MD102 - Microsoft Deployment Toolkit course obsolete ?

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MD102 - Microsoft Deployment Toolkit course obsolete ?

Frem 20

For the MD-102 certification, the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) is documented as one of the deployment methods for Windows 11, as referenced here:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/deploy-microsoft-deployment-toolkit/3-set-up-for-client-deployment

However, Microsoft explicitly states on the official MDT support page that MDT does not support Windows 11 :
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/mdt/known-issues

Important: MDT is not supported with Windows 11. Any listed known issues for Windows 11 or the ADK for Windows 11 are for informational purposes only and do not imply support. For additional information, please see Supported platforms.

This seems contradictory.
Should we continue training on MDT for MD-102, or are these questions now considered obsolete?

Can someone clarify this subject once and for all.

Sincerely,
Frem

Pradeep M 9,765 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Volunteer Moderator

2025-01-28T05:37:05.73+00:00

Hi Frem

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q & A forum.

We are looking into the issue and will get back to you soon.
Frem 20 Reputation points

2025-01-28T07:25:08.0766667+00:00

Thank you looking forward to your answer.

This is becoming a significant issue, as creating personalized Windows 11 images for on-premises use remains a necessity today not just for the MD-102 certification, but also for everyday operational needs.
Technically, MDT is still the primary tool for this purpose, given its flexibility. Configuration Manager, while powerful, doesn’t offer the same versatility as MDT.

Frem.

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Pradeep M 9,765 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Volunteer Moderator

2025-01-28T05:37:05.73+00:00

Hi Frem

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q & A forum.

We are looking into the issue and will get back to you soon.
Frem 20 Reputation points

2025-01-28T07:25:08.0766667+00:00

Thank you looking forward to your answer.

This is becoming a significant issue, as creating personalized Windows 11 images for on-premises use remains a necessity today not just for the MD-102 certification, but also for everyday operational needs.
Technically, MDT is still the primary tool for this purpose, given its flexibility. Configuration Manager, while powerful, doesn’t offer the same versatility as MDT.

Frem.

Answer 1

Pradeep M 9,765 Microsoft External Staff Volunteer Moderator

Hi Frem,

MDT is included in the MD-102 certification as it remains relevant for legacy or mixed deployment environments, even as modern solutions like Intune and Autopilot gain prominence.

However, Microsoft has explicitly stated that MDT is not officially supported for Windows 11 deployments. While it is technically possible to use MDT for Windows 11, it is not recommended for production environments due to the lack of official support.

For the purpose of the MD-102 certification, it is important to continue training on MDT to meet the exam objectives and understand its functionality in deployment scenarios.

In practice, organizations should focus on transitioning to modern deployment tools like Intune and Autopilot, which are better suited for Windows 11 deployments. MDT remains useful for legacy situations but should not be considered a long-term solution for modern environments.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions.

If you have found the answer provided to be helpful, please click on the "Accept answer/Upvote" button so that it is useful for other members in the Microsoft Q&A community.

Frem 20 Reputation points

2025-01-28T10:18:17.23+00:00

Hi @Pradeep M ,

Thank you very much for your detailed response regarding MDT and its role in the MD-102 certification, as well as the clarification on its lack of official support for Windows 11 deployments.

I understand that modern deployment tools like Intune and Autopilot are the recommended solutions moving forward.
However, I have a client operating in a highly regulated environment that cannot leverage Azure or other cloud technologies due to government restrictions.
In their scenario, creating custom Windows 11 images with pre-installed company applications remains an operational necessity.

Given the limitations you’ve mentioned with MDT and the lack of direct support for Windows 11 imaging, what alternatives would Microsoft recommend for such scenarios where image-based deployments are still required?
Specifically, how can organizations in these restrictive environments build and deploy Windows 11 images effectively while adhering to security and compliance requirements?

Your guidance on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Frem
Pradeep M 9,765 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Volunteer Moderator

2025-01-29T05:18:38.6366667+00:00

Hi Frem,

For organizations in highly regulated environments that cannot use Azure, Microsoft recommends Configuration Manager (SCCM) for secure and automated Windows 11 deployments. If SCCM is not an option, Windows Deployment Services (WDS) with DISM/PowerShell allows for network-based imaging. Windows ADK with WinPE provides a manual deployment solution via USB or local storage, while Windows System Image Manager (WSIM) helps create unattended installation files. These Microsoft tools support custom Windows 11 imaging while ensuring security and compliance.

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Answer 3

Frem 20

Thank you very much for your answer.

Sincerely,

Frem

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MD102 - Microsoft Deployment Toolkit course obsolete ?

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