The answer is Microsoft Defender Offline Scan, which you launch from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). This is the correct choice because it boots a minimal, pre-installation environment independent of the infected Windows 10 installation, allowing you to run a full antivirus scan before the malware loads. Malware that blocks Task Manager and Command Prompt often hooks into the running OS to prevent security tools from executing, but running an offline scan from WinRE completely bypasses those restrictions. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of recovery tools and the distinction between online and offline scanning—a common trap is choosing System Restore or Safe Mode, which still load the compromised OS. Remember the memory tip: “Offline to outsmart the malware that blocks the command line.”
220-1202 Windows OS Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows os troubleshooting. 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.
After a security incident, a Windows 10 workstation is suspected of having malware that prevents the Task Manager and Command Prompt from opening. You need to run a system scan. Which tool can you use from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to perform an offline antivirus scan?
System File Checker (sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows)
Why wrong: SFC repairs corrupted system files but does not remove malware. It can be run offline but is not an antivirus tool.
B
Windows Memory Diagnostic
Why wrong: This tool tests for faulty RAM, not malware. It is irrelevant to the security incident.
C
Microsoft Defender Offline Scan
This offline scan can be initiated from WinRE and uses up-to-date virus definitions to detect and remove malware without loading the infected Windows installation.
D
Diskpart
Why wrong: Diskpart is a disk partitioning tool. It has no malware scanning or removal capabilities.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Microsoft Defender Offline Scan
Windows Defender Offline (now part of Microsoft Defender Antivirus) can be run from the Windows Recovery Environment to scan for malware without booting the infected OS. This bypasses malware that blocks security tools in the normal Windows environment. It is the appropriate tool for this scenario.
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.
✗
System File Checker (sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows)
Why it's wrong here
SFC repairs corrupted system files but does not remove malware. It can be run offline but is not an antivirus tool.
✗
Windows Memory Diagnostic
Why it's wrong here
This tool tests for faulty RAM, not malware. It is irrelevant to the security incident.
✓
Microsoft Defender Offline Scan
Why this is correct
This offline scan can be initiated from WinRE and uses up-to-date virus definitions to detect and remove malware without loading the infected Windows installation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Diskpart
Why it's wrong here
Diskpart is a disk partitioning tool. It has no malware scanning or removal capabilities.
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 220-1202 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 220-1202 question in full detail.
Identify which 220-1202 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.
Windows OS Troubleshooting — This question tests Windows OS Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Microsoft Defender Offline Scan — Windows Defender Offline (now part of Microsoft Defender Antivirus) can be run from the Windows Recovery Environment to scan for malware without booting the infected OS. This bypasses malware that blocks security tools in the normal Windows environment. It is the appropriate tool for this scenario.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1202 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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