220-1202 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user reports that after installing a new third-party backup utility, their Windows 11 computer takes several minutes to reach the desktop and shows a black screen with a spinning circle. The user wants to keep the backup utility but needs faster boot times. A technician opens Task Manager and notices the backup utility has a 'High' startup impact. Which of the following should the technician do FIRST to resolve the slow boot?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that a slow boot always requires a system file repair or a clean boot, when the startup impact data already points to a specific third-party application.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Disable the backup utility in the Startup tab of Task Manager.
Task Manager's Startup tab shows the impact of each startup program. When a specific application is flagged as high impact and the timing correlates with its installation, disabling that startup entry is the most direct and least disruptive fix. It preserves the application for manual use and avoids unnecessary system-wide changes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Disable the backup utility in the Startup tab of Task Manager.
Why this is correct
Disabling the startup entry prevents the utility from launching at boot, directly addressing the high startup impact. The application remains installed and can be launched manually when needed, so the user keeps it while boot time improves. This is the least invasive first step before considering uninstallation or more drastic measures.
- ✗
Perform a clean boot using msconfig and disable all non-Microsoft services.
Why it's wrong here
A clean boot is useful for isolating the cause of a startup problem, but here the cause is already known from Task Manager's startup impact rating. Disabling all non-Microsoft services is overly broad and may disable other needed services, making it a less precise first action than addressing the identified startup item.
- ✗
Use msconfig to set the computer to Safe Boot with minimal services.
Why it's wrong here
Safe Boot is a diagnostic mode that loads a minimal set of drivers and services. Leaving the system in Safe Boot would prevent normal operation and does not resolve the slow startup caused by a specific application. It is not an appropriate first step when the offending startup item is already identified.
- ✗
Run the System File Checker (sfc /scannow) to repair corrupted system files.
Why it's wrong here
System File Checker repairs protected Windows system files, but the issue began after installing a third-party backup utility and Task Manager identifies it as high startup impact. Running SFC is unlikely to change the startup behavior of that application and would not address the specific performance bottleneck observed.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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