The answer is the Task Manager’s Startup tab, which is the correct modern tool to manage startup programs in Windows 10. This is because the Startup tab provides a centralized interface to enable or disable programs that launch automatically, showing each item’s impact on boot time—Low, Medium, or High—without requiring you to uninstall the software. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your knowledge of Windows 10 performance optimization and troubleshooting, often appearing as a practical question where a user reports slow startup and you must choose the appropriate administrative tool. A common trap is confusing the Startup folder in the Start menu or the System Configuration tool (msconfig) with the Task Manager; however, msconfig’s Startup tab in Windows 10 redirects you to Task Manager, making it the direct, modern answer. Remember the memory tip: “Task Manager’s Startup tab sorts impact—disable high, keep low.”
220-1202 Windows Settings and Control Panel Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows settings and control panel. 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 PC is running slowly and they suspect too many programs are starting automatically. They want to disable a few startup items without uninstalling them. Which tool should you use to manage these startup programs?
Why wrong: Services.msc manages Windows services, not user-installed startup programs that appear in the system tray.
B
Task Manager > Startup tab
Task Manager's Startup tab lists all startup programs and their impact, allowing you to disable them easily.
C
Control Panel > Programs and Features
Why wrong: Programs and Features is for uninstalling or repairing installed software, not for disabling startup entries.
D
Settings > Apps > Startup
Why wrong: While Settings > Apps > Startup exists in Windows 10, it is less comprehensive than Task Manager; Task Manager is the primary recommended tool.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Task Manager > Startup tab
The Task Manager's Startup tab is the correct modern tool to enable or disable startup programs. It shows the impact of each program and allows changes that take effect after a reboot, without needing to uninstall anything.
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.
✗
Services.msc
Why it's wrong here
Services.msc manages Windows services, not user-installed startup programs that appear in the system tray.
✓
Task Manager > Startup tab
Why this is correct
Task Manager's Startup tab lists all startup programs and their impact, allowing you to disable them easily.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Control Panel > Programs and Features
Why it's wrong here
Programs and Features is for uninstalling or repairing installed software, not for disabling startup entries.
✗
Settings > Apps > Startup
Why it's wrong here
While Settings > Apps > Startup exists in Windows 10, it is less comprehensive than Task Manager; Task Manager is the primary recommended tool.
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.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
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.
Windows Settings and Control Panel — This question tests Windows Settings and Control Panel — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Task Manager > Startup tab — The Task Manager's Startup tab is the correct modern tool to enable or disable startup programs. It shows the impact of each program and allows changes that take effect after a reboot, without needing to uninstall anything.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user reports that their Windows 10 PC is running slowly and they suspect too many programs start automatically. Which tool in the Settings app would you use to disable unnecessary startup programs?
easy
A.System > About
B.Devices > Bluetooth & other devices
C.Update & Security > Troubleshoot
✓ D.Apps > Startup
Why D: Option D is correct because the Apps > Startup page in the Windows 10 Settings app provides a list of all startup programs with toggle switches to enable or disable them. This directly addresses the user's issue of too many programs launching automatically, which can slow down boot time and overall performance. The tool shows the impact of each startup item (e.g., 'High', 'Medium', 'Low') to help prioritize which to disable.
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Question Discussion
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