- A
Windows Defender Security Center
Why wrong: This tool manages antivirus and firewall settings, not user permissions for system changes.
- B
Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc)
Why wrong: This manages user accounts and group membership, but not granular permission assignments.
- C
Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
Group Policy can enforce specific restrictions on user actions without removing admin rights.
- D
Registry Editor (regedit)
Why wrong: Registry editing is risky and not a standard method for applying security restrictions across multiple users.
Question 173 of 750
How to Restrict User Actions Without Removing Admin Rights Using Local Group Policy
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 small business owner wants to prevent employees from changing system time, installing printers, and modifying power settings on their Windows 10 workstations. They do not want to remove local admin rights entirely. Which Windows security tool should be used to apply these restrictions?
Quick Answer
The answer is the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc), because it provides granular control over user permissions and system settings without removing admin rights. This tool allows administrators to restrict users from changing system time, installing printers, and modifying power settings by configuring policies under Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of balancing security with usability—a common trap is assuming that removing admin rights is the only way to enforce restrictions, when in fact Group Policy offers a more targeted approach. Remember that gpedit.msc is not available on Windows Home editions, so the exam may contrast it with Local Security Policy (secpol.msc) for standalone settings. Memory tip: Think “GPedit gives Granular Permissions” to recall that it’s the go-to for restricting specific actions while keeping admin rights intact.
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
✓
Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
The Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) allows administrators to configure granular security settings for users and computers without removing local admin rights. Specifically, it can enforce restrictions on system time changes (via 'Change the system time' user right), printer installation (via 'Device Installation Restrictions'), and power settings (via 'Power Management' policies) through Computer Configuration or User Configuration nodes. This tool applies these settings via Group Policy objects that are processed locally, making it the correct choice for non-domain workstations.
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.
- ✗
Windows Defender Security Center
Why it's wrong here
This tool manages antivirus and firewall settings, not user permissions for system changes.
- ✗
Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc)
Why it's wrong here
This manages user accounts and group membership, but not granular permission assignments.
- ✓
Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
Why this is correct
Group Policy can enforce specific restrictions on user actions without removing admin rights.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Registry Editor (regedit)
Why it's wrong here
Registry editing is risky and not a standard method for applying security restrictions across multiple users.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common misconception tested in this exam is that Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc) can enforce granular restrictions like printer installation or power settings, when in reality it only manages group membership and cannot apply detailed policy-based controls.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Group Policy settings for system time are enforced via the 'Change the system time' user right (SeSystemtimePrivilege) under Security Settings > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment, which overrides local admin privileges when configured. Printer installation restrictions leverage the 'Device Installation Restrictions' policy under Administrative Templates > System > Device Installation, which can block specific hardware IDs or classes. Power settings are controlled through Administrative Templates > System > Power Management, allowing granular control over sleep, hibernate, and button actions. These policies are stored in the Registry as administrative templates but are applied through the Group Policy engine, ensuring consistent enforcement even for local administrators.
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: Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) — The Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) allows administrators to configure granular security settings for users and computers without removing local admin rights. Specifically, it can enforce restrictions on system time changes (via 'Change the system time' user right), printer installation (via 'Device Installation Restrictions'), and power settings (via 'Power Management' policies) through Computer Configuration or User Configuration nodes. This tool applies these settings via Group Policy objects that are processed locally, making it the correct choice for non-domain workstations.
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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