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 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?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse System Restore as a quick fix for application issues, but the CompTIA 220-1102 exam emphasizes using the least invasive, application-specific tool first—the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter—before resorting to system-wide rollbacks or process management tools like Task Manager.
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, 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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
Why this is correct
The Program Compatibility Troubleshooter is the recommended first step because it automatically scans the executable for known compatibility issues and applies the appropriate shims, such as emulating an older Windows version or adjusting display settings. It uses Microsoft's curated database of legacy application fixes, so you don't need to know the exact requirements yourself. This tool interactively tests different compatibility configurations until the application launches successfully, making it the most effective and user-friendly solution.
- ✗
System Restore
Why it's wrong here
System Restore reverts critical system files, registry keys, and installed programs to a previous snapshot, but it does not modify the application's executable properties or compatibility flags. A legacy application that fails to run is usually incompatible with the current OS APIs, not corrupted by recent system changes, so reverting system state rarely resolves the root cause. Even if the application worked before a specific system update, System Restore is a blunt instrument that can also remove needed updates and should not be the first choice for a targeted compatibility fix.
- ✗
Task Manager
Why it's wrong here
Task Manager is designed for monitoring and managing currently running processes and performance, such as ending unresponsive tasks or observing CPU and memory usage. It cannot change how Windows loads an executable or apply compatibility settings, so it has no direct role in making a legacy application run. While you might use Task Manager to verify that the application's process starts and then crashes, that observation alone does not identify or fix the underlying incompatibility, making this option irrelevant.
- ✗
Compatibility tab in the application's properties
Why it's wrong here
The Compatibility tab in the application's Properties dialog is a valid manual method for setting compatibility mode, reduced color depth, or administrator privileges. However, it requires you to know which specific settings the legacy application needs, often leading to trial-and-error. The Program Compatibility Troubleshooter is preferred because it automatically selects and applies the correct combination of fixes, eliminating the guesswork and providing a guided diagnostic approach.
Visual reference
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Related to this question
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Troubleshoot: Startup Program Conflicts
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 220-1102 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.