220-1102 Operating Systems Practice Question
A technician is setting up a Windows 10 laptop for a new employee who will work both in the office and remotely. The technician wants to enable the user to sync their desktop, documents, and settings across multiple devices. Which type of user account should be configured?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse a Microsoft account with a domain account (Microsoft Entra ID or on-premises Active Directory), but the question specifically asks for syncing across multiple devices, which requires a Microsoft account's cloud sync capabilities, not just centralized authentication.
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
✓
B. Microsoft account
A Microsoft account is required to sync desktop, documents, and settings across multiple Windows 10 devices using the built-in Sync Your Settings feature, which leverages OneDrive and Microsoft's cloud infrastructure. This account type links the user's profile to Microsoft servers, enabling roaming profiles and consistent personalization across devices. A local account cannot sync settings because it is device-specific and lacks cloud connectivity.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A. Local account
Why it's wrong here
A local account is a traditional Windows profile that exists only on the physical hardware of that specific laptop. Because the profile and its settings are stored in the local Security Accounts Manager database, nothing is uploaded to the cloud or synchronized with another machine. This means desktop wallpapers, browser favorites, and application preferences stay on that single device unless manually copied, making it a poor choice for an employee who moves between different computers.
- ✓
B. Microsoft account
Why this is correct
A Microsoft account is a cloud-based identity that links the user's Windows device to online services such as OneDrive, Outlook, and the Microsoft Store. When a user signs in with the same Microsoft account on multiple Windows 10 machines, the OS automatically syncs selected settings like theme, language preferences, saved passwords, and even some app settings through Microsoft's servers. This provides a seamless, consistent experience across locations, which is exactly what a new employee working from various places needs without extra configuration.
- ✗
C. Domain account
Why it's wrong here
A domain account is a network-level identity stored in Active Directory and used for centralized authentication and policy management within a corporate domain. While a domain account can access shared resources and have Group Policy applied, the default configuration does not synchronize personal desktop settings, wallpaper, or application data across different devices. Roaming profiles and folder redirection could be set up administratively, but that is an extra, non-default step and does not provide the same automatic cloud-based sync as a Microsoft account.
- ✗
D. Guest account
Why it's wrong here
A guest account is a special, disabled-by-default local user account designed for transient access and minimal privilege. Any changes made in a guest session, including settings, files, and desktop personalization, are erased when the guest logs off because the profile is created fresh each time. It lacks the ability to sync data or preferences to other devices, and it is not intended for ongoing, personalized work, making it wholly unsuitable for a regular employee.
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Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
Key term
OneDrive
OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage service that lets you store, sync, and share files online across devices.
Key term
Windows 10
Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft that combines the familiarity of Windows 7 with the modern features of Windows 8, designed to run on a wide range of devices from desktops to tablets.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1102 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 220-1102 exam.