- A
Check if Secure Boot is enabled in UEFI.
Why wrong: Secure Boot checks boot loaders, not driver installation during runtime.
- B
Verify that User Account Control is set to 'Notify me only when apps try to make changes.'
Why wrong: UAC controls app permissions, not driver signature verification.
- C
Disable Driver Signature Enforcement temporarily.
This allows unsigned drivers to load, which can resolve the blue screen if the driver is the cause.
- D
Run Windows Update to find a signed driver.
Why wrong: While updating may help, the immediate issue is the driver being blocked; disabling enforcement is a quicker troubleshooting step.
Question 363 of 750
How to Fix 'Driver IRQL Not Less or Equal' Error When Connecting an External Hard Drive
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows security settings. 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 user reports that their Windows 10 laptop shows a blue screen with an error message about 'Driver IRQL not less or equal' after connecting a new external hard drive. They need to use the drive for work. Which security setting should you check to ensure driver installation is not blocked?
Quick Answer
The answer is to temporarily disable Driver Signature Enforcement. This is the correct security setting because Windows 10 blocks unsigned drivers by default to prevent malware or unstable code from loading into the kernel, and when a new external hard drive requires a driver that lacks a valid digital signature, the system throws the "Driver IRQL not less or equal" blue screen error. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Windows security features and driver troubleshooting, often appearing as a trap where candidates might mistakenly check antivirus or User Account Control instead. Remember that Driver Signature Enforcement is a kernel-level security measure, not a simple permission setting. A useful memory tip is "Unsigned driver, blue screen survivor" — think of temporarily disabling signature enforcement as a diagnostic override, not a permanent fix, and always re-enable it after testing to maintain system integrity.
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
✓
Disable Driver Signature Enforcement temporarily.
The 'Driver IRQL not less or equal' blue screen error typically indicates a faulty or unsigned driver. Disabling Driver Signature Enforcement (Option C) allows the installation of an unsigned driver, which is often necessary for older or third-party hardware like an external hard drive. This directly addresses the driver installation being blocked by Windows' driver signature requirements.
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.
- ✗
Check if Secure Boot is enabled in UEFI.
Why it's wrong here
Secure Boot checks boot loaders, not driver installation during runtime.
- ✗
Verify that User Account Control is set to 'Notify me only when apps try to make changes.'
Why it's wrong here
UAC controls app permissions, not driver signature verification.
- ✓
Disable Driver Signature Enforcement temporarily.
Why this is correct
This allows unsigned drivers to load, which can resolve the blue screen if the driver is the cause.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Run Windows Update to find a signed driver.
Why it's wrong here
While updating may help, the immediate issue is the driver being blocked; disabling enforcement is a quicker troubleshooting step.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ often tests the confusion between Secure Boot and Driver Signature Enforcement, as both involve driver integrity but operate at different stages (boot-time vs. runtime) and serve distinct purposes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Driver Signature Enforcement is a Windows security feature that prevents loading of kernel-mode drivers without a valid digital signature from a trusted certificate authority. When disabled via the 'Disable Driver Signature Enforcement' option in the Advanced Startup Options menu, Windows allows unsigned drivers to load, which can resolve IRQL-related crashes caused by incompatible or untested drivers. In a real-world scenario, this is often used for legacy hardware or development drivers that haven't undergone Microsoft's signing process.
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
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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: Disable Driver Signature Enforcement temporarily. — The 'Driver IRQL not less or equal' blue screen error typically indicates a faulty or unsigned driver. Disabling Driver Signature Enforcement (Option C) allows the installation of an unsigned driver, which is often necessary for older or third-party hardware like an external hard drive. This directly addresses the driver installation being blocked by Windows' driver signature requirements.
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.
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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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