- A
Services.msc
Why wrong: Services.msc manages Windows services that run in the background, not user-specific startup applications.
- B
Task Manager
Task Manager's Startup tab lists user startup items and allows you to enable or disable them easily.
- C
Computer Management
Why wrong: Computer Management is a container for multiple tools, but the direct way to manage user startup items is via Task Manager.
- D
Local Group Policy Editor
Why wrong: Group Policy is used for system-wide settings and requires more steps to configure per-user startup.
Question 99 of 750
How to Add a Startup Program for a Specific User Using Task Manager
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows administrative tools. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
During a software deployment, you need to configure a Windows 10 workstation to automatically start a legacy application every time a specific user logs on. Which tool should you use to add this startup entry for that user only?
Quick Answer
The answer is Task Manager, specifically its Startup tab, which is the correct tool to add a startup program for a specific user in Windows 10. This works because Task Manager manages per-user startup entries by modifying the user’s individual Registry hive and Startup folder, ensuring the application launches only when that particular user logs on, not for all users. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to differentiate between user-specific and system-wide startup management—a common trap is choosing Services.msc or Group Policy, which apply to all users or require advanced configuration. Remember that Task Manager’s Startup tab is the quick, standard administrative interface for per-user control, while the Startup folder and Registry offer deeper customization. A helpful memory tip: “Task Manager for the task of one user’s startup.”
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 (option B) is correct because it provides a simple, per-user startup management interface under the 'Startup' tab. You can enable or disable entries that run when the current user logs on, which directly meets the requirement of adding a legacy application for a specific user without affecting other users or requiring administrative privileges.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Services.msc
Why it's wrong here
Services.msc manages Windows services that run in the background, not user-specific startup applications.
- ✓
Task Manager
Why this is correct
Task Manager's Startup tab lists user startup items and allows you to enable or disable them easily.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Computer Management
Why it's wrong here
Computer Management is a container for multiple tools, but the direct way to manage user startup items is via Task Manager.
- ✗
Local Group Policy Editor
Why it's wrong here
Group Policy is used for system-wide settings and requires more steps to configure per-user startup.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between per-user startup (Task Manager) and system-wide startup (Services.msc or Group Policy), and the trap here is that candidates confuse the 'Startup' tab in Task Manager with the 'Startup' folder in the Start menu, or assume that Computer Management's 'Services' node can manage user-specific applications.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Task Manager's Startup tab reads from two registry locations: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run (per-user) and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run (all users). When you enable or disable an entry via Task Manager, it toggles the 'StartupType' value in the corresponding registry key. In a real-world scenario, a helpdesk technician might use Task Manager to quickly disable a legacy application that is slowing down a user's logon, without needing to open Regedit or navigate to the Startup folder.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Windows Administrative Tools — This question tests Windows Administrative Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Task Manager — Task Manager (option B) is correct because it provides a simple, per-user startup management interface under the 'Startup' tab. You can enable or disable entries that run when the current user logs on, which directly meets the requirement of adding a legacy application for a specific user without affecting other users or requiring administrative privileges.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.
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