easyMultiple Choice
220-1202 Practice Question: That their Windows 10 PC is running slowly and…
A user reports that their Windows 10 PC is running slowly and they suspect a background process is consuming excessive memory. Which command-line tool should you use to identify the process by name and memory usage?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between system information commands (like `systeminfo` or `tasklist`) and network or disk utilities; the trap here is that candidates may confuse `ipconfig` (a network tool) or `sfc` (a system file checker) with a process management tool, or assume `chkdsk` can show memory usage because it reports disk-related resource consumption.
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
✓
tasklist
The `tasklist` command displays a list of all currently running processes on a Windows system, including their process ID (PID), session name, session number, and memory usage. By default, it shows memory consumption in kilobytes, allowing you to identify which process is consuming excessive memory by name. This makes it the correct tool for diagnosing a memory-hungry background process.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
tasklist
Why this is correct
tasklist enumerates running processes with their names and memory usage, directly satisfying the stem's need to identify the offending process by name and memory consumption. Task Manager offers the same data graphically, but the question specifies a command-line tool.
- ✗
ipconfig
Why it's wrong here
Ipconfig displays network adapter addressing, DNS and DHCP lease details, exposing no process names or memory counters. It is tempting because it is a common command-line diagnostic, and it would be correct when troubleshooting IP configuration, subnet masks or DNS resolution faults rather than memory consumption.
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chkdsk
Why it's wrong here
chkdsk verifies and repairs disk file-system integrity; it reports no per-process memory consumption. It is the correct tool when a volume shows corruption or bad sectors, but identifying a process by name and memory usage requires Tasklist or Task Manager.
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sfc
Why it's wrong here
Sfc scans and repairs protected Windows system files; it reports no per-process memory figures, so it cannot name the consuming process. It is tempting because it is a familiar command-line repair tool, and it would be the right choice when system file corruption is suspected rather than a runaway process.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.