easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
FC0-U71 Practice Question: That when they try to open a PDF file attached to…
A user reports that when they try to open a PDF file attached to an email, nothing happens. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse 'nothing happens' with a network issue or antivirus blocking, but the key is that the file is already present locally and the problem is the lack of an application to interpret the file format.
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
✓
There is no software installed that can open PDF files.
If no software is installed that can handle PDF files, the operating system has no default handler to open the file. When a user clicks on a PDF attachment in an email client, the system attempts to launch the associated application (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader, a web browser with PDF support). If no such application is present, nothing happens—the file simply does not open, and no error message may appear depending on the email client's configuration.
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 file permissions are set to read-only.
Why it's wrong here
Read-only permissions allow opening the file, not prevent it.
- ✗
The antivirus software has quarantined the file.
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus software would typically display a notification if it quarantines a file.
- ✓
There is no software installed that can open PDF files.
Why this is correct
A PDF viewer (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader) is required to open PDF files. If none is installed, the file won't open.
- ✗
The network connection is down.
Why it's wrong here
Network connectivity is not required to open a file that is already saved locally.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 988 original FC0-U71 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. 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.