220-1102 Operating Systems Practice Question
A technician has created a reference Windows 10 Pro installation on a workstation with all required applications and settings. The technician now needs to prepare this workstation for disk imaging so that the image can be deployed to multiple identical computers. Which tool should the technician run on the reference workstation BEFORE capturing the image?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates think shrinking the volume creates a smaller, more efficient image, but they overlook the critical requirement to generalize the OS to avoid SID duplication and driver conflicts on target computers.
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
✓
System Preparation Tool (sysprep.exe) with the /generalize option.
Sysprep.exe with the /generalize option removes hardware-specific information from the Windows installation, such as the computer security identifier (SID) and driver caches, ensuring the image can be deployed to different computers without conflicts. This is a required step before capturing a disk image for cloning to multiple identical workstations.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
System Preparation Tool (sysprep.exe) with the /generalize option.
Why this is correct
System Preparation Tool (sysprep.exe) with the /generalize option is the correct action because it strips the installation of unique identifiers such as the security identifier (SID), computer name, and hardware-specific driver information. This ensures the captured Windows 10 Pro image can be safely cloned across multiple workstations without identity conflicts. The /generalize switch prepares the OS to be sealed and shut down, ready for DISM to capture the image.
- ✗
Disk Management to shrink the volume and create a smaller image.
Why it's wrong here
Disk Management's shrink volume operation only reduces the size of the primary partition to reclaim free space; it does not remove any machine-specific data or prepare the OS for cloning. While creating a smaller image might make storage more efficient, it is entirely optional and does not address the critical need to generalize the reference installation. Without Sysprep, a captured image would retain the original SID and hardware settings, causing problems on target systems.
- ✗
Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) to capture the image.
Why it's wrong here
Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is a tool for capturing and servicing Windows images, but running it alone on a reference workstation will produce an un-generalized image. DISM's capture operation must be performed after Sysprep has run, because it backs up the OS exactly as it exists, including the original SID, computer name, and drivers. If used as the direct preparation step, it defeats the purpose of creating a reusable, hardware-independent image.
- ✗
Windows System Image Manager (WSIM) to create an answer file.
Why it's wrong here
Windows System Image Manager (WSIM) is used to create unattended answer files, typically containing configuration settings like product key, locale, or OOBE automation. An answer file may be used in conjunction with Sysprep to customize the deployment, but it is not the action that prepares a reference installation for capture. Creating an answer file does not modify the installed OS, so it cannot replace the /generalize step.
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macOS System Preferences and Settings
Key term
Security
Security in IT is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, damage, or theft.
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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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1102
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A technician is tasked with creating a master Windows 10 image for deployment to multiple identical computers in the company. After configuring the reference computer with all necessary applications and settings, which built-in tool must the technician run before capturing the image to ensure it can be deployed to different hardware?
hard- ✓ A.A
- B.B
- C.C
- D.D
Why A: Which refers to the System Preparation (Sysprep) tool. Sysprep is the built-in Windows utility that generalizes a Windows installation by removing system-specific data such as security identifiers (SIDs), computer names, and driver caches. This ensures the captured image can be deployed to different hardware without conflicts, as it prepares the OS to run the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) on first boot.
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.