hardMultiple Choice
220-1102 Practice Question: After a failed Windows Update, a Windows 10…
After a failed Windows Update, a Windows 10 system repeatedly attempts to install the update and fails. You need to stop the Windows Update service and delete the temporary update files from the command line. Which two commands, in order, should you use? (Select the first command from the options.)
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that 'taskkill /IM svchost.exe /F' is a valid way to stop the Windows Update service, but this command kills all svchost instances indiscriminately, which can crash other critical services and is not the proper method for safely stopping a specific service.
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
✓
net stop wuauserv
The correct first command is 'net stop wuauserv' because it stops the Windows Update service (wuauserv), which prevents the system from continuing to attempt the failed update installation. After stopping the service, you can then delete the temporary update files from the SoftwareDistribution folder using commands like 'del /f /s /q %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\*' or 'rmdir /s /q %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution'. This two-step process is the standard method to clear a stuck update state.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
net stop wuauserv
Why this is correct
Stopping the Windows Update service with `net stop wuauserv` releases the file locks that `wuauserv` holds on the temporary update store, allowing the subsequent deletion of `C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download` contents. This directly satisfies the stem's requirement to halt the service before removing the failed update's cached files.
- ✗
sfc /scannow
Why it's wrong here
sfc /scannow repairs protected system files; it neither stops a service nor clears the SoftwareDistribution download cache, so the failing update would still retry. It is tempting because it is the standard Windows repair command, and it would be correct when corrupted system files, rather than stalled update files, cause the failure.
- ✗
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
Why it's wrong here
DISM restores the component store image from Windows Update or a source; it does not stop the Windows Update service or delete pending update files. It is tempting because it is the go-to repair tool for servicing-stack corruption, and it would be correct when the component store itself is damaged.
- ✗
taskkill /IM svchost.exe /F
Why it's wrong here
taskkill terminates the svchost.exe process, but svchost hosts many unrelated services, so this kills far more than Windows Update and leaves the cached update files intact. It is tempting as a blunt way to halt the service, and it would be correct for ending a specific hung process by PID.
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System Restore Points
Key term
Folder
A folder is a logical container used to organize and group digital files, resources, or cloud-based assets within a system or platform.
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.
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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.