220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user reports that a line-of-business application crashes on startup with the error: 'Unable to find a version of the runtime to run this application.' The technician has verified that the latest .NET Framework version is installed. Which step should the technician take NEXT to resolve the issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume installing the latest .NET Framework (e.g., 4.8) covers all previous versions, but .NET 3.5 is a separate, side-by-side runtime that must be explicitly enabled.
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
✓
Enable .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows Features
The error 'Unable to find a version of the runtime to run this application' typically occurs when a legacy line-of-business application requires an older .NET Framework version (such as 3.5) that is not enabled by default on modern Windows systems. Even though the latest .NET Framework is installed, the application may specifically depend on .NET 3.5, which is a separate feature that must be turned on via Windows Features. Enabling .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows Features resolves this by making the required runtime available.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Run System File Checker (SFC) to repair corrupted system files
Why it's wrong here
System File Checker (SFC) verifies the integrity of protected Windows system files and replaces corrupted ones from the WinSxS store, but the 'unable to find a version of the runtime' error does not indicate file corruption. Instead, it signals that the .NET Framework runtime version required by the application is simply not installed or enabled. SFC cannot add or enable Windows Features, so it will not supply the missing runtime and will report no integrity violations, leaving the root cause untouched.
- ✗
Reinstall the application using the original installer
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling the application from the original installer typically copies the same application binaries and dependencies that are already present, and it does not include or enable missing .NET Framework runtime components on the system. Because the error occurs before the application logic even runs, reinstalling will not change the runtime environment. The installer would need to detect and install the prerequisite .NET version separately; simply rerunning it will not address the missing runtime and is therefore ineffective.
- ✓
Enable .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows Features
Why this is correct
Enabling .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows Features installs the .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5 components, which share the CLR 2.0 runtime that many legacy line-of-business applications target. On modern Windows versions this feature is disabled by default, so an application compiled for an older .NET runtime will fail at startup with a message about being unable to find a runtime unless this feature is turned on. This option directly installs the exact runtime component required to launch the application.
- ✗
Update the application from the vendor's website
Why it's wrong here
Updating the application from the vendor's website might deliver a newer build that bundles or specifies a different runtime requirement, but the immediate error points to a missing runtime, not to a bug fixed by a patch. An update may still require the older .NET Framework version, and it could take considerably longer to obtain and install than simply enabling the already-present Windows feature. Without first providing the required .NET runtime, the updated application would likely fail with the same error, making this indirect approach less reliable and slower.
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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.