The answer is to enable user authentication on the printer and assign color printing permissions only to authorized users. This is correct because printer-based access control relies on user authentication to verify identity, then applies role-based permissions to restrict specific functions like color output. By creating individual user accounts on the printer and linking color privileges only to those accounts, the device itself enforces the policy at the hardware level, preventing unauthorized users from selecting color even if they have physical access. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of printer security features and cost-management controls, often appearing as a multiple-choice trap where a tempting wrong answer suggests using driver settings or group policies on the server instead. Remember that printer-based authentication is device-native and does not require a print server. A helpful memory tip: think “Auth first, then color” — authentication must happen before the printer grants color access, just like a bouncer checks ID before letting someone into a VIP area.
220-1201 Multifunction Devices Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of multifunction devices. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 office manager wants to restrict color printing on the multifunction printer to only certain users to save costs. The printer supports user authentication. What is the best way to implement this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Remove the color toner cartridges and only install black.
Why wrong: This disables color for everyone, not just specific users.
B
Configure the printer driver to default to black and white.
Why wrong: Users can still override the setting in the print dialog.
C
Enable user authentication on the printer and assign color printing permissions only to authorized users.
This provides granular control based on user identity.
D
Set up a print server with group policies to block color jobs.
Why wrong: Group policies can restrict color printing at the driver level, but this requires Active Directory and does not prevent users from changing settings if they have local admin rights.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable user authentication on the printer and assign color printing permissions only to authorized users.
Printer-based access control requires user authentication and role-based permissions. The correct approach is to create user accounts on the printer, assign permissions to color printing only to authorized users, and require authentication before printing. This ensures only authorized users can print in color.
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.
✗
Remove the color toner cartridges and only install black.
Why it's wrong here
This disables color for everyone, not just specific users.
✗
Configure the printer driver to default to black and white.
Why it's wrong here
Users can still override the setting in the print dialog.
✓
Enable user authentication on the printer and assign color printing permissions only to authorized users.
Why this is correct
This provides granular control based on user identity.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Set up a print server with group policies to block color jobs.
Why it's wrong here
Group policies can restrict color printing at the driver level, but this requires Active Directory and does not prevent users from changing settings if they have local admin rights.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 220-1201 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Multifunction Devices — This question tests Multifunction Devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable user authentication on the printer and assign color printing permissions only to authorized users. — Printer-based access control requires user authentication and role-based permissions. The correct approach is to create user accounts on the printer, assign permissions to color printing only to authorized users, and require authentication before printing. This ensures only authorized users can print in color.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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