The answer is the Windows Defender Firewall applet in Control Panel. This is the correct choice because it is the dedicated interface within Control Panel for managing all firewall settings, including the specific toggle to turn Windows Firewall on or off, which directly addresses the policy requirement. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your knowledge of system configuration tools and security policies, often appearing as a scenario where you must identify the correct applet among distractors like System and Security or Network and Sharing Center, which may show status but lack the direct enable/disable switch. A common trap is confusing the Settings app with Control Panel, but the exam specifically references the classic Control Panel interface. Remember the memory tip: “Firewall needs its own applet, not just a status report”—if you need to flip the switch, go straight to Windows Defender Firewall.
220-1102 Windows Settings and Control Panel Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows settings and control panel. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 company policy requires that all workstations must have Windows Firewall enabled. You check a user's PC and find the firewall is off. Which Control Panel applet would you use to turn it back on?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Windows Defender Firewall
The Windows Defender Firewall applet (Option B) is the dedicated Control Panel interface for managing Windows Firewall settings, including turning the firewall on or off. Since the question specifically asks which applet to use to enable the firewall, this is the correct tool. Other applets may display firewall status but do not provide the direct toggle to enable or disable the firewall.
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.
✗
Security and Maintenance
Why it's wrong here
Security and Maintenance shows security status but does not directly enable the firewall; it links to the Firewall applet.
✓
Windows Defender Firewall
Why this is correct
This applet provides full control over firewall settings, including turning it on or off for domain, private, and public networks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Network and Sharing Center
Why it's wrong here
Network and Sharing Center manages network connections and sharing, not the firewall.
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Security and Maintenance (which shows a warning about the firewall being off) with the actual tool needed to fix the issue, leading them to select Option A instead of the correct Windows Defender Firewall applet.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Security and Maintenance shows security status but does not directly enable the firewall; it links to the Firewall applet.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Windows Firewall uses the Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) to inspect and filter network traffic based on rules. When the firewall is disabled, all inbound and outbound traffic is allowed, which violates the company policy. The Windows Defender Firewall applet provides a user-friendly interface to modify the firewall profile (Domain, Private, Public) and toggle the firewall state, which directly updates the underlying Windows Firewall service and registry keys (e.g., HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy).
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.
Windows Settings and Control Panel — This question tests Windows Settings and Control Panel — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Windows Defender Firewall — The Windows Defender Firewall applet (Option B) is the dedicated Control Panel interface for managing Windows Firewall settings, including turning the firewall on or off. Since the question specifically asks which applet to use to enable the firewall, this is the correct tool. Other applets may display firewall status but do not provide the direct toggle to enable or disable the firewall.
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.
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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