220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user reports that after upgrading from Windows 10 20H2 to Windows 10 22H2, a legacy 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 finding any issues. Which of the following should the technician try FIRST to resolve the compatibility issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often jump to compatibility mode or driver updates, overlooking that the error message 'This app can't run on your PC' frequently points to a missing .NET Framework 3.5 feature rather than an OS version or driver issue.
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
✓
Enable the .NET Framework 3.5 feature via Windows Features
The error 'This app can't run on your PC' typically indicates a missing or disabled Windows feature that the legacy application requires. Many older applications depend on the .NET Framework 3.5, which is not enabled by default in newer Windows 10 builds like 22H2. Since SFC and DISM found no system corruption, enabling .NET Framework 3.5 via Windows Features is the most direct and appropriate first step to resolve the compatibility issue.
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 application typically reinstalls the same binaries and dependencies, so it won't address the underlying missing runtime. The error occurs because the .NET Framework 3.5 feature is not enabled in Windows 10 22H2, and no amount of reinstallation will add that system-level component. The setup process might even fail to start if it checks for the required framework during installation, making reinstall ineffective.
- ✓
Enable the .NET Framework 3.5 feature via Windows Features
Why this is correct
Enabling the .NET Framework 3.5 feature via Windows Features is the correct fix because legacy applications often target the .NET Framework 2.0/3.0/3.5 runtime, which is an optional component in Windows 10. When this feature is disabled, the app cannot load the common language runtime and throws a fatal error. You can enable it through the 'Turn Windows features on or off' dialog or with DISM (e.g., DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3), and this directly provides the required libraries.
- ✗
Run the application in Windows 8 compatibility mode
Why it's wrong here
Windows compatibility mode only alters the reported operating system version and applies shims for known application quirks, but it does not install missing frameworks or modify Windows feature state. Even with Windows 8 compatibility mode, the .NET Framework 3.5 runtime is still absent, so the application will continue to fail when it tries to initialize the CLR. This setting is meant for older software that relies on removed APIs, not for missing modern components.
- ✗
Update the video driver
Why it's wrong here
A video driver update addresses rendering and GPU-related issues, but the .NET Framework initialization happens before any graphical output is attempted. The application fails during the CLR load phase because the required .NET 3.5 assemblies are missing, which has no connection to the display adapter or driver stack. Updating the driver would not install the framework or modify the Windows feature list, leaving the root cause unresolved.
Visual reference
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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
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 220-1102 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.