mediumMultiple Choice
220-1102 Practice Question: That their cloud-synced files are not appearing…
A user reports that their cloud-synced files are not appearing on their laptop after a recent OS reinstall. The technician verifies that the cloud storage account is active and the internet connection works. Which of the following is the most likely reason for the missing files?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that missing files after reinstall indicate data loss or account issues, when often it's a simple sync configuration like selective sync.
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
✓
The local sync client is configured for selective sync and not downloading all folders
The most likely reason is that the cloud sync client is configured for selective sync, which allows the user to choose which folders are synced locally. After an OS reinstall, the client may default to selective sync or the user may have previously set it to not download all folders, so files appear missing. Other options are less likely because the account is active and internet works, and hard drive full would typically cause errors, not silent missing files.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The cloud storage provider has deleted the files due to inactivity
Why it's wrong here
Cloud storage providers typically do not delete user files due to a lack of local synchronization activity. Files reside in the cloud and remain accessible via the web interface or other synced devices as long as the account is active and within storage limits. Deletion policies are usually tied to account inactivity or explicit user action, not the state of a single local device.
- ✗
The user's account is not licensed for the cloud service
Why it's wrong here
If the user's account were not licensed or active, the cloud sync client would likely display explicit error messages preventing login or synchronization, rather than simply showing missing files. Since the technician confirmed the account is active, this implies proper licensing and access, making a licensing issue an improbable cause for the observed file absence without other diagnostic indicators.
- ✓
The local sync client is configured for selective sync and not downloading all folders
Why this is correct
Many cloud synchronization clients, especially following a fresh installation or reset, default to a selective sync configuration. This setting allows users to manually specify which folders and files from the cloud should be downloaded and stored locally on the device. If the user did not explicitly select all desired folders for local synchronization, those unselected folders would appear missing on the laptop, despite being fully present and accessible in the cloud.
- ✗
The laptop's hard drive is full
Why it's wrong here
A full hard drive on the laptop would trigger specific error messages or notifications from the operating system and the sync client, clearly indicating insufficient disk space. The synchronization process would typically halt, preventing further downloads, rather than simply resulting in files appearing absent without any diagnostic alerts. Therefore, a full drive would present with explicit warnings, not just silently missing files.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 220-1202 question from scratch — 687 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.