The answer is to run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. This is the correct next step because SFC (System File Checker) relies on a healthy system image stored in the Windows component store; when SFC cannot repair files, it indicates corruption in that underlying image, and DISM directly repairs the component store itself, restoring the source files SFC needs to complete its work. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Windows recovery toolchain—a common trap is to re-run SFC repeatedly or attempt manual file replacement, which fails if the image is broken. The exam expects you to know that DISM must fix the source before SFC can fix the destination. A helpful memory tip is “DISM first, then SFC again”—think of DISM as repairing the library so SFC can check out clean books.
220-1102 Windows Administrative Tools Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows administrative tools. 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's Windows 10 PC is experiencing random freezes and application crashes. You suspect a corrupted system file. You run sfc /scannow but it reports that it cannot repair some files. What is the next best step to repair the system files using a DISM command?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) can repair the system image that sfc relies on. Running DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth fixes corruption in the component store, allowing sfc to then repair system files.
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.
✗
Run chkdsk /f
Why it's wrong here
chkdsk checks for file system errors, not system file corruption.
✓
Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Why this is correct
DISM /RestoreHealth repairs the system image, enabling sfc to function correctly afterward.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Run System Restore
Why it's wrong here
System Restore reverts system files to a previous state, but may not fix underlying image corruption.
✗
Run Windows Update
Why it's wrong here
Windows Update installs updates, but does not directly repair corrupted system files.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
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 Administrative Tools — This question tests Windows Administrative Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth — DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) can repair the system image that sfc relies on. Running DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth fixes corruption in the component store, allowing sfc to then repair system files.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A customer reports that their Windows 11 PC is experiencing intermittent application crashes and you suspect file corruption. You need to run a system file check without using the full Windows interface. Which administrative tool can you launch from the Run dialog to open a command prompt with the necessary permissions?
medium
A.Type 'cmd' in the Run dialog and press Enter
B.Type 'powershell' in the Run dialog and press Enter
✓ C.Type 'cmd' in the Run dialog and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter
D.Type 'msconfig' in the Run dialog and press Enter
Why C: Running 'cmd' from the Run dialog opens a standard command prompt, but to run SFC with full access, you need to run it as Administrator. The correct approach is to type 'cmd' in the Run box and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to launch as administrator, or use the Start menu. The question tests knowledge of how to access elevated command prompt. Other options like PowerShell or MSConfig are not the direct tool for this task.
Last reviewed: Jun 19, 2026
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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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