Study guide for Exam MD-102: Endpoint Administrator

Purpose of this document

This study guide should help you understand what to expect on the exam and includes a summary of the topics the exam might cover and links to additional resources. The information and materials in this document should help you focus your studies as you prepare for the exam.

Useful links Description
Review the skills measured as of September 17, 2024 This list represents the skills measured AFTER the date provided. Study this list if you plan to take the exam AFTER that date.
Review the skills measured prior to September 17, 2024 Study this list of skills if you take your exam PRIOR to the date provided.
Change log You can go directly to the change log if you want to see the changes that will be made on the date provided.
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Take a free Practice Assessment Test your skills with practice questions to help you prepare for the exam.

Updates to the exam

Our exams are updated periodically to reflect skills that are required to perform a role. We have included two versions of the Skills Measured objectives depending on when you are taking the exam.

We always update the English language version of the exam first. Some exams are localized into other languages, and those are updated approximately eight weeks after the English version is updated. While Microsoft makes every effort to update localized versions as noted, there may be times when the localized versions of an exam are not updated on this schedule. Other available languages are listed in the Schedule Exam section of the Exam Details webpage. If the exam isn't available in your preferred language, you can request an additional 30 minutes to complete the exam.

Note

The bullets that follow each of the skills measured are intended to illustrate how we are assessing that skill. Related topics may be covered in the exam.

Note

Most questions cover features that are general availability (GA). The exam may contain questions on Preview features if those features are commonly used.

Skills measured as of September 17, 2024

Audience profile

As a candidate for this exam, you have subject matter expertise managing devices and client applications in a Microsoft 365 tenant by using Microsoft Intune. You’re responsible for:

  • Implementing solutions for efficient deployment and management of endpoints on various operating systems, platforms, and device types.

  • Implementing and managing endpoints at scale by using Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Intune Suite, Windows Autopilot, Microsoft Copilot for Security, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Microsoft Entra ID, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Windows 365.

  • Implementing identity, security, access, policies, updates, and apps for endpoints.

As an endpoint administrator, you collaborate with architects, Microsoft 365 administrators, security administrators, and other workload administrators to plan and implement a modern workplace strategy that meets the business needs of an organization.

You must have experience with Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft 365 technologies, including Intune, as well as strong skills and experience in deploying, configuring, and maintaining Windows client and non-Windows devices.

Skills at a glance

  • Prepare infrastructure for devices (25–30%)

  • Manage and maintain devices (30–35%)

  • Manage applications (15–20%)

  • Protect devices (15–20%)

Prepare infrastructure for devices (25–30%)

Add devices to Microsoft Entra ID

  • Choose an appropriate device join type

  • Join devices to Microsoft Entra ID

  • Register devices to Microsoft Entra ID

  • Plan and implement groups for devices in Microsoft Entra ID

Enroll devices to Microsoft Intune

  • Configure enrollment settings

  • Configure automatic enrollment for Windows and bulk enrollment for iOS and Android

  • Configure enrollment profiles for Android devices, including fully managed, dedicated, corporate owned, and work profile

Implement identity and compliance

  • Manage roles in Intune

  • Implement compliance policies for all supported device platforms by using Intune

  • Implement Conditional Access policies that require a compliance status

  • Configure Windows Hello for Business

  • Implement and manage Local Administrative Passwords Solution (LAPS) for Microsoft Entra ID

  • Manage the membership of local groups on Windows devices by using Intune

Manage and maintain devices (30–35%)

Deploy and upgrade Windows clients by using cloud-based tools

  • Choose between Windows Autopilot and provisioning packages

  • Choose a Windows Autopilot deployment mode

  • Apply a device name template

  • Implement Windows client deployment by using Windows Autopilot

  • Create an Enrollment Status Page (ESP)

  • Plan and implement provisioning packages

  • Plan and implement device upgrades for Windows 11

  • Implement a Windows 365 cloud PC deployment

Plan and implement device configuration profiles

  • Create device configuration profiles for Windows devices, including importing ADMX files

  • Create device configuration profiles for Android devices

  • Create device configuration profiles for iOS devices

  • Create device configuration profiles for Mac OS devices

  • Create device configuration profiles for Enterprise multi-session devices

  • Target a profile by using filters

Implement Intune Suite add-on capabilities

  • Configure Endpoint Privilege Management

  • Manage applications by using the Enterprise App Catalog

  • Implement Microsoft Intune Advanced Analytics

  • Configure Microsoft Intune Remote Help

  • Identify use cases for Cloud PKI

  • Implement Microsoft Tunnel for MAM

Perform remote actions on devices

  • Sync, restart, retire, or wipe devices

  • Perform bulk remote actions

  • Update Windows Defender security intelligence

  • Rotate BitLocker recovery keys

  • Run a device query by using KQL

Manage applications (15–20%)

Deploy and update apps

  • Prepare applications for deployment by using Intune

  • Deploy apps by using Intune

  • Deploy Microsoft 365 Apps by using Intune

  • Configure policies for Office apps

  • Deploy Microsoft 365 Apps as part of a Windows Autopilot deployment by using the Microsoft Office Deployment Tool (ODT) or Office Customization Tool (OCT)

  • Manage Microsoft 365 Apps by using the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center

  • Deploy apps from platform-specific app stores by using Intune

Plan and implement app protection and app configuration policies

  • Plan and implement app protection policies

  • Implement Conditional Access policies for app protection policies

  • Plan and implement app configuration policies for managed apps and managed devices

Protect devices (15–20%)

Configure endpoint security

  • Create antivirus policies

  • Create disk encryption policies

  • Create firewall policies

  • Configure Attack surface reduction policies

  • Plan and implement security baselines

  • Integrate Intune with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

  • Onboard devices into Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Manage device updates by using Intune

  • Plan for device updates

  • Create and manage update rings by using Intune

  • Create and manage update policies by using Intune, including iOS and Mac OS

  • Manage Android updates by using configuration profiles or firmware-over-the-air (FOTA) deployments

  • Configure Windows client delivery optimization by using Intune

  • Monitor updates

Study resources

We recommend that you train and get hands-on experience before you take the exam. We offer self-study options and classroom training as well as links to documentation, community sites, and videos.

Study resources Links to learning and documentation
Get trained Choose from self-paced learning paths and modules or take an instructor-led course
Find documentation Windows Documentation
Windows client documentation for IT Pros
Configure Windows client
Windows client deployment resources and documentation
Manage Windows client
Windows security
Windows Autopilot documentation
Microsoft Intune documentation
Microsoft Endpoint Manager documentation
Windows application management
Ask a question Microsoft Q&A | Microsoft Docs
Get community support Windows - Microsoft Tech Community
Follow Microsoft Learn Microsoft Learn - Microsoft Tech Community
Find a video Exam Readiness Zone
Browse other Microsoft Learn shows

Change log

Key to understanding the table: The topic groups (also known as functional groups) are in bold typeface followed by the objectives within each group. The table is a comparison between the two versions of the exam skills measured and the third column describes the extent of the changes.

Skill area prior to September 17, 2024 Skill area as of September 17, 2024 Change
Audience profile Major
Deploy Windows client Deleted
Prepare for a Windows client deployment Deleted
Plan and implement Windows client deployment by using Windows Autopilot Removed
Configure remote management Deleted
Prepare infrastructure for devices New
Add devices to Microsoft Entra ID New
Enroll devices to Microsoft Intune New
Implement identity and compliance Added
Manage identity and compliance Deleted
Manage identity Removed
Implement compliance policies for all supported device platforms by using Intune Removed
Manage and maintain devices Added
Deploy and upgrade Windows clients by using cloud-based tools Added
Plan and implement device configuration profiles Added
Implement Intune Suite add-on capabilities New
Perform remote actions on devices New
Manage, maintain, and protect devices Removed
Manage device lifecycle in Intune Deleted
Manage device configuration for all supported device platforms by using Intune Removed
Monitor devices Deleted
Manage device updates for all supported device platforms by using Intune Removed
Implement endpoint protection for all supported device platforms Removed
Manage applications Added
Deploy and update apps Added
Plan and implement app protection and app configuration policies Added
Manage applications Removed
Deploy and update apps for all supported device platforms Removed
Plan and implement app protection and app configuration policies Removed
Protect devices New
Configure endpoint security Added
Manage device updates by using Intune Added

Skills measured prior to September 17, 2024

Audience profile

As a candidate for this exam, you have subject matter expertise deploying, configuring, protecting, managing, and monitoring devices and client applications in a Microsoft 365 environment. You’re responsible for:

  • Managing identity, security, access, policies, updates, and apps for endpoints.

  • Implementing solutions for efficient deployment and management of endpoints on various operating systems, platforms, and device types.

  • Implementing and managing endpoints at scale by using Microsoft Intune, Windows 365, Windows Autopilot, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, and Microsoft Entra ID.

As an endpoint administrator, you collaborate with architects, Microsoft 365 administrators, security administrators, and other workload administrators to plan and implement a modern workplace strategy that meets the business needs of an organization.

You must have experience with Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft 365 technologies, including Intune, as well as strong skills and experience in deploying, configuring, and maintaining Windows client and non-Windows devices.

Skills at a glance

  • Deploy Windows client (20–25%)

  • Manage identity and compliance (15–20%)

  • Manage, maintain, and protect devices (40–45%)

  • Manage applications (15–20%)

Deploy Windows client (20–25%)

Prepare for a Windows client deployment

  • Select a deployment tool based on requirements

  • Choose between migrate and rebuild

  • Choose an imaging and/or provisioning strategy

  • Select a Windows edition based on requirements

  • Implement subscription-based activation

  • Deploy Windows 365

Plan and implement a Windows client deployment by using Windows Autopilot

  • Configure device registration for Autopilot

  • Create, validate, and assign deployment profiles

  • Set up the Enrollment Status Page (ESP)

  • Deploy Windows devices by using Autopilot

  • Troubleshoot an Autopilot deployment

Configure remote management

  • Configure Remote Help in Intune

  • Configure Remote Desktop on a Windows client

  • Configure the Windows Admin Center

  • Configure PowerShell remoting and Windows Remote Management (WinRM)

Manage identity and compliance (15–20%)

Manage identity

  • Implement user authentication on Windows devices, including Windows Hello for Business, passwordless, and tokens

  • Manage role-based access control (RBAC) for Intune

  • Register devices in and join devices to Microsoft Entra

  • Implement the Intune Connector for Active Directory

  • Manage the membership of local groups on Windows devices

  • Implement and manage Local Administrative Passwords Solution (LAPS) for Microsoft Entra

Implement compliance policies for all supported device platforms by using Intune

  • Specify compliance policies to meet requirements

  • Implement compliance policies

  • Implement Conditional Access policies that require a compliance status

  • Manage notifications for compliance policies

  • Monitor device compliance

  • Troubleshoot compliance policies

Manage, maintain, and protect devices (40–45%)

Manage the device lifecycle in Intune

  • Configure enrollment settings

  • Configure automatic and bulk enrollment, including Windows, iOS, and Android

  • Configure policy sets

  • Restart, retire, or wipe devices

Manage device configuration for all supported device platforms by using Intune

  • Specify configuration profiles to meet requirements

  • Implement configuration profiles

  • Monitor and troubleshoot configuration profiles

  • Configure and implement Windows kiosk mode

  • Configure and implement profiles on Android devices, including fully managed, dedicated, corporate owned, and work profile

  • Plan and implement Microsoft Tunnel for Intune

Monitor devices

  • Monitor devices by using Intune

  • Monitor devices by using Azure Monitor

  • Analyze and respond to issues identified in Endpoint analytics and Adoption Score

Manage device updates for all supported device platforms by using Intune

  • Plan for device updates

  • Create and manage update policies by using Intune

  • Manage Android updates by using configuration profiles

  • Monitor updates

  • Troubleshoot updates in Intune

  • Configure Windows client delivery optimization by using Intune

  • Create and manage update rings by using Intune

Implement endpoint protection for all supported device platforms

  • Implement and manage security baselines in Intune

  • Create and manage configuration policies for Endpoint security including antivirus, encryption, firewall, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and attack surface reduction (ASR)

  • Onboard devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

  • Implement automated response capabilities in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

  • Review and respond to device issues identified in the Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management dashboard

Manage applications (15–20%)

Deploy and update apps for all supported device platforms

  • Deploy apps by using Intune

  • Configure Microsoft 365 Apps deployment by using the Microsoft Office Deployment Tool or Office Customization Tool (OCT)

  • Manage Microsoft 365 Apps by using the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center

  • Deploy Microsoft 365 Apps by using Intune

  • Configure policies for Office apps by using Group Policy or Intune

  • Deploy apps from platform-specific app stores by using Intune

Plan and implement app protection and app configuration policies

  • Plan and implement app protection policies for iOS and Android

  • Manage app protection policies

  • Implement Conditional Access policies for app protection policies

  • Plan and implement app configuration policies for managed apps and managed devices

  • Manage app configuration policies