The answer is Event Viewer, as it is the administrative tool that provides a comprehensive timeline of user activity on a Windows 10 system by logging security and application events. Event Viewer captures critical data such as user logons, logoffs, and application starts within the Security and Application logs, making it the go-to utility for reconstructing a sequence of actions during an incident. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between system-level monitoring tools and browser-specific history; a common trap is assuming Task Manager or Resource Monitor can track past activity, but they only show real-time data. Remember that while Event Viewer excels at system events, it does not log detailed web browsing history—that requires separate browser logs or third-party tools. A helpful memory tip: think of Event Viewer as the “security camera” for Windows logs, capturing who did what and when, but not what they clicked on the web.
220-1102 Windows Administrative Tools Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows administrative tools. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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 security incident has occurred: an employee's workstation was used to access unauthorized websites. The manager wants to review recent web browsing history and application usage. Which administrative tool can provide a comprehensive timeline of user activity on the Windows 10 system?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Event Viewer to examine Security and Application logs for user activity.
Event Viewer, specifically the Windows logs (Application, Security, System), can track user logons, application starts, and other events. However, for detailed browsing history, third-party tools or browser history are needed. Among the given options, Event Viewer is the most appropriate for system-level activity. The other tools do not track user activity in this way.
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.
✗
Performance Monitor to create a trace of user actions.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Performance Monitor tracks system performance, not user activity like web browsing.
✗
Task Scheduler to view past task executions.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Task Scheduler shows only scheduled tasks, not general user activity.
✓
Event Viewer to examine Security and Application logs for user activity.
Why this is correct
Correct. Event Viewer logs security events (logons) and application events, which can help reconstruct user activity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Local Users and Groups to check user group memberships.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This tool manages user accounts and groups, not activity logs.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect. Task Scheduler shows only scheduled tasks, not general user activity.
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: Event Viewer to examine Security and Application logs for user activity. — Event Viewer, specifically the Windows logs (Application, Security, System), can track user logons, application starts, and other events. However, for detailed browsing history, third-party tools or browser history are needed. Among the given options, Event Viewer is the most appropriate for system-level activity. The other tools do not track user activity in this way.
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.
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 security incident occurred where an unauthorized user gained access to a workstation. The security team needs to review detailed logs of all user logon attempts, including successful and failed logins, for the past 48 hours. Which administrative tool and specific log should you access to provide this information?
hard
A.Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System
✓ B.Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Security
C.Event Viewer > Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > TerminalServices-LocalSessionManager
D.Computer Management > System Tools > Shared Folders > Sessions
Why B: Event Viewer's Windows Logs > Security log records all security-related events, including logon attempts (success and failure). This is the standard location for auditing user activity. Other logs like System or Application do not focus on authentication events.
Last reviewed: Jun 19, 2026
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