The correct answer is to provide the user with the drive’s password or recovery key. BitLocker To Go encrypts removable USB drives using either a password or a recovery key, and the drive remains locked until the correct credentials are supplied at mount time. Since the drive is already encrypted, no additional configuration or BitLocker setup is needed on the new Windows 10 workstation—the operating system will prompt for authentication automatically when the drive is inserted. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding that BitLocker To Go is a client-side encryption feature that does not require a TPM or domain policy for removable media; a common trap is thinking you need to re-encrypt the drive or install software on the new PC. Remember the memory tip: “Password or key—no re-encrypt for me,” meaning the drive’s existing credentials are all that’s required for access.
220-1102 Windows OS Features and Tools Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows os features and tools. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is configuring a new Windows 10 workstation for a user who requires access to files stored on an encrypted USB drive. The drive uses BitLocker To Go. What must the technician do to ensure the user can access the drive on this computer?
Enable BitLocker on the workstation's internal drive
Why wrong: BitLocker on the internal drive is unrelated to accessing a BitLocker-protected external drive.
B
Provide the user with the drive's password or recovery key
The user must enter the password or recovery key to unlock the drive; this is the standard method for BitLocker To Go access.
C
Format the USB drive to NTFS
Why wrong: Formatting would erase the encrypted data, which is not the goal; the drive is already encrypted and usable.
D
Install the BitLocker Drive Encryption feature from Control Panel
Why wrong: BitLocker is a feature of Windows Pro/Enterprise editions; if the workstation lacks it, the drive can still be unlocked if the user has the password.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Provide the user with the drive's password or recovery key
BitLocker To Go encrypts removable drives with a password or recovery key. To access the drive on a new Windows 10 workstation, the technician must provide the user with the drive's password or recovery key, as the drive is already encrypted and requires authentication at mount time. No additional configuration is needed on the workstation beyond entering the correct credentials.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Enable BitLocker on the workstation's internal drive
Why it's wrong here
BitLocker on the internal drive is unrelated to accessing a BitLocker-protected external drive.
✓
Provide the user with the drive's password or recovery key
Why this is correct
The user must enter the password or recovery key to unlock the drive; this is the standard method for BitLocker To Go access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Format the USB drive to NTFS
Why it's wrong here
Formatting would erase the encrypted data, which is not the goal; the drive is already encrypted and usable.
✗
Install the BitLocker Drive Encryption feature from Control Panel
Why it's wrong here
BitLocker is a feature of Windows Pro/Enterprise editions; if the workstation lacks it, the drive can still be unlocked if the user has the password.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think additional software or feature installation is required, but BitLocker To Go is a built-in capability of Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise that only needs the correct authentication credential to unlock the drive.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
BitLocker To Go uses AES encryption (128-bit or 256-bit) with a protector such as a password or recovery key stored in the drive's metadata. When the drive is inserted, Windows reads the protector and prompts for authentication; the recovery key is a 48-digit numeric key that can be used if the password is lost. In enterprise environments, BitLocker To Go keys can be backed up to Active Directory for centralized recovery.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Windows OS Features and Tools — This question tests Windows OS Features and Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Provide the user with the drive's password or recovery key — BitLocker To Go encrypts removable drives with a password or recovery key. To access the drive on a new Windows 10 workstation, the technician must provide the user with the drive's password or recovery key, as the drive is already encrypted and requires authentication at mount time. No additional configuration is needed on the workstation beyond entering the correct credentials.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.