- A
BitLocker Drive Encryption
Why wrong: BitLocker encrypts the entire drive to protect data at rest, but it does not block software installation due to permission issues.
- B
User Account Control (UAC)
UAC protects system integrity by prompting for elevated permissions, even for administrators, when changes affect protected areas like Program Files.
- C
Windows Defender Firewall
Why wrong: The firewall controls network traffic, not local file system permissions or installation rights.
- D
Group Policy Software Restrictions
Why wrong: Software Restrictions can block specific applications, but they do not typically cause permission-denied errors during installation of a legitimate app.
Question 396 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 a legacy application that requires write access to the Program Files folder. The user is a local administrator. What Windows security setting is most likely blocking the installation?
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)
User Account Control (UAC) is the Windows security feature that prompts for consent or credentials before allowing actions that require administrative privileges, even for local administrators. By default, UAC virtualizes write attempts to protected system locations like Program Files, redirecting them to a per-user virtual store, which can cause legacy applications that expect direct write access to fail. Disabling UAC or running the installer with explicit administrative rights (e.g., right-click 'Run as administrator') typically resolves the issue.
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.
- ✗
BitLocker Drive Encryption
Why it's wrong here
BitLocker encrypts the entire drive to protect data at rest, but it does not block software installation due to permission issues.
- ✓
User Account Control (UAC)
Why this is correct
UAC protects system integrity by prompting for elevated permissions, even for administrators, when changes affect protected areas like Program Files.
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.
- ✗
Windows Defender Firewall
Why it's wrong here
The firewall controls network traffic, not local file system permissions or installation rights.
- ✗
Group Policy Software Restrictions
Why it's wrong here
Software Restrictions can block specific applications, but they do not typically cause permission-denied errors during installation of a legitimate app.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that local administrators always run with full administrative privileges, but UAC's default behavior means even admins operate with a filtered token until they explicitly elevate, causing legacy installers to fail when they attempt to write to protected folders like Program Files.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, UAC uses a split-token architecture: even local administrators run with a filtered standard user token by default, and only elevate to a full administrator token when an application is launched with 'Run as administrator'. For legacy applications that attempt to write to Program Files without elevation, UAC's File and Registry Virtualization feature silently redirects writes to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore, which can cause the application to fail if it expects the data to persist in the original protected location. This behavior is controlled by the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\EnableVirtualization (default = 1).
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.
Visual reference
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
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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) — User Account Control (UAC) is the Windows security feature that prompts for consent or credentials before allowing actions that require administrative privileges, even for local administrators. By default, UAC virtualizes write attempts to protected system locations like Program Files, redirecting them to a per-user virtual store, which can cause legacy applications that expect direct write access to fail. Disabling UAC or running the installer with explicit administrative rights (e.g., right-click 'Run as administrator') typically resolves the issue.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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