The correct first step is to check if the user has logged in and acknowledged the FileVault prompt. This is because macOS FileVault encryption is not a silent, background process; it requires explicit user interaction to initiate and complete the encryption cycle. Even when Intune successfully deploys a configuration profile with recovery key escrow, the device will remain unencrypted until the end user logs in, sees the system-level prompt, and clicks "Enable" or "OK." On the MD-102 exam, this question tests your understanding of the critical distinction between policy assignment and user-driven enforcement—a common trap is assuming that a compliant profile status means the device is encrypted. Remember that Intune can enforce the policy, but it cannot bypass the macOS security gate that demands user consent. Memory tip: think "Profile pushed, but user must push the button."
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.
Your organization uses Microsoft Intune to manage macOS devices. You need to deploy a configuration profile that enforces FileVault encryption. The profile must allow recovery key escrow to Intune. After deploying the profile, you notice that some devices are not encrypted. What should you check first?
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
✓
Check if the user has logged in and acknowledged the FileVault prompt.
Option A is correct because FileVault encryption on macOS requires user interaction to complete. When Intune deploys a FileVault profile with recovery key escrow, the user must log in and explicitly acknowledge the FileVault prompt to enable encryption. If the user has not done so, the device remains unencrypted regardless of the profile assignment.
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.
✓
Check if the user has logged in and acknowledged the FileVault prompt.
Why this is correct
FileVault requires user interaction to start encryption.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Ensure that a compliance policy is also assigned requiring encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Compliance policies do not trigger encryption; configuration profiles do.
✗
Ensure the devices are supervised.
Why it's wrong here
Supervision is not required for FileVault on macOS.
✗
Verify that the profile is assigned to the correct device group.
Why it's wrong here
The profile is deployed, so assignment is likely correct.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume a configuration profile alone enforces encryption immediately, overlooking the mandatory user interaction step required by macOS for FileVault activation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
FileVault encryption uses Apple's fdesetup tool, which requires the user to authenticate and approve the encryption process via a GUI prompt. Intune's FileVault policy sets the 'Enable FileVault' setting to 'Yes' and configures the 'Escrow location description' for key recovery, but the actual encryption only begins after the user clicks 'Enable Encryption' in the prompt. In real-world scenarios, users may dismiss or ignore the prompt, leaving devices unencrypted until they complete the step.
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: Check if the user has logged in and acknowledged the FileVault prompt. — Option A is correct because FileVault encryption on macOS requires user interaction to complete. When Intune deploys a FileVault profile with recovery key escrow, the user must log in and explicitly acknowledge the FileVault prompt to enable encryption. If the user has not done so, the device remains unencrypted regardless of the profile assignment.
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.
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