The correct first step is to trigger a device sync from the Microsoft Intune admin center. This forces the affected Windows 10 or 11 devices to check in with Intune immediately, pushing down any pending policy or app configuration updates that may have been missed after the recent Windows update, which is why a force Intune sync to fix app issues after update is the most efficient initial action. On the MD-102 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Intune sync cycle and the order of troubleshooting—many candidates mistakenly jump to reinstalling the app or checking logs, but the exam emphasizes that a sync is the quickest way to apply pending changes without user intervention. A common trap is forgetting that Company Portal, as a required app, relies on the device’s check-in to receive updates or remediation. Remember the mnemonic “Sync First, Reinstall Last” to avoid overcomplicating the fix.
MD-102 Manage and maintain devices Practice Question
This MD-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage and maintain devices. 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.
Your organization manages Windows 10 and 11 devices using Microsoft Intune. Users report that after a recent update, the Microsoft Store for Business app 'Company Portal' fails to launch. You verify that the app is assigned as required to all devices. What should you do first to resolve the issue?
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
✓
Trigger a device sync from the Microsoft Intune admin center.
The correct first step is to trigger a device sync from the Microsoft Intune admin center. This forces the affected devices to check in with Intune, which can push down any pending policy or app configuration updates that may have been missed after the recent Windows update. Since the Company Portal app is assigned as required, a sync ensures the device receives the latest app version or remediation actions without requiring a full reinstall.
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.
✗
Enable automatic updates for Company Portal in Intune.
Why it's wrong here
Automatic updates may not resolve a launch failure caused by policy misconfiguration.
✗
Uninstall and reinstall Company Portal from all devices.
Why it's wrong here
Uninstalling may remove user data and is not the first troubleshooting step.
✓
Trigger a device sync from the Microsoft Intune admin center.
Why this is correct
Forces the device to check in and receive the latest app assignment and configuration.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Run Windows Update troubleshooter on affected devices.
Why it's wrong here
The issue is specific to Company Portal, not general Windows update issues.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may jump to a destructive or configuration-based solution (like reinstalling or enabling auto-updates) instead of recognizing that a simple device sync is the least invasive and most appropriate first troubleshooting step for an app that fails to launch after an update.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a device sync is triggered from the Intune admin center, it sends a notification via the Windows Push Notification Services (WNS) to the affected devices, prompting them to initiate a check-in with the Intune MDM service. This check-in retrieves the latest app assignments, including any required updates or repair commands for Company Portal, and applies them immediately. In real-world scenarios, a sync often resolves launch failures caused by stale app metadata or missing dependency updates that were not applied during the previous sync cycle.
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: Trigger a device sync from the Microsoft Intune admin center. — The correct first step is to trigger a device sync from the Microsoft Intune admin center. This forces the affected devices to check in with Intune, which can push down any pending policy or app configuration updates that may have been missed after the recent Windows update. Since the Company Portal app is assigned as required, a sync ensures the device receives the latest app version or remediation actions without requiring a full reinstall.
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: "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. You manage devices with Microsoft Intune. Users report that after a recent policy change, some devices are not receiving updated policies. You verify that the devices are online and have connectivity. What should you do to force a policy refresh?
medium
A.Ask users to restart their devices.
B.Ask users to run Windows Update.
C.Adjust the MDM sync interval in Intune.
✓ D.In the Intune portal, select the devices and click 'Sync'.
Why D: Option C is correct because you can remotely trigger a sync from the Intune portal. Option A is wrong because rebooting does not force a policy refresh. Option B is wrong because Windows Update is unrelated. Option D is wrong because the sync interval is client-side and not directly configurable from Intune.
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Question Discussion
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