220-1102 Operating Systems Practice Question
A technician needs to troubleshoot a Windows 10 workstation that is experiencing random crashes. The technician wants to start the system with only essential drivers and services to isolate the issue. Which tool should the technician use to configure this boot mode from within Windows?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse the 'Diagnostic startup' option in msconfig with Safe Mode. While msconfig's Boot tab does allow enabling Safe Boot, the 'Diagnostic startup' loads only essential drivers and services without necessarily entering Safe Mode. This distinction is important, as Safe Mode may not be required if the issue can be isolated with a minimal boot environment. Additionally, some candidates may think Safe Mode can only be initiated via F8 or Shift+Restart, but msconfig can also be used to configure Safe Boot for the next restart.
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 you to select a 'Diagnostic startup' or 'Selective startup' mode, which loads only essential drivers and services. This is the correct tool to configure a minimal boot environment from within Windows to isolate crash causes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
System Configuration (msconfig)
Why this is correct
The System Configuration utility (msconfig) provides a graphical interface for modifying boot options. On the 'Boot' tab, selecting 'Safe boot' and choosing a variant (Minimal, Alternate shell, or Network) writes a safeboot flag to the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store, causing Windows to launch with only essential drivers and services on the next restart. This is the standard GUI method for enabling Safe Mode from within a running Windows 10 system.
- ✗
bcdedit
Why it's wrong here
The bcdedit command-line tool directly edits the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store and can configure Safe Mode by setting the 'safeboot' parameter, for example 'bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal'. However, it requires an elevated Command Prompt and is not the typical GUI method that most technicians use when troubleshooting in a graphical environment. Its syntax is error-prone, and unlike msconfig, it does not offer a simple checkbox interface, making msconfig the more appropriate answer for a standard Windows 10 workstation.
- ✗
Task Manager
Why it's wrong here
Task Manager is a system utility for monitoring and managing running processes, performance metrics, and startup applications. It allows you to disable startup programs or end non-responsive processes, but it has no functionality for altering the Windows boot configuration or initiating a Safe Mode session. The 'Startup' tab only controls which applications launch at user sign-in, not the low-level boot drivers or services that Safe Mode affects.
- ✗
Windows Memory Diagnostic
Why it's wrong here
Windows Memory Diagnostic is a specialized tool designed to test your computer's RAM for hardware errors, such as bad memory modules or timing issues. Its sole purpose is to perform memory tests and report errors; it does not interact with the boot configuration or provide any option to start Windows in Safe Mode. While memory problems can cause boot failures, using this tool would not help you troubleshoot a driver or service issue that requires a minimal boot environment.
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Windows Update Configuration
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
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
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