The answer is to boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the printer driver. This is correct because Safe Mode loads only the essential drivers and services required for Windows to run, bypassing third-party drivers like the faulty printer driver that is causing the blue screen when printing. By isolating the problem driver in this minimal environment, you can safely remove it without the system crashing, restoring normal functionality without affecting user data. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Safe Mode as a targeted troubleshooting tool for driver conflicts, a common trap being to attempt a system restore or reset, which could alter user settings. A helpful memory tip is “Safe Mode strips the load, so faulty drivers can’t explode.”
220-1102 Windows OS Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows os troubleshooting. 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.
After installing a new printer driver, a user's Windows 11 computer crashes with a blue screen error every time they try to print. The computer works fine otherwise. Which boot option should be used to restore functionality without affecting user data?
Boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the printer driver.
Safe Mode loads minimal drivers, allowing the technician to remove the faulty driver without the crash occurring.
B
Use Last Known Good Configuration to revert driver changes.
Why wrong: Last Known Good Configuration is available only for registry and driver changes that prevented boot, but it may not be effective if the system boots but crashes later.
C
Run System Restore from the recovery environment.
Why wrong: System Restore could work, but Safe Mode is quicker and more targeted for driver issues.
D
Perform a clean installation of Windows 11.
Why wrong: Clean installation is excessive and destructive; it should only be used when other recovery options fail.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the printer driver.
The problem is caused by a faulty driver, and the safest way to recover is to boot into Safe Mode, which loads only essential drivers. From Safe Mode, the technician can uninstall the problematic printer driver. This tests understanding of Safe Mode as a troubleshooting environment for driver conflicts.
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.
✓
Boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the printer driver.
Why this is correct
Safe Mode loads minimal drivers, allowing the technician to remove the faulty driver without the crash occurring.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use Last Known Good Configuration to revert driver changes.
Why it's wrong here
Last Known Good Configuration is available only for registry and driver changes that prevented boot, but it may not be effective if the system boots but crashes later.
✗
Run System Restore from the recovery environment.
Why it's wrong here
System Restore could work, but Safe Mode is quicker and more targeted for driver issues.
✗
Perform a clean installation of Windows 11.
Why it's wrong here
Clean installation is excessive and destructive; it should only be used when other recovery options fail.
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 OS Troubleshooting — This question tests Windows OS Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the printer driver. — The problem is caused by a faulty driver, and the safest way to recover is to boot into Safe Mode, which loads only essential drivers. From Safe Mode, the technician can uninstall the problematic printer driver. This tests understanding of Safe Mode as a troubleshooting environment for driver conflicts.
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.
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Question Discussion
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