The answer is the PowerShell execution policy, which is the scripting concept most likely causing the 'file not found' error. This policy controls whether scripts can run on a system, and even if a script worked yesterday, a Group Policy update or security change can reset it to 'Restricted' or 'AllSigned' without the user's knowledge. Since the script is stored on a network share, the execution policy may block scripts from remote locations, such as under 'RemoteSigned', which requires a trusted publisher for downloaded scripts, effectively preventing execution and producing the misleading 'file not found' error. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that execution policies are a security feature, not a file system issue—a common trap is assuming the file is missing or corrupted. Memory tip: think "Policy blocks, not file locks"—the script exists, but the policy says no.
220-1102 Scripting Basics Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of scripting basics. 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 help desk agent receives a call from a user who receives a 'file not found' error when running a PowerShell script that was working yesterday. The user says they didn't change anything. The script is stored on a network share. Which scripting concept is most likely causing the 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.
Correct. Execution policy settings can block scripts from running, and a change in policy would cause a 'file not found' error if the script is not digitally signed or the policy was set to Restricted.
B
File permissions
Why wrong: Incorrect. File permissions would cause an 'access denied' error, not 'file not found'. The user can still see the file.
C
Script syntax error
Why wrong: Incorrect. A syntax error would produce a different error message, not 'file not found'. The script ran yesterday, so the syntax is likely fine.
D
Network connectivity
Why wrong: Incorrect. Network issues would cause a 'network path not found' error or similar, not a 'file not found' error for a script that is accessible.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Execution policy
The most likely cause is the PowerShell execution policy, which controls whether scripts can run on a system. Even though the script worked yesterday, a Group Policy update, a system reboot, or a security change could have reset or tightened the execution policy to 'Restricted' or 'AllSigned' without the user's knowledge. Since the script is on a network share, the execution policy may also block scripts from remote locations (e.g., 'RemoteSigned' requires a trusted publisher for downloaded scripts), causing the 'file not found' error when PowerShell cannot execute the script due to policy restrictions.
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.
✓
Execution policy
Why this is correct
Correct. Execution policy settings can block scripts from running, and a change in policy would cause a 'file not found' error if the script is not digitally signed or the policy was set to Restricted.
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.
✗
File permissions
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. File permissions would cause an 'access denied' error, not 'file not found'. The user can still see the file.
✗
Script syntax error
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. A syntax error would produce a different error message, not 'file not found'. The script ran yesterday, so the syntax is likely fine.
✗
Network connectivity
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Network issues would cause a 'network path not found' error or similar, not a 'file not found' error for a script that is accessible.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that a 'file not found' error always means the file is missing or permissions are wrong, but in PowerShell, the execution policy can cause this error when the script exists but is blocked from running, especially from a network share.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
Incorrect. Network issues would cause a 'network path not found' error or similar, not a 'file not found' error for a script that is accessible.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
PowerShell execution policies are enforced at multiple levels (MachinePolicy, UserPolicy, Process, CurrentUser, LocalMachine) via Group Policy or registry keys (e.g., HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PowerShell\1\ShellIds\Microsoft.PowerShell). The 'file not found' error can occur when the execution policy is set to 'Restricted' (blocks all scripts) or 'AllSigned' (requires a digital signature for scripts from the internet or intranet), and PowerShell treats the network share as an 'UncFile' source, triggering a policy check that fails silently or returns a misleading error. A common real-world scenario is when a domain-wide Group Policy Object (GPO) updates the execution policy overnight, breaking scripts that previously ran under a less restrictive policy.
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.
Scripting Basics — This question tests Scripting Basics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Execution policy — The most likely cause is the PowerShell execution policy, which controls whether scripts can run on a system. Even though the script worked yesterday, a Group Policy update, a system reboot, or a security change could have reset or tightened the execution policy to 'Restricted' or 'AllSigned' without the user's knowledge. Since the script is on a network share, the execution policy may also block scripts from remote locations (e.g., 'RemoteSigned' requires a trusted publisher for downloaded scripts), causing the 'file not found' error when PowerShell cannot execute the script due to policy restrictions.
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.
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.
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