220-1102 Operating Systems Practice Question

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 (services.msc) is the Microsoft Management Console snap-in for managing Windows services, which are background processes that run independently of user sessions under the LocalSystem, NetworkService, or LocalService accounts. While some third-party tools may install as services for autostart, user-installed applications like browsers or utilities register themselves via the Run registry keys or Startup folder, not as services. Disabling an application here would also likely break system functionality if it's actually a service the OS needs, making this the wrong tool for controlling normal startup apps.

• ✓

  Task Manager

  Why this is correct

  Task Manager is the correct tool because its Startup tab enumerates startup applications from multiple sources, including the per-user and common Run registry keys and the Startup folders, and consolidates them into a simple on/off toggle. It also displays a 'Startup impact' column to help users identify resource-hungry programs without requiring registry editing or manual removal. Unlike services or msconfig, Task Manager focuses exclusively on user-level startup items and disables them by setting a binary flag in the registry—either HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartupApproved\Run or the corresponding HKCU\...\StartupFolder key—so the original entry remains intact and can be re-enabled at any time.

• ✗

  Registry Editor (Regedit)

  Why it's wrong here

  Registry Editor (regedit) can disable startup programs by deleting or modifying values under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run or HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, but doing so is risky and error-prone for routine tasks. A mistyped key, accidental deletion of an unrelated value, or editing the wrong hive can break application updates, user profiles, or even the OS itself. While the registry is the underlying storage, Task Manager provides an audited, safe interface that writes the proper StartupApproved flags, so direct registry editing is neither recommended nor necessary for disabling startup items.

• ✗

  System Configuration (msconfig)

  Why it's wrong here

  System Configuration (msconfig) has a Startup tab in older Windows versions, but in Windows 10 and Windows 11 it simply displays a message 'Open Task Manager' and redirects you there. The Startup tab in msconfig no longer lists or toggles startup programs itself; instead, it links to Task Manager's Startup tab, which is the actual management interface. Additionally, msconfig is primarily used for boot options, services, and selective troubleshooting, not for managing user-autostart apps, so relying on it here would be inefficient and potentially confusing.

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