FC0-U71 Applications and Software Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are types of desktop applications?
⚠ Common exam trap
FC0-U71 often tests the distinction between desktop applications and other software types like mobile apps, web apps, and server-side scripts, causing candidates to misclassify web-based tools as desktop apps.
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
✓
Web browser
A web browser (D) is a classic desktop application because it is installed locally on a workstation's operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) and runs as a native GUI process on that machine. A media player like VLC (E) is likewise a desktop application: it is installed locally and executes on the user's own computer to play audio/video files. By contrast, a mobile app from Google Play (A) is packaged for Android/iOS mobile platforms, not desktop operating systems. A server-side script (B) executes on a server (e.g., PHP, ASP.NET, Node.js) rather than on the user's desktop. A web-based email client (C) runs in the browser and is delivered from a remote web server, so it is a web application, not a desktop application.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Mobile app from Google Play
Why it's wrong here
A mobile app from Google Play is packaged for Android or iOS devices, not installed on a desktop operating system. It tempts because phones and tablets are end-user computing devices, but the deployment target differs; desktop applications are installed locally on Windows, macOS or Linux workstations.
- ✗
Server-side script
Why it's wrong here
A server-side script executes on a web or application server, generating responses before they reach the client, so it is not a desktop application type. It tempts because scripts can run locally during development, but the defining execution context is the server; desktop applications are installed and run on the user's own workstation.
- ✗
Web-based email client
Why it's wrong here
Web-based email runs in a browser and is delivered from a remote server, so it installs nothing locally and is not a desktop application. It is tempting because it performs the same email function as Outlook, and would qualify only if the question asked about cloud or web applications instead.
- ✓
Web browser
Why this is correct
A web browser qualifies as a desktop application because it installs locally and executes natively on the endpoint's operating system, rather than running solely within a remote server session. This satisfies the stem's requirement for locally installed desktop software, distinguishing it from purely cloud-hosted or web-delivered alternatives.
- ✓
Media player like VLC
Why this is correct
VLC installs and runs locally on the endpoint's operating system, decoding media through the machine's own hardware rather than a remote server. This local execution model defines it as a desktop application, satisfying the question's category.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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