The answer is AppLocker and Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC), along with Intune’s custom OMA-URI policies for deploying these controls. Both AppLocker and WDAC enforce application control on Windows 10 by restricting which executables, scripts, and installers can run—AppLocker uses a rule-based approach for user-defined paths or publishers, while WDAC employs a trust-based code integrity model that only allows binaries signed by approved publishers or matching specific hash values. On the MD-102 exam, this question tests your understanding of how to combine these two complementary tools within Intune’s device configuration profiles; a common trap is confusing AppLocker’s user-focused rules with WDAC’s kernel-level enforcement, or forgetting that WDAC requires a reboot to activate. Remember the memory tip: “AppLocker for user paths, WDAC for code trust”—both are needed for complete application control in an Intune-managed environment.
MD-102 Prepare infrastructure for devices Practice Question
This MD-102 practice question tests your understanding of prepare infrastructure for devices. 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.
Your organization uses Microsoft Intune to manage devices. You need to ensure that only approved applications can run on Windows 10 devices. Which THREE components can you use to implement application control? (Choose three.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC).
Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) is a code integrity feature that restricts which executables, scripts, and installers can run on Windows 10 devices. It uses a trust-based model where only binaries signed by approved publishers or with specific hash values are allowed, making it a core component for application control in an Intune-managed environment.
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.
✗
Windows Information Protection (WIP).
Why it's wrong here
WIP protects corporate data from being leaked, but does not control app execution.
✓
Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC).
Why this is correct
WDAC is a code integrity policy to control what apps can run.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Intune application control policies.
Why this is correct
Intune can deploy WDAC policies to devices.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
AppLocker.
Why this is correct
AppLocker can restrict which apps users can run.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
BitLocker drive encryption.
Why it's wrong here
BitLocker encrypts drives, not control applications.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Windows Information Protection (WIP) with application control because both involve 'policies' in Intune, but WIP is strictly for data loss prevention, not for blocking or allowing application execution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
WDAC policies are XML-based and can be deployed via Intune as a custom OMA-URI or through a configuration profile using the ApplicationControl CSP. Under the hood, WDAC enforces its rules at the kernel level via the Code Integrity (CI) module, which evaluates every binary before it is loaded into memory, providing stronger protection than user-mode solutions like AppLocker. A subtle behavior is that WDAC policies can be signed to prevent tampering, and once enforced, they require a reboot to take effect.
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.
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: Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC). — Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) is a code integrity feature that restricts which executables, scripts, and installers can run on Windows 10 devices. It uses a trust-based model where only binaries signed by approved publishers or with specific hash values are allowed, making it a core component for application control in an Intune-managed environment.
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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Question Discussion
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