- A
Task Manager
Why wrong: Task Manager can show running processes but cannot directly stop or restart services.
- B
Services.msc
Services.msc lists all services, including the Print Spooler, and allows you to stop, start, or restart them.
- C
Device Manager
Why wrong: Device Manager manages hardware devices and drivers, not services.
- D
Event Viewer
Why wrong: Event Viewer logs service events but does not allow you to control service state.
Question 170 of 750
How to Restart the Print Spooler Service Using Services.msc
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows administrative tools. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 installing a new printer, a user reports that print jobs are stuck in the queue and cannot be deleted. You need to stop and restart the print spooler service to clear the queue. Which administrative tool allows you to manage this service?
Quick Answer
The answer is Services.msc, the Microsoft Management Console snap-in that provides a graphical interface for controlling Windows services like the Print Spooler. This tool is correct because the Print Spooler is a background service responsible for managing print jobs; when jobs become stuck in the queue, stopping and restarting the service via Services.msc clears the queue and resets the spooler without requiring a system reboot. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your ability to troubleshoot printing issues using the appropriate administrative tool—a common trap is confusing Services.msc with Task Manager, which can only end processes, not manage service states. Remember, Event Viewer logs errors but cannot restart services, so Services.msc is the only direct answer. A helpful memory tip: think “S for Spooler, S for Services.msc”—the tool’s name literally starts with the same letter as the service you need to restart.
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
✓
Services.msc
The Print Spooler is a Windows service that manages print jobs. To stop and restart it, you need the Services management console, which is accessed by running 'services.msc'. This tool allows you to start, stop, pause, and configure services, making it the correct administrative tool for clearing a stuck print queue.
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.
- ✗
Task Manager
Why it's wrong here
Task Manager can show running processes but cannot directly stop or restart services.
- ✓
Services.msc
Why this is correct
Services.msc lists all services, including the Print Spooler, and allows you to stop, start, or restart them.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Device Manager
Why it's wrong here
Device Manager manages hardware devices and drivers, not services.
- ✗
Event Viewer
Why it's wrong here
Event Viewer logs service events but does not allow you to control service state.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Task Manager with service management because both can stop processes, but Task Manager cannot manage Windows services directly; only services.msc or the command line can stop and restart the Print Spooler service.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Task Manager can show running processes but cannot directly stop or restart services.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Print Spooler service (spoolsv.exe) loads printer drivers and manages the spooling of print jobs to the correct printer port. When a print job becomes stuck, stopping the service (net stop spooler) clears all pending jobs from the %SystemRoot%\System32\spool\PRINTERS folder, and restarting it (net start spooler) reinitializes the service. In a domain environment, Group Policy can restrict access to services.msc, requiring alternative methods like PowerShell's Restart-Service -Name Spooler.
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 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: Services.msc — The Print Spooler is a Windows service that manages print jobs. To stop and restart it, you need the Services management console, which is accessed by running 'services.msc'. This tool allows you to start, stop, pause, and configure services, making it the correct administrative tool for clearing a stuck print queue.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1202
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user is unable to install a new printer on their Windows 10 workstation because the 'Print Spooler' service is not running. You need to start the service and ensure it starts automatically on boot. Which tool should you use?
medium- A.Device Manager
- ✓ B.Services
- C.Task Scheduler
- D.System Configuration
Why B: The Print Spooler is a Windows service that manages print jobs sent to the printer. To start it and set its startup type to Automatic, you must use the Services console (services.msc), which provides direct control over service state and startup configuration. Device Manager manages hardware drivers, not service states.
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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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