- A
Run a system file checker (sfc /scannow) from within Windows.
Why wrong: SFC checks system files but cannot repair the MBR, which is outside the file system.
- B
Use the Windows Recovery Environment to run bootrec /fixmbr.
This command rewrites the MBR, removing the malware that resides there.
- C
Perform a clean installation of Windows without formatting the drive.
Why wrong: A clean install without formatting may leave the MBR intact, allowing the malware to persist.
- D
Disable System Restore and delete all restore points.
Why wrong: This action removes restore points but does not address MBR infection.
Question 304 of 750
How to Remove MBR Malware Using Windows Recovery Environment
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of malware types and removal. 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 technician is tasked with removing a persistent malware infection that survives reboots and re-infects the system even after a full antivirus scan in Safe Mode. The malware appears to hide in the Master Boot Record (MBR). Which removal method should the technician use?
Quick Answer
The answer is to use the Windows Recovery Environment and run bootrec /fixmbr. This is correct because MBR malware embeds itself in the boot sector, which loads before the operating system and Safe Mode, allowing it to survive standard antivirus scans and reinfect the system after every reboot. The bootrec /fixmbr command overwrites the infected boot code, while bootrec /fixboot repairs the boot sector, effectively neutralizing the rootkit-like persistence. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of boot-level infections and the limitations of Safe Mode; a common trap is to attempt a system restore or antivirus scan first, which will fail since the malware loads before those tools. Remember the memory tip: "MBR malware must be met before the OS boots—fix the MBR with bootrec."
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
✓
Use the Windows Recovery Environment to run bootrec /fixmbr.
Option B is correct because the malware is hiding in the Master Boot Record (MBR), which is the first sector of the boot drive and loads before the operating system. Running `bootrec /fixmbr` from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) overwrites the MBR code with a clean Windows bootloader, effectively removing the malware that persists there. This method targets the infection at its source, unlike antivirus scans that run after the OS loads and cannot access the MBR while it is in use.
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 a system file checker (sfc /scannow) from within Windows.
Why it's wrong here
SFC checks system files but cannot repair the MBR, which is outside the file system.
- ✓
Use the Windows Recovery Environment to run bootrec /fixmbr.
Why this is correct
This command rewrites the MBR, removing the malware that resides there.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Perform a clean installation of Windows without formatting the drive.
Why it's wrong here
A clean install without formatting may leave the MBR intact, allowing the malware to persist.
- ✗
Disable System Restore and delete all restore points.
Why it's wrong here
This action removes restore points but does not address MBR infection.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that antivirus scans in Safe Mode can remove all malware, but the trap here is that MBR-based infections load before the OS and require boot-level repair tools like `bootrec /fixmbr` to be eradicated.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The MBR is 512 bytes in size and contains both boot code and the partition table; `bootrec /fixmbr` rewrites only the boot code portion (first 446 bytes) without altering the partition table, preserving disk structure. In real-world scenarios, rootkits like TDL4 or Pihar use MBR hooks to load before the OS, making them invisible to standard antivirus tools that rely on OS-level APIs. The `bootrec` tool must be run from WinRE because the MBR cannot be modified while the OS is running and using the disk.
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?
Malware Types and Removal — This question tests Malware Types and Removal — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the Windows Recovery Environment to run bootrec /fixmbr. — Option B is correct because the malware is hiding in the Master Boot Record (MBR), which is the first sector of the boot drive and loads before the operating system. Running `bootrec /fixmbr` from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) overwrites the MBR code with a clean Windows bootloader, effectively removing the malware that persists there. This method targets the infection at its source, unlike antivirus scans that run after the OS loads and cannot access the MBR while it is in use.
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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