The answer is that audit logging is not enabled for the organization. When audit logging is disabled, the unified audit log cannot capture any user or admin activity, so a PowerShell search for file deletions will return no results even if the file was deleted last week. This scenario tests your understanding of the foundational requirement for Microsoft Purview audit log searches on the SC-900 exam: audit logging must be explicitly turned on at the tenant level before any operations, including FileDeleted, can be recorded. A common trap is assuming the command syntax is wrong or that the retention period has expired, but the core issue is that the audit log itself is inactive. Remember the memory tip: No audit enabled, no audit logged.
SC-900 Practice Question: Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions
This SC-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe the capabilities of microsoft compliance solutions. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. You run the PowerShell command to search the unified audit log for file deletions. The command returns no results, but you know a file was deleted last week. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Audit logging is not enabled for the organization
Option B is correct because Audit (Standard) only retains audit logs for 90 days, but the issue here is that the command uses -Operations FileDeleted, which may not be the correct operation name; however, the most likely reason is that Audit (Premium) is required for certain operations. Actually, FileDeleted is a valid operation. The correct answer is that Audit logging must be enabled. Option A is wrong because the command is correct. Option C is wrong because 7 days is within retention. Option D is wrong because the operation name is correct.
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.
✗
The operation name 'FileDeleted' is incorrect
Why it's wrong here
FileDeleted is a valid operation.
✓
Audit logging is not enabled for the organization
Why this is correct
If audit logging is not enabled, no audit records are captured.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Audit logs are only retained for 90 days
Why it's wrong here
7 days is within retention.
✗
The StartDate and EndDate are incorrect
Why it's wrong here
Dates are correct for last week.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-900 question in full detail.
Identify which SC-900 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions — This question tests Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Audit logging is not enabled for the organization — Option B is correct because Audit (Standard) only retains audit logs for 90 days, but the issue here is that the command uses -Operations FileDeleted, which may not be the correct operation name; however, the most likely reason is that Audit (Premium) is required for certain operations. Actually, FileDeleted is a valid operation. The correct answer is that Audit logging must be enabled. Option A is wrong because the command is correct. Option C is wrong because 7 days is within retention. Option D is wrong because the operation name is correct.
What should I do if I get this SC-900 question wrong?
Identify which SC-900 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Your organization has a Microsoft Purview compliance portal. You need to audit who deleted a specific file from SharePoint Online last week. What should you do?
hard
A.Use Content Search in eDiscovery
✓ B.Search the unified audit log in Microsoft Purview
C.Configure a retention policy for SharePoint
D.Review the data classification dashboard
Why B: Option C is correct because Microsoft Purview Audit (Premium) allows searching the unified audit log for events like file deletion. Option A is wrong because Content Search is for eDiscovery, not auditing. Option B is wrong because data classification is for labeling, not auditing. Option D is wrong because retention policies preserve data but do not provide audit logs.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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This SC-900 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 SC-900 exam.
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