220-1102 Question 799
Single answerInadvertently changing system settingsA user reports that after trying to make text easier to read on a Windows 11 laptop, many desktop and Start menu items are now unusually large, and some applications no longer fit properly on the screen. The user says the problem started immediately after changing a setting in Windows and restarting. You need to restore the display to a normal working state with the least disruption to the user's files and applications. Which action should you take FIRST?
- A
Open Settings and change Display scale and resolution back to the recommended values
- B
Run Startup Repair from the Windows Recovery Environment
- C
Perform a System Restore to a restore point from the previous day
- D
Reinstall the video adapter driver from Device Manager
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This scenario reflects inadvertent changes to system settings, a common A+ Core 2 support issue. The best first action is to verify and restore the display configuration in Windows Settings, especially Display scale and Display resolution, to the recommended values. CompTIA troubleshooting best practices emphasize choosing the least invasive and most likely fix first. Microsoft documentation for Windows 10/11 display settings also identifies scale and resolution as common causes of oversized or improperly fitting interface elements. System Restore is a useful fallback if the exact setting cannot be determined or if multiple settings were changed, but it is not the first choice when the user can still log in and the issue is clearly tied to a recent settings change.
- A. Correct.
Correct. This is the most appropriate first step because the user likely changed a display-related system setting such as scaling or resolution. In Windows 11, the recommended scale and display resolution are shown in Settings > System > Display. Reverting those settings directly addresses the symptom with minimal impact and follows the best-practice troubleshooting approach of starting with the simplest, least invasive solution.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Startup Repair is intended for boot-related problems, such as Windows failing to start properly. The laptop is already booting and the issue is limited to the display appearance after a user-initiated settings change. Using Startup Repair would not be the appropriate first response.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. System Restore can reverse recent system setting changes and is a valid recovery option if the exact change cannot be identified or if direct correction fails. However, it is more disruptive than simply correcting the display settings and should not be the first action when the system is still usable and the likely cause is clear.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A display driver problem can cause graphical issues, but the scenario specifically indicates the problem began right after the user changed a Windows setting to improve readability. That points to scaling or resolution rather than a corrupted or incompatible video driver. Reinstalling the driver is unnecessary as an initial step.