- A
net use
Why wrong: net use manages network connections but does not refresh group policy.
- B
gpresult
Why wrong: gpresult displays the resulting policy settings but does not apply changes.
- C
gpupdate /force
This command forces an immediate policy refresh, applying the new drive mappings without reboot.
- D
nslookup
Why wrong: nslookup queries DNS servers, unrelated to group policy.
Question 531 of 750
Using Gpupdate to Force Group Policy Update Remotely
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows command-line tools. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
After deploying a group policy update, several users report that their mapped network drives are missing. You need to force an immediate refresh of group policy settings on a remote workstation without rebooting. Which command should you run?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Quick Answer
The answer is `gpupdate /force`. This command forces an immediate refresh of all group policy settings, including mapped network drives, without requiring a reboot, making it the correct tool when users report missing drive maps after a policy deployment. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to apply policy changes remotely and efficiently, often appearing in troubleshooting scenarios where a full restart is impractical. A common trap is confusing `gpupdate` with `gpresult` (which only displays applied policies) or `net use` (which manages drive connections manually). Remember the memory tip: “Force the policy, not the reboot” — `gpupdate /force` applies changes immediately, while omitting `/force` only refreshes non-security settings.
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
✓
gpupdate /force
The `gpupdate /force` command is correct because it forces an immediate background refresh of all Group Policy settings, including drive maps, on a remote workstation without requiring a reboot. The `/force` switch re-applies all policies, even if they have not changed, which is necessary when users report missing mapped drives after a policy update.
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.
- ✗
net use
Why it's wrong here
net use manages network connections but does not refresh group policy.
- ✗
gpresult
Why it's wrong here
gpresult displays the resulting policy settings but does not apply changes.
- ✓
gpupdate /force
Why this is correct
This command forces an immediate policy refresh, applying the new drive mappings without reboot.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
nslookup
Why it's wrong here
nslookup queries DNS servers, unrelated to group policy.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse `gpupdate` with `gpresult`, thinking that viewing policy results will also apply the changes, but `gpresult` only displays the current applied policy state without initiating a refresh.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Group Policy is processed in the background at a random interval (typically 90–120 minutes) by the `gpsvc` service. The `gpupdate /force` command triggers an immediate synchronous or asynchronous policy refresh by writing a special registry key (`HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy\State\Machine\Extension-List`) that forces the client-side extensions to reapply all settings, including drive maps defined in Group Policy Preferences. In a domain environment, this command can be run remotely via `psexec` or PowerShell `Invoke-GPUpdate`.
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 Command-Line Tools — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Windows Command-Line Tools — This question tests Windows Command-Line Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: gpupdate /force — The `gpupdate /force` command is correct because it forces an immediate background refresh of all Group Policy settings, including drive maps, on a remote workstation without requiring a reboot. The `/force` switch re-applies all policies, even if they have not changed, which is necessary when users report missing mapped drives after a policy update.
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: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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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