easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1202 Practice Question: That their Windows 10 laptop shows a 'Your…
A user reports that their Windows 10 laptop shows a 'Your license will expire soon' watermark on the desktop, even though they purchased a retail license key. You need to resolve the activation issue. Which Control Panel applet should you use first?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse activation issues with driver or user account problems, leading them to Device Manager or User Accounts, when the correct first step is always to check the System applet for activation status and key entry.
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
✓
System
The System applet (Control Panel > System) provides direct access to the Windows activation status and the 'Change product key' option. Since the user already has a retail license key, the first troubleshooting step is to verify the current activation state and re-enter the key via this applet, which triggers a re-activation with Microsoft's licensing servers.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Device Manager
Why it's wrong here
Device Manager is a dedicated Microsoft Windows utility designed for managing and troubleshooting hardware components and their associated drivers. It provides a hierarchical view of all installed hardware, allowing technicians to update, roll back, enable, or disable device drivers and check for hardware conflicts. This tool focuses exclusively on the physical and virtual hardware interfaces of the system and offers no functionality for checking or altering the operating system's software licensing or activation status.
- ✓
System
Why this is correct
The 'System' applet, accessible via Control Panel or Settings in Windows 10, is the correct location for viewing fundamental operating system information. This interface prominently displays details such as the Windows edition (e.g., Home, Pro), system type (32-bit or 64-bit), processor, and installed RAM. Crucially, it also provides the current Windows activation status, indicating whether the copy is activated and allowing users to change the product key or initiate the activation process if necessary.
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Programs and Features
Why it's wrong here
Programs and Features, found within the Windows Control Panel, is specifically designed for the management of installed applications and software components. Users utilize this utility to uninstall programs, modify existing installations (if supported by the application), or view details about installed updates. It exclusively pertains to third-party software and optional Microsoft applications, offering no interface or information related to the core operating system's licensing or activation state.
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User Accounts
Why it's wrong here
The User Accounts section in Windows is primarily responsible for managing local user profiles, their associated passwords, and account types (e.g., Administrator, Standard User). It enables administrators to create, delete, or modify user accounts, assign permissions, and configure parental controls for local users on the machine. This utility is entirely separate from the operating system's licensing and activation mechanisms and provides no functionality to check or alter the Windows activation status.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 220-1202 exam.