220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
After a Windows 10 update, a user reports that a legacy business application displays the error 'This app can't run on your PC' when launched. The technician has already run System File Checker (sfc) and DISM without issues. Which of the following should the technician try FIRST to resolve the compatibility issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume a corrupted system file or update is the cause, but the error message directly points to a compatibility issue, making compatibility mode the logical first step before more invasive actions like rollbacks or reinstalls.
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
✓
Run the application in compatibility mode for an older Windows version
The error 'This app can't run on your PC' typically indicates an executable compatibility issue with the current Windows version. Running the application in compatibility mode for an older Windows version (e.g., Windows 7 or Windows 8) forces the system to emulate the environment the legacy app expects, often resolving the problem without reinstalling or rolling back updates.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reinstall the application
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling the same application binary does not alter its compatibility with the Windows 10 kernel or its expected API set. If the Windows update changed how the OS handles certain system calls, manifests, or deprecated libraries, a fresh install of the identical version will still invoke the same incompatible code paths. This step only helps if the original installation was corrupted, not when the underlying OS behavior has changed after an update.
- ✓
Run the application in compatibility mode for an older Windows version
Why this is correct
Compatibility mode works by applying a compatibility shim—a set of OS-level workarounds that emulate the behavior of an older Windows version (e.g., Windows 7, XP) for the target executable. This can bypass the 'This app can't run on your PC' error caused by the app’s manifest or its use of deprecated APIs, allowing the legacy business application to execute without modifying the application itself. For most post-update incompatibilities, this is the least invasive and most direct solution before considering system-wide changes.
- ✗
Perform a Windows Update rollback
Why it's wrong here
Rolling back the Windows Update would revert the OS to the pre-update state, which may indeed resolve the incompatibility, but it is an extreme measure that removes all security patches and feature improvements included in that update. In an enterprise environment, rolling back can create security vulnerabilities and is usually a last resort after compatibility mode and other targeted fixes have failed. This option does not fix the root cause—it only delays it, and the same issue will recur after the next mandatory update.
- ✗
Disable User Account Control (UAC)
Why it's wrong here
Disabling UAC changes the privilege elevation mechanism and does nothing to address the actual incompatibility between the legacy application and the updated Windows 10 environment. The error 'This app can't run on your PC' is typically triggered by executable header checks, missing dependencies, or manifest validation—not by user permission levels. Moreover, disabling UAC significantly weakens the system's security posture by allowing all processes to run with full administrative privileges without consent, making it both ineffective and unsafe.
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System File Checker (sfc /scannow)
Key term
Compatibility mode
Compatibility mode is a software setting that allows a program or operating system designed for an older version of Windows to run on a newer version by mimicking the older environment.
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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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.