The answer is that the app writes the detection file to a temporary folder that is periodically cleaned. This is correct because Intune’s Win32 app detection rules rely on a persistent file or registry key to confirm installation; when the detection file is placed in a folder like %TEMP% or C:\Windows\Temp, disk cleanup policies or Storage Sense will remove it, causing the Microsoft Intune Management Extension to no longer detect the app as installed. On the next sync cycle, this triggers a reinstallation, creating a repeated installation loop. On the MD-102 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how detection rules must target stable, non-volatile locations—a common trap is assuming any file path works, but temporary folders are inherently unreliable. Remember the memory tip: “Temp is temporary, so detection is temporary.” Always choose a persistent path like Program Files or a dedicated registry key to avoid the loop.
MD-102 Manage applications Practice Question
This MD-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage applications. 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.
An administrator is troubleshooting why a Win32 app is repeatedly installed on a device. The exhibit shows a log snippet. What is the most likely cause of the repeated installation?
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 app writes the detection file to a temporary folder that is cleaned periodically
Option A is correct because if the Win32 app's detection file is written to a temporary folder (e.g., %TEMP% or C:\Windows\Temp) that is periodically cleaned by disk cleanup policies or the Storage Sense feature, Intune will no longer detect the app as installed after the file is removed. This causes the Microsoft Intune Management Extension to re-run the installation on the next sync cycle, leading to a repeated installation loop. The detection rule relies on the persistent presence of the file, so its removal triggers reinstallation.
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 app writes the detection file to a temporary folder that is cleaned periodically
Why this is correct
If the file is in a temp folder, it may be deleted, causing detection to fail on subsequent scans.
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 app requires a reboot to complete installation
Why it's wrong here
Reboot requirement would show a different pattern.
✗
The detection rule runs before the install completes
Why it's wrong here
Detection runs after install; the log shows detection after install succeeded.
✗
The exit code 0 is misinterpreted as failure
Why it's wrong here
Exit code 0 indicates success, not failure.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume a detection rule failure is due to timing (Option C) or exit code issues (Option D), but the real-world cause is often a transient detection artifact that gets cleaned, not a logic error in the installation process.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Reboot requirement would show a different pattern.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Intune's Win32 app detection rules check for the presence of a file, registry key, or MSI product code at each sync. If the detection file is stored in a volatile location like %TEMP%, which is subject to cleanup by tools like Storage Sense or Group Policy-configured disk cleanup, the file is deleted between syncs. The Microsoft Intune Management Extension then sees the app as not installed and re-downloads and installs it, creating a loop. Administrators should always use stable paths like %ProgramFiles% or %AppData% for detection artifacts.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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 applications — This question tests Manage applications — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The app writes the detection file to a temporary folder that is cleaned periodically — Option A is correct because if the Win32 app's detection file is written to a temporary folder (e.g., %TEMP% or C:\Windows\Temp) that is periodically cleaned by disk cleanup policies or the Storage Sense feature, Intune will no longer detect the app as installed after the file is removed. This causes the Microsoft Intune Management Extension to re-run the installation on the next sync cycle, leading to a repeated installation loop. The detection rule relies on the persistent presence of the file, so its removal triggers reinstallation.
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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