- A
Enable Boot Logging
Why wrong: Boot logging creates a log of drivers loaded during boot, but does not prevent malware from loading.
- B
Safe Mode
Safe Mode loads only minimal drivers and services, preventing malware from starting, making it ideal for scanning.
- C
Last Known Good Configuration
Why wrong: Last Known Good Configuration reverts to the last successful boot, but does not prevent malware from running.
- D
Debugging Mode
Why wrong: Debugging Mode is for advanced troubleshooting, not for malware removal.
Question 416 of 750
Using Safe Mode to Remove Persistent Malware in Windows 10
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows administrative tools. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 their Windows 10 PC is infected with malware that keeps reinstalling after removal. You need to boot into a minimal environment to run antivirus scans without malware interference. Which advanced startup option should you use?
Quick Answer
The answer is Safe Mode. This is the correct choice because Safe Mode loads only the essential drivers and services required for Windows 10 to run, deliberately preventing most malware from automatically starting or interfering with removal tools. By booting into this minimal environment, you can run antivirus scans without the malware actively hiding, reinstalling, or blocking the cleaning process. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Windows startup options and their role in malware remediation—a common trap is confusing Safe Mode with Safe Mode with Networking, which loads network drivers and could allow persistent malware to phone home or re-download. Remember the memory tip: “Safe Mode strips the stage, so malware can’t engage.”
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
✓
Safe Mode
Safe Mode (B) loads Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services, preventing malware that runs as a startup program or service from loading. This allows antivirus software to scan and remove the infection without interference, addressing the scenario where malware reinstalls after removal in a normal boot.
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 Boot Logging
Why it's wrong here
Boot logging creates a log of drivers loaded during boot, but does not prevent malware from loading.
- ✓
Safe Mode
Why this is correct
Safe Mode loads only minimal drivers and services, preventing malware from starting, making it ideal for scanning.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Last Known Good Configuration
Why it's wrong here
Last Known Good Configuration reverts to the last successful boot, but does not prevent malware from running.
- ✗
Debugging Mode
Why it's wrong here
Debugging Mode is for advanced troubleshooting, not for malware removal.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ candidates often mistakenly think that Last Known Good Configuration (C) can remove malware, but it only reverts driver/registry changes and does not clean infections that persist across boots. Safe Mode is the correct choice for malware removal.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Safe Mode loads only critical drivers (e.g., standard VGA, mouse, keyboard, mass storage) and services listed in the SafeBoot registry key (HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot). This prevents most malware from executing because they often rely on non-critical services or startup entries in the Run registry keys or Startup folder, which are bypassed in Safe Mode. In real-world scenarios, some rootkits may still load in Safe Mode if they hook critical drivers, requiring offline scanning tools like Windows Defender Offline or a bootable antivirus USB.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Windows Administrative Tools — This question tests Windows Administrative Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Safe Mode — Safe Mode (B) loads Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services, preventing malware that runs as a startup program or service from loading. This allows antivirus software to scan and remove the infection without interference, addressing the scenario where malware reinstalls after removal in a normal boot.
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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