Question 388 of 750

Windows OS Troubleshooting →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is to add more RAM, as the memory is the bottleneck. When Task Manager shows memory usage consistently at 90% or higher with only 8 GB of RAM, the system is forced to use the hard drive as virtual memory through a process called paging, which is dramatically slower than physical RAM. This explains why opening multiple applications causes severe slowdowns—the hard drive cannot keep up with the constant swapping of data. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how insufficient RAM leads to excessive hard drive paging, a classic symptom of a memory bottleneck. A common trap is to blame the hard drive itself, but the root cause is the lack of physical memory, not the drive’s speed. Remember the memory tip: “High usage, slow paging—RAM is the thing.”

220-1202 Windows OS Troubleshooting Practice Question

This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows os troubleshooting. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.

A user reports that their Windows 10 desktop is running very slowly, especially when opening multiple applications. They have 8 GB of RAM and a traditional hard drive. Task Manager shows that memory usage is consistently at 90% or higher. Which component is most likely the bottleneck and what is the best upgrade?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

Question 1easymultiple choice

Full question →

A
The CPU is the bottleneck; upgrade to a faster processor.
Why wrong: CPU bottlenecks usually show high CPU usage in Task Manager, not high memory usage; the symptom points to memory, not processing power.
B
The hard drive is the bottleneck; upgrade to an SSD.
Why wrong: An SSD would improve overall responsiveness, but the core issue is insufficient RAM causing excessive paging; adding RAM is more direct.
C
The RAM is the bottleneck; add more RAM.
High memory usage indicates the system needs more RAM; adding more will allow more applications to run without using slow virtual memory.
D
The graphics card is the bottleneck; upgrade to a dedicated GPU.
Why wrong: Graphics bottlenecks affect visual performance, not general application slowness; the issue is memory, not graphics processing.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

The RAM is the bottleneck; add more RAM.

High memory usage (90%+) with 8 GB of RAM indicates that the system is running out of physical memory, causing it to use the hard drive as virtual memory, which is very slow. The best upgrade is to add more RAM to reduce reliance on the slow hard drive paging.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
The CPU is the bottleneck; upgrade to a faster processor.
Why it's wrong here
CPU bottlenecks usually show high CPU usage in Task Manager, not high memory usage; the symptom points to memory, not processing power.
✗
The hard drive is the bottleneck; upgrade to an SSD.
Why it's wrong here
An SSD would improve overall responsiveness, but the core issue is insufficient RAM causing excessive paging; adding RAM is more direct.
✓
The RAM is the bottleneck; add more RAM.
Why this is correct
High memory usage indicates the system needs more RAM; adding more will allow more applications to run without using slow virtual memory.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The graphics card is the bottleneck; upgrade to a dedicated GPU.
Why it's wrong here
Graphics bottlenecks affect visual performance, not general application slowness; the issue is memory, not graphics processing.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.

Trap categories for this question

Command / output trap
CPU bottlenecks usually show high CPU usage in Task Manager, not high memory usage; the symptom points to memory, not processing power.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.

TExam Day Tips

Underline the problem statement mentally.
Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.

Key takeaway

Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which 220-1202 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 220-1202 question test?

Windows OS Troubleshooting — This question tests Windows OS Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The RAM is the bottleneck; add more RAM. — High memory usage (90%+) with 8 GB of RAM indicates that the system is running out of physical memory, causing it to use the hard drive as virtual memory, which is very slow. The best upgrade is to add more RAM to reduce reliance on the slow hard drive paging.

What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "best", "most likely". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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