- A
msiexec /i update.msi /passive
Why wrong: Shows a progress bar, not fully silent.
- B
msiexec /i update.msi /quiet /norestart
Installs silently and prevents automatic restart.
- C
msiexec /i update.msi /qb
Why wrong: Shows a basic UI with a progress bar.
- D
msiexec /i update.msi /l* log.txt
Why wrong: Creates a log file but does not suppress the installation UI.
Question 600 of 750
How to Silently Install an MSI Package Using msiexec /quiet /norestart
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 software update to 100 computers in a domain. The update requires administrative privileges. The technician wants to run the installer silently without user interaction. Which command-line syntax should be used?
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 `msiexec /i update.msi /quiet /norestart`. This command is correct because `/i` tells the Windows Installer to install the package, `/quiet` suppresses all user interface and error prompts, and `/norestart` prevents an automatic reboot after the installation completes, which is essential for a silent, unattended deployment across a domain. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to choose the right msiexec switches for a zero-interaction deployment scenario, where administrative privileges are already handled via Group Policy or a deployment tool. A common trap is confusing `/quiet` with `/passive` (which shows a progress bar) or `/qb` (which shows a basic UI), both of which violate the “silent” requirement. For a quick memory tip, remember the mnemonic “Quiet No Restart” — QNR — to recall that `/quiet` and `/norestart` are the pair that keep the installation completely invisible to the user.
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
✓
msiexec /i update.msi /quiet /norestart
Option B is correct because the `/quiet` switch suppresses all user interface and user interaction, which satisfies the requirement for silent installation. The `/norestart` switch prevents an automatic reboot after the installation, which is necessary when deploying to multiple computers without disrupting users. Together, these switches ensure the update runs with administrative privileges in a fully unattended manner.
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 update.msi /passive
Why it's wrong here
Shows a progress bar, not fully silent.
- ✓
msiexec /i update.msi /quiet /norestart
Why this is correct
Installs silently and prevents automatic restart.
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.
- ✗
msiexec /i update.msi /qb
Why it's wrong here
Shows a basic UI with a progress bar.
- ✗
msiexec /i update.msi /l* log.txt
Why it's wrong here
Creates a log file but does not suppress the installation UI.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ often tests the distinction between /passive (which still shows a progress bar) and /quiet (which is truly silent), leading candidates to choose /passive when the question explicitly requires no user interaction.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows a progress bar, not fully silent.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The msiexec.exe command uses Windows Installer (MSI) technology, where switches like `/quiet` set the UILevel property to 2 (INSTALLUILEVEL_NONE), suppressing all dialogs and error messages. In domain deployments, combining `/quiet` with `/norestart` is critical to avoid unexpected reboots that could interrupt user workflows, and administrators often pair this with `/log` for troubleshooting without exposing UI.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Windows Command-Line Tools — study guide chapter
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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: msiexec /i update.msi /quiet /norestart — Option B is correct because the `/quiet` switch suppresses all user interface and user interaction, which satisfies the requirement for silent installation. The `/norestart` switch prevents an automatic reboot after the installation, which is necessary when deploying to multiple computers without disrupting users. Together, these switches ensure the update runs with administrative privileges in a fully unattended manner.
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
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