1|Page
CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102): Software & Security
Certification Exam | Latest Verified Questions and
Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
This comprehensive collection of unique, exam-focused multiple-choice questions is
meticulously designed for the CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) certification exam. Each
question is mapped to the official domain weights—Operating Systems (31%), Security
(25%), Software Troubleshooting (22%), and Operational Procedures (22%)—ensuring
balanced coverage of key topics such as Windows, Linux, and macOS administration,
command-line tools, malware removal, physical and logical security controls, change
management, safety protocols, and scripting basics. Every entry includes a correct answer
and a concise expert rationale to reinforce understanding.
Operating Systems
QUESTION 1
A technician needs to boot a Windows 10 system into Safe Mode with Networking.
Which is the most reliable method if the OS loads normally?
A) msconfig → Boot tab → Safe boot → Network → Restart
B) shutdown /r /o → Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings → Restart →
Press 5
C) Press F8 during boot
D) bootrec /fixboot from recovery environment
CORRECT ANSWER: A
EXPERT RATIONALE: Msconfig provides a direct way to set Safe Boot with Networking
,2|Page
before restarting. The F8 method is often disabled on modern Windows due to fast boot
times.
QUESTION 2
Which command-line tool in Windows displays the path taken by packets to a
destination network host?
A) netstat -r
B) pathping
C) tracert
D) nslookup
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: tracert traces the route hops to a
destination; pathping combines tracert and ping but is less commonly used for simple
tracing.
QUESTION 3
A user running macOS cannot open an application because it is from an unidentified
developer. What is the simplest way to override this?
A) Disable System Integrity Protection (SIP)
B) Right-click the app and select Open, then confirm
C) Move the app to the Trash and reinstall from the App Store
D) Run spctl --master-disable in Terminal
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Right-clicking and selecting Open bypasses Gatekeeper for that
specific app without disabling security globally.
,3|Page
QUESTION 4
In Windows 11, which feature creates a second desktop environment for organizing
different tasks?
A) Snap Layouts
B) Task View
C) Virtual Desktops
D) Focus Assist
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Virtual Desktops (accessed via Task View) allow separate desktop
spaces. Task View is the interface, but Virtual Desktops is the feature name.
QUESTION 5
A Linux technician needs to terminate a frozen process with PID 4455. Which command
should be used to forcefully kill it?
A) kill -15 4455
B) kill -9 4455
C) stop 4455
D) end -force 4455
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: kill -9 sends SIGKILL, which cannot be caught or ignored by the
process, forcing immediate termination.
QUESTION 6
Which Windows Administrative Tool allows management of local users and groups in
Windows Pro and Enterprise editions?
A) User Accounts in Control Panel
B) Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc)
, 4|Page
C) Computer Management (compmgmt.msc) only
D) Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: lusrmgr.msc opens the Local Users and Groups snap-in directly.
Computer Management includes it, but the direct tool is lusrmgr.
QUESTION 7
An Android phone is running slowly. Which action will most likely improve performance
without deleting personal data?
A) Factory reset from recovery mode
B) Clear cached data for individual apps
C) Uninstall WebView updates
D) Disable all background services via ADB
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Clearing cached data removes temporary files that can cause
sluggishness while preserving user data like photos and documents.
QUESTION 8
What is the purpose of the Windows dism command?
A) Manage disk partitions
B) Repair and service Windows images
C) Display driver information
D) Change file attributes
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) is
used to mount, repair, and capture Windows images (WIM/FFU).
CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102): Software & Security
Certification Exam | Latest Verified Questions and
Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
This comprehensive collection of unique, exam-focused multiple-choice questions is
meticulously designed for the CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) certification exam. Each
question is mapped to the official domain weights—Operating Systems (31%), Security
(25%), Software Troubleshooting (22%), and Operational Procedures (22%)—ensuring
balanced coverage of key topics such as Windows, Linux, and macOS administration,
command-line tools, malware removal, physical and logical security controls, change
management, safety protocols, and scripting basics. Every entry includes a correct answer
and a concise expert rationale to reinforce understanding.
Operating Systems
QUESTION 1
A technician needs to boot a Windows 10 system into Safe Mode with Networking.
Which is the most reliable method if the OS loads normally?
A) msconfig → Boot tab → Safe boot → Network → Restart
B) shutdown /r /o → Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings → Restart →
Press 5
C) Press F8 during boot
D) bootrec /fixboot from recovery environment
CORRECT ANSWER: A
EXPERT RATIONALE: Msconfig provides a direct way to set Safe Boot with Networking
,2|Page
before restarting. The F8 method is often disabled on modern Windows due to fast boot
times.
QUESTION 2
Which command-line tool in Windows displays the path taken by packets to a
destination network host?
A) netstat -r
B) pathping
C) tracert
D) nslookup
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: tracert traces the route hops to a
destination; pathping combines tracert and ping but is less commonly used for simple
tracing.
QUESTION 3
A user running macOS cannot open an application because it is from an unidentified
developer. What is the simplest way to override this?
A) Disable System Integrity Protection (SIP)
B) Right-click the app and select Open, then confirm
C) Move the app to the Trash and reinstall from the App Store
D) Run spctl --master-disable in Terminal
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Right-clicking and selecting Open bypasses Gatekeeper for that
specific app without disabling security globally.
,3|Page
QUESTION 4
In Windows 11, which feature creates a second desktop environment for organizing
different tasks?
A) Snap Layouts
B) Task View
C) Virtual Desktops
D) Focus Assist
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Virtual Desktops (accessed via Task View) allow separate desktop
spaces. Task View is the interface, but Virtual Desktops is the feature name.
QUESTION 5
A Linux technician needs to terminate a frozen process with PID 4455. Which command
should be used to forcefully kill it?
A) kill -15 4455
B) kill -9 4455
C) stop 4455
D) end -force 4455
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: kill -9 sends SIGKILL, which cannot be caught or ignored by the
process, forcing immediate termination.
QUESTION 6
Which Windows Administrative Tool allows management of local users and groups in
Windows Pro and Enterprise editions?
A) User Accounts in Control Panel
B) Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc)
, 4|Page
C) Computer Management (compmgmt.msc) only
D) Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: lusrmgr.msc opens the Local Users and Groups snap-in directly.
Computer Management includes it, but the direct tool is lusrmgr.
QUESTION 7
An Android phone is running slowly. Which action will most likely improve performance
without deleting personal data?
A) Factory reset from recovery mode
B) Clear cached data for individual apps
C) Uninstall WebView updates
D) Disable all background services via ADB
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Clearing cached data removes temporary files that can cause
sluggishness while preserving user data like photos and documents.
QUESTION 8
What is the purpose of the Windows dism command?
A) Manage disk partitions
B) Repair and service Windows images
C) Display driver information
D) Change file attributes
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) is
used to mount, repair, and capture Windows images (WIM/FFU).
