220-1202 Practice Exam 52 — 20 Questions

Question 1

During a software deployment, a technician must explain to a non-technical manager why a critical security update requires an immediate reboot of all workstations, even though it interrupts work. The manager is concerned about productivity loss. How should the technician communicate this?

Accepted Answer

"The update fixes a vulnerability that could let attackers steal company data. A reboot is required to apply it. The risk of a breach outweighs the short downtime.". Option A is correct because it directly addresses the manager's concern about productivity loss by clearly explaining the security risk (data theft via an unpatched vulnerability) and why the reboot is necessary to apply the update. This approach uses risk-benefit language that a non-technical manager can understand, aligning with the CompTIA A+ objective of communicating technical requirements to stakeholders in business terms.

Answer

"Just schedule the reboot for after hours and it won't affect productivity."

Answer

"It's IT policy. We have to do this. Please inform your team."

Answer

"The update is mandatory, but you can delay it for a week if needed."

Question 2

A technician is configuring a new workstation for a user who is blind and uses a screen reader. The user requests that all software be installed with accessibility features enabled. During the setup, the technician encounters an error that requires a command-line fix. What is the most professional approach?

Accepted Answer

Explain that a command-line step is needed, ask if they are comfortable with that, and offer to complete it while describing the process.. Option B is correct because it respects the user's disability by seeking their consent and providing an accessible description of the command-line process, aligning with both professional communication and the requirement to maintain accessibility. The technician demonstrates empathy and collaboration, ensuring the user remains informed and in control of their workstation setup.

Answer

Perform the command-line fix silently and inform the user later that everything is working.

Answer

Ask the user to watch the screen and guide you through the command-line steps.

Answer

Skip the accessibility features to avoid the error, since the screen reader works anyway.

Question 3

A technician receives a ticket from a user who says their email is 'broken.' Upon investigation, the technician finds that the user's mailbox is full. The user is known for being confrontational. Which response best demonstrates professionalism?

Accepted Answer

"Your mailbox is full. Delete some emails and empty your trash. Let me know if that fixes it.". Option A is correct because it directly addresses the root cause (full mailbox) with a clear, actionable solution (delete emails and empty trash) while maintaining a neutral, professional tone. The technician avoids blaming the user or escalating the situation, which is critical when dealing with a confrontational user. This response focuses on resolving the issue without unnecessary commentary, aligning with CompTIA's emphasis on professionalism and effective communication.

Answer

"This is a common issue when people don't manage their inbox. Please clean it up."

Answer

"I'll increase your mailbox quota so you don't have to delete anything."

Answer

"Your email isn't broken; you just have too many messages."

Question 4

A user reports that their computer is running slowly after they installed a 'free system cleaner' from a pop-up ad. The technician suspects malware. What is the most appropriate first step in handling this situation professionally?

Accepted Answer

Ask the user to describe exactly what they installed and from where, without sounding accusatory.. Option B is correct because the first step in handling a potential malware infection professionally is to gather information from the user without judgment. Asking the user to describe what they installed and from where helps the technician understand the attack vector (e.g., a fake pop-up ad), which is critical for selecting the appropriate remediation steps and for any future security awareness training. This approach maintains trust and encourages the user to report issues promptly, which is essential for effective incident response.

Answer

Immediately run a full antivirus scan and quarantine any threats found.

Answer

Tell the user that installing software from pop-ups is dangerous and they should know better.

Answer

Remotely uninstall the program without informing the user.

Question 5

A technician is called to a user's desk for a 'printer issue.' Upon arrival, the user is on a phone call and waves dismissively at the technician. The technician waits for two minutes, but the user continues their call. What should the technician do?

Accepted Answer

Leave a note on the desk saying you were there and will return later, then check back in 15 minutes.. Option B is correct because it demonstrates professional respect for the user's current activity while ensuring the issue is addressed. Leaving a note and returning in 15 minutes maintains a service-level commitment without disrupting the user's call, aligning with CompTIA's best practices for customer communication and time management in a support scenario.

Answer

Stand silently until the user finishes the call, even if it takes a long time.

Answer

Interrupt the call to say you'll come back later.

Answer

Close the ticket as 'user not available' and move on to the next task.

Question 6

A company is migrating from Windows 7 to Windows 10 and needs to automate the installation of 200 workstations with identical software and settings. They have a reference computer already configured. Which Windows tool should they use to capture and deploy a custom system image?

Accepted Answer

System Preparation Tool (Sysprep). Sysprep is the correct tool because it generalizes a Windows installation by removing unique system identifiers (such as the computer SID, computer name, and driver caches) so that the reference computer’s image can be safely captured and deployed to multiple workstations. After Sysprep runs with the /generalize option, the image is captured using a tool like DISM or ImageX, then deployed to 200 identical workstations, ensuring each machine generates its own unique SID and settings on first boot.

Answer

Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM)

Answer

Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

Answer

Windows Backup and Restore

Question 7

After resolving a user's issue, the user says, "Thank you, you're a lifesaver!" and offers the technician a $50 gift card as a token of appreciation. Company policy strictly prohibits accepting gifts over $20. How should the technician respond?

Accepted Answer

"I appreciate that, but our policy doesn't allow me to accept gifts over $20. Thank you for the thought, though.". Option A is correct because it politely declines the gift while citing the specific company policy limit of $20, which aligns with professional conduct and ethical guidelines. This response maintains trust and integrity without offending the user, as required by the CompTIA A+ 220-1202 exam objectives on professionalism and communication.

Answer

"Thank you! That's very kind. I'll accept it, but please don't tell anyone."

Answer

"I can't accept this. Please don't offer gifts to IT staff."

Answer

"You can give it to my manager if you want, but I can't take it directly."

Question 8

During a software deployment, you need to ensure that a legacy application always runs with administrative privileges, even for standard users. How can you configure this using Windows built-in tools?

Accepted Answer

Set the application's shortcut to 'Run as administrator' in the Compatibility tab. Option A is correct because the Compatibility tab in a shortcut's properties allows you to set the 'Run as administrator' flag, which embeds a compatibility manifest that prompts for elevation via UAC when the application is launched. This ensures the legacy application always runs with administrative privileges, even for standard users, by triggering a credential prompt for an administrator account.

Answer

Disable User Account Control (UAC) in the Control Panel

Answer

Add the user to the local Administrators group

Answer

Use the 'Run as different user' option from the Shift+right-click menu

Question 9

A user is unable to print to a network printer after a Windows update. Other users on the same network can print successfully. Which Windows tool should you use to view detailed error messages related to the print spooler service?

Accepted Answer

Event Viewer. Event Viewer (C) is the correct tool because it logs detailed error messages from the print spooler service (spoolsv.exe) under 'Windows Logs > System' or 'Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > PrintService'. When a Windows update breaks printing for a single user, Event Viewer captures spooler errors such as access denied, driver conflicts, or RPC failures that are not shown in other tools.

Answer

Device Manager

Answer

Services.msc

Answer

Performance Monitor

Question 10

A technician needs to create a bootable USB drive that can run Windows PE to deploy a custom Windows 10 image to multiple laptops. Which Windows tool should they use to create this bootable media?

Accepted Answer

Windows ADK (Assessment and Deployment Kit). The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK) includes the Deployment Tools, which contain the necessary utilities (such as `copype.cmd` and `MakeWinPEMedia`) to create a bootable Windows PE USB drive. This is the correct tool for building custom WinPE media to deploy a Windows 10 image to multiple laptops, as it provides the full environment for customizing and generating the bootable image.

Answer

Windows Media Creation Tool

Answer

Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM)

Answer

Disk Management

Question 11

After installing a new application, a user reports that their default web browser keeps changing to a different one without their consent. Which Windows feature can you use to prevent applications from changing file associations and default programs?

Accepted Answer

Local Group Policy Editor. The Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) allows administrators to configure the 'Set a default associations configuration file' policy under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer. When enabled, this policy prevents applications from changing file associations and default programs by locking the association file, overriding any user or application changes. This is the correct tool for enforcing system-wide control over default programs in Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions.

Answer

Programs and Features

Answer

Default Programs (Control Panel)

Answer

Registry Editor

Question 12

A user's Windows 10 PC is infected with ransomware that has encrypted their Documents folder. You need to restore the files from a previous version that was saved by File History. Where do you access the 'Previous Versions' feature to restore these files?

Accepted Answer

File Explorer > Properties > Previous Versions tab. The 'Previous Versions' tab is accessible via File Explorer by right-clicking a file or folder, selecting Properties, and then clicking the Previous Versions tab. This tab lists shadow copies or File History backups of the selected item, allowing you to restore an earlier version. In this scenario, since File History was enabled, the previous versions of the Documents folder will appear here for restoration.

Answer

Control Panel > File History > Restore personal files

Answer

Settings > Update & Security > Backup

Answer

Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management

Question 13

A user reports that after a recent Windows update, their laptop takes significantly longer to boot and they see a message about 'Preparing Automatic Repair' before the login screen appears. You need to access the advanced startup options to disable automatic restart on system failure. Which tool or feature should you use to boot into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) from a running system?

Accepted Answer

Hold the Shift key while clicking Restart from the Start menu power options.. Option C is correct because holding the Shift key while clicking Restart forces the system to boot directly into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) without needing installation media. This method leverages the built-in boot configuration data (BCD) to load the recovery tools, including the option to disable automatic restart on system failure under advanced startup settings.

Answer

Boot from a Windows installation USB and select 'Repair your computer'.

Answer

Press F8 repeatedly during boot to access advanced boot options.

Answer

Open the System Configuration tool (msconfig) and set the boot to 'Safe Mode' under the Boot tab.

Question 14

A technician is troubleshooting a Windows 11 computer that fails to boot with a 'Bootmgr is missing' error. They have a Windows installation USB. Which tool from the Windows Recovery Environment should they use to repair the boot configuration data (BCD)?

Accepted Answer

Bootrec (bootrec /rebuildbcd). The 'Bootmgr is missing' error indicates that the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store is corrupted or missing. The `bootrec /rebuildbcd` command scans all disks for Windows installations and rebuilds the BCD store from scratch, directly addressing the missing or corrupted boot configuration. This is the correct tool in the Windows Recovery Environment for repairing BCD issues.

Answer

System File Checker (sfc /scannow)

Answer

DISM (DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth)

Answer

Diskpart (diskpart /s script.txt)

Question 15

A company is migrating from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on several workstations. You need to verify that each computer meets the minimum hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot capability, before deploying the upgrade. Which built-in tool should you run on each machine to generate a compatibility report?

Accepted Answer

Windows 11 PC Health Check app (downloaded from Microsoft).. The Windows 11 PC Health Check app is the official Microsoft tool designed specifically to verify compatibility with Windows 11, including TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot capability. It generates a detailed compatibility report, making it the correct built-in tool for this pre-upgrade validation task.

Answer

System Information (msinfo32.exe) and manually check the System Summary for TPM and Secure Boot status.

Answer

Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management (DISM) with the /Get-CurrentEdition option.

Answer

System Restore (rstrui.exe) to revert to a previous state if the upgrade fails.

Question 16

A user needs to access a shared folder on a Windows 10 workstation from their Windows 11 laptop. Both devices are on the same local network. Which Windows feature must be enabled on the workstation to allow file sharing?

Accepted Answer

File and Printer Sharing. File and Printer Sharing (option B) is the correct feature because it enables the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol on the workstation, which is the underlying protocol Windows uses for shared folder access. Without this service running and allowed through the firewall, other devices cannot connect to the workstation's shared resources, regardless of network discovery or firewall settings.

Answer

Network Discovery

Answer

HomeGroup

Answer

Windows Firewall

Question 17

A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop suddenly shows a blue screen with an error message every time they try to boot. You need to access advanced troubleshooting options to repair the system. Which key should you press during startup to access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)?

Accepted Answer

F11. Option B is correct because pressing F11 during the Windows 11 boot process is the standard key to access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) on most modern systems. WinRE provides advanced troubleshooting tools such as System Restore, Startup Repair, Command Prompt, and Safe Mode, which are essential for repairing a system that fails to boot due to a blue screen error.

Answer

F8

Answer

F2

Answer

F12

Question 18

A technician is configuring a new Windows 10 workstation for a user who requires access to files stored on an encrypted USB drive. The drive uses BitLocker To Go. What must the technician do to ensure the user can access the drive on this computer?

Accepted Answer

Provide the user with the drive's password or recovery key. BitLocker To Go encrypts removable drives with a password or recovery key. To access the drive on a new Windows 10 workstation, the technician must provide the user with the drive's password or recovery key, as the drive is already encrypted and requires authentication at mount time. No additional configuration is needed on the workstation beyond entering the correct credentials.

Answer

Enable BitLocker on the workstation's internal drive

Answer

Format the USB drive to NTFS

Answer

Install the BitLocker Drive Encryption feature from Control Panel

Question 19

A user on a Windows 10 computer is unable to install a new application because they receive an error that 'Windows cannot verify the publisher of this driver software.' The application is from a trusted vendor. Which tool should you use to temporarily disable driver signature enforcement to complete the installation?

Accepted Answer

Advanced Startup Options (Disable driver signature enforcement). Option C is correct because the error 'Windows cannot verify the publisher of this driver software' indicates that the driver lacks a valid digital signature, which is required by default on 64-bit Windows 10. The Advanced Startup Options menu provides a direct way to boot with 'Disable driver signature enforcement' temporarily, allowing the unsigned driver to load for the current session without permanently altering the system's security policy.

Answer

Device Manager

Answer

System Configuration (msconfig)

Answer

Command Prompt with bcdedit /set testsigning on

Question 20

A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop's search bar is not returning results for local files, though web searches work. You suspect the indexing service is not running or the index is corrupted. Which tool should you use to rebuild the search index?

Accepted Answer

Indexing Options in Control Panel. The Indexing Options control panel (accessible via Control Panel or by searching 'indexing options') provides a direct interface to manage the Windows Search index, including the ability to rebuild it. Rebuilding the index is the appropriate fix when the index is corrupted or not functioning, as it forces Windows to re-scan all indexed locations and create a fresh index database, resolving issues where local file searches fail but web searches (which do not rely on the local index) still work.

Answer

Services.msc

Answer

Task Manager

Answer

Windows Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows