easyMultiple Choice
220-1102 Practice Question: A customer calls saying that after installing a…
A customer calls saying that after installing a new application, their Windows 11 desktop icons are scattered and the taskbar keeps disappearing. They need a quick way to restore the default desktop layout and taskbar behavior without affecting personal files. Which built-in tool should you guide them to use?
⚠ Common exam trap
The CompTIA A+ exam often tests the distinction between 'System Restore' and 'Reset this PC' — the trap here is that candidates may choose 'Reset this PC with Keep my files' because it sounds like a safe, quick fix, but it is a full OS reinstallation that removes installed applications and settings (though it keeps personal files), whereas System Restore is a targeted rollback that undoes system changes, including removing applications installed after the restore point, while preserving user data.
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
✓
System Restore from the System Protection tab.
System Restore reverts system files, registry settings, and installed applications to a previous restore point without affecting personal files. Since the issue began after installing a new application, rolling back to a point before that installation will restore the default desktop layout and taskbar behavior. This is the quickest built-in tool for undoing system changes while preserving user data.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reset this PC with the 'Keep my files' option.
Why it's wrong here
This is a more drastic step that reinstalls Windows and may remove installed applications, not a quick fix for layout issues.
- ✓
System Restore from the System Protection tab.
Why this is correct
System Restore reverts system files and registry to a prior state, which can fix application-induced problems without affecting personal data.
- ✗
Refresh the desktop by right-clicking and selecting 'Refresh'.
Why it's wrong here
This only redraws the icons temporarily and does not fix the underlying taskbar issue.
- ✗
Use the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) to repair the system image.
Why it's wrong here
DISM is for repairing corrupted system files, not for restoring personal settings or layouts.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Data Classification Levels
Key term
Registry
The Windows Registry is a central hierarchical database that stores configuration settings and options for the operating system, hardware, software, and user preferences.
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.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.