220-1102 Operating Systems Practice Question
A user's Windows 10 computer fails to boot normally after installing a recent Windows Update. The computer attempts startup repair but fails and presents a black screen. Which built-in Windows recovery environment tool should a technician use to revert the system to a previous state without losing personal files?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse System Restore with Startup Repair, assuming any boot failure requires boot configuration repair, but the key clue is the failure occurred 'after installing a recent Windows Update,' which points to a system state rollback rather than a bootloader issue.
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
✓
System Restore
System Restore is the correct tool because it reverts system files, registry settings, and installed updates to a previous restore point without affecting personal files in user folders. This directly addresses the scenario where a Windows Update caused a boot failure, as System Restore can undo the update while preserving user data.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reset This PC - Remove everything
Why it's wrong here
Reset This PC - Remove everything is a destructive recovery option that reinstalls Windows by wiping the entire system drive, deleting all user profiles, installed applications, and personal documents. It also requires either a local reinstall or a cloud download, which can take significant time and may not be feasible without a backup. As the user's files are not mentioned as backed up, this would result in permanent data loss, making it an inappropriate choice for a boot problem that could be fixed non-destructively.
- ✓
System Restore
Why this is correct
System Restore is the correct choice because it uses restore points to revert critical system files, registry settings, and recently installed drivers or updates to an earlier state while leaving personal files untouched. This directly addresses a boot failure caused by a recent problematic Windows update or driver change, which is a common scenario. Accessible via the Windows Recovery Environment (Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore), it is the least destructive and most targeted fix, as it rolls back only the changes that likely broke the boot process.
- ✗
Command Prompt - bootrec /fixboot
Why it's wrong here
Command Prompt - bootrec /fixboot rewrites the boot sector on the system partition, which can resolve boot failures caused by corruption in boot code or partition table issues. However, it does not modify recently installed updates, drivers, or system files, so it cannot undo the specific change that is preventing normal boot. Since the user's issue is likely due to a recent update or configuration change, this command would not address the root cause and would leave the system in a non-booting state.
- ✗
Startup Repair
Why it's wrong here
Startup Repair (Automatic Repair) scans for and replaces missing or corrupt boot files, such as the Boot Configuration Data (BCD), master boot record, or essential Windows kernel files. It is designed to fix problems caused by disk corruption, malware, or accidental file deletion, not to roll back system updates or driver changes. While it is non-destructive and preserves personal files, it does not revert the recent update that likely triggered the boot failure, so it is an ineffective tool for this scenario.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
macOS Updates and App Store
Key term
Startup repair
Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that automatically diagnoses and fixes common problems that prevent the operating system from booting properly.
Key term
Registry
The Windows Registry is a central hierarchical database that stores configuration settings and options for the operating system, hardware, software, and user preferences.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1102
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user's Windows 10 computer will not boot normally after a failed driver installation. The technician can access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Which built-in tool should the technician use FIRST to attempt to restore the system to a point before the driver was installed?
easy- ✓ A.System Restore
- B.Reset this PC
- C.System Image Recovery
- D.Startup Repair
Why A: System Restore is designed to revert system files, drivers, and registry settings to a previous restore point without affecting personal files. After a failed driver installation, using System Restore from WinRE is the quickest way to roll back the driver and restore system stability. It is the first tool to try because it specifically targets the problem of a recent change causing boot failure.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1102 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 220-1102 exam.