The answer is the device’s hardware hash, uploaded to Intune, paired with an assigned Autopilot deployment profile. This is correct because Windows Autopilot relies on a unique hardware hash—a cryptographic identifier of the device’s components—to register the device in Intune before first boot. When the device powers on and connects to the internet, it matches this hash against the Autopilot service, which then applies the assigned deployment profile to automatically join Microsoft Entra ID, enroll in Intune, and install required applications without any manual intervention. On the MD-102 exam, this question tests your understanding of the core Autopilot prerequisite: the hardware hash must be captured and uploaded (via a script, OEM, or partner) to create the device object in Intune. A common trap is confusing this with provisioning packages or Group Policy, which are not used during the Autopilot first-boot process. Memory tip: think “Hash + Profile = Hands-Free Join”—the hash identifies the device, and the profile tells it what to do.
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.
Your company is deploying Windows 11 devices using Windows Autopilot. You need to ensure that during the first boot, the device automatically joins Microsoft Entra ID, enrolls in Intune, and installs required applications. What should you provide to the device?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The device's hardware hash, uploaded to Intune, and an Autopilot deployment profile assigned.
Windows Autopilot uses a device-specific hardware hash that is uploaded to Intune. Based on the assigned Autopilot profile and deployment profile, the device automatically joins Entra ID and enrolls in Intune. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because a provisioning package is not needed for Autopilot. Option C is wrong because a Configuration Manager client is not required. Option D is wrong because Group Policy does not apply during Autopilot.
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's hardware hash, uploaded to Intune, and an Autopilot deployment profile assigned.
Why this is correct
Autopilot requires the hardware hash to identify the device and the profile to define the deployment settings.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The Configuration Manager client and a site code for automatic site assignment.
Why it's wrong here
Configuration Manager is not required for Autopilot; Intune handles management.
✗
A provisioning package containing the MDM enrollment settings.
Why it's wrong here
Provisioning packages are an alternative to Autopilot, not used together.
✗
A Group Policy Object that configures automatic MDM enrollment.
Why it's wrong here
Group Policy does not apply during the out-of-box experience; Autopilot uses cloud-based profiles.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
Identify which MD-102 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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's hardware hash, uploaded to Intune, and an Autopilot deployment profile assigned. — Windows Autopilot uses a device-specific hardware hash that is uploaded to Intune. Based on the assigned Autopilot profile and deployment profile, the device automatically joins Entra ID and enrolls in Intune. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because a provisioning package is not needed for Autopilot. Option C is wrong because a Configuration Manager client is not required. Option D is wrong because Group Policy does not apply during Autopilot.
What should I do if I get this MD-102 question wrong?
Identify which MD-102 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Your organization wants to use Windows Autopilot to deploy new Windows 11 devices. What is required to register a device with Windows Autopilot?
easy
A.The device's product key
✓ B.The device's hardware hash (4K HH)
C.The user's Microsoft account
D.The device's BIOS password
Why B: Windows Autopilot requires the device's hardware hash (4K HH) to uniquely identify the device during the registration process. This hash is generated from the device's hardware components and is uploaded to the Microsoft Intune or Partner portal to associate the device with an Autopilot profile. Without the hardware hash, Autopilot cannot recognize the device as registered and will not apply the deployment profile.
Variation 2. You are preparing to deploy Windows Autopilot for your organization. You have obtained the hardware hashes for 100 new devices. You need to register these devices in Microsoft Intune so that they can be associated with an Autopilot deployment profile. What should you do?
medium
A.Use the Microsoft Store for Business to automatically register devices
B.Contact the OEM to register the devices using the device serial numbers
C.Use the Windows Configuration Designer to create a provisioning package that includes Autopilot settings
✓ D.Upload the hardware hashes to the Autopilot devices page in the Microsoft Intune admin center
Why D: Option A is correct because you can upload the hardware hashes directly to the Autopilot devices page in Intune. Option B is wrong because the OEM can register devices for you, but you already have the hashes. Option C is wrong because Microsoft Store for Business is deprecated. Option D is wrong because Windows Configuration Designer is for provisioning packages, not Autopilot registration.
Variation 3. Your organization plans to deploy Windows Autopilot for new devices. You need to ensure that the hardware hashes are uploaded to Microsoft Intune before the devices are shipped to users. What is the recommended approach?
medium
A.Add the device to Microsoft Entra ID before shipping.
✓ B.Obtain the hardware hash from the device manufacturer or reseller.
C.Use Microsoft Configuration Manager to collect the hardware hash.
D.Run a PowerShell script on each device to capture the hardware hash.
Why B: Option A is correct because the OEM or reseller can upload the hardware hash directly to Intune via the OEM API or Partner Center. Option B is wrong because running a PowerShell script on the device requires it to be powered on, which delays the process. Option C is wrong because Configuration Manager can upload hashes but requires the device to be on the network. Option D is wrong because Microsoft Entra ID does not store hardware hashes.
Variation 4. Your organization is deploying Windows devices using Windows Autopilot. You need to ensure that devices are automatically enrolled in Microsoft Intune when they are first powered on. What should you configure?
easy
A.Join the device to Azure AD hybrid by configuring a domain join profile.
✓ B.Create an Autopilot deployment profile with 'Assign to' set to 'All devices' and ensure the device is registered in Autopilot.
C.Configure the Enrollment Status Page (ESP) to require device enrollment.
D.Manually add the device serial number to Intune via the admin center.
Why B: Option A is correct because the Enrollment Status Page (ESP) is not required for enrollment; Autopilot profile with Intune enrollment is the key. Option B is incorrect because the ESP is a separate configuration. Option C is incorrect because Azure AD hybrid join is not required for Autopilot. Option D is incorrect because for new devices, the Autopilot profile triggers enrollment.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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