The answer is Administrative Tools > Services, which is the correct Control Panel tool to verify and correct the print spooler service startup type. This is because the Print Spooler is a Windows service that manages print jobs, and its startup type—whether set to Automatic, Manual, or Disabled—is configured exclusively within the Services console, not in Device Manager or Printers & scanners. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your ability to troubleshoot printer failures caused by service configuration changes, often after updates. A common trap is to open Device Manager or the Printers settings, but those lack service startup controls. Remember: if a printer stops working after an update, check the spooler’s startup type first. A useful memory tip is “Spooler = Service, so use Services,” linking the print spooler directly to the Services snap-in.
220-1102 Windows Settings and Control Panel Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows settings and control panel. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
After a recent Windows update, a user's printer stopped working. You suspect the update changed the default print spooler service startup type. Which Control Panel tool should you use to verify and correct the service startup type?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Administrative Tools > Services
The Print Spooler service is a Windows service that manages print jobs sent to the printer. Its startup type (e.g., Automatic, Manual, Disabled) is configured in the Services console, which is accessed via Administrative Tools > Services. Device Manager and Printers & scanners do not provide service startup type settings, and System > Advanced system settings deals with performance and user profiles, not services.
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.
✗
Device Manager
Why it's wrong here
Device Manager manages drivers and hardware, not service startup types.
✗
Printers & scanners
Why it's wrong here
Printers & scanners manages printer devices and queues, but does not show or change service startup configurations.
✓
Administrative Tools > Services
Why this is correct
The Services snap-in lists all Windows services, including the Print Spooler, and allows you to change its startup type to Automatic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
System > Advanced system settings
Why it's wrong here
Advanced system settings provides performance, user profiles, and startup and recovery options, not service management.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Device Manager (for driver issues) with the Services console, not realizing that the startup type of a service is managed exclusively through the Services snap-in, not through hardware or printer-specific settings.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Printers & scanners manages printer devices and queues, but does not show or change service startup configurations.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Print Spooler service (spoolsv.exe) runs under the LocalSystem account and its startup type is stored in the registry under HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler. A Windows update can modify this registry value, disabling the service and preventing printing. Using the Services console (services.msc) allows you to view and change the startup type directly, and you can also restart the service from there. In a real-world scenario, after a feature update, the spooler may be set to 'Manual' instead of 'Automatic', requiring manual intervention to restore printing.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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.
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: Administrative Tools > Services — The Print Spooler service is a Windows service that manages print jobs sent to the printer. Its startup type (e.g., Automatic, Manual, Disabled) is configured in the Services console, which is accessed via Administrative Tools > Services. Device Manager and Printers & scanners do not provide service startup type settings, and System > Advanced system settings deals with performance and user profiles, not services.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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 calls the help desk because their Windows 10 PC is not showing any sound icon in the system tray, and audio is not working. You suspect the audio service is disabled. Which Control Panel applet would you use to check and restart the Windows Audio service?
medium
A.Sound
B.Device Manager
✓ C.Administrative Tools
D.System
Why C: The Windows Audio service is a background service that must be running for audio to function. The Administrative Tools applet provides access to the Services console (services.msc), where you can check the status of the Windows Audio service and restart it if it is disabled or stopped. This is the correct tool because the Sound applet only configures playback devices and volume, not service states.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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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.
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