hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1102 Practice Question: That their Windows 10 PC suddenly shows a 'Your…
A user reports that their Windows 10 PC suddenly shows a 'Your IT administrator has limited access' message when trying to change the desktop background. The user has local administrator rights. Which Group Policy or registry setting is most likely misconfigured?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that local administrator rights bypass all Group Policy restrictions, but in reality, many administrative templates apply to all users, including administrators, unless specifically configured otherwise.
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 'Prevent changing desktop background' policy is enabled in Local Group Policy.
The 'Prevent changing desktop background' policy, when enabled in Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) under User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization, explicitly blocks background changes regardless of local administrator rights. Since the user has local admin rights but still sees the restriction, this policy is the most likely cause, as it overrides user permissions.
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 'Prevent changing desktop background' policy is enabled in Local Group Policy.
Why this is correct
This is the correct answer. The 'Prevent changing desktop background' policy, found under User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization in the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc), specifically restricts users from modifying their desktop background. When enabled, this policy overrides any user permissions, including local administrator rights, and typically displays a message indicating that an administrator has disabled the option, directly matching the reported symptom.
- ✗
The user's account is not part of the Administrators group.
Why it's wrong here
This option is incorrect. While standard users without administrative privileges might face restrictions, the ability to change a desktop background is generally a basic personalization feature available to all users unless explicitly restricted by policy. If the user had local admin rights, they would typically be able to change the background unless a higher-level policy, such as a Group Policy Object, was enforcing a restriction.
- ✗
The desktop background file is corrupted.
Why it's wrong here
This option is incorrect. A corrupted desktop background file would typically manifest as an inability to load the image, display artifacts, or an error message specifically related to the file itself when attempting to apply it. It would not generate a system message indicating that a policy or administrator has prevented the change, which points to a configuration restriction rather than a file integrity issue.
- ✗
The Windows license has expired.
Why it's wrong here
This option is incorrect. An expired or unactivated Windows license typically results in visible watermarks on the desktop, persistent activation prompts, and the disabling of various personalization features, including the ability to change the desktop background. However, the system usually communicates this through specific activation warnings or messages about an unactivated state, not a generic policy restriction message implying administrative control.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Windows Editions and Features
Key term
Group Policy
Group Policy is a Windows-based feature that allows administrators to centrally manage and enforce settings for users and computers across an organization.
Key term
Windows
Windows is a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft that manages computer hardware and software, providing a graphical user interface for users to interact with their devices.
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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.