220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user reports that their Windows 10 computer is running slowly and they notice many background processes running. The technician wants to identify which process is consuming the most CPU resources. Which tool should the technician use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse Performance Monitor (a more advanced, counter-based tool) with Task Manager, but the question specifically asks for the quickest and most direct tool to identify the current highest CPU consumer, which is Task Manager.
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 (B) is the correct tool because it provides a real-time view of running processes, CPU usage, memory consumption, and other performance metrics. The technician can open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the Processes tab, and sort by the CPU column to instantly identify which process is consuming the most CPU resources. This is the standard, built-in utility for monitoring and troubleshooting process-level resource consumption on 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.
- ✗
Event Viewer
Why it's wrong here
Event Viewer records system events and errors, not real-time CPU usage per process. It aggregates Windows logs (Application, Security, System) for auditing and troubleshooting past incidents, and can report a process crash after the fact, but it cannot show which process is currently consuming CPU. To identify a live resource hog, you need a tool that samples current process performance, not a log of historical events.
- ✓
Task Manager
Why this is correct
Task Manager shows current process performance data, including CPU usage. Its Processes and Performance tabs list every running process with near-real-time CPU, memory, disk, and network values, and you can sort by CPU to instantly find a runaway process. It also offers the Details tab with PID and the ability to end a task, making it the correct first-line tool for diagnosing a sudden slowdown.
- ✗
System Configuration
Why it's wrong here
System Configuration (msconfig) manages startup programs, boot options, and selectively disables services, but it does not monitor real-time resource usage. It changes what loads at boot time, which might address slow startup, but it provides no per-process CPU or memory counters. On modern Windows, its Startup tab redirects to Task Manager, reinforcing that msconfig is a configuration utility rather than a diagnostic monitoring tool.
- ✗
Performance Monitor
Why it's wrong here
Performance Monitor is used for detailed, long-term performance logging, not quick identification of a current CPU spike. It requires adding specific counters, such as '% Processor Time' per process, to a chart or data collector set, which is overkill for an immediate slowdown. Task Manager's sortable process list gives the same answer instantly without configuration, so Performance Monitor is better suited for trend analysis and intermittent issues.
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Windows Task Manager
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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JA
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.