220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user reports that their Windows 10 workstation freezes intermittently. The technician suspects a third-party service is causing the issue. The technician wants to start the computer with only Microsoft services and drivers to isolate the problem. Which built-in tool should the technician use to perform this action?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse 'Task Manager' with the ability to disable services, but Task Manager only manages processes and startup programs, not the selective loading of Microsoft-only services at boot.
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
✓
System Configuration (msconfig)
The System Configuration utility (msconfig) allows the technician to perform a 'Selective startup' and check 'Load system services' while unchecking 'Load startup items,' or use the 'Services' tab to hide all Microsoft services and disable third-party ones. This isolates the issue by booting Windows with only Microsoft services and drivers, which is exactly what the scenario requires.
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 it's wrong here
Task Manager's Startup tab can disable only user-specified startup applications; its Services tab merely displays service status and cannot hide Microsoft services or alter the startup type of third-party services. Thus, while it can reduce autostart programs, it lacks the capability to selectively disable all non-Microsoft services in a single action, which is required for an isolated clean boot.
- ✓
System Configuration (msconfig)
Why this is correct
System Configuration (msconfig) is the correct tool because its Services tab includes the 'Hide all Microsoft services' checkbox, allowing you to instantly filter out Windows core services and then disable the remaining third-party services. Combined with Selective Startup on the General tab, this creates a clean boot environment that can isolate the specific service or driver responsible for intermittent freezes, after which you can re-enable items one by one.
- ✗
Event Viewer
Why it's wrong here
Event Viewer is a read-only diagnostic console that archives system, application, and security logs, including crash dumps and driver warnings. It can help you identify recurring error events after a freeze, but it cannot influence the boot process or service configuration, so it offers no method to prevent the conflicting service from loading at startup.
- ✗
Performance Monitor
Why it's wrong here
Performance Monitor is a real-time data collection tool that tracks system resources through performance counters, such as CPU, memory, and disk utilization, and can export logs for later analysis. It may reveal unusual spikes before a freeze, but it has no user interface for modifying service start types, disabling non-Microsoft services, or changing boot options, making it purely observational.
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Key term
MSConfig
MSConfig is a Windows system utility used to troubleshoot startup issues by managing boot settings, services, and startup programs.
Key term
System Configuration
System Configuration refers to the specific combination of hardware components, software settings, and operating system parameters that determine how a computer behaves and performs.
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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.