220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user reports that a legacy application designed for Windows 7 does not run correctly on a Windows 10 workstation. The application installs but fails to launch. Which built-in Windows tool should the technician use FIRST to attempt to resolve this issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse diagnostic tools (Event Viewer) or system integrity tools (SFC) with remediation tools, overlooking that the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter is the first-line built-in solution for legacy application launch failures.
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
✓
Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
The Program Compatibility Troubleshooter is the correct first step because it automatically detects and applies compatibility settings—such as running the application in Windows 7 mode or adjusting DPI and color depth—that resolve launch failures for legacy applications on Windows 10. This tool is built into Windows and specifically designed to address software compatibility issues without requiring manual registry or configuration changes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Event Viewer
Why it's wrong here
Event Viewer is a diagnostic console that records application errors, warnings, and system events in logs. While it can show the specific error code or faulting module for the legacy application, it does not modify the application's execution environment or apply any compatibility fixes. It helps you identify why the app fails, but you must use a separate tool like the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter to correct the issue.
- ✗
System File Checker
Why it's wrong here
System File Checker validates and restores protected operating system files by replacing corrupted or missing system binaries from the Windows component store. This tool is aimed at OS integrity problems, such as system crashes or file corruption, not at resolving application-level incompatibilities. A legacy app failing to run is rarely due to corrupted system files, so SFC will not apply the required compatibility modes or shims.
- ✓
Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
Why this is correct
The Program Compatibility Troubleshooter is the appropriate tool because it interactively diagnoses compatibility problems and automatically applies settings like running the program as an administrator or emulating an older Windows version (e.g., Windows 7). It creates a compatibility shim that intercepts API calls, allowing the legacy application to function despite being designed for an older OS. This tool directly addresses the root cause of the app not launching.
- ✗
System Restore
Why it's wrong here
System Restore reverts system files, registry keys, and installed drivers to a previous snapshot, which is useful when a recent change, like a driver update, broke the system. However, it does not add or alter compatibility settings for a legacy program, and if the application has never run, there is no restore point to undo that condition. It cannot configure the compatibility mode, so it won't fix an app that is inherently incompatible with newer Windows versions.
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Troubleshoot: Startup Program Conflicts
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.
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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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1102
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 legacy application designed for Windows 7 does not run correctly on a Windows 10 Pro workstation. The application installs successfully but fails to launch or displays errors. Which built-in Windows tool should the technician use FIRST to attempt to resolve the issue?
easy- ✓ A.Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
- B.System Restore
- C.Task Manager
- D.Compatibility tab in the application's properties
Why A: The Program Compatibility Troubleshooter is the correct first step because it automatically detects and applies compatibility settings—such as running the application in Windows 7 mode, adjusting DPI scaling, or disabling display scaling—that resolve common issues with legacy software on newer Windows versions. This built-in tool scans the application and prompts the user to select the appropriate Windows version, then applies the corresponding compatibility fixes without requiring manual registry edits or third-party utilities.
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.