Quick Answer
The answer is a regulatory record. This is the correct choice because regulatory records enforce tamper-proof retention, meaning once a document is declared a regulatory record, it becomes immutable—it cannot be edited, deleted, or modified by any user, including administrators. In contrast, a standard record can still be altered or deleted by users with specific permissions, such as a records manager, making it insufficient for scenarios requiring absolute lock-down. On the Microsoft 365 Administrator MS-102 exam, this distinction tests your understanding of Microsoft Purview Records Management compliance controls, often appearing in questions about legal or audit requirements where data integrity is critical. A common trap is assuming all records are equally locked; remember that only regulatory records provide true immutability. Memory tip: think “Regulatory = Rigid” to recall that regulatory records are permanently locked, while standard records remain somewhat flexible.
This MS-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage compliance by using microsoft purview. 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 uses Microsoft Purview Records Management. You need to ensure that when a document is declared a record, it cannot be edited or deleted by users. Which type of record should you use?
Regular record
Why wrong: Not a valid term.
Standard record
Why wrong: Standard records can be edited by authorized users.
Retention label with record setting
Why wrong: Retention labels can mark as record, but standard vs regulatory is the choice.
Regulatory record
Regulatory records are immutable.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Regulatory record
Regulatory records are locked and cannot be edited or deleted, even by admins. Standard records can be edited by admins or users with certain permissions. Option A is incorrect because standard records can be edited. Option C is incorrect because retention labels don't make records. Option D is incorrect because there is no distinction between regular and regulatory in that way.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Regular record
Why it's wrong here
Not a valid term.
Standard record
Why it's wrong here
Standard records can be edited by authorized users.
Retention label with record setting
Why it's wrong here
Retention labels can mark as record, but standard vs regulatory is the choice.
Regulatory record
Why this is correct
Regulatory records are immutable.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Identify which MS-102 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview — This question tests Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Regulatory record — Regulatory records are locked and cannot be edited or deleted, even by admins. Standard records can be edited by admins or users with certain permissions. Option A is incorrect because standard records can be edited. Option C is incorrect because retention labels don't make records. Option D is incorrect because there is no distinction between regular and regulatory in that way.
Identify which MS-102 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
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. Your organization uses Microsoft Purview Records Management. You need to declare a document as a regulatory record. Which TWO conditions must be met?
mediumWhy A: Options A and D are correct because regulatory records require a retention label with regulatory record marking and the location must be in SharePoint or OneDrive with appropriate configuration. Option B is wrong because regulatory records do not require encryption. Option C is wrong because the retention period must be locked, but that is part of the label configuration. Option E is wrong because eDiscovery hold is separate.
Variation 2. Your organization uses Microsoft Purview Records Management. You need to ensure that records are marked as regulatory records and cannot be deleted or modified by any user, including administrators. The records must be retained for 10 years. What should you do?
mediumWhy A: Regulatory records provide the highest level of restriction, making content tamper-proof. Option D is correct. Option A is wrong because preservation lock applies to retention policies, not individual records. Option B is wrong because default labels can be changed. Option C is wrong because manual labels are not as restrictive.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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