220-1202 Operating Systems Practice Question
An administrator needs to deploy a standardized Windows 11 image to 40 new workstations and must remove the built-in consumer applications while preserving the Start layout and driver set. Which deployment approach best meets these requirements with the least manual effort per machine?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is treating a file backup or a post-install cleanup script as a deployment method, when true standardization requires a captured operating system image with an answer file.
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
✓
Create a Windows system image with DISM and deploy it with an unattend.xml answer file
A DISM-captured image applied with an unattend.xml answer file delivers a consistent, automated deployment. The administrator can remove built-in applications during image preparation, inject drivers, and define the Start layout once, then apply the same image to all 40 workstations with minimal per-machine interaction.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Install Windows manually on each PC, then run a PowerShell script to remove applications
Why it's wrong here
A post-install script can remove provisioned applications, but manually installing Windows on 40 machines is labor-intensive and error-prone, and it does not guarantee a consistent driver set or Start layout unless additional configuration is layered on. This approach also leaves each machine's image slightly different, undermining standardization.
- ✗
Perform an in-place upgrade on each workstation using a mounted ISO
Why it's wrong here
An in-place upgrade preserves existing settings and applications rather than applying a standardized configuration to blank hardware. Running it on 40 new workstations would require installing Windows first and then upgrading, which is redundant and does not strip built-in consumer applications in a controlled way. It also cannot enforce a common Start layout across all machines.
- ✗
Use Windows Backup to restore a reference workstation's files to each new PC
Why it's wrong here
Windows Backup copies user files and some settings but does not transfer the operating system, installed applications, or driver set. Restoring files to a bare workstation leaves no bootable Windows installation, and the built-in consumer applications would remain or be absent depending on what was originally installed. It cannot enforce a consistent Start layout across the fleet.
- ✓
Create a Windows system image with DISM and deploy it with an unattend.xml answer file
Why this is correct
Capturing a generalized image with DISM and applying it through an answer file lets the administrator strip unwanted built-in applications, inject drivers, and apply a standard Start layout in one automated pass. The unattend.xml handles computer naming, domain join, and locale settings, so each of the 40 workstations receives an identical configuration without manual per-machine steps.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.