- A
Registry Run keys
Why wrong: Run keys indicate auto-start, not necessarily that the program has run.
- B
Task Scheduler logs
Why wrong: Task Scheduler logs only if the program was scheduled.
- C
Prefetch files
Prefetch files are located in C:\Windows\Prefetch and track execution.
- D
Windows Event Logs
Why wrong: Event logs may not log every execution; prefetch is more direct.
Question 676 of 1,000
200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of host-based analysis. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
An analyst wants to determine if a specific executable has been run on a Windows system. Which artifact provides evidence of prior execution?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Prefetch files
Prefetch files (.pf) are created by Windows when an executable runs, storing execution details such as the first eight file paths referenced and the last run time. Analyzing Prefetch files allows an analyst to determine if a specific executable has been executed, even if the executable itself has been deleted. This makes Prefetch the most direct artifact for evidence of prior execution.
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.
- ✗
Registry Run keys
Why it's wrong here
Run keys indicate auto-start, not necessarily that the program has run.
- ✗
Task Scheduler logs
Why it's wrong here
Task Scheduler logs only if the program was scheduled.
- ✓
Prefetch files
Why this is correct
Prefetch files are located in C:\Windows\Prefetch and track execution.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Windows Event Logs
Why it's wrong here
Event logs may not log every execution; prefetch is more direct.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that Windows Event Logs (specifically Security Event ID 4688) are always enabled and capture all process executions, when in reality they require explicit audit policy configuration and are often not logging by default, making Prefetch a more reliable artifact for execution evidence.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Prefetch files are stored in C:\Windows\Prefetch and have a .pf extension; they are named using the executable name, a hash of the path, and a volume serial number. Windows typically stores up to 128 Prefetch files (configurable via the registry key HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters), and the last execution timestamp is embedded in the file's metadata, which can be extracted using tools like PECmd or WinPrefetchView. In a real-world incident, an analyst might find a Prefetch file for a malicious binary that was deleted, confirming it ran even though the binary is no longer on disk.
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 practitioner preparing for the 200-201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Host-Based Analysis — This question tests Host-Based Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Prefetch files — Prefetch files (.pf) are created by Windows when an executable runs, storing execution details such as the first eight file paths referenced and the last run time. Analyzing Prefetch files allows an analyst to determine if a specific executable has been executed, even if the executable itself has been deleted. This makes Prefetch the most direct artifact for evidence of prior execution.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.
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