- A
Services console to stop the 'Task Scheduler' service.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Stopping the service would prevent all tasks from running, but it does not allow you to review or delete individual tasks.
- B
Task Scheduler to examine the task library and disable suspicious entries.
Correct. Task Scheduler provides a full list of scheduled tasks, including those created by malware, and allows disabling or deleting them.
- C
Resource Monitor to see which tasks are currently running.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Resource Monitor shows running processes, not scheduled tasks that may not be active.
- D
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security to block the tasks' network access.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Firewall controls network traffic, not scheduled tasks.
Question 69 of 750
How to Disable Suspicious Scheduled Tasks Using Task Scheduler
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows administrative tools. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
After a malware infection, a user's Windows 10 PC has several suspicious scheduled tasks that run at startup. Which administrative tool should you use to review and disable these tasks?
Quick Answer
The answer is Task Scheduler, which you access by running taskschd.msc. This administrative tool is the correct choice because malware commonly creates suspicious scheduled tasks to achieve persistence, launching malicious code at startup or specific intervals. Task Scheduler allows you to review the entire task library, examine triggers and actions, and disable any suspicious entries by right-clicking and selecting Disable or Delete. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your knowledge of Windows administrative tools and malware removal best practices; a common trap is confusing Task Scheduler with Services.msc or Msconfig, but remember that only Task Scheduler manages time-based task triggers. To disable suspicious scheduled tasks effectively, always check the task’s trigger, action, and author fields for anomalies. A helpful memory tip: think of “Scheduler” as the “schedule keeper” for malware—if you want to stop a recurring bad appointment, you cancel it in the scheduler.
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 Scheduler to examine the task library and disable suspicious entries.
The Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc) is the correct administrative tool to review and disable suspicious scheduled tasks because it provides a centralized library of all tasks, including their triggers, actions, and conditions. After a malware infection, attackers often create persistent scheduled tasks that run at startup; using Task Scheduler, you can navigate to the Task Scheduler Library, locate the malicious entries, and disable or delete them directly without affecting the core Task Scheduler service.
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 console to stop the 'Task Scheduler' service.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Stopping the service would prevent all tasks from running, but it does not allow you to review or delete individual tasks.
- ✓
Task Scheduler to examine the task library and disable suspicious entries.
Why this is correct
Correct. Task Scheduler provides a full list of scheduled tasks, including those created by malware, and allows disabling or deleting them.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Resource Monitor to see which tasks are currently running.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Resource Monitor shows running processes, not scheduled tasks that may not be active.
- ✗
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security to block the tasks' network access.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Firewall controls network traffic, not scheduled tasks.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The CompTIA A+ exam often tests the misconception that stopping a service or using a firewall rule can disable a scheduled task, but the correct approach is to use the Task Scheduler itself to manage the task entries directly.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect. Resource Monitor shows running processes, not scheduled tasks that may not be active.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Scheduled tasks in Windows are stored as XML files in %SystemRoot%\System32\Tasks and are loaded by the Task Scheduler service (Schedule) at system startup. Malware often creates tasks with hidden attributes or uses the 'Run with highest privileges' option to escalate persistence; disabling the task via the Task Scheduler console removes the trigger without deleting the XML file, allowing forensic analysis later. In real-world incidents, attackers may name tasks to mimic legitimate Microsoft entries (e.g., 'WindowsUpdate') to evade casual inspection, requiring careful review of the task's Actions tab for the executable path.
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 practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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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 Scheduler to examine the task library and disable suspicious entries. — The Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc) is the correct administrative tool to review and disable suspicious scheduled tasks because it provides a centralized library of all tasks, including their triggers, actions, and conditions. After a malware infection, attackers often create persistent scheduled tasks that run at startup; using Task Scheduler, you can navigate to the Task Scheduler Library, locate the malicious entries, and disable or delete them directly without affecting the core Task Scheduler service.
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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