- A
Windows Defender Firewall is blocking the installer.
Why wrong: The firewall blocks network traffic, not local software installation.
- B
User Account Control (UAC) is set to 'Always notify.'
UAC with 'Always notify' prompts for consent for any installation, even for local admins, and can block if not approved.
- C
BitLocker Drive Encryption is preventing write access.
Why wrong: BitLocker encrypts the drive but does not block software installation.
- D
The user's account is not part of the local Administrators group.
Why wrong: The scenario states the user has local administrator rights, so this is not the cause.
Question 745 of 750
220-1202 Windows Security Settings Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows security settings. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 user reports that after a recent Windows update, they can no longer install software on their company-issued laptop. When they try to run an installer, they get a message: 'Your system administrator has blocked this program.' The user has local administrator rights on the laptop. Which Windows security setting is most likely causing this issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
✓
User Account Control (UAC) is set to 'Always notify.'
User Account Control (UAC) with the 'Always notify' setting forces every installation attempt to prompt for administrator approval, even when the user has local admin rights. If the user clicks 'No' or the prompt is suppressed by Group Policy (e.g., via the 'User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin Approval Mode' policy set to 'Elevate without prompting' or 'Prompt for consent'), the installer is blocked with the 'Your system administrator has blocked this program' message. This occurs because UAC treats the installer as requiring elevation, and the policy prevents the user from approving it.
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.
- ✗
Windows Defender Firewall is blocking the installer.
Why it's wrong here
The firewall blocks network traffic, not local software installation.
- ✓
User Account Control (UAC) is set to 'Always notify.'
Why this is correct
UAC with 'Always notify' prompts for consent for any installation, even for local admins, and can block if not approved.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
BitLocker Drive Encryption is preventing write access.
Why it's wrong here
BitLocker encrypts the drive but does not block software installation.
- ✗
The user's account is not part of the local Administrators group.
Why it's wrong here
The scenario states the user has local administrator rights, so this is not the cause.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that local administrator rights bypass all security controls, but UAC's Admin Approval Mode can still block installations based on Group Policy settings, even for users in the Administrators group.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
The scenario states the user has local administrator rights, so this is not the cause.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, UAC uses a split-token architecture: even administrators run with standard user privileges by default, and elevation requires explicit consent via a Secure Desktop prompt. The 'Always notify' setting (UAC level 4) triggers a prompt for any change to Windows settings or software installation, and if the local Group Policy 'User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin Approval Mode' is set to 'Prompt for consent' or 'Prompt for credentials', the user must approve; if set to 'Deny all elevation requests', the installer is blocked outright. In a domain environment, this policy is often enforced via Active Directory, overriding local admin rights.
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 practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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.
- →
Windows Security Settings — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Windows Security Settings practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Windows Security Settings — This question tests Windows Security Settings — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: User Account Control (UAC) is set to 'Always notify.' — User Account Control (UAC) with the 'Always notify' setting forces every installation attempt to prompt for administrator approval, even when the user has local admin rights. If the user clicks 'No' or the prompt is suppressed by Group Policy (e.g., via the 'User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin Approval Mode' policy set to 'Elevate without prompting' or 'Prompt for consent'), the installer is blocked with the 'Your system administrator has blocked this program' message. This occurs because UAC treats the installer as requiring elevation, and the policy prevents the user from approving it.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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