- A
Use 'net user' to list accounts and 'net user Administrator | findstr /i active' to check status.
Net user displays all local user accounts, and piping to findstr can filter for the account's active status.
- B
Use 'whoami' to list current user and 'net localgroup Administrators' to see group members.
Why wrong: Whoami only shows the current user, not all accounts; net localgroup shows group members but not disabled accounts.
- C
Use 'dir C:\Users' to list user profile folders and 'net accounts' to see password policies.
Why wrong: Dir shows folders but not necessarily all accounts (hidden accounts may not have a profile folder); net accounts does not show user status.
- D
Use 'gpresult /R' to list applied policies and 'net start' to see running services.
Why wrong: Gpresult shows Group Policy results, not user accounts; net start lists services.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to use the net user command to list all user accounts and net user Administrator | findstr /i active to verify the Administrator account’s status. This works because net user displays every local user account on a Windows system, including hidden accounts that may not appear in the GUI, while piping the output through findstr with the /i switch performs a case-insensitive search for the word “active” in the Administrator account’s details, revealing whether the account is enabled or disabled. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your ability to audit user accounts from the command line after a security incident, a common performance-based question where attackers often create hidden accounts. A frequent trap is forgetting that net user alone does not show account status; you must filter the output for the specific account. Memory tip: think “net user lists the who, findstr checks the go” — the first command identifies all accounts, the second confirms if the admin account is active.
220-1102 Windows OS Features and Tools Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows os features and tools. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 security incident occurred on a Windows 10 workstation where an attacker gained administrative access and created several hidden user accounts. You need to ensure no unauthorized accounts exist and that the built-in Administrator account is disabled. Which two tools can you use from the command line to list all user accounts and check the status of the Administrator account?
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
Use 'net user' to list accounts and 'net user Administrator | findstr /i active' to check status.
The 'net user' command lists all local user accounts on a Windows system, which is necessary to identify hidden or unauthorized accounts. Piping 'net user Administrator' through 'findstr /i active' filters the output to show whether the built-in Administrator account is enabled or disabled, as the status line contains 'Active' or 'Account active' depending on the locale. This combination directly fulfills the requirement to list all accounts and check the Administrator account's status from the command line.
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.
- ✓
Use 'net user' to list accounts and 'net user Administrator | findstr /i active' to check status.
Why this is correct
Net user displays all local user accounts, and piping to findstr can filter for the account's active status.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use 'whoami' to list current user and 'net localgroup Administrators' to see group members.
Why it's wrong here
Whoami only shows the current user, not all accounts; net localgroup shows group members but not disabled accounts.
- ✗
Use 'dir C:\Users' to list user profile folders and 'net accounts' to see password policies.
Why it's wrong here
Dir shows folders but not necessarily all accounts (hidden accounts may not have a profile folder); net accounts does not show user status.
- ✗
Use 'gpresult /R' to list applied policies and 'net start' to see running services.
Why it's wrong here
Gpresult shows Group Policy results, not user accounts; net start lists services.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between listing all accounts versus showing only the current user or group membership, leading candidates to confuse 'whoami' or 'net localgroup' with account enumeration commands.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Whoami only shows the current user, not all accounts; net localgroup shows group members but not disabled accounts.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'net user' command queries the Security Account Manager (SAM) database to enumerate local user accounts, including hidden accounts created with a trailing '$' that do not appear in the standard User Accounts GUI. The 'findstr /i active' command performs a case-insensitive search for the string 'active' in the output of 'net user Administrator', which includes a line like 'Account active Yes' or 'Account active No' depending on the account's enabled state. In a real-world incident response scenario, an attacker might create accounts with names mimicking system accounts (e.g., 'Admin$') to evade detection, and this command combination reliably reveals them.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Windows OS Features and Tools — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Windows OS Features and Tools practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 220-1202 questions
750 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
220-1202 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 220-1202 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Windows OS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows OS Features and Tools.
Windows Settings and Control Panel practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Settings and Control Panel.
Windows Command-Line Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Command-Line Tools.
Windows Administrative Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Administrative Tools.
macOS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to macOS Features and Tools.
Linux Commands and File Permissions practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Linux Commands and File Permissions.
Mobile OS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Mobile OS Features and Tools.
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Virtualization and Cloud Technologies.
Physical Security Controls practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Physical Security Controls.
Logical Security Concepts practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Logical Security Concepts.
Wireless Security Protocols practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Wireless Security Protocols.
Malware Types and Removal practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Malware Types and Removal.
Practice this exam
Start a free 220-1202 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Windows OS Features and Tools — This question tests Windows OS Features and Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use 'net user' to list accounts and 'net user Administrator | findstr /i active' to check status. — The 'net user' command lists all local user accounts on a Windows system, which is necessary to identify hidden or unauthorized accounts. Piping 'net user Administrator' through 'findstr /i active' filters the output to show whether the built-in Administrator account is enabled or disabled, as the status line contains 'Active' or 'Account active' depending on the locale. This combination directly fulfills the requirement to list all accounts and check the Administrator account's status from the command line.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.