220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user reports that a Windows 10 application crashes with the error code '0xc000007b' when trying to launch. The application was working previously. The technician suspects a missing or corrupted Microsoft Visual C++ runtime component. Which built-in tool should the technician use FIRST to verify the installed runtime versions?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates think Device Manager is the right tool for software component issues because they associate it with 'managing' system components, but it only handles hardware and drivers, not installed runtimes.
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
✓
Programs and Features
Programs and Features (or Apps & Features in newer Windows versions) is the correct tool because it lists all installed software, including Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables, along with their version numbers. This allows the technician to quickly verify whether the required runtime version is present or corrupted, which is the first step in diagnosing error 0xc000007b.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Device Manager
Why it's wrong here
Device Manager is a hardware management console that lists drivers and physical devices such as GPUs, storage controllers, and network adapters. Error 0xc000007b is a software-level STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_FORMAT failure, typically caused by missing or mismatched Visual C++ Redistributable components, not by device drivers. Therefore, Device Manager provides no information about installed runtime libraries and is not a valid first step in this troubleshooting path.
- ✓
Programs and Features
Why this is correct
Programs and Features is the correct starting point because it enumerates every installed application, including each version and edition of the Visual C++ Redistributable packages. By scanning this list, you can determine whether the required runtime (e.g., 2015-2022 x64) is present; if it is missing or corrupted, you can select its entry to run a Repair or reinstall from the vendor. This directly addresses the most common trigger for error 0xc000007b, making it the appropriate diagnostic tool.
- ✗
System Configuration (msconfig)
Why it's wrong here
System Configuration (msconfig) is a boot and startup utility that controls boot modes, system services, and startup programs via its General, Boot, Services, and Startup tabs. It does not enumerate installed applications or redistributable runtime packages, so it cannot be used to verify or repair a missing Visual C++ component. Launching msconfig in an attempt to fix error 0xc000007b would waste time and could even cause unintended service configuration changes if you disable items.
- ✗
Component Services (dcomcnfg)
Why it's wrong here
Component Services (dcomcnfg) is an administrative snap-in for managing COM+ applications, DCOM protocol settings, and distributed transaction coordination, primarily in enterprise server environments. It is not a catalog of client-side installed software or runtime libraries like Visual C++ redistributables. A Windows 10 application crashing with 0xc000007b is a local image format or runtime issue, unrelated to COM+ components, so this tool has no diagnostic relevance here.
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chkdsk Tool Usage
Key term
Windows 10
Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft that combines the familiarity of Windows 7 with the modern features of Windows 8, designed to run on a wide range of devices from desktops to tablets.
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
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