MD-102 Manage and maintain devices Practice Question
You use Microsoft Intune to manage Windows 11 devices. A device named LAPTOP-01 is not receiving a newly assigned device configuration profile. You verify the profile is assigned to a group that contains LAPTOP-01. You need to force the device to check in with Intune and apply the policy immediately. Which action should you perform from the Intune admin center?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that restarting the device or collecting diagnostics will force a policy sync, when only the Sync action performs an immediate check-in.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Select the device and choose 'Sync'.
The 'Sync' action in the Intune admin center is designed to initiate an immediate device check-in with the Intune service. This prompts the device to retrieve and apply any pending policies, including newly assigned configuration profiles. Other actions like collecting diagnostics, remote lock, or restart do not directly trigger a policy sync and are not the correct approach for this requirement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Select the device and choose 'Sync'.
Why this is correct
The 'Sync' action in the Intune admin center triggers an immediate check-in with the Intune service on the device. This causes the device to download and apply pending policies, including the new configuration profile. It is the standard method to force policy application without waiting for the scheduled check-in interval.
- ✗
Restart the device from the Intune admin center.
Why it's wrong here
Restarting the device can sometimes trigger a check-in upon startup, but it is not a reliable or immediate method to force policy application. The 'Sync' action is the direct and supported way to initiate a check-in. Restarting may also cause disruption and does not guarantee the policy will be applied faster than a sync.
- ✗
Select the device and choose 'Remote lock'.
Why it's wrong here
Remote lock is a device action that locks the device to prevent unauthorized access. It does not trigger a policy sync or apply configuration profiles. Using this action would not help the device receive the assigned configuration profile and could disrupt the user, making it an incorrect choice for this scenario.
- ✗
Select the device and choose 'Collect diagnostics'.
Why it's wrong here
Collect diagnostics retrieves log files and diagnostic data from the device for troubleshooting. It does not initiate a policy sync or cause the device to apply new configurations. While useful for investigating why a policy is not applying, it does not resolve the immediate need to force a check-in and apply the profile.
Go deeper
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Key term
Windows 11
Windows 11 is Microsoft's latest desktop operating system, offering a redesigned interface, enhanced security features, and improved support for modern hardware.
Key term
Device configuration
Device configuration is the process of setting up and customizing the operating system, security policies, applications, and network settings on a device so it can securely connect to and function within an organization's IT environment.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
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.