The answer is to use a device configuration profile in Intune to deploy the onboarding package. This is the recommended method because Intune’s configuration profiles can push the Defender for Endpoint onboarding package—a .zip containing the onboarding script and required files—directly to Windows 10 devices, integrating seamlessly with your existing management framework for bulk, policy-driven deployment without manual intervention. On the MD-102 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of endpoint security configuration and Intune’s profile capabilities; a common trap is choosing a script-based deployment or manual installation, which lack the centralized control and compliance reporting of a configuration profile. Remember the tip: “Profile for onboarding, script for offboarding”—the configuration profile is your go-to for enrolling devices into Defender for Endpoint.
MD-102 Manage and maintain devices Practice Question
This MD-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage and maintain 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.
You need to configure Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on Windows 10 devices managed by Intune. What is the recommended method to onboard devices?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a device configuration profile in Intune to deploy the onboarding package.
Option B is correct because Intune's device configuration profiles allow you to deploy the Defender for Endpoint onboarding package (a .zip containing the onboarding script and required files) directly to Windows 10 devices. This method is recommended as it integrates seamlessly with Intune's management framework, supports bulk deployment via policies, and ensures devices are properly configured without manual intervention or user interaction.
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.
✗
Install the Defender for Endpoint client manually on each device.
Why it's wrong here
Not scalable.
✓
Use a device configuration profile in Intune to deploy the onboarding package.
Why this is correct
Intune is the recommended method for cloud-managed devices.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use the Microsoft 365 Defender portal to generate a script that users run.
Why it's wrong here
Not recommended for managed devices.
✗
Use Group Policy to configure the onboarding registry keys.
Why it's wrong here
Group Policy is not recommended for Intune-managed devices.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume Group Policy (Option D) is the standard for all Windows management, but for Intune-managed devices, the recommended and supported method is the device configuration profile, not Group Policy, which requires on-premises infrastructure and does not integrate with cloud-based enrollment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The onboarding package for Defender for Endpoint includes a .zip file containing the 'WindowsDefenderATPOnboardingScript.cmd' and a 'Onboard.json' file. When deployed via Intune device configuration profile (using the 'Custom' profile type with OMA-URI settings), the script writes the required registry keys under 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Advanced Threat Protection\Status' and triggers the Sense service to connect to the Defender for Endpoint cloud. This method ensures devices are enrolled with the correct tenant ID and workspace ID, and it supports automatic re-onboarding if the device is reset or reimaged.
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.
Manage and maintain devices — This question tests Manage and maintain devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a device configuration profile in Intune to deploy the onboarding package. — Option B is correct because Intune's device configuration profiles allow you to deploy the Defender for Endpoint onboarding package (a .zip containing the onboarding script and required files) directly to Windows 10 devices. This method is recommended as it integrates seamlessly with Intune's management framework, supports bulk deployment via policies, and ensures devices are properly configured without manual intervention or user interaction.
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.
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