The correct answer is a retention label with auto-labeling. This feature is the right choice because it allows a compliance administrator to automatically apply a retention label to documents containing Social Security numbers by using sensitive information types within Microsoft Purview, triggering a five-year retention period followed by automatic deletion. On the MS-102 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how auto-labeling policies differ from manual labeling or retention policies, which cannot scan content for specific data patterns. A common trap is confusing retention labels with retention policies—remember that policies apply at the container level (site or library), while labels apply to individual items based on content. For memory, think “label for content, policy for location,” and recall that auto-labeling uses sensitive info types like SSN to enforce both retention and deletion automatically.
MS-102 Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview Practice Question
This MS-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage compliance by using microsoft purview. 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 compliance administrator needs to automatically apply a retention label to all documents in a SharePoint Online site that contain Social Security numbers. The label should retain the documents for 5 years and then automatically delete them. Which feature should they configure?
Why wrong: DLP policies are designed to detect and prevent the sharing of sensitive data, not to manage retention or deletion.
B
sensitivity label with auto-labeling
Why wrong: Sensitivity labels can apply protection and markings, but they do not enforce retention and deletion. A separate retention label is needed for that purpose.
C
retention label with auto-labeling
Retention labels, when combined with auto-labeling policies, can automatically apply based on sensitive info types and enforce retention and deletion actions.
D
An information barrier policy
Why wrong: Information barriers are used to prevent communication and collaboration between specific groups, not to manage document retention.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
retention label with auto-labeling
Option C is correct because retention labels with auto-labeling are designed to automatically apply retention settings based on sensitive information types, such as Social Security numbers, and can enforce a retention period (5 years) followed by automatic deletion. This feature is part of Microsoft Purview's records management and uses trainable classifiers or sensitive info types to trigger the label assignment on SharePoint Online documents.
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.
✗
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy
Why it's wrong here
DLP policies are designed to detect and prevent the sharing of sensitive data, not to manage retention or deletion.
✗
sensitivity label with auto-labeling
Why it's wrong here
Sensitivity labels can apply protection and markings, but they do not enforce retention and deletion. A separate retention label is needed for that purpose.
✓
retention label with auto-labeling
Why this is correct
Retention labels, when combined with auto-labeling policies, can automatically apply based on sensitive info types and enforce retention and deletion actions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
An information barrier policy
Why it's wrong here
Information barriers are used to prevent communication and collaboration between specific groups, not to manage document retention.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse DLP policies (which detect and protect) with retention labels (which manage lifecycle), leading them to choose Option A because both involve sensitive data detection, but only retention labels can enforce deletion after a set period.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Retention labels with auto-labeling leverage Microsoft 365's sensitive information types (e.g., U.S. Social Security Number pattern) or trainable classifiers to scan content at rest in SharePoint Online. When a match occurs, the label is applied automatically, and the retention action (5 years) is enforced via a retention policy that uses a preservation hold library to retain the document, followed by a disposal action that permanently deletes the item after the retention period expires. This process is asynchronous and can take up to 7 days for initial application.
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 MS-102 question in full detail.
Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview — This question tests Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: retention label with auto-labeling — Option C is correct because retention labels with auto-labeling are designed to automatically apply retention settings based on sensitive information types, such as Social Security numbers, and can enforce a retention period (5 years) followed by automatic deletion. This feature is part of Microsoft Purview's records management and uses trainable classifiers or sensitive info types to trigger the label assignment on SharePoint Online documents.
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.
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. A compliance administrator needs to automatically apply a retention label to documents in a SharePoint Online site that contain the keyword 'Project Alpha'. The label should retain the documents for 5 years and then delete them. Which two Microsoft Purview features must be configured to achieve this? (Choose two.)
medium
A.Trainable classifiers
✓ B.Auto-labeling policy for SharePoint Online
C.Document Fingerprinting
✓ D.Sensitive info type with a keyword dictionary (e.g., 'Project Alpha')
Why B: An auto-labeling policy for SharePoint Online (option B) is required because it can automatically apply a retention label to documents based on conditions such as the presence of specific keywords. The sensitive info type with a keyword dictionary (option D) defines the condition by creating a custom sensitive information type that matches the exact phrase 'Project Alpha', which the auto-labeling policy then uses to trigger the label application.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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