CompTIA 220-1202 - CompTIA A+ Core 2 (2026 Exam Update)

Operating systems periodically reach a status known as " end of life " (EOL), at which point the developer (e.g., Microsoft, Apple) ceases to provide security updates, patches, or technical support. When this happens, the OS becomes vulnerable and non-compliant with security best practices, which is why organizations typically receive advance notifications from vendors or support teams.

A. Manufacturer support expiration only applies to hardware, not OS patching.

C. Security software may be upgraded or removed, but that does not affect patching the OS itself.

D. The release of a new version doesn’t automatically stop updates for the current version.

To work remotely without physically transporting a workstation, the user needs:

C. RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol): Allows graphical remote access to a Windows PC at the office.

D. VPN (Virtual Private Network): Establishes a secure tunnel to access the corporate network remotely, making the internal PC reachable.

A. SPICE is used in virtual machine environments and is not typically used for end-user remote desktop access.

B. SSH is a text-based remote access tool used mostly for Linux systems.

E. RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management) is used by IT administrators for support — not end-user remote access.

F. WinRM is used for Windows remote management via PowerShell, not for full desktop access.

Outdated images and website data often result from cached files in the browser. The Internet Options panel in Windows (specifically under the General tab) allows users to clear browsing history, including cached images and files, which forces the browser to load the most current versions of web content.

A. Administrative Tools is used for advanced system management, not browser settings.

B. Windows Defender Firewall controls network traffic and security rules, not caching.

D. Ease of Access provides accessibility features for users with disabilities — unrelated to web browsing issues.

A synthetic full backup combines the last full backup with subsequent incremental backups to create a new full backup without re-reading data from the source system. This method significantly reduces the backup window and network impact. It is especially useful when traditional full backups are too time-consuming.

A. Changing the backup window only shifts timing, not duration.

B. Incremental weekly backups would lack a proper full recovery point and aren ' t ideal alone.

C. Storage space isn ' t the bottleneck in backup speed—it’s read/write operations and network load.

A blue screen or sudden shutdown generates diagnostic records that persist after reboot, and the primary Windows tool to review those records is Event Viewer . Quentin Docter states: “ Event Viewer should be the first place you look when you are trying to solve a problem whose solution is not evident ,” because the system and applications “will often create an entry… that can be used to… diagnose problems.” He also specifically notes for unexpected shutdowns: “ The first place to check is Event Viewer on the System tab ,” where kernel and EventLog entries help determine whether the system lost power or shut down abnormally.

Mike Meyers reinforces that Event Viewer is how you read Windows logs (Application, Security, Setup, System) and that the details pane shows information about the selected event, which is exactly what you need when the on-screen error flashes too quickly. Performance Monitor is for counters/trends, Device Manager focuses on hardware status/drivers, and System Information shows configuration—not the crash/shutdown event details. Hence, Event Viewer (C) is correct.

Disk optimization tools can sometimes corrupt theMaster Boot Record (MBR). If BIOS sees the drive but can ' t boot, repairing the MBR using installation media is the correct next step.

FromAll-in-One Exam Guide:

“When BIOS recognizes the drive but no OS is found, the issue is often with the boot record. Use installation media to access recovery tools and repair the MBR or boot loader.”

In a domain environment, printers are typically deployed via a print server. Users can browse available printers on the server and install them directly.

All-in-One Exam Guidementions:

“In a corporate domain, printers are managed via a centralized print server. Users can select the desired printer from the server’s shared list.”

The correct answer is A. .app, because macOS applications packaged as .app files are typically self-contained application bundles. This means that all required application files are stored within a single directory that appears as one file in Finder. When the .app file is moved to the Trash, the application is effectively removed from the system.

According to the Quentin Docter – CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide, macOS applications are commonly distributed as .app bundles, allowing for simple installation and removal. This design contrasts with Windows, where applications often install files across multiple directories and require uninstallers.

The Travis Everett & Andrew Hutz – All-in-One Exam Guide explains that dragging a .app file to the Trash is generally sufficient to uninstall the software, although some applications may leave behind preference files or caches. However, from an exam perspective, .app is the only option that supports this uninstall behavior.

The Mike Meyers / Mark Soper Lab Manual further clarifies that .msi and .exe are Windows formats, .rpm is used by Linux package managers, and .pkg installers often install system-wide components that require a formal uninstallation process.

Because .app files support simple drag-to-trash uninstallation, A is the correct answer.

Apps like GPS or roaming services often drain battery during travel.Checking app utilizationhelps identify battery drain sources.

FromQUENTIN DOCTER - COMPTIA A+ COMPLETE study GUIDE:

“Monitoring app activity can reveal high-power usage apps running in the background, especially when mobile data or GPS is active.”

AVPN (Virtual Private Network)creates a secure tunnel between the clerk’s home device and the town server, ensuring private and authenticated access.

FromQuentin Docter – CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide:

“VPNs are essential for remote access to internal resources, providing secure connections over public networks.”