- A
Run chkdsk /f
Why wrong: chkdsk checks for file system errors, not system file corruption.
- B
Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
DISM /RestoreHealth repairs the system image, enabling sfc to function correctly afterward.
- C
Run System Restore
Why wrong: System Restore reverts system files to a previous state, but may not fix underlying image corruption.
- D
Run Windows Update
Why wrong: Windows Update installs updates, but does not directly repair corrupted system files.
Question 84 of 750
How to Repair System Files Using DISM After SFC /scannow
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows administrative tools. 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's Windows 10 PC is experiencing random freezes and application crashes. You suspect a corrupted system file. You run sfc /scannow but it reports that it cannot repair some files. What is the next best step to repair the system files using a DISM command?
Quick Answer
The answer is to run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. This is the correct next step because SFC (System File Checker) relies on a healthy system image stored in the Windows component store; when SFC cannot repair files, it indicates corruption in that underlying image, and DISM directly repairs the component store itself, restoring the source files SFC needs to complete its work. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Windows recovery toolchain—a common trap is to re-run SFC repeatedly or attempt manual file replacement, which fails if the image is broken. The exam expects you to know that DISM must fix the source before SFC can fix the destination. A helpful memory tip is “DISM first, then SFC again”—think of DISM as repairing the library so SFC can check out clean books.
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
✓
Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
The correct next step is to run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth because SFC (System File Checker) relies on a healthy component store (WinSxS) to replace corrupted files. When SFC cannot repair files, it indicates the component store itself may be damaged. DISM repairs the component store by using Windows Update as the source, or a specified repair source, thereby enabling SFC to succeed on a subsequent scan.
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.
- ✗
Run chkdsk /f
Why it's wrong here
chkdsk checks for file system errors, not system file corruption.
- ✓
Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Why this is correct
DISM /RestoreHealth repairs the system image, enabling sfc to function correctly afterward.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Run System Restore
Why it's wrong here
System Restore reverts system files to a previous state, but may not fix underlying image corruption.
- ✗
Run Windows Update
Why it's wrong here
Windows Update installs updates, but does not directly repair corrupted system files.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume SFC is the ultimate repair tool and overlook that DISM must fix the underlying component store first, leading them to choose chkdsk or System Restore as a quick fix.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth uses the Component-Based Servicing (CBS) infrastructure to scan the WinSxS manifest and replace corrupted payload files. By default, it contacts Windows Update to fetch healthy file versions, but in offline or restricted environments, you can specify a side-by-side source using /Source with a mounted ISO or network share. A real-world scenario where this matters is when SFC repeatedly fails after a failed cumulative update, and DISM repair is the only way to restore the component store without a full OS reinstall.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Windows Administrative Tools — This question tests Windows Administrative Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth — The correct next step is to run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth because SFC (System File Checker) relies on a healthy component store (WinSxS) to replace corrupted files. When SFC cannot repair files, it indicates the component store itself may be damaged. DISM repairs the component store by using Windows Update as the source, or a specified repair source, thereby enabling SFC to succeed on a subsequent scan.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1202
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A customer reports that their Windows 11 PC is experiencing intermittent application crashes and you suspect file corruption. You need to run a system file check without using the full Windows interface. Which administrative tool can you launch from the Run dialog to open a command prompt with the necessary permissions?
medium- A.Type 'cmd' in the Run dialog and press Enter
- B.Type 'powershell' in the Run dialog and press Enter
- ✓ C.Type 'cmd' in the Run dialog and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter
- D.Type 'msconfig' in the Run dialog and press Enter
Why C: Option C is correct because pressing Ctrl+Shift+Enter while typing 'cmd' in the Run dialog launches Command Prompt with administrator privileges, which is required to run the System File Checker (sfc /scannow) to repair file corruption. This bypasses the full Windows interface and provides the necessary elevated permissions.
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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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