The answer is to enable BitLocker To Go on the USB drive. BitLocker To Go is the built-in Windows 10 Pro feature specifically designed to encrypt removable drives, using AES encryption to protect the entire volume and requiring a password, smart card, or recovery key for access. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your knowledge of Windows native security tools versus third-party software; a common trap is confusing full-disk BitLocker (for internal drives) with BitLocker To Go (for removable media). Remember that BitLocker To Go is the only built-in option for encrypting a USB flash drive on Windows 10 Pro, and it appears in performance-based or multiple-choice scenarios where a company policy mandates encryption before use. A helpful memory tip: think "To Go" as in "take it with you" for portable drives, while standard BitLocker stays on the internal system.
220-1102 PC Security Issue Remediation Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of pc security issue remediation. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 company's security policy mandates that all USB flash drives must be encrypted before use. A user inserts a new USB drive and wants to encrypt it on a Windows 10 Pro workstation. Which built-in tool should be used?
Use EFS (Encrypting File System) on the USB drive.
Why wrong: EFS encrypts files on NTFS volumes but is not designed for removable drives and may not work across different systems.
B
Enable BitLocker To Go on the USB drive.
BitLocker To Go is specifically for encrypting removable drives and is built into Windows Pro/Enterprise.
C
Format the drive as exFAT and set a password.
Why wrong: Formatting and setting a password does not provide encryption; the data can still be read without the password if the drive is connected to another system.
D
Use the cipher command to encrypt the drive.
Why wrong: The cipher command is used for EFS and can overwrite free space, but it does not encrypt entire removable drives like BitLocker To Go.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable BitLocker To Go on the USB drive.
BitLocker To Go is the built-in Windows 10 Pro feature specifically designed to encrypt removable drives such as USB flash drives. It uses AES encryption to protect the entire volume, and the drive can be accessed only with a password, smart card, or recovery key. This directly satisfies the company's mandate for encrypting USB drives before use.
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.
✗
Use EFS (Encrypting File System) on the USB drive.
Why it's wrong here
EFS encrypts files on NTFS volumes but is not designed for removable drives and may not work across different systems.
✓
Enable BitLocker To Go on the USB drive.
Why this is correct
BitLocker To Go is specifically for encrypting removable drives and is built into Windows Pro/Enterprise.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Format the drive as exFAT and set a password.
Why it's wrong here
Formatting and setting a password does not provide encryption; the data can still be read without the password if the drive is connected to another system.
✗
Use the cipher command to encrypt the drive.
Why it's wrong here
The cipher command is used for EFS and can overwrite free space, but it does not encrypt entire removable drives like BitLocker To Go.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between EFS (file-level encryption) and BitLocker (full-volume encryption), and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly choose EFS because they associate 'encryption' with file-level protection, not realizing that EFS cannot encrypt an entire removable drive and is not designed for USB flash drives.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The cipher command is used for EFS and can overwrite free space, but it does not encrypt entire removable drives like BitLocker To Go.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
BitLocker To Go uses AES encryption in XTS or CBC mode (configurable via Group Policy) and stores the encryption key in a hidden, protected area of the drive. When the drive is inserted, Windows prompts for the unlock method (password, smart card, or recovery key) before allowing any access. A subtle behavior is that BitLocker To Go requires the drive to be formatted with NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT, but the encryption process converts it to a BitLocker-protected volume that is readable on Windows 7 and later without additional software.
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.
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: Enable BitLocker To Go on the USB drive. — BitLocker To Go is the built-in Windows 10 Pro feature specifically designed to encrypt removable drives such as USB flash drives. It uses AES encryption to protect the entire volume, and the drive can be accessed only with a password, smart card, or recovery key. This directly satisfies the company's mandate for encrypting USB drives before use.
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.
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