Quick Answer
The answer is antivirus software blocking the upgrade process. Error 0x800706BE translates to “The remote procedure call failed,” and during a Windows 10 in-place upgrade via Configuration Manager, real-time antivirus scanning often locks critical system files or blocks RPC calls that Windows Setup requires, causing the task sequence action to fail as recorded in smsts.log. On the Microsoft 365 Endpoint Administrator MD-102 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between generic setup errors and environmental blockers—a common trap is chasing driver or disk issues when the root cause is security software interference. Remember the mnemonic “AV blocks RPC” to recall that antivirus halts remote procedure calls, triggering this specific error during upgrades.
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.
During a Windows 10 in-place upgrade using Configuration Manager, the task sequence fails with error code 0x800706BE. The smsts.log shows 'Failed to run the action: Upgrade Operating System'. What is the most likely cause?
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.
Incompatible third-party drivers
Why wrong: Would cause a different error, often driver-related.
Corrupted setup files in the OS upgrade package
Why wrong: Would cause file-related errors, not RPC failure.
Insufficient disk space on the system drive
Why wrong: Would result in a different error, such as 0x80070070.
Antivirus software blocking the upgrade process
Antivirus can block RPC calls, causing 0x800706BE.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Antivirus software blocking the upgrade process
Error code 0x800706BE is a generic 'The remote procedure call failed' error, which in the context of a Configuration Manager task sequence during an in-place upgrade is most commonly caused by antivirus software interfering with the setup process. Antivirus real-time scanning can lock files or block critical RPC calls that the Windows Setup engine requires, leading to the 'Failed to run the action: Upgrade Operating System' failure in smsts.log.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Incompatible third-party drivers
Why it's wrong here
Would cause a different error, often driver-related.
Corrupted setup files in the OS upgrade package
Why it's wrong here
Would cause file-related errors, not RPC failure.
Insufficient disk space on the system drive
Why it's wrong here
Would result in a different error, such as 0x80070070.
Antivirus software blocking the upgrade process
Why this is correct
Antivirus can block RPC calls, causing 0x800706BE.
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
The trap here is that candidates often associate error 0x800706BE with generic setup corruption or disk space issues, but Microsoft specifically documents this RPC error as being caused by third-party security software blocking the upgrade process.
Detailed technical explanation
The error 0x800706BE maps to RPC_S_CALL_FAILED, indicating that a remote procedure call between the task sequence engine and the Windows Setup process was terminated prematurely. Antivirus software often hooks into system processes like SetupHost.exe or intercepts file operations, causing the RPC channel to break. In real-world scenarios, temporarily disabling real-time protection or adding the C:\Windows\CCM\Cache and OS upgrade package paths to antivirus exclusions resolves this issue.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Deploy Windows client — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Deploy Windows client practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All MD-102 questions
991 questions across all exam domains
Microsoft 365 Endpoint Administrator MD-102 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
MD-102 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise MD-102 questions linked to Prepare infrastructure for devices.
Practise MD-102 questions linked to Manage and maintain devices.
Practise MD-102 questions linked to Manage applications.
Practise MD-102 questions linked to Protect devices.
Practise MD-102 questions linked to Deploy Windows client.
Practise MD-102 questions linked to Manage identity and compliance.
Practise MD-102 questions linked to Manage, maintain, and protect devices.
Practise MD-102 questions linked to MD-102 fundamentals.
Practise MD-102 questions linked to MD-102 scenario.
Practise MD-102 questions linked to MD-102 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Deploy Windows client — This question tests Deploy Windows client — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Antivirus software blocking the upgrade process — Error code 0x800706BE is a generic 'The remote procedure call failed' error, which in the context of a Configuration Manager task sequence during an in-place upgrade is most commonly caused by antivirus software interfering with the setup process. Antivirus real-time scanning can lock files or block critical RPC calls that the Windows Setup engine requires, leading to the 'Failed to run the action: Upgrade Operating System' failure in smsts.log.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 →
Keep practising
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.