The answer is PXE-initiated task sequence deployment and bootable media deployment. These are the two valid methods to deploy Windows 10 to new hardware in a Configuration Manager environment because both allow a bare-metal client to boot into a Windows PE environment and initiate a task sequence without requiring an existing operating system. PXE relies on network boot from a distribution point, while bootable media uses a USB or CD/DVD that contains the boot image, task sequence, and content locally, making it ideal when network connectivity is unavailable. On the Microsoft 365 Endpoint Administrator MD-102 exam, this question tests your understanding of OS deployment methods under the “Plan and implement endpoint management” domain, and a common trap is confusing “software center-based deployment” (which requires an existing OS) with these two bare-metal options. Remember the memory tip: “No OS? No problem—PXE or media.”
MD-102 Deploy Windows client Practice Question
This MD-102 practice question tests your understanding of deploy windows client. 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.
Which TWO options are valid methods to deploy Windows 10 to new hardware in a Configuration Manager environment?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Bootable media deployment
Bootable media deployment (Option D) is a valid method in Configuration Manager because it allows you to create bootable USB or CD/DVD media that contains the boot image, task sequence, and required content. When the media is booted on new hardware, it initiates a task sequence that contacts the Configuration Manager site server to download the OS image and apply it, making it ideal for bare-metal deployments without network connectivity.
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.
✗
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) Lite Touch
Why it's wrong here
MDT is a separate tool, though can be integrated with ConfigMgr.
✗
Windows Autopilot self-deploying mode
Why it's wrong here
Autopilot is a separate cloud service, not a ConfigMgr method.
✗
Azure Migrate
Why it's wrong here
Used for server migration, not OS deployment.
✓
Bootable media deployment
Why this is correct
Standard ConfigMgr deployment method.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
PXE-initiated task sequence deployment
Why this is correct
Standard ConfigMgr deployment method.
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 often confuse MDT Lite Touch as a Configuration Manager deployment method, but MDT is a separate tool and Lite Touch does not use the Configuration Manager client or infrastructure, making it invalid for this context.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Bootable media deployment uses a pre-staged boot image (typically WinPE) that contains the SMS client and task sequence engine; when booted, it establishes a connection to the management point via HTTP/HTTPS and retrieves the policy and content from distribution points. PXE-initiated task sequence deployment (Option E) relies on DHCP and PXE boot protocols to deliver the boot image over the network, which requires a PXE-enabled distribution point and proper network infrastructure to avoid conflicts with other PXE servers.
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.
Deploy Windows client — This question tests Deploy Windows client — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Bootable media deployment — Bootable media deployment (Option D) is a valid method in Configuration Manager because it allows you to create bootable USB or CD/DVD media that contains the boot image, task sequence, and required content. When the media is booted on new hardware, it initiates a task sequence that contacts the Configuration Manager site server to download the OS image and apply it, making it ideal for bare-metal deployments without network connectivity.
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.