220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
After installing a new application, a Windows 10 computer displays a 'Windows Script Host' pop-up error message every time the computer starts. The technician determines that a VBS script is launching from the startup folder. Which built-in tool should the technician use to disable this startup script?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse startup scripts with services or group policy, leading them to choose Services.msc or Group Policy Management Console, when the correct approach is to use Task Manager's Startup tab for user-specific startup folder items.
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
✓
Task Manager
Task Manager (option A) is the correct tool because it provides a Startup tab that lists all programs and scripts configured to run at system startup, including VBS scripts placed in the startup folder. The technician can simply right-click the entry for the VBS script and select 'Disable' to prevent it from launching without deleting the file. This is the quickest built-in method for managing per-user startup items in Windows 10.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Task Manager
Why this is correct
Task Manager is the correct choice because its Startup tab centralizes control over all startup applications and scripts that launch when a user logs on. It displays both items from the user's Startup folder and those registered in the Run registry keys, with a simple Enable/Disable toggle that updates the corresponding rule. This makes it a direct, user-friendly interface for managing the intended VBS script without requiring deep registry editing or administrative elevation.
- ✗
Services.msc
Why it's wrong here
Services.msc is the wrong tool because it manages Windows services, which are background processes started by the Service Control Manager (SCM) and configured with their own startup type and credentials. A VBScript placed in the user's Startup folder is not registered as a service, and the SCM will not launch it at logon. While a script could theoretically be scheduled as a service, that is an unusual and indirect workaround, and services.msc would not disable a standard Startup folder entry.
- ✗
Group Policy Management Console
Why it's wrong here
Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) is not the direct tool here because it is designed for centralized policy-based configuration of computers and users in an Active Directory domain or through Local Group Policy. It controls startup through GPO scripts, not by enabling or disabling individual startup folder items for a single installed application. Furthermore, GPMC is primarily available on managed enterprise networks and is overkill for a simple local startup script; Task Manager is the appropriate granular control.
- ✗
Registry Editor
Why it's wrong here
Registry Editor is not the direct tool for disabling a script launching from the *startup folder*, as it is designed for modifying system configuration settings and application data stored within the Windows Registry. While the Registry does contain startup entries under various Run keys, these are distinct from executables or scripts placed directly into the user's or all-users' startup folders. Task Manager or System Configuration (msconfig) are the appropriate tools for managing items in the startup folder. However, Registry Editor would be the correct choice if the VBS script were launching via a Registry Run key entry.
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Key term
Windows 10
Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft that combines the familiarity of Windows 7 with the modern features of Windows 8, designed to run on a wide range of devices from desktops to tablets.
Key term
Windows
Windows is a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft that manages computer hardware and software, providing a graphical user interface for users to interact with their devices.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1102 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 220-1102 exam.