- A
net stop wuauserv
Correct. net stop wuauserv stops the Windows Update service, allowing deletion of its temporary files.
- B
sfc /scannow
Why wrong: Incorrect. sfc scans system files but does not stop the update service or delete its cache.
- C
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
Why wrong: Incorrect. DISM repairs the system image but does not stop the update service or clear its cache.
- D
taskkill /IM svchost.exe /F
Why wrong: Incorrect. Killing svchost.exe could crash critical services, and it does not specifically target the Windows Update service.
Question 569 of 750
Stopping Windows Update Service and Clearing Update Cache
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows command-line tools. 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.
After a failed Windows Update, a Windows 10 system repeatedly attempts to install the update and fails. You need to stop the Windows Update service and delete the temporary update files from the command line. Which two commands, in order, should you use? (Select the first command from the options.)
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.
Quick Answer
The answer is net stop wuauserv, followed by clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder. This is correct because the Windows Update service (wuauserv) must be halted before you can delete the temporary update files stored in C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution; attempting to remove them while the service is running will result in file-locking errors. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this sequence tests your ability to troubleshoot a failed update loop using command-line tools, a common performance-based scenario. A frequent trap is choosing sfc /scannow or DISM commands, which repair system corruption but do not stop the update service or clear its cache. Remember the order: stop the service first, then delete the cache—think “stop, then drop.” A useful mnemonic is “Stop the WU, then nuke the cache.”
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
✓
net stop wuauserv
The correct first command is 'net stop wuauserv' because it stops the Windows Update service (wuauserv), which prevents the system from continuing to attempt the failed update installation. After stopping the service, you can then delete the temporary update files from the SoftwareDistribution folder using commands like 'del /f /s /q %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\*' or 'rmdir /s /q %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution'. This two-step process is the standard method to clear a stuck update state.
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.
- ✓
net stop wuauserv
Why this is correct
Correct. net stop wuauserv stops the Windows Update service, allowing deletion of its temporary files.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
sfc /scannow
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. sfc scans system files but does not stop the update service or delete its cache.
- ✗
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. DISM repairs the system image but does not stop the update service or clear its cache.
- ✗
taskkill /IM svchost.exe /F
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Killing svchost.exe could crash critical services, and it does not specifically target the Windows Update service.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that 'taskkill /IM svchost.exe /F' is a valid way to stop the Windows Update service, but this command kills all svchost instances indiscriminately, which can crash other critical services and is not the proper method for safely stopping a specific service.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Windows Update service (wuauserv) runs under the svchost.exe process, and using 'net stop wuauserv' sends a controlled service control manager (SCM) stop request, allowing the service to shut down gracefully. The temporary update files are stored in C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download, and deleting them after stopping the service ensures that the next update check starts fresh without corrupted or partially downloaded packages. In real-world scenarios, this method is often combined with renaming the SoftwareDistribution folder (e.g., 'ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old') to preserve logs while clearing the cache.
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 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: net stop wuauserv — The correct first command is 'net stop wuauserv' because it stops the Windows Update service (wuauserv), which prevents the system from continuing to attempt the failed update installation. After stopping the service, you can then delete the temporary update files from the SoftwareDistribution folder using commands like 'del /f /s /q %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\*' or 'rmdir /s /q %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution'. This two-step process is the standard method to clear a stuck update state.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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