220-1102 Operating Systems Practice Question
A user wants to quickly see which processes are consuming the most CPU and memory on a Windows 10 computer. Which keyboard shortcut opens the Task Manager directly?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse Ctrl+Alt+Del (which requires an extra click to reach Task Manager) with the direct shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Esc, assuming both open Task Manager immediately, but only Ctrl+Shift+Esc bypasses the security screen.
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
✓
Ctrl+Shift+Esc
Ctrl+Shift+Esc is the direct keyboard shortcut to open Task Manager in Windows 10 without any intermediate screen. This allows the user to immediately view the Processes tab, which lists all running processes sorted by CPU and memory usage, enabling quick identification of resource-heavy applications.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Ctrl+Shift+Esc
Why this is correct
Ctrl+Shift+Esc is the direct keyboard shortcut for Task Manager, launching the utility immediately with no intermediate steps. It opens the Processes tab by default, where you can instantly sort by the CPU column to see which processes are using the most processing power. Unlike Ctrl+Alt+Del, it does not route through a security screen, making it the fastest method in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- ✗
Ctrl+Alt+Del
Why it's wrong here
Ctrl+Alt+Del triggers the Windows secure attention sequence, opening a full-screen menu with options such as Lock, Switch User, and Sign Out. Task Manager is listed there, but you must manually click or press enter on it, adding an extra step. While this method works, it is not a direct shortcut because the utility does not appear until you select it from that security screen.
- ✗
Alt+F4
Why it's wrong here
Alt+F4 is a keyboard shortcut that closes the active application window, or if the desktop is focused, it displays the Shut Down Windows dialog. It has no function related to system monitoring or process management, so it will never open Task Manager. This shortcut is commonly used for quitting programs, not for launching system utilities.
- ✗
Windows key + X
Why it's wrong here
Windows key + X opens the Quick Link menu, a context menu in the lower-left corner that lists administrative utilities like Device Manager, Disk Management, and Command Prompt. Task Manager appears as an item in this list, but you must move down and select it, so it requires additional navigation. This method is indirect and may not be available on older Windows versions that lack the Quick Link menu.
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
User Account Control (UAC)
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.
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.
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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.