- A
Enable Windows Defender Real-time Protection
Real-time protection monitors file activity, including when a USB drive is inserted, and automatically scans for malware.
- B
Configure BitLocker To Go
Why wrong: BitLocker To Go encrypts removable drives but does not scan them for malware.
- C
Enable Windows Firewall
Why wrong: The firewall controls network access, not local device scanning.
- D
Set User Account Control to Always Notify
Why wrong: UAC controls elevation prompts, not antivirus scanning of removable media.
Question 62 of 750
How to Enable Automatic Malware Scanning on USB Drives in Windows 10
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows security settings. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 company policy requires that all USB flash drives be automatically scanned for malware when inserted. Which Windows security setting should be configured to enforce this?
Quick Answer
The answer is to enable Windows Defender Real-time Protection. This setting ensures that Windows Defender Antivirus automatically scans removable drives, including USB flash drives, the moment they are inserted, providing continuous malware detection without requiring any manual user action. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this concept tests your understanding of Windows security features and group policy configurations, often appearing in scenario-based questions about enforcing company security policies. A common trap is confusing Real-time Protection with a one-time scan or assuming that simply enabling Windows Defender is enough—Real-time Protection must be specifically active for automatic scanning of removable media. Remember the memory tip: “Real-time means right when it’s inserted,” so if the policy demands automatic scanning upon insertion, Real-time Protection is the key setting to configure.
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
✓
Enable Windows Defender Real-time Protection
Windows Defender Real-time Protection (now part of Microsoft Defender Antivirus) automatically scans removable media, including USB flash drives, for malware upon insertion. This setting enforces the company policy by ensuring that any file accessed or executed from the drive is checked against known threat signatures in real time, without requiring manual scans.
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.
- ✓
Enable Windows Defender Real-time Protection
Why this is correct
Real-time protection monitors file activity, including when a USB drive is inserted, and automatically scans for malware.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure BitLocker To Go
Why it's wrong here
BitLocker To Go encrypts removable drives but does not scan them for malware.
- ✗
Enable Windows Firewall
Why it's wrong here
The firewall controls network access, not local device scanning.
- ✗
Set User Account Control to Always Notify
Why it's wrong here
UAC controls elevation prompts, not antivirus scanning of removable media.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse encryption (BitLocker To Go) with malware scanning, or assume that network firewalls or UAC can protect against threats introduced via removable media, when only real-time antimalware scanning directly addresses the policy requirement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Windows Defender Real-time Protection uses a kernel-mode filter driver (e.g., WdFilter.sys) that intercepts file I/O operations on all volumes, including removable drives. When a USB is inserted, the driver triggers a scan of the drive's file system using the antimalware engine (MpEngine.dll), which checks files against signature databases and heuristic rules. In enterprise environments, this behavior can be further enforced via Group Policy (e.g., 'Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus' set to Disabled) to prevent users from disabling real-time protection.
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: Enable Windows Defender Real-time Protection — Windows Defender Real-time Protection (now part of Microsoft Defender Antivirus) automatically scans removable media, including USB flash drives, for malware upon insertion. This setting enforces the company policy by ensuring that any file accessed or executed from the drive is checked against known threat signatures in real time, without requiring manual scans.
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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