mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1102 Practice Question: That their application crashes with an 'Access…
A user reports that their application crashes with an 'Access Denied' error when trying to write to a specific folder. You have verified the user has Full Control NTFS permissions. Which administrative tool should you use to check for any file encryption or compression that might be blocking the write?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume 'Access Denied' always means insufficient NTFS permissions, so they focus on permission tools (like Shared Folders or Security Policy) instead of checking file attributes like encryption or compression that override permission-based access.
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
✓
File Explorer > right-click folder > Properties > Advanced to view encryption and compression attributes.
The 'Access Denied' error despite Full Control NTFS permissions indicates a file-level attribute conflict. File encryption (EFS) or compression attributes are stored in the folder's Advanced Attributes dialog, accessible via File Explorer > Properties > Advanced. These attributes can block write access even when NTFS permissions are permissive, as encryption requires the user's EFS certificate and compression changes the file's physical layout.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Computer Management > Shared Folders to view open files.
Why it's wrong here
Computer Management's Shared Folders utility primarily displays network shares, active sessions, and files currently open by remote users. While it can show which files are in use, it does not provide details about a file or folder's specific attributes, such as encryption status or compression settings, which are critical for diagnosing access issues related to file system properties. This tool is for network resource monitoring, not local file attribute inspection.
- ✗
Local Security Policy to check user rights assignments.
Why it's wrong here
Local Security Policy (secpol.msc) is used to configure system-wide security settings, including password policies, account lockout policies, audit policies, and user rights assignments for local accounts. While user rights assignments dictate what actions users can perform on the system (e.g., "Log on locally"), they do not directly reveal or modify specific attributes like encryption or compression on individual files or folders, which are file system-level properties.
- ✓
File Explorer > right-click folder > Properties > Advanced to view encryption and compression attributes.
Why this is correct
Navigating to a folder in File Explorer, right-clicking, selecting "Properties," and then clicking the "Advanced..." button reveals the "Advanced Attributes" dialog. This interface directly displays critical file system attributes, including whether the folder's contents are encrypted using Encrypting File System (EFS) or compressed. These attributes can directly impact application access and functionality, making this the precise location to diagnose such issues.
- ✗
Registry Editor to modify the folder's security descriptor.
Why it's wrong here
The Registry Editor (regedit.exe) is a low-level tool for modifying the Windows operating system's configuration database. While some file system-related settings might be indirectly referenced, directly modifying a folder's security descriptor or checking its encryption/compression attributes through the registry is not a standard or safe procedure. Incorrect registry edits can lead to system instability or render the OS unbootable, and it does not provide a user-friendly interface for file attribute inspection.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
File Systems: NTFS, FAT32, exFAT
Key term
Folder
A folder is a logical container used to organize and group digital files, resources, or cloud-based assets within a system or platform.
Key term
NTFS
NTFS (New Technology File System) is a file system used by Windows to organize and control how data is stored, retrieved, and secured on a hard drive or SSD.
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JA
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.