- A
msiexec /i package.msi
Why wrong: Incorrect. msiexec installs Windows Installer packages, it does not run arbitrary scripts with elevated rights.
- B
wmic os get name
Why wrong: Incorrect. wmic retrieves WMI information, it does not execute scripts with administrative privileges.
- C
runas /user:Administrator script.bat
Correct. runas executes the script under the Administrator account, ensuring necessary permissions.
- D
schtasks /create
Why wrong: Incorrect. schtasks schedules tasks but does not directly run a script with immediate elevation.
Question 725 of 750
How to Execute a Script with Elevated Rights Using runas
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows command-line tools. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 technician needs to deploy a custom script to 50 Windows 10 workstations during an automated software installation. The script must run with administrative privileges. Which command-line tool should be used to execute the script with elevated rights from a batch file?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Quick Answer
The answer is the `runas` command, specifically `runas /user:Administrator script.bat`, because it allows you to execute a script with administrative privileges from a command line or batch file without needing to log in as the administrator. This tool works by launching the specified program under a different user account—typically the built-in Administrator—granting it the elevated rights required for system-level changes like deploying software across multiple workstations. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of command-line utilities for privilege escalation, often appearing in scenarios involving automated deployments or troubleshooting permission issues. A common trap is confusing `runas` with `msiexec` (which installs MSI packages) or `schtasks` (which schedules tasks), but remember that only `runas` directly elevates a single command’s context. Memory tip: think “run as admin” to recall that `runas` switches user identity for that one script run.
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
✓
runas /user:Administrator script.bat
Option C is correct because the `runas` command allows executing a script with administrative privileges by specifying the `/user:Administrator` parameter, which prompts for the administrator password and runs the script in a security context with elevated rights. This is the appropriate tool for running a custom script with administrative privileges from a batch file during an automated deployment.
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.
- ✗
msiexec /i package.msi
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. msiexec installs Windows Installer packages, it does not run arbitrary scripts with elevated rights.
- ✗
wmic os get name
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. wmic retrieves WMI information, it does not execute scripts with administrative privileges.
- ✓
runas /user:Administrator script.bat
Why this is correct
Correct. runas executes the script under the Administrator account, ensuring necessary permissions.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
schtasks /create
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. schtasks schedules tasks but does not directly run a script with immediate elevation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between tools that execute commands immediately with elevation (runas) versus tools that schedule tasks (schtasks) or install packages (msiexec), leading candidates to confuse scheduling with immediate execution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `runas` command leverages the Secondary Logon service to create a new process under a different user account, typically the built-in Administrator, which has full administrative rights. In real-world deployments, this is often used in conjunction with a batch file that first checks if the script is already running with elevation (e.g., via `net session` or `whoami /groups`) and then calls `runas` only if needed, avoiding unnecessary prompts. A subtle behavior is that `runas` does not inherit the current directory or environment variables by default, which can cause scripts to fail if they rely on relative paths or specific environment settings.
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 Command-Line Tools — This question tests Windows Command-Line Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: runas /user:Administrator script.bat — Option C is correct because the `runas` command allows executing a script with administrative privileges by specifying the `/user:Administrator` parameter, which prompts for the administrator password and runs the script in a security context with elevated rights. This is the appropriate tool for running a custom script with administrative privileges from a batch file during an automated deployment.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.
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