- A
The antivirus subscription has expired; renew it
Why wrong: While possible, the question states no prompts were seen; a disabled update service is a common cause that also explains the lack of prompts.
- B
The Windows Update service is disabled; re-enable it and set to automatic
If the Windows Update service is disabled, the antivirus cannot receive updates, and the user would not see prompts. Enabling it resolves the issue.
- C
The user has manually set the antivirus to manual update mode
Why wrong: Manual mode would still show prompts or notifications; the lack of any prompts points to a service-level issue.
- D
The computer is infected with a virus that blocks updates
Why wrong: Infection could block updates, but the technician found no other symptoms; the update service being disabled is a simpler and more common cause.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the Windows Update service is disabled, and the appropriate remediation is to re-enable it and set its startup type to Automatic. This is the most likely reason because antivirus software relies on the Windows Update service to download and install definition updates; if this service is stopped or set to Manual, the antivirus cannot receive update prompts or automatically refresh its virus definitions, leaving it outdated for months without any user notification. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Windows service dependencies and common misconfigurations that cause security lapses—a frequent trap is assuming the antivirus itself is broken or that the user simply ignored prompts, when the real culprit is a disabled background service. To remember this, think: “No service, no updates—check services.msc first.”
220-1102 PC Security Issue Remediation Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of pc security issue remediation. 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.
During a routine check, a technician finds that a user's Windows 10 computer has an outdated antivirus that hasn't updated in 3 months. The user claims they never saw any update prompts. What is the most likely reason and the appropriate remediation?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Clue:
"never"Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
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
The Windows Update service is disabled; re-enable it and set to automatic
Outdated antivirus often results from the update service being disabled or misconfigured. Checking the Windows Update or antivirus update service ensures that automatic updates can run, preventing future lapses.
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.
- ✗
The antivirus subscription has expired; renew it
Why it's wrong here
While possible, the question states no prompts were seen; a disabled update service is a common cause that also explains the lack of prompts.
- ✓
The Windows Update service is disabled; re-enable it and set to automatic
Why this is correct
If the Windows Update service is disabled, the antivirus cannot receive updates, and the user would not see prompts. Enabling it resolves the issue.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "never" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The user has manually set the antivirus to manual update mode
Why it's wrong here
Manual mode would still show prompts or notifications; the lack of any prompts points to a service-level issue.
- ✗
The computer is infected with a virus that blocks updates
Why it's wrong here
Infection could block updates, but the technician found no other symptoms; the update service being disabled is a simpler and more common cause.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Manual mode would still show prompts or notifications; the lack of any prompts points to a service-level issue.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 220-1202 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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PC Security Issue Remediation — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
PC Security Issue Remediation — This question tests PC Security Issue Remediation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The Windows Update service is disabled; re-enable it and set to automatic — Outdated antivirus often results from the update service being disabled or misconfigured. Checking the Windows Update or antivirus update service ensures that automatic updates can run, preventing future lapses.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1202 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely", "never". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 19, 2026
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.
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