The answer is Device Manager, as it is the primary administrative tool for viewing detailed hardware and driver information in Windows 11. Device Manager provides a centralized, hierarchical view of all installed hardware components, allowing you to inspect driver status, version numbers, and digital signatures, which is essential when diagnosing issues like post-sleep freezing. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your ability to select the correct tool for driver-related troubleshooting, often with distractors like Disk Management (for storage) or System Configuration (for startup). A common trap is reaching for Event Viewer first, but Device Manager directly shows driver conflicts or outdated drivers without sifting through logs. Remember the mnemonic “Drivers Live in Device Manager” to quickly recall that any driver-specific problem—whether a yellow exclamation mark or a freeze after wake—starts here.
220-1102 Windows Administrative Tools Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows administrative tools. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 customer complains that their Windows 11 laptop frequently freezes after waking from sleep. You suspect a driver issue and need to view detailed hardware and driver information to diagnose the problem. Which administrative tool should you open first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Device Manager
Device Manager provides a centralized view of all hardware devices and their drivers, including driver status and version details. This makes it the go-to tool for driver-related troubleshooting. Other tools like Disk Management or System Configuration serve different purposes.
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.
✗
Disk Management
Why it's wrong here
Disk Management manages disk partitions and volumes, not drivers.
✗
System Configuration (msconfig)
Why it's wrong here
System Configuration controls startup and boot options, but does not show detailed driver information.
✓
Device Manager
Why this is correct
Device Manager lists all hardware and allows you to check driver properties, update drivers, or roll back problematic ones.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Event Viewer
Why it's wrong here
Event Viewer logs system errors but does not display a comprehensive list of hardware drivers.
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
System Configuration controls startup and boot options, but does not show detailed driver information.
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 Administrative Tools — This question tests Windows Administrative Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Device Manager — Device Manager provides a centralized view of all hardware devices and their drivers, including driver status and version details. This makes it the go-to tool for driver-related troubleshooting. Other tools like Disk Management or System Configuration serve different purposes.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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