The answer is that the Windows update disabled VBScript execution for security reasons. This is because recent Microsoft updates have hardened the Windows Script Host by default, blocking legacy scripting engines like VBScript from running via cscript.exe or wscript.exe unless explicitly re-enabled through Group Policy or registry settings. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how security updates can silently deprecate older technologies—a common trap is assuming the script was deleted or that the logon script engine switched to PowerShell, but the key clue is that only the VBScript logon script fails while other scripts still work. A helpful memory tip: think of VBScript as a “retired employee” whose badge was deactivated by a security patch—the script file still exists, but the system no longer lets it run.
220-1202 Scripting Basics Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of scripting basics. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A user reports that a VBScript logon script that maps network drives stopped working after a Windows update. The script uses the MapNetworkDrive method. Other scripts on the same computer work fine. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The update disabled VBScript execution for security reasons.
Option C is correct because recent Windows updates have tightened security around legacy scripting hosts, including cscript.exe and wscript.exe. Specifically, Microsoft has introduced a default behavior that blocks VBScript execution via the Windows Script Host unless explicitly allowed by Group Policy or registry settings. Since the user reports that only the VBScript logon script fails while other scripts work, the most likely cause is that the update disabled VBScript execution, not that the script was deleted or that the script host was changed to PowerShell.
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.
✗
The script file was deleted by Windows Defender.
Why it's wrong here
Windows Defender does not delete scripts without user interaction unless they are detected as malware.
✗
The update changed the default script host to PowerShell.
Why it's wrong here
The default script host for .vbs files remains cscript or wscript; it is not changed by updates.
✓
The update disabled VBScript execution for security reasons.
Why this is correct
Microsoft has been disabling VBScript by default in some updates to improve security.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The network share requires SMB 2.0, which is no longer supported.
Why it's wrong here
SMB 2.0 is still supported; this would affect all drive mappings, not just VBScript.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume a network or SMB protocol issue (Option D) because the script maps network drives, but the question explicitly states other scripts work, pointing to a scripting engine change rather than a network problem.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Windows Script Host (WSH) is controlled by the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Script Host\Settings\Enabled, which can be set to 0 to disable VBScript execution. Microsoft's security updates have increasingly leveraged this key to mitigate legacy script-based attacks, such as those using VBScript for drive-by downloads. In real-world scenarios, administrators often re-enable VBScript via Group Policy for legacy logon scripts, but a default update can silently disable it, causing drive mapping failures.
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 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.
Scripting Basics — This question tests Scripting Basics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The update disabled VBScript execution for security reasons. — Option C is correct because recent Windows updates have tightened security around legacy scripting hosts, including cscript.exe and wscript.exe. Specifically, Microsoft has introduced a default behavior that blocks VBScript execution via the Windows Script Host unless explicitly allowed by Group Policy or registry settings. Since the user reports that only the VBScript logon script fails while other scripts work, the most likely cause is that the update disabled VBScript execution, not that the script was deleted or that the script host was changed to PowerShell.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user reports that a PowerShell script they wrote to rename multiple files in a folder works on their desktop but fails with a 'permission denied' error when run from a network folder. The user has full control of the network folder. What is the most likely cause?
easy
A.The script uses a cmdlet that is not available on the network drive.
✓ B.The execution policy is set to RemoteSigned, which blocks scripts from network locations.
C.The network folder has a space in its name.
D.The user is not running PowerShell as an administrator.
Why B: The PowerShell execution policy controls which scripts can run and from where. The RemoteSigned policy requires that scripts from the internet (including network shares) be digitally signed, and it treats network drives as an 'internet' zone. When the script is run from a network folder, the policy blocks execution unless the script is signed, resulting in a 'permission denied' error, even though the user has full NTFS permissions.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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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.
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