The answer is to run `bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal` from the recovery command prompt. This command directly addresses the `INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE` error by instructing the Windows Boot Manager to load only essential drivers and services on the next restart, bypassing the faulty storage controller driver that is causing the crash. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your ability to use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to fix boot failures caused by problematic driver updates, a common troubleshooting objective. A frequent trap is confusing this with `bootrec /fixboot` or `chkdsk`, which repair boot records or disk errors but do not disable drivers. Remember the memory tip: "Safe Boot Minimal" means you are stripping away the non-essential, including the bad driver, to get a clean boot.
220-1102 Windows OS Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows os troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A user's Windows 10 laptop fails to boot and shows 'INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE' blue screen error. The technician suspects a recent driver update for the storage controller. Which recovery environment command can be used to disable the problematic driver from loading?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Run 'bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal' from the recovery command prompt.
The 'INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE' error often occurs after a faulty storage controller driver update. Booting into Safe Mode with minimal drivers can bypass the problematic driver. The command 'bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal' configures the boot loader to start Windows in Safe Mode on the next restart, loading only essential drivers and services, which allows the technician to roll back or uninstall the offending driver.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Run 'bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal' from the recovery command prompt.
Why this is correct
This command forces the system to boot into Safe Mode, bypassing the problematic driver and allowing repair.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Run 'diskpart' and then 'clean' to wipe the disk.
Why it's wrong here
Cleaning the disk erases all data and is destructive, not a troubleshooting step.
✗
Run 'chkdsk /f' to fix file system errors.
Why it's wrong here
chkdsk repairs file system corruption but does not address a driver-related boot failure.
✗
Run 'bootrec /fixboot' to repair the boot sector.
Why it's wrong here
fixboot repairs the boot sector, not driver issues.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'bcdedit' with 'bootrec' commands, assuming 'bootrec /fixboot' or 'chkdsk' can resolve driver-related boot failures, when in fact only Safe Mode or driver rollback via the recovery environment addresses the root cause.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The BCDEdit command modifies the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store, specifically setting the 'safeboot' element to 'minimal' for the default boot entry. This instructs the Windows boot manager to pass the SAFEBOOT option to the kernel, which then loads only drivers marked as boot-start drivers in the registry (e.g., disk.sys, classpnp.sys) and ignores third-party storage drivers. In real-world scenarios, if the faulty driver is a boot-start driver, Safe Mode may still fail; in that case, using 'bcdedit /set {default} safeboot network' or accessing the recovery console's driver management tools may be necessary.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Windows OS Troubleshooting — This question tests Windows OS Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run 'bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal' from the recovery command prompt. — The 'INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE' error often occurs after a faulty storage controller driver update. Booting into Safe Mode with minimal drivers can bypass the problematic driver. The command 'bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal' configures the boot loader to start Windows in Safe Mode on the next restart, loading only essential drivers and services, which allows the technician to roll back or uninstall the offending driver.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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