220-1102 Operating Systems Practice Question
Which Windows 10 feature allows a user to run a program with different permissions than the current user?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between the feature that enables elevation ('Run as administrator') and the security prompt that mediates it (UAC), causing candidates to mistakenly select User Account Control because they associate it with permission changes, even though it is only the consent mechanism, not the actual permission-switching feature.
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
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Run as administrator
The 'Run as administrator' feature in Windows 10 allows a user to execute a program with elevated permissions (a full administrator access token) even if the current user is running with a standard user token or a filtered administrator token. This is achieved by creating a new process with a high-integrity level, bypassing the user's current permission context. It is the direct mechanism for running a program with different permissions than the current user.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Task Manager
Why it's wrong here
Task Manager is a process management utility that lets users monitor, start, or terminate applications and services. While its 'Run new task' dialog includes a checkbox to create a task with administrative privileges, this simply triggers the standard UAC elevation prompt and does not directly modify the security context of an already-running program. Its core purpose is process and performance management, not permission escalation.
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Event Viewer
Why it's wrong here
Event Viewer is a Microsoft Management Console snap-in that displays application, security, and system logs generated by Windows and installed software. It is designed for diagnostics, auditing, and troubleshooting by analyzing event IDs and error details, but it has no mechanism to alter or elevate the security token of an executable. Therefore, it cannot be used to launch a program with administrative rights.
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Run as administrator
Why this is correct
Run as administrator is the Windows 10 context-menu action, typically used by right-clicking an executable or shortcut, that launches the program with an elevated access token. When selected, it triggers a User Account Control (UAC) prompt, and if approved, the process receives the full administrator privileges of the logged-on user, subject to the system's integrity-level checks. This allows the program to access protected resources, but it requires the user account to have the necessary rights or credentials.
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User Account Control
Why it's wrong here
User Account Control is the Windows security mechanism that enforces the principle of least privilege by separating standard user and administrator access tokens. When a program requests elevation, UAC displays a consent prompt (for administrators) or a credential prompt (for standard users), and if approved, it creates an elevated token for the process. However, UAC does not actively 'run' a program; it merely mediates and approves elevation requests initiated by actions like 'Run as administrator.' Therefore, while essential to elevation, it is not the feature the user selects to run a program with elevated privileges.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
User Account Control (UAC)
Key term
Windows
Windows is a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft that manages computer hardware and software, providing a graphical user interface for users to interact with their devices.
Key term
Integrity
Integrity is the assurance that data has not been altered or tampered with in an unauthorized way, preserving its accuracy and consistency from source to destination.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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