220-1102 Question 77
Single answerTask ManagerA user reports that their Windows 10 laptop becomes very slow a few minutes after sign-in. Applications eventually open, but the desktop is unresponsive for several minutes. You open Task Manager and want to identify whether a startup application is causing the slowdown so you can reduce its impact without uninstalling software. Which Task Manager action should you take first?
- A
Open the Startup tab and sort by Startup impact to find and disable the high-impact startup app
- B
Open the Performance tab and run Resource Monitor to permanently stop the process
- C
Open the Users tab and sign out all other users to prevent startup apps from loading
- D
Open the Services tab and stop all non-Microsoft services to improve boot performance
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best first action is to use Task Manager's Startup tab to review applications that launch when the user signs in. On Windows 10, Task Manager shows a Startup impact column to help technicians quickly identify which apps are likely affecting logon and desktop responsiveness. This is a common and practical troubleshooting step for post-login slowness. Microsoft documents Task Manager as a tool for viewing startup apps and managing their enabled or disabled status. Best practice is to disable only suspected high-impact items one at a time, test the result, and avoid disabling security or critical business software unless directed by policy.
- A. Correct.
Correct. In Windows Task Manager, the Startup tab is specifically used to review applications configured to launch at sign-in. Sorting by Startup impact helps identify programs that significantly affect logon performance. Disabling a high-impact startup app is an appropriate first troubleshooting step when the goal is to reduce startup-related slowdowns without uninstalling the software.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. The Performance tab can help monitor system resource usage and provides access to Resource Monitor, but Resource Monitor is not the first tool in Task Manager for identifying startup applications. Also, using it to 'permanently stop' a process is inaccurate; ending a running process does not permanently prevent it from launching at startup.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. The Users tab shows resource usage by signed-in users and can help in multi-user environments, but this scenario points to slowdowns shortly after the affected user signs in. Signing out other users would not directly identify which startup application is responsible for the delay on this user's profile.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. The Services tab can be used to view and manage services, but stopping all non-Microsoft services is not a safe or targeted first step. Many legitimate third-party services are required for security software, hardware support, or business applications. This option reflects an overly broad troubleshooting approach rather than using Task Manager's startup management feature.