- A
Type 'cmd' in the Run dialog and press Enter
Why wrong: This opens a standard command prompt without administrator privileges, which may not allow SFC to repair all files.
- B
Type 'powershell' in the Run dialog and press Enter
Why wrong: PowerShell can run SFC, but the question asks for the specific tool to open a command prompt.
- C
Type 'cmd' in the Run dialog and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter
This launches an elevated command prompt with administrator privileges, required for SFC to repair system files.
- D
Type 'msconfig' in the Run dialog and press Enter
Why wrong: MSConfig is for system configuration, not for running command-line tools.
Question 104 of 750
220-1202 Windows Administrative Tools Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows administrative tools. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A customer reports that their Windows 11 PC is experiencing intermittent application crashes and you suspect file corruption. You need to run a system file check without using the full Windows interface. Which administrative tool can you launch from the Run dialog to open a command prompt with the necessary permissions?
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
✓
Type 'cmd' in the Run dialog and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter
Option C is correct because pressing Ctrl+Shift+Enter while typing 'cmd' in the Run dialog launches Command Prompt with administrator privileges, which is required to run the System File Checker (sfc /scannow) to repair file corruption. This bypasses the full Windows interface and provides the necessary elevated permissions.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Type 'cmd' in the Run dialog and press Enter
Why it's wrong here
This opens a standard command prompt without administrator privileges, which may not allow SFC to repair all files.
- ✗
Type 'powershell' in the Run dialog and press Enter
Why it's wrong here
PowerShell can run SFC, but the question asks for the specific tool to open a command prompt.
- ✓
Type 'cmd' in the Run dialog and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter
Why this is correct
This launches an elevated command prompt with administrator privileges, required for SFC to repair system files.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Type 'msconfig' in the Run dialog and press Enter
Why it's wrong here
MSConfig is for system configuration, not for running command-line tools.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between launching a tool with standard permissions versus elevated permissions, and the trap here is that candidates assume typing 'cmd' alone is sufficient, forgetting that administrative tasks like sfc require the Ctrl+Shift+Enter shortcut to run as administrator.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This opens a standard command prompt without administrator privileges, which may not allow SFC to repair all files.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The System File Checker (sfc) uses the Windows Resource Protection (WRP) mechanism to scan protected system files and replace corrupted versions from a cached copy located at %WinDir%\System32\dllcache. Running sfc /scannow requires elevation because it modifies the system partition; without administrator privileges, the command will fail with an error message stating 'You must be an administrator running a console session in order to use the sfc utility.'
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Windows Administrative Tools — This question tests Windows Administrative Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Type 'cmd' in the Run dialog and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter — Option C is correct because pressing Ctrl+Shift+Enter while typing 'cmd' in the Run dialog launches Command Prompt with administrator privileges, which is required to run the System File Checker (sfc /scannow) to repair file corruption. This bypasses the full Windows interface and provides the necessary elevated permissions.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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