Question 192 of 750

Windows Security Settings →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

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 their Windows 10 computer is displaying a message that 'Windows Defender Antivirus is turned off' even though they have not disabled it. They have also noticed that they cannot open the Windows Security app. What is the most likely cause?

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.

A
Windows Defender is disabled via Group Policy
Why wrong: Group Policy could disable it, but the inability to open the app suggests active interference, not policy.
B
The computer is infected with malware
Malware often disables security software and blocks access to security tools to prevent removal.
C
Windows needs a critical update
Why wrong: Updates might cause temporary issues but not disable the app completely.
D
User Account Control is blocking the app
Why wrong: UAC would prompt for elevation, not prevent the app from opening entirely.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

The computer is infected with malware

When a user sees 'Windows Defender Antivirus is turned off' and cannot open the Windows Security app, the most likely cause is malware that has disabled the antivirus and blocked access to security settings to prevent removal. Malware often modifies registry keys or terminates Windows Defender services (e.g., WinDefend) to evade detection, and it may also corrupt or block the Windows Security Center UI (SecurityHealthService.exe). This is a common symptom of ransomware or trojans that specifically target Windows Defender.

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 is disabled via Group Policy
Why it's wrong here
Group Policy could disable it, but the inability to open the app suggests active interference, not policy.
✓
The computer is infected with malware
Why this is correct
Malware often disables security software and blocks access to security tools to prevent removal.
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 needs a critical update
Why it's wrong here
Updates might cause temporary issues but not disable the app completely.
✗
User Account Control is blocking the app
Why it's wrong here
UAC would prompt for elevation, not prevent the app from opening entirely.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Candidates may incorrectly attribute this to Group Policy (Option A) because the symptom resembles a managed environment, but malware can achieve the same effect locally. The inability to open the Windows Security app is a key differentiator that points to infection rather than policy.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Malware often uses techniques like disabling the WinDefend service via sc config or modifying the registry key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\DisableAntiSpyware to 1, which mimics a Group Policy setting. Additionally, some malware hooks the Windows Security Center API (WSC) to report a false status or kills the SecurityHealthService.exe process, preventing the UI from loading. In real-world scenarios, this is a hallmark of 'fake antivirus' or ransomware that wants to ensure no remediation tools can run.

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.

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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: The computer is infected with malware — When a user sees 'Windows Defender Antivirus is turned off' and cannot open the Windows Security app, the most likely cause is malware that has disabled the antivirus and blocked access to security settings to prevent removal. Malware often modifies registry keys or terminates Windows Defender services (e.g., WinDefend) to evade detection, and it may also corrupt or block the Windows Security Center UI (SecurityHealthService.exe). This is a common symptom of ransomware or trojans that specifically target Windows Defender.

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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