The correct answer is to verify that the screen saver is enabled and set to 'On resume, display logon screen' with a 10-minute wait. This is because Windows uses the screen saver timeout as the native mechanism to enforce an automatic workstation lock after inactivity; when the screen saver activates and the logon screen is required on resume, the system effectively locks the workstation by demanding authentication. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding that the lock timeout is configured through the screen saver settings, not the power plan sleep timeout—a common trap where candidates mistakenly check sleep or hibernation settings. Remember that a screen saver with the “On resume” checkbox enabled is the default lock trigger in Windows, even on modern systems. A useful memory tip: think of the screen saver as the “lock guard”—it must be active and set to require a password to enforce the policy.
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 has a policy that all workstations must automatically lock after 10 minutes of inactivity. A user complains that their computer does not lock automatically. Which setting should you check and remediate?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Verify that the screen saver is enabled and set to 'On resume, display logon screen' with a 10-minute wait
Option B is correct because the automatic lock behavior in Windows is controlled by the screen saver settings. When 'On resume, display logon screen' is enabled with a 10-minute wait, the screen saver triggers after inactivity and locks the workstation by requiring authentication upon resume. This is the standard mechanism for enforcing a lock timeout, not the power plan sleep timeout.
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.
✗
Check the power plan settings for sleep timeout
Why it's wrong here
Sleep timeout turns off the display but does not lock the workstation; it may not meet the policy requirement.
✓
Verify that the screen saver is enabled and set to 'On resume, display logon screen' with a 10-minute wait
Why this is correct
This setting locks the workstation after the specified inactivity period, meeting the policy.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Ensure Windows Update is fully installed
Why it's wrong here
Updates do not affect screen lock behavior; the issue is configuration-related.
✗
Disable the Fast Startup feature
Why it's wrong here
Fast Startup affects boot times, not inactivity locking.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between sleep/screen saver/lock settings, and the trap here is that candidates confuse the power plan sleep timeout with the screen saver lock timeout, assuming sleep automatically locks the workstation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The screen saver lock mechanism relies on the Winlogon process and the GINA (Graphical Identification and Authentication) or Credential Provider to enforce the lock. When the screen saver timeout expires, the system calls LockWorkStation() via the screen saver executable, which switches the desktop to the secure logon screen (SAS). In a domain environment, Group Policy settings like 'Interactive logon: Machine inactivity limit' can override local screen saver settings, but the default consumer behavior uses the screen saver with password protection.
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: Verify that the screen saver is enabled and set to 'On resume, display logon screen' with a 10-minute wait — Option B is correct because the automatic lock behavior in Windows is controlled by the screen saver settings. When 'On resume, display logon screen' is enabled with a 10-minute wait, the screen saver triggers after inactivity and locks the workstation by requiring authentication upon resume. This is the standard mechanism for enforcing a lock timeout, not the power plan sleep timeout.
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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