220-1102 Question 592
Single answerApplication fails to launchA user reports that a line-of-business application on a Windows 11 PC stopped opening after the computer was rebuilt last week. When the user double-clicks the shortcut, Windows displays a message stating that a required DLL is missing. Other applications launch normally, and the user has standard permissions. Which action should the technician take FIRST to resolve the issue?
- A
Reinstall or repair the affected application from its original installer
- B
Disable User Account Control so the program can load all required files
- C
Run Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files that may be blocking the application
- D
Rename the missing DLL file in System32 so Windows will recreate it automatically
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The key clue is that only one application fails to launch and Windows reports a missing required DLL. In A+ Core 2 troubleshooting, the best first step is to address the affected application itself by using its repair option or reinstalling it. This aligns with standard Microsoft and vendor best practices for application corruption or missing program components. If multiple applications were failing or there were signs of broader OS corruption, tools such as System File Checker (SFC) or DISM might be considered. However, for a single broken application after a rebuild, repairing or reinstalling the application is the most direct and least disruptive first action.
- A. Correct.
Correct. If Windows reports that a required DLL is missing when only one specific application fails to launch, the most appropriate first step is to repair or reinstall that application. Application installers commonly replace missing program files, restore required DLLs, and repair broken file associations or corrupted components. This is a standard troubleshooting step for application launch failures affecting a single program.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. User Account Control helps protect the system by prompting for elevation when needed. Disabling UAC does not restore missing application files or DLL dependencies. A technician might choose this option if they incorrectly assume the launch problem is caused by permissions, but the error specifically indicates a missing component rather than an elevation issue.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Disk Cleanup can recover storage space and remove temporary files, but it does not repair missing DLL files required by a specific application. This is a plausible distractor because technicians often use cleanup tools during general maintenance, but it is not the correct first response to a missing-DLL launch error.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Manually renaming files in System32 is not an appropriate troubleshooting step and could create additional system problems. Windows does not automatically recreate arbitrary renamed DLL files simply because they were changed. Someone might choose this if they misunderstand how Windows system files are restored, but proper repair methods include reinstalling the affected application or using approved system repair tools when system files are actually involved.