- A
The user changed the password via Ctrl+Alt+Del, which invalidates the EFS certificate.
Why wrong: Changing the password via Ctrl+Alt+Del does not inherently invalidate the EFS certificate; the issue is that the new password may not properly unlock the existing encryption key.
- B
The user did not back up their EFS certificate before changing the password.
EFS uses a certificate tied to the user's password. Without a backup, changing the password can render the encryption key inaccessible, requiring a recovery agent or certificate import.
- C
The user's account was removed from the local Administrators group during the password change.
Why wrong: Membership in the Administrators group is not required for EFS access; EFS permissions are based on the user's certificate, not group membership.
- D
The hard drive has a hardware failure that corrupted the encrypted files.
Why wrong: While hardware failure could cause data loss, the scenario specifically links the issue to a password change, making an encryption key problem more likely than a sudden hardware fault.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the user did not back up their EFS certificate before changing the password. This is correct because the Encrypting File System (EFS) protects the encryption key by hashing it with the user’s current password; when the password is changed without a certificate backup, the system cannot re-derive the same key, rendering the encrypted files inaccessible. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that EFS ties file encryption directly to the user’s password, and a common trap is assuming that simply resetting the password or using an administrator account will restore access—neither works without the original certificate or a Data Recovery Agent. A strong memory tip is to think of the EFS certificate as the “master key” and the password as the “lock combination”: changing the combination without saving the master key locks you out permanently.
220-1102 Logical Security Concepts Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of logical security concepts. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 user reports that they can no longer access their encrypted files after a recent password change. The files were encrypted using EFS on a Windows 10 Pro workstation. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
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.
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 user did not back up their EFS certificate before changing the password.
EFS (Encrypting File System) ties file encryption to the user's password. When the password is changed without the proper certificate backup, the encryption key may become inaccessible. This question tests the understanding that EFS keys are protected by the user's password and require a backup certificate or recovery agent to avoid data loss after password changes.
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 user changed the password via Ctrl+Alt+Del, which invalidates the EFS certificate.
Why it's wrong here
Changing the password via Ctrl+Alt+Del does not inherently invalidate the EFS certificate; the issue is that the new password may not properly unlock the existing encryption key.
- ✓
The user did not back up their EFS certificate before changing the password.
Why this is correct
EFS uses a certificate tied to the user's password. Without a backup, changing the password can render the encryption key inaccessible, requiring a recovery agent or certificate import.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The user's account was removed from the local Administrators group during the password change.
Why it's wrong here
Membership in the Administrators group is not required for EFS access; EFS permissions are based on the user's certificate, not group membership.
- ✗
The hard drive has a hardware failure that corrupted the encrypted files.
Why it's wrong here
While hardware failure could cause data loss, the scenario specifically links the issue to a password change, making an encryption key problem more likely than a sudden hardware fault.
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
Scenario analysis trap
While hardware failure could cause data loss, the scenario specifically links the issue to a password change, making an encryption key problem more likely than a sudden hardware fault.
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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Logical Security Concepts — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Logical Security Concepts — This question tests Logical Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The user did not back up their EFS certificate before changing the password. — EFS (Encrypting File System) ties file encryption to the user's password. When the password is changed without the proper certificate backup, the encryption key may become inaccessible. This question tests the understanding that EFS keys are protected by the user's password and require a backup certificate or recovery agent to avoid data loss after password changes.
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". 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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