- A
sfc /scannow
Correct. sfc scans and repairs corrupted system files that might cause application crashes.
- B
chkdsk /f
Why wrong: Incorrect. chkdsk checks for file system errors on the disk, not application file integrity.
- C
tasklist
Why wrong: Incorrect. tasklist lists running processes but does not repair files.
- D
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
Why wrong: Incorrect. DISM repairs the Windows system image, but it is not the first-line tool for application-specific file corruption.
Question 52 of 750
Using System File Checker to Repair Corrupted Files
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows command-line 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 a specific application crashes immediately on launch. You want to verify the integrity of the application's core files without reinstalling. Which command-line tool can you use to scan and repair system files that the application depends on?
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.
Clue:
"immediately / without restart"Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Quick Answer
The answer is sfc /scannow, the System File Checker command that scans and repairs system files. This tool is correct because it checks the integrity of all protected operating system files and replaces any corrupted versions with a cached copy stored in a compressed folder at %WinDir%\System32\dllcache. When an application crashes due to dependencies on core system files like DLLs or executables, sfc /scannow can restore those files without requiring a full reinstall. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to differentiate between system repair tools: DISM fixes the system image itself, chkdsk addresses disk errors, and tasklist merely lists running processes. A common trap is confusing sfc with DISM, but remember that sfc works on individual files while DISM repairs the underlying image store. Memory tip: think "SFC = System File Checker, the first tool to try for file corruption."
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
✓
sfc /scannow
The `sfc /scannow` (System File Checker) command scans all protected system files and replaces corrupted versions with a cached copy located in the `%WinDir%\System32\dllcache` directory. Since the application crashes on launch, it likely depends on core Windows system files (e.g., DLLs, executables) that may be corrupted or missing. Running `sfc /scannow` verifies and repairs these system files without reinstalling the application itself, directly addressing the integrity of the dependencies.
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.
- ✓
sfc /scannow
Why this is correct
Correct. sfc scans and repairs corrupted system files that might cause application crashes.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "which command", "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
chkdsk /f
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. chkdsk checks for file system errors on the disk, not application file integrity.
- ✗
tasklist
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. tasklist lists running processes but does not repair files.
- ✗
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. DISM repairs the Windows system image, but it is not the first-line tool for application-specific file corruption.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `dism` with `sfc` because both repair system files, but `dism` repairs the component store (the source for SFC) rather than the installed system files themselves, making `sfc /scannow` the correct first-line tool for verifying and repairing application-dependent system files.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `sfc /scannow` uses the Windows Resource Protection (WRP) mechanism to compare the current file hash against a known good hash stored in the side-by-side (SxS) store or the `dllcache` folder. If a mismatch is found, it replaces the file from the cached copy, but only if the file is protected by WRP (e.g., `.dll`, `.exe`, `.sys` files in `System32`). A real-world scenario: after a malware infection that replaces `kernel32.dll`, an application crashes on launch; `sfc /scannow` detects the hash mismatch and restores the original file from the cache, resolving the crash without reinstalling the app.
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
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Windows Command-Line Tools practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 220-1202 questions
750 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
220-1202 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 220-1202 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Windows OS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows OS Features and Tools.
Windows Settings and Control Panel practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Settings and Control Panel.
Windows Command-Line Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Command-Line Tools.
Windows Administrative Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Administrative Tools.
macOS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to macOS Features and Tools.
Linux Commands and File Permissions practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Linux Commands and File Permissions.
Mobile OS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Mobile OS Features and Tools.
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Virtualization and Cloud Technologies.
Physical Security Controls practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Physical Security Controls.
Logical Security Concepts practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Logical Security Concepts.
Wireless Security Protocols practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Wireless Security Protocols.
Malware Types and Removal practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Malware Types and Removal.
Practice this exam
Start a free 220-1202 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: sfc /scannow — The `sfc /scannow` (System File Checker) command scans all protected system files and replaces corrupted versions with a cached copy located in the `%WinDir%\System32\dllcache` directory. Since the application crashes on launch, it likely depends on core Windows system files (e.g., DLLs, executables) that may be corrupted or missing. Running `sfc /scannow` verifies and repairs these system files without reinstalling the application itself, directly addressing the integrity of the dependencies.
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", "immediately / without restart". 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More 220-1202 practice questions
- During a Windows 10 deployment, you need to ensure that a specific Group Policy setting is applied to a computer before…
- After installing a new printer driver, a user's Windows 11 computer crashes with a blue screen error every time they try…
- A user reports that their Windows 10 computer is infected with a virus that keeps reinstalling itself after removal. Wha…
- A customer reports that their Windows 10 laptop is displaying pop-up ads even when no browser is open. They suspect a ma…
- A technician is configuring a new Windows 10 workstation for a user who handles sensitive financial data. The company po…
- A technician is responding to a security incident where an employee's credentials were used to access a server without a…
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.