easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
FC0-U71 A user is unable to open a .docx file Practice Question
A user is unable to open a .docx file. The user has the correct application installed. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse file corruption with environmental issues like disk space or network connectivity, but the question specifies the user has the correct application, so the problem must be with the file itself, not the system or network.
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
✓
The file is corrupted.
The .docx file is a compressed XML-based format used by Microsoft Word. Even with the correct application installed, if the file's internal structure is damaged (e.g., due to incomplete download, bad sectors, or software crash), the application cannot parse it and will fail to open. File corruption is the most direct cause of an application being unable to open a specific file when the application itself is functional.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The hard drive is full.
Why it's wrong here
A full hard drive would affect saving files, not opening them.
- ✗
The operating system is outdated.
Why it's wrong here
An outdated OS may cause compatibility issues but would not specifically prevent opening a .docx file if the application is installed.
- ✗
The network is down.
Why it's wrong here
Network connectivity is irrelevant for opening a local file.
- ✓
The file is corrupted.
Why this is correct
File corruption is a common cause of inability to open a document, even with the correct application.
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About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every FC0-U71 question from scratch — 988 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This FC0-U71 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 FC0-U71 exam.