220-1202 · domain
Operating Systems
Domain 3 (Operating Systems) covers Windows 10/11 installation, configuration, and troubleshooting, plus macOS and Linux basics. Questions are scenario-based: you get a symptom, then must pick the right tool, command, or console. Expect boot failures, performance complaints, and OS-recovery tasks rather than pure recall.
Focused practice
Practice Operating Systems questions
Scored sessions drawing only from this domain — pick a length below.
What this domain covers
What to know about Operating Systems
Be able to pick the correct recovery console or command for a given boot or performance symptom, and know that bootrec /rebuildbcd is the go-to for a corrupt BCD. Get the tool-to-symptom mapping right.
Rebuilding BCD with bootrec /rebuildbcd and bcdedit from Windows Recovery Environment
Using Task Manager, Resource Monitor, and perfmon to diagnose memory leaks and slow sign-in
Windows 11 startup repair, system restore, and reset this PC recovery options
Linux/macOS file permissions, package managers, and command-line troubleshooting utilities
Watch out for
Common Operating Systems exam traps
- ▸Confusing bootrec /fixmbr and /fixboot with /rebuildbcd; only /rebuildbcd rewrites the boot configuration data store
- ▸Assuming a slow sign-in is malware when delayed startup apps and services are the usual cause
- ▸Mixing up Windows Recovery Environment tools with in-OS tools like msconfig or Task Manager
Question index
All Operating Systems questions (12)
Click any question to see the full explanation, or start a practice session above.
A user reports that a Ubuntu Linux workstation boots to a command-line prompt instead of the graphical desktop after a recent package update. The technician wants to check which systemd target is currently active and switch to the graphical environment without rebooting. Which sequence of commands should the technician use?
Medium2A technician is troubleshooting a Windows 10 workstation that frequently becomes unresponsive. The user reports that the system slows down dramatically after a few hours of use, and the technician suspects a memory leak or resource exhaustion. The technician opens Task Manager and switches to the Performance tab. Which two counters should the technician monitor to confirm the suspicion? (Choose two.)
Hard3A technician is troubleshooting a Windows 10 workstation that fails to boot. The technician suspects a problem with the boot configuration data (BCD). Which two commands can be used to rebuild the BCD? (Choose two.)
Medium4A technician needs to install a 64-bit application on a Windows 11 system. The application requires .NET Framework 3.5. When the technician tries to enable .NET Framework 3.5 through Windows Features, the installation fails with error 0x800F0906. What is the most likely cause?
Medium5An administrator needs to deploy a standardized Windows 11 image to 40 new workstations and must remove the built-in consumer applications while preserving the Start layout and driver set. Which deployment approach best meets these requirements with the least manual effort per machine?
Hard6A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop takes several minutes to reach the desktop after signing in, and the desktop icons and taskbar appear one by one. No error messages are displayed. You open Task Manager and see that disk usage is at 100% for several minutes after logon. Which Windows tool should you use first to identify the specific startup program causing the delay?
Medium7A technician is troubleshooting a Windows 11 desktop that randomly freezes and displays a blue screen with the stop code DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. The technician suspects a recently updated device driver. Which two tools or artifacts should the technician examine to identify the offending driver? (Choose two.)
Medium8A technician is configuring a Windows 11 workstation that will be shared by multiple users in a lab. The requirement is that each user's documents and settings remain separate, and that the disk space used by each user's profile is limited to 500 MB. Which Windows feature should the technician use to enforce the storage limit?
Medium9A help desk technician receives a Windows 11 laptop that displays a message that the operating system cannot be found at startup. The drive is detected in firmware, and the technician wants to rebuild the boot configuration without reinstalling Windows. Which command should be run from the Windows Recovery Environment?
Easy10A technician is upgrading a Windows 11 Pro workstation from a SATA SSD to a larger NVMe drive. The user needs to retain installed applications, user profiles, and the existing domain join. Which tool should the technician use to move the installation to the new drive without reinstalling Windows?
Medium11A user calls the help desk because their Windows 11 laptop will not boot. The screen displays the message "Bootmgr is missing" immediately after the manufacturer logo. The technician needs to repair the boot configuration data so the system can start normally. Which command should the technician run from the Windows Recovery Environment?
Easy12A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop display appears very dim even at the highest brightness setting. The technician suspects that the display adapter driver may be causing the issue. Which tool should the technician use to verify the driver version and check for driver errors?
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Frequently asked questions
- What does the Operating Systems domain cover on the 220-1202 exam?
- Be able to pick the correct recovery console or command for a given boot or performance symptom, and know that bootrec /rebuildbcd is the go-to for a corrupt BCD. Get the tool-to-symptom mapping right.
- How many questions are in this domain?
- This page lists all 12 Operating Systems questions in the 220-1202 question bank. The actual exam draws from this domain proportionally to its weighting in the official exam blueprint.
- What is the best way to practise this domain?
- Start with a short focused session (10 questions) to identify gaps, then work through explanations. Repeat with a longer session once the weak areas feel solid.
- Can I practise only Operating Systems questions?
- Yes — the session launcher on this page filters questions to this domain only. Choose any session length for inline explanations and scoring.