Question 440 of 750

Windows Security Settings →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

NTFS Permissions vs Share Permissions: Troubleshooting Access Denied

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 they cannot access a shared folder on the network, but other users can. The folder is on a Windows 10 Pro workstation. What should you check first to resolve this issue?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.

A
Check the Windows Defender Firewall settings
Why wrong: Firewall affects all users, not a specific one; other users can access, so firewall is likely not the issue.
B
Check the NTFS permissions on the folder
NTFS permissions can explicitly deny a user, causing access issues for that individual.
C
Check the user’s password expiration status
Why wrong: Password issues would affect logon, not folder access after authentication.
D
Check the User Account Control settings
Why wrong: UAC does not control network share access.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is to check the NTFS permissions on the folder first. This is correct because NTFS permissions control access at the file system level and can apply user-specific deny entries, which will block an individual user even if the share permissions allow Everyone full control. In contrast, share permissions only govern network access to the folder, so if other users can connect successfully, the share settings are likely not the culprit. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how NTFS and share permissions combine, with the most restrictive permission always winning—a common trap is to overlook a hidden NTFS deny rule when troubleshooting access denied. Remember the memory tip: “Share controls the door, NTFS controls the room”—always check NTFS first when one user is locked out but others get in.

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

✓

Check the NTFS permissions on the folder

Since other users can access the shared folder, the network share and firewall are functioning correctly. The issue is specific to one user, which points to a permission problem at the file system level. NTFS permissions control user-level access to folders, and a misconfigured or missing ACE (Access Control Entry) for that user would prevent access while allowing others. Checking NTFS permissions is the logical first step because it directly governs per-user access to the resource.

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 the Windows Defender Firewall settings
Why it's wrong here
Firewall affects all users, not a specific one; other users can access, so firewall is likely not the issue.
✓
Check the NTFS permissions on the folder
Why this is correct
NTFS permissions can explicitly deny a user, causing access issues for that individual.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Check the user’s password expiration status
Why it's wrong here
Password issues would affect logon, not folder access after authentication.
✗
Check the User Account Control settings
Why it's wrong here
UAC does not control network share access.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

CompTIA A+ often tests the distinction between share-level permissions and NTFS permissions, trapping candidates who assume a firewall or password issue is the cause when the problem is user-specific and the resource is accessible to others.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

NTFS permissions are stored as Access Control Lists (ACLs) on the file system, with each entry (ACE) specifying a security identifier (SID) and allowed or denied rights. When a user attempts to access a shared folder, the system evaluates both share permissions and NTFS permissions, with the most restrictive effective permission applying. In a scenario where the share permissions allow 'Everyone' but NTFS permissions deny or omit the user, the user will be blocked while others with explicit Allow entries succeed.

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.

Visual reference

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: Check the NTFS permissions on the folder — Since other users can access the shared folder, the network share and firewall are functioning correctly. The issue is specific to one user, which points to a permission problem at the file system level. NTFS permissions control user-level access to folders, and a misconfigured or missing ACE (Access Control Entry) for that user would prevent access while allowing others. Checking NTFS permissions is the logical first step because it directly governs per-user access to the resource.

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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

About these practice questions

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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. After deploying a new Windows 11 update, several users complain that they can no longer access shared folders on the network. You verify that network discovery and file sharing are enabled. Which Windows security setting should you check first to resolve this issue?

easy

A.Check if the users are in the 'Remote Desktop Users' group.
B.Verify that the 'Password Protected Sharing' option is turned off.
✓ C.Review Windows Defender Firewall rules for 'File and Printer Sharing.'
D.Run Windows Update to install additional patches.

Why C: After a Windows 11 update, the most common cause for losing access to shared folders—even when network discovery and file sharing are enabled—is that the Windows Defender Firewall rules for 'File and Printer Sharing' have been reset or disabled. This update often modifies firewall profiles (e.g., switching from Private to Public) or resets custom rules, blocking the NetBIOS, SMB, and RPC ports (TCP 139, 445; UDP 137, 138) required for file sharing. Checking and re-enabling these inbound rules restores connectivity.

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