The answer is that the device is noncompliant because its OS version exceeds the configured maximum OS version rule. In Microsoft Intune, compliance policies evaluate OS version rules as strict numerical comparisons, meaning any device running a build number higher than the specified maximum—here, 10.0.19042.0—is automatically marked noncompliant, regardless of whether it satisfies all other requirements like password, encryption, firewall, or Defender settings. This scenario tests your understanding of how Intune’s OS version logic works, a common trap on the MD-102 exam where candidates overlook that a higher version triggers noncompliance even when the device is fully patched and secure. Remember, “higher is noncompliant” for maximum OS rules, so always check the build number against the policy’s ceiling. A useful memory tip: think of the maximum OS version as a “hard cap”—once the device’s version clears that cap, it’s flagged, no exceptions.
MD-102 Prepare infrastructure for devices Practice Question
This MD-102 practice question tests your understanding of prepare infrastructure for devices. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
{
"@odata.type": "#microsoft.graph.windows10CompliancePolicy",
"description": "Compliance policy for Windows 10 devices",
"passwordRequired": true,
"passwordMinimumLength": 6,
"passwordRequiredType": "deviceDefault",
"osMinimumVersion": "10.0.19041.0",
"osMaximumVersion": "10.0.22621.0",
"storageRequireEncryption": true,
"activeFirewallRequired": true,
"defenderEnabled": true,
"defenderVersion": "1.0.0.0"
}
You have deployed the above compliance policy in Microsoft Intune. A Windows 10 device running version 10.0.19042.0 is marked as noncompliant. You verify that the device meets all password, encryption, firewall, and Defender requirements. What is the most likely reason for noncompliance?
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 device is running a version higher than the maximum OS version.
The compliance policy includes a maximum OS version rule, and the device is running version 10.0.19042.0. Since this version is higher than the configured maximum, the device is marked as noncompliant even though it meets all other requirements. In Intune, OS version rules are evaluated as strict comparisons, so exceeding the maximum triggers noncompliance regardless of other settings.
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 device is running a version higher than the maximum OS version.
Why this is correct
The device version 10.0.22622.0 exceeds the maximum OS version 10.0.22621.0.
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.
✗
The device is running a version lower than the minimum OS version.
Why it's wrong here
The device version 10.0.22622.0 is higher than the minimum 10.0.19041.0.
✗
The device's antivirus software is not Microsoft Defender.
Why it's wrong here
The policy requires Defender, and we verified it is enabled.
✗
The device does not have a TPM 2.0 chip.
Why it's wrong here
TPM is not required by this compliance policy.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume noncompliance must be due to a missing security requirement (like antivirus or encryption), but the question explicitly states those are met, leading them to overlook the OS version rule as the cause.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Intune compliance policies evaluate OS version rules using the build number (e.g., 10.0.19042 corresponds to Windows 10 20H2). The maximum OS version setting is often used to block devices on newer builds that may have known compatibility issues or unpatched vulnerabilities. Under the hood, Intune compares the device's OS version string using a numeric comparison, so a device on 10.0.19042 would be noncompliant if the maximum is set to, say, 10.0.18363 (Windows 10 1909).
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this MD-102 question in full detail.
Prepare infrastructure for devices — This question tests Prepare infrastructure for devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The device is running a version higher than the maximum OS version. — The compliance policy includes a maximum OS version rule, and the device is running version 10.0.19042.0. Since this version is higher than the configured maximum, the device is marked as noncompliant even though it meets all other requirements. In Intune, OS version rules are evaluated as strict comparisons, so exceeding the maximum triggers noncompliance regardless of other settings.
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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