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220-1102 Practice Question: That their Windows 10 laptop takes a very long…

A user reports that their Windows 10 laptop takes a very long time to boot and shows a 'Preparing Automatic Repair' message before eventually loading the desktop. They mention this started after a power outage. Which Windows tool should you use first to diagnose and attempt to fix the boot issue?

⚠ Common exam trap

It's easy for candidates to choose System File Checker (sfc /scannow) because they associate file corruption with boot issues, but sfc requires a running OS and cannot repair boot loader components like the BCD or MBR, which are the actual culprits after a power outage.

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

✓

Startup Repair

Startup Repair (option B) is the correct first tool because the user reports a boot failure with 'Preparing Automatic Repair' after a power outage, which often corrupts critical boot configuration data (BCD) or the Master Boot Record (MBR). Startup Repair is designed to automatically diagnose and fix these specific boot-related issues without affecting user files, making it the most appropriate initial step.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • ✗

    System Restore

    Why it's wrong here

    System Restore reverts system files, registry settings, and installed programs to a previous restore point, but it does not rebuild the Windows Boot Configuration Data (BCD) or repair the boot sector. In a boot-loop scenario, Windows may not load far enough to launch System Restore, and even from WinRE it only rolls back software changes rather than fixing underlying boot failures. Startup Repair is specifically designed to address boot problems, making it the more appropriate first step.

  • ✓

    Startup Repair

    Why this is correct

    Startup Repair is a Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) diagnostic tool that automatically scans for common boot issues, including corrupted BCD, missing system files, and faulty drivers, then applies targeted fixes. It analyzes boot and event logs to identify the root cause and can rewrite the BCD, replace bootmgr, and repair disk errors. Because it is built for boot failures, it is the correct first response to a boot loop, which is precisely the scenario described.

  • ✗

    Reset this PC

    Why it's wrong here

    Reset this PC reinstalls Windows from recovery media, either keeping personal files (but removing installed applications) or wiping the entire drive, and it requires a stable recovery environment to execute. It is a destructive, time-consuming operation that should only be attempted after less invasive tools like Startup Repair or System File Checker have failed to resolve the boot loop. Jumping to a reset risks unnecessary data loss and may not even fix the issue if the underlying hardware or boot record is not properly addressed.

  • ✗

    System File Checker (sfc /scannow)

    Why it's wrong here

    System File Checker (sfc /scannow) verifies and repairs protected system files by replacing corrupted ones with cached copies, but it does not address the boot configuration (BCD) or boot loader, which are common causes of a boot loop. Furthermore, SFC must run from a working Windows session or from the WinRE command prompt, and if Windows cannot boot into a stable state, the tool may fail before it can complete. Startup Repair is purpose-built to fix boot configuration and boot manager issues, making it the correct first-line tool.

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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.