220-1102 Operating Systems Practice Question
A technician needs to view detailed hardware and software information on a Windows 10 Pro workstation, including the installed RAM, processor model, and BIOS version, to verify compatibility before deploying a new application. Which built-in system tool should the technician use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse Device Manager's hardware listing with the comprehensive system summary needed for compatibility checks, overlooking that Device Manager does not display BIOS version or total RAM in a single, easy-to-read format.
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 Information (msinfo32)
System Information (msinfo32) is the correct tool because it provides a comprehensive view of both hardware and software details, including installed RAM capacity, processor model, and BIOS version, all in a single interface. This makes it ideal for verifying system compatibility before deploying a new application, as it consolidates critical system data without requiring multiple tools.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Device Manager
Why it's wrong here
Device Manager (devmgmt.msc) is a Microsoft Management Console snap-in that catalogs installed hardware components by category (display adapters, network adapters, etc.) and provides driver control, including updating, rolling back, enabling, and disabling devices. However, its per-device property sheets only show driver details, resource assignments, and power management options; they do not expose the BIOS version, total installed RAM, or motherboard model. It lacks a consolidated system-wide inventory, making it unsuitable for viewing the full hardware and software picture that System Information offers.
- ✗
Task Manager
Why it's wrong here
Task Manager (taskmgr.exe) focuses on live operational data: running processes, CPU and memory usage per process, the Performance tab with graphs for CPU, memory, disk, and Ethernet, and other dynamic views like Startup apps. While the Performance tab does show the processor name and total RAM, it omits crucial static-inventory details such as BIOS/UEFI version, motherboard manufacturer, OS build details, and the software environment. Its design goal is real-time monitoring and process management, not generating a comprehensive system profile, so it does not match the question's requirement for detailed hardware and software information.
- ✓
System Information (msinfo32)
Why this is correct
System Information (msinfo32.exe) is the correct Windows 10 utility because it queries WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) and the registry to produce a thorough, hierarchical report of hardware and software configuration. It displays exactly the requested details: processor model, installed RAM, BIOS version and date, motherboard manufacturer, disk drives, network adapters, OS version, and even running services and environment variables. Unlike the other tools, it is specifically built for system inventory tasks and allows exporting the entire snapshot to an .nfo or text file, making it the standard first stop for a full system overview.
- ✗
Resource Monitor
Why it's wrong here
Resource Monitor (resmon.exe) is a real-time diagnostics tool that drills into hardware performance by tab: CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network, showing per-process activity, response times, and queue lengths. It does not provide static system configuration data like BIOS version, RAM capacity, or processor details in an organized inventory, nor does it enumerate installed drivers or software environment characteristics. Its intended use is troubleshooting live performance bottlenecks, not answering the question of what hardware/software is present in the machine, which is System Information's domain.
Go deeper
Related to this question
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System Restore Points
Key term
Dual In-line Memory Module
A Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM) is a small circuit board that holds memory chips and plugs into a computer's motherboard to provide Random Access Memory (RAM).
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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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.