- A
Activity Monitor and sort by CPU usage.
Why wrong: Activity Monitor shows currently running processes, but it cannot disable startup items. It can help identify resource hogs after they are running, but not prevent them from starting.
- B
System Settings > General > Login Items.
This is the correct location to view and manage login items. The user can remove unnecessary applications to speed up the login process and reduce background resource usage.
- C
Terminal with the 'launchctl list' command.
Why wrong: This command lists launchd jobs (system and user daemons/agents), but it is more complex and not the standard GUI method for managing login items. It may also show items that are not visible in Login Items.
- D
Force Quit Applications window.
Why wrong: Force Quit only terminates currently running applications; it does not prevent them from launching again at login.
How to Disable Startup Items on macOS for CompTIA A+ Core 2
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of macos features and 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.
A user reports that their MacBook Air running macOS Monterey is running slowly and they suspect a startup item is consuming resources. They want to see which applications launch automatically at login and disable unnecessary ones. Which macOS tool should they use?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is System Settings > General > Login Items, because this is the dedicated macOS interface for managing applications and services that launch automatically at user login. On macOS Monterey and later, Apple consolidated this control under System Settings, where you can view the full list of startup items and remove unnecessary ones by selecting them and clicking the minus button. This question appears on the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam to test your ability to optimize system performance and troubleshoot slow boot times, often as a scenario where a user reports sluggishness after login. A common trap is confusing Login Items with Activity Monitor—while Activity Monitor shows running processes, it cannot disable startup items. Remember the memory tip: “Login Items live in Settings, not in the 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
System Settings > General > Login Items.
Option B is correct because macOS Monterey's System Settings (formerly System Preferences) includes a dedicated 'Login Items' pane under General that allows users to view and disable applications that launch automatically at login. This is the intended graphical interface for managing startup items, directly addressing the user's need to identify and disable unnecessary login applications without requiring command-line tools or performance monitors.
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.
- ✗
Activity Monitor and sort by CPU usage.
Why it's wrong here
Activity Monitor shows currently running processes, but it cannot disable startup items. It can help identify resource hogs after they are running, but not prevent them from starting.
- ✓
System Settings > General > Login Items.
Why this is correct
This is the correct location to view and manage login items. The user can remove unnecessary applications to speed up the login process and reduce background resource usage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Terminal with the 'launchctl list' command.
Why it's wrong here
This command lists launchd jobs (system and user daemons/agents), but it is more complex and not the standard GUI method for managing login items. It may also show items that are not visible in Login Items.
- ✗
Force Quit Applications window.
Why it's wrong here
Force Quit only terminates currently running applications; it does not prevent them from launching again at login.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between managing login items (System Settings > General > Login Items) and managing background processes (Activity Monitor or launchctl), leading candidates to confuse resource monitoring with startup management.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Activity Monitor shows currently running processes, but it cannot disable startup items. It can help identify resource hogs after they are running, but not prevent them from starting.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Login Items in macOS are stored per-user in the com.apple.loginitems.plist file within ~/Library/Preferences/ and are managed by the loginwindow process. When a user logs in, the system reads this plist and launches the specified applications; disabling an item in System Settings removes its entry from this plist. This mechanism is distinct from LaunchAgents (managed by launchd) and LaunchDaemons, which are controlled via launchctl and plist files in /Library/LaunchAgents or ~/Library/LaunchAgents.
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
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?
macOS Features and Tools — This question tests macOS Features and Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: System Settings > General > Login Items. — Option B is correct because macOS Monterey's System Settings (formerly System Preferences) includes a dedicated 'Login Items' pane under General that allows users to view and disable applications that launch automatically at login. This is the intended graphical interface for managing startup items, directly addressing the user's need to identify and disable unnecessary login applications without requiring command-line tools or performance monitors.
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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