The answer is that the OEM failed to register the devices in Autopilot by uploading their hardware hashes, so you must collect the hardware hash manually using a PowerShell script. This is correct because Windows Autopilot relies on a unique hardware hash being registered in the Microsoft Partner Center or Intune before the device can be recognized during the out-of-box experience; without this registration, the device proceeds through standard OOBE and never receives the Autopilot deployment profile. On the MD-102 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Autopilot registration prerequisite and the distinction between OEM registration and manual hash collection—a common trap is assuming Windows 11 Pro or hardware compliance alone triggers Autopilot, but registration is the missing link. Remember the mnemonic “No Hash, No Autopilot” to recall that without the hash uploaded, the device cannot be claimed by your tenant.
MD-102 Deploy Windows client Practice Question
This MD-102 practice question tests your understanding of deploy windows client. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
You are designing a Windows Autopilot deployment for a global organization. Devices are purchased from multiple OEMs and shipped directly to users. Some users report that their devices do not register in Autopilot automatically. You confirm the devices have Windows 11 Pro preinstalled and meet hardware requirements. What is the most likely reason for the registration failure, and what should you do to resolve it?
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 devices are not registered in Autopilot by the OEM; collect the hardware hash using a script
The most likely reason is that the OEM did not register the devices in Windows Autopilot by uploading their hardware hashes to the Microsoft Partner Center. Without this registration, the devices will not be recognized during OOBE and will not automatically receive the Autopilot deployment profile. To resolve this, you must collect the hardware hash from each device using a PowerShell script (e.g., Get-WindowsAutopilotInfo.ps1) and manually upload it to Intune or the Partner Center.
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 devices are not registered in Autopilot by the OEM; collect the hardware hash using a script
Why this is correct
The OEM must register the device; if not, manual hash collection is required.
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 devices have a TPM chip that is not compliant with Autopilot requirements
Why it's wrong here
TPM 2.0 is required but all modern devices have it.
✗
The Autopilot deployment profile is assigned to a dynamic device group that excludes these devices
Why it's wrong here
Group assignment does not affect registration.
✗
The devices are not connected to the internet during OOBE
Why it's wrong here
While internet is needed for Autopilot, the issue is registration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume the issue is with TPM or connectivity during OOBE, but the core problem is that the device was never registered in Autopilot by the OEM, which is a prerequisite for automatic profile assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The hardware hash is a unique identifier derived from the device's hardware components (e.g., MAC addresses, TPM endorsement key, disk serial numbers) and is used to match the device to an Autopilot profile. OEMs typically upload this hash during manufacturing, but if they fail to do so, the device will not be recognized. You can collect the hash using the Get-WindowsAutopilotInfo.ps1 script from the PowerShell Gallery, which outputs a CSV file that can be imported into Intune under Devices > Windows > Windows enrollment > Devices.
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 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.
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: The devices are not registered in Autopilot by the OEM; collect the hardware hash using a script — The most likely reason is that the OEM did not register the devices in Windows Autopilot by uploading their hardware hashes to the Microsoft Partner Center. Without this registration, the devices will not be recognized during OOBE and will not automatically receive the Autopilot deployment profile. To resolve this, you must collect the hardware hash from each device using a PowerShell script (e.g., Get-WindowsAutopilotInfo.ps1) and manually upload it to Intune or the Partner Center.
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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