- A
The 'Screen saver timeout' policy is set to a longer duration
Why wrong: The 'Machine inactivity limit' policy overrides screensaver timeout; if it is set to 300 seconds, the lock should occur regardless of screensaver settings.
- B
The 'Password protect the screensaver' setting is disabled
Why wrong: This setting controls whether the screensaver requires a password, not whether it activates.
- C
The screensaver is not enabled or configured on the workstations
The 'Machine inactivity limit' policy locks the workstation but does not automatically start a screensaver; the screensaver must be enabled separately via Group Policy or local settings.
- D
The 'Turn off the display' power setting is set to 'Never'
Why wrong: Power settings control display off, not screensaver activation or lock behavior.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the screensaver is not enabled or configured on the workstations. The 'Interactive logon: Machine inactivity limit' policy only sets a timer to lock the workstation after the specified idle time, but it does not automatically enable or activate the screensaver itself. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this is a common trap: test-takers assume the policy controls the screensaver, when in fact the screensaver must be separately turned on in Personalization settings or via Group Policy. The policy will enforce the lock screen after 300 seconds, but without a screensaver enabled, the screen will simply go blank or show the lock screen directly. A useful memory tip is to think of the policy as the "lock trigger," not the "screen saver switch"—the screensaver is a separate feature that must be explicitly enabled to appear before the lock.
220-1102 Windows Security Settings Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows security settings. 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.
A company's security policy requires that all Windows 10 workstations automatically lock the screen after 5 minutes of inactivity. However, users in the sales department often leave their desks for extended periods. A technician configures the 'Interactive logon: Machine inactivity limit' policy to 300 seconds. Despite this, the screensaver does not activate. What is the most likely reason?
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 screensaver is not enabled or configured on the workstations
This question tests understanding of the relationship between the 'Interactive logon: Machine inactivity limit' policy and screensaver settings. The policy locks the workstation after the specified idle time, but it does not automatically enable the screensaver. The screensaver must be separately configured and enabled, or the lock screen will appear without a screensaver.
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 'Screen saver timeout' policy is set to a longer duration
Why it's wrong here
The 'Machine inactivity limit' policy overrides screensaver timeout; if it is set to 300 seconds, the lock should occur regardless of screensaver settings.
- ✗
The 'Password protect the screensaver' setting is disabled
Why it's wrong here
This setting controls whether the screensaver requires a password, not whether it activates.
- ✓
The screensaver is not enabled or configured on the workstations
Why this is correct
The 'Machine inactivity limit' policy locks the workstation but does not automatically start a screensaver; the screensaver must be enabled separately via Group Policy or local settings.
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 'Turn off the display' power setting is set to 'Never'
Why it's wrong here
Power settings control display off, not screensaver activation or lock behavior.
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.
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.
- →
Windows Security Settings — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Windows Security Settings practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 study guide
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220-1202 practice test guide
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Windows Security Settings — This question tests Windows Security Settings — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The screensaver is not enabled or configured on the workstations — This question tests understanding of the relationship between the 'Interactive logon: Machine inactivity limit' policy and screensaver settings. The policy locks the workstation after the specified idle time, but it does not automatically enable the screensaver. The screensaver must be separately configured and enabled, or the lock screen will appear without a screensaver.
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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