220-1102 Question 291
Single answerDownloadable packageA technician is preparing several Windows 11 laptops for a remote sales team. The users do not have local administrator rights, and internet access at some customer sites is unreliable. The company wants a standard PDF application installed on all laptops with minimal user interaction and a consistent version across systems. Which package type should the technician request from the software vendor to best meet these requirements?
- A
A downloadable executable installer (.exe) that each user runs when needed
- B
A downloadable MSI package that can be deployed centrally and installed silently
- C
A portable ZIP version that users extract to their Desktop folders
- D
A web-based installer that downloads components during setup
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
For a Windows business environment, a downloadable MSI package is typically the preferred package type when the goal is centralized deployment, silent installation, reduced user interaction, and version consistency. This aligns with standard Windows application deployment practices and Microsoft enterprise management methods, where MSI packages are commonly used with Group Policy Software Installation or modern endpoint management solutions. By contrast, EXE installers can be valid downloadable packages but are less uniform for enterprise deployment, portable ZIP packages are not ideal for standardized managed installations, and web installers are a poor choice when network access is unreliable. The key practical skill tested here is selecting the package format that best supports administrative control, offline availability, and repeatable deployment.
- A. Incorrect.
An EXE installer may work for manual installations, but it is often less standardized for centralized deployment because switches and behavior vary by vendor. In this scenario, users do not have administrative rights and internet may be unreliable, so relying on each user to run a downloadable EXE is not the best choice.
- B. Correct.
A downloadable MSI package is the best choice because MSI is designed for managed software deployment in Windows environments. It supports centralized rollout through common enterprise tools such as Group Policy and endpoint management platforms, and it commonly supports silent installation. This helps ensure a consistent version with minimal user interaction, which matches the business requirements.
- C. Incorrect.
A portable ZIP package avoids installation in some cases, but it does not provide the controlled, standardized deployment expected in a managed business environment. It may also bypass normal installation, update, and integration processes, making it a poor fit for company-wide standardization.
- D. Incorrect.
A web-based installer depends on downloading components during setup, which conflicts with the requirement to function reliably where internet access is limited. It also makes version control harder because the installer may retrieve newer components over time unless specifically pinned by the vendor.