- A
tasklist
Correct. tasklist lists all running processes with memory usage, allowing you to identify the culprit.
- B
ipconfig
Why wrong: Incorrect. ipconfig displays network configuration, not running processes.
- C
chkdsk
Why wrong: Incorrect. chkdsk checks disk integrity and repairs file system errors, not process information.
- D
sfc
Why wrong: Incorrect. sfc (System File Checker) scans for and repairs corrupted system files, not running processes.
Question 677 of 750
How to Identify Memory-Hungry Processes with tasklist
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows command-line 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 Windows 10 PC is running slowly and they suspect a background process is consuming excessive memory. Which command-line tool should you use to identify the process by name and memory usage?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Quick Answer
The answer is the `tasklist` command, because it is the native Windows tool that lists processes with memory usage directly in the command line. When you run `tasklist` without any switches, it displays every running process by name, along with its Process ID (PID), session name, and a "Mem Usage" column showing the current working set in kilobytes. This makes it the precise tool for identifying a memory-hungry process by name, as required in the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam scenario where a user reports a slow PC due to a suspected background process. On the exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between diagnostic utilities—common traps include choosing `ipconfig` (network configuration) or `diskpart` (disk management), which show no memory data. A strong memory tip is to think of the "task" in tasklist: it lists tasks and their memory, while `taskkill` ends them. Remember the mnemonic "Tasklist Tells Memory" to recall that this command reveals which process is eating your RAM.
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
✓
tasklist
The `tasklist` command displays a list of all currently running processes on a Windows system, including their process ID (PID), session name, session number, and memory usage. By default, it shows memory consumption in kilobytes, allowing you to identify which process is consuming excessive memory by name. This makes it the correct tool for diagnosing a memory-hungry background process.
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.
- ✓
tasklist
Why this is correct
Correct. tasklist lists all running processes with memory usage, allowing you to identify the culprit.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
ipconfig
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. ipconfig displays network configuration, not running processes.
- ✗
chkdsk
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. chkdsk checks disk integrity and repairs file system errors, not process information.
- ✗
sfc
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. sfc (System File Checker) scans for and repairs corrupted system files, not running processes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between system information commands (like `systeminfo` or `tasklist`) and network or disk utilities; the trap here is that candidates may confuse `ipconfig` (a network tool) or `sfc` (a system file checker) with a process management tool, or assume `chkdsk` can show memory usage because it reports disk-related resource consumption.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `tasklist` queries the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) or the Native API (NtQuerySystemInformation) to enumerate process objects in the kernel's process list. The memory column typically shows the 'Working Set' size, which is the set of memory pages currently resident in physical RAM for that process. In real-world troubleshooting, you can combine `tasklist` with `findstr` to filter for a specific process name (e.g., `tasklist | findstr chrome`) or use the `/FI` filter option to list processes exceeding a certain memory threshold.
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?
Windows Command-Line Tools — This question tests Windows Command-Line Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: tasklist — The `tasklist` command displays a list of all currently running processes on a Windows system, including their process ID (PID), session name, session number, and memory usage. By default, it shows memory consumption in kilobytes, allowing you to identify which process is consuming excessive memory by name. This makes it the correct tool for diagnosing a memory-hungry background process.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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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