220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user reports that a 64-bit business application on Windows 10 Pro crashes immediately after launch with error code 0xc000007b. The technician has already reinstalled the application, verified that all Windows updates are current, and ran System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) with no issues found. All required Visual C++ Redistributable packages are present. Which of the following should the technician do NEXT to identify the root cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates assume error 0xc000007b always means a missing Visual C++ redistributable, but the question explicitly states all required packages are present, so the real issue is a DLL architecture mismatch that only a dependency analysis tool can uncover.
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
✓
Use Dependency Walker to analyze the application's DLL dependencies
Error code 0xc000007b typically indicates a STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_FORMAT, meaning a 64-bit application is trying to load a 32-bit DLL or a required 64-bit DLL is missing/corrupt. Since the technician has already reinstalled the app, updated Windows, and verified system files with SFC/DISM, the next logical step is to use Dependency Walker to inspect the application's specific DLL dependencies and identify which 32-bit DLL is being incorrectly referenced or which 64-bit DLL is absent.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Roll back the most recent Windows update
Why it's wrong here
While a recent update could cause DLL mismatches, the technician has already verified system file integrity using SFC and DISM, and the issue is not likely resolved by rolling back. It is not the best next step for identifying the specific dependency problem.
- ✓
Use Dependency Walker to analyze the application's DLL dependencies
Why this is correct
Dependency Walker parses the application's PE import table and recursively maps every DLL it expects to load. It visually flags missing modules, ordinal errors, and CPU-type mismatches, such as a 32-bit DLL being referenced by a 64-bit process — exactly the kind of defect that produces STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_FORMAT (0xc000007b). This makes it the most targeted diagnostic step when SFC and DISM have already verified OS file integrity.
- ✗
Temporarily disable the antivirus software and relaunch the application
Why it's wrong here
Disabling antivirus might help if the software is incorrectly flagging the app, but it does not diagnose the underlying dependency issue. It is a troubleshooting step that could be tried later, but not the next logical step after more direct approaches have been exhausted.
- ✗
Perform a clean installation of Windows 10
Why it's wrong here
A clean installation of Windows 10 rebuilds the entire OS environment, so it would almost certainly eliminate any systemic DLL corruption or driver conflict. However, it requires full reinstallation of drivers, applications, and user data — a costly, time-intensive step that provides no information about which dependency is actually broken or why the app keeps crashing. If the problem lies in the application's own installation or a missing Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package, even a clean OS may still exhibit the same failure.
Go deeper
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Key term
Windows
Windows is a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft that manages computer hardware and software, providing a graphical user interface for users to interact with their devices.
Key term
Windows 10
Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft that combines the familiarity of Windows 7 with the modern features of Windows 8, designed to run on a wide range of devices from desktops to tablets.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1102 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 220-1102 exam.