220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user reports that a Windows 10 application crashes at startup with the error 'The program can't start because MSVCR120.dll is missing from your computer.' The technician has already reinstalled the application, but the error persists. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume reinstalling the application fixes all missing file issues, but they overlook that system-level redistributable components are not part of the application's installation files and must be installed separately.
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 application requires a specific version of the Visual C++ Redistributable.
The error 'MSVCR120.dll is missing' indicates that the application depends on the Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2013 (version 12.0). Reinstalling the application does not replace system-level redistributable files; the missing DLL is part of that redistributable package. Installing the correct Visual C++ Redistributable resolves the dependency.
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 application requires a specific version of the Visual C++ Redistributable.
Why this is correct
The missing MSVCR120.dll is a runtime component from the Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable package. Applications compiled with that toolset expect this DLL to be present in the system directory; without the redistributable, the Windows loader cannot resolve the dependency and reports the DLL as missing. Installing the correct VC++ 2013 redistributable (x86 or x64, depending on the app's architecture) places the DLL and resolves the startup error.
- ✗
The hard drive is failing and has corrupted the application files.
Why it's wrong here
A failing hard drive typically manifests as slow performance, bad sectors, or corrupted data across multiple programs and system files, not as an isolated missing DLL error. If corruption had affected the application's own files, reinstalling the application would restore them, but the error persists because it originates from a system-level runtime dependency, not the application's installation. Therefore, the hard drive is not the root cause.
- ✗
The user does not have administrator privileges to run the application.
Why it's wrong here
Insufficient administrator privileges typically trigger access denied errors when trying to write to protected locations like Program Files or the registry, or they invoke a UAC elevation prompt. They do not cause the Windows loader to report a missing DLL, because runtime DLLs like MSVCR120.dll are located in system directories that are readable by all standard users. The app's failure to start is due to a missing DLL, not a permissions issue.
- ✗
The application is incompatible with Windows 10.
Why it's wrong here
Incompatibility often results in different errors or crashes, not specifically a missing DLL error. The DLL is a standard component, and if the application is designed for Windows 7, it may still run on Windows 10 with the correct runtime.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
User Account Control (UAC)
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.
Key term
Missing DLL
A Missing DLL error occurs when a required Dynamic Link Library file is not found by the Windows operating system or an application, preventing the program from starting or running properly.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 220-1102 question from scratch — 925 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 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.