- A
Configure SSPR to use federation with on-premises AD FS
Why wrong: Federation is an authentication method, not a requirement for writeback. SSPR can work with password hash sync and writeback.
- B
Enable password hash synchronization in Microsoft Entra Connect
Why wrong: Password hash sync is already enabled. It does not provide writeback functionality; it only syncs password hashes to the cloud.
- C
Install Microsoft Entra Connect with password writeback enabled
Password writeback requires the password writeback feature to be enabled in Microsoft Entra Connect (re-run wizard or reconfigure).
- D
Set the SSPR property 'Password writeback' to 'Yes' in the Microsoft Entra admin center
Why wrong: You must also have the writeback feature enabled in Microsoft Entra Connect; setting it only in the admin center is insufficient if the on-premises component is missing.
Quick Answer
The correct choice is to install Microsoft Entra Connect with password writeback enabled, as this is the essential configuration that allows password changes initiated through self-service password reset (SSPR) to flow back and update the on-premises Active Directory. Password writeback for SSPR with Microsoft Entra Connect works by enabling a secure communication channel between Azure AD and the local domain controller; without this feature being explicitly selected during the Entra Connect installation, the password hash synchronization alone cannot reverse the writeback direction. On the MS-102 exam, this question tests your understanding of the prerequisite infrastructure for hybrid identity scenarios—a common trap is assuming that password hash synchronization automatically supports writeback, but it does not; the writeback feature is a separate toggle that must be enabled at setup time. Remember the memory tip: “Writeback is a one-way street that needs its own signpost”—if you don’t check the box during Entra Connect, passwords stay in the cloud.
MS-102 Practice Question: Implement and manage identity and access in Microsoft Entra ID
This MS-102 practice question tests your understanding of implement and manage identity and access in microsoft entra id. 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.
A company uses password hash synchronization with Microsoft Entra Connect. The security team wants to enable self-service password reset (SSPR) so that users can reset their own passwords, and the password changes must be written back to the on-premises Active Directory. Which additional configuration is required to achieve password writeback?
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
Install Microsoft Entra Connect with password writeback enabled
Password writeback requires the installation of Microsoft Entra Connect with the password writeback feature explicitly enabled during setup. This allows password changes initiated via SSPR to be written back to on-premises Active Directory. Option C is correct because it directly addresses the necessary infrastructure component.
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.
- ✗
Configure SSPR to use federation with on-premises AD FS
Why it's wrong here
Federation is an authentication method, not a requirement for writeback. SSPR can work with password hash sync and writeback.
- ✗
Enable password hash synchronization in Microsoft Entra Connect
Why it's wrong here
Password hash sync is already enabled. It does not provide writeback functionality; it only syncs password hashes to the cloud.
- ✓
Install Microsoft Entra Connect with password writeback enabled
Why this is correct
Password writeback requires the password writeback feature to be enabled in Microsoft Entra Connect (re-run wizard or reconfigure).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set the SSPR property 'Password writeback' to 'Yes' in the Microsoft Entra admin center
Why it's wrong here
You must also have the writeback feature enabled in Microsoft Entra Connect; setting it only in the admin center is insufficient if the on-premises component is missing.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse configuring the SSPR policy setting (Option D) with the actual installation requirement, assuming the admin center toggle alone enables writeback without realizing the Entra Connect component must be installed first.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Password writeback uses a service endpoint in Microsoft Entra ID that communicates with the on-premises Entra Connect agent via Azure Service Bus Relay. The writeback feature must be enabled during Entra Connect installation or by running the configuration wizard again; it cannot be enabled solely through the Entra admin center. Under the hood, the writeback operation uses the LDAP Modify operation to update the user's password attribute in Active Directory, and it respects on-premises password policies.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this MS-102 question test?
Implement and manage identity and access in Microsoft Entra ID — This question tests Implement and manage identity and access in Microsoft Entra ID — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Install Microsoft Entra Connect with password writeback enabled — Password writeback requires the installation of Microsoft Entra Connect with the password writeback feature explicitly enabled during setup. This allows password changes initiated via SSPR to be written back to on-premises Active Directory. Option C is correct because it directly addresses the necessary infrastructure component.
What should I do if I get this MS-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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This MS-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 MS-102 exam.
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