220-1102 Operating Systems Practice Question
A technician needs to view a list of all running processes and their CPU and memory usage on a Windows 10 computer. Which built-in tool should the technician use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse Resource Monitor (B) as the correct answer because it also shows process CPU and memory usage, but the question specifically asks for the 'built-in tool' to 'view a list of all running processes and their CPU and memory usage,' which is the primary function of Task Manager, not the more specialized Resource Monitor.
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 (A) is the correct built-in tool for viewing a list of all running processes along with their CPU and memory usage on Windows 10. It provides a real-time, sortable list of processes on the Processes tab, showing columns for CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network utilization, making it the most direct and accessible tool for this task.
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 this is correct
Task Manager (taskmgr.exe) is the primary Windows utility for viewing all running processes at a glance, with sortable columns for CPU and memory consumption. Its Processes tab groups apps and background processes, while the Details tab exposes individual process IDs (PIDs), CPU time, and private/working set memory. It updates in real time and is the fastest way to identify a resource-hungry process and end it.
- ✗
Resource Monitor
Why it's wrong here
Resource Monitor (resmon.exe) is a secondary diagnostics tool that provides far more granular per-process telemetry than Task Manager. It breaks down memory into working sets, shareable, committed, and private bytes; tracks per-process disk I/O and network traffic; and can show the CPU activity of each process's threads. However, it is accessed via Task Manager's Performance tab or perfmon, and it is not the primary tool for a simple real-time process list.
- ✗
Performance Monitor
Why it's wrong here
Performance Monitor (perfmon.msc) is designed for advanced performance analysis through counters and logging, such as capturing '% Processor Time' or 'Available MBytes' over timed intervals. It does not present a static inventory of currently running processes; instead, it samples system metrics and can log them to Data Collector Sets for later review. Because its purpose is long-term baseline tracking and trend analysis, it is not used for quick process enumeration.
- ✗
System Configuration
Why it's wrong here
System Configuration (msconfig.exe) manages startup programs, boot parameters, and which services start automatically with Windows. It never shows a list of processes that are currently executing in memory; it only configures what will be injected or loaded at the next boot cycle. While its Tools tab can launch utilities like Task Manager, msconfig itself is not a process viewer and does not report CPU or memory usage.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Windows Device Manager
Key term
Task Manager
Task Manager is a built-in Windows utility that shows running programs, processes, and system performance, allowing users to monitor and manage computer activity.
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.
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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.