is assigned, the device automatically enrolls in Intune and joins Microsoft Entra ID during the out-of-box experience, with no need for IT to touch the hardware or pre-configure it. On the MD-102 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Autopilot registration process for new devices shipped directly to users, a common real-world deployment model. A frequent trap is confusing device hash registration with provisioning packages or hybrid join; remember that for direct-to-user shipping, the hash is the key identifier. Memory tip: think “Hash to match, profile to attach”—the hash gets the device recognized, the profile tells it what to do.
MD-102 Manage and maintain devices Practice Question
This MD-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage and maintain devices. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 are planning a Windows 11 deployment for 500 new devices using Windows Autopilot. The devices will be shipped directly to users from the manufacturer. You need to ensure that the devices are automatically enrolled in Intune and joined to Microsoft Entra ID. What should you do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Register the device hashes in Intune and assign an Autopilot deployment profile
Option A is correct because Windows Autopilot uses device hashes (hardware IDs) to identify devices in Intune. By registering these hashes and assigning an Autopilot deployment profile, the devices are automatically enrolled in Intune and joined to Microsoft Entra ID during the out-of-box experience (OOBE), without requiring manual intervention or additional infrastructure.
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.
✓
Register the device hashes in Intune and assign an Autopilot deployment profile
Why this is correct
Registering device hashes and assigning an Autopilot deployment profile with the desired join type is the standard approach.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Pre-install the Intune Management Extension on each device
Why it's wrong here
Installing the Intune agent manually defeats the purpose of Autopilot.
✗
Configure a provisioning package and include it with the shipment
Why it's wrong here
Provisioning packages are for on-premises scenarios.
✗
Create a hybrid Azure AD join configuration in Intune
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse hybrid Azure AD join with Microsoft Entra ID join, or think provisioning packages are needed for Autopilot, when in fact Autopilot is designed for zero-touch, cloud-only scenarios without any on-premises dependency.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Provisioning packages are for on-premises scenarios.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Windows Autopilot relies on the device's 4K hardware hash (a SHA-256 hash of hardware identifiers) to match it to an Autopilot profile in Intune. During OOBE, the device contacts the Autopilot service, retrieves the assigned profile, and automatically performs Microsoft Entra ID join and Intune enrollment without user interaction. This process uses the Enrollment Status Page (ESP) to ensure compliance before the user reaches the desktop.
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: Register the device hashes in Intune and assign an Autopilot deployment profile — Option A is correct because Windows Autopilot uses device hashes (hardware IDs) to identify devices in Intune. By registering these hashes and assigning an Autopilot deployment profile, the devices are automatically enrolled in Intune and joined to Microsoft Entra ID during the out-of-box experience (OOBE), without requiring manual intervention or additional infrastructure.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.