220-1102 Question 79
Single answerStartupA Windows 11 laptop used by a sales manager has become noticeably slow during sign-in. After entering credentials, the desktop takes several minutes to become usable, and Task Manager shows high disk activity immediately after logon. The user says the slowdown started after several applications were installed for a recent project. As a technician, you want to improve startup performance without uninstalling software or changing user data. Which action should you take FIRST?
- A
Open Task Manager and disable nonessential programs on the Startup tab
- B
Run chkdsk /f to repair file system errors on the drive
- C
Use System Restore to return the laptop to a point before the software was installed
- D
Boot into Safe Mode and delete temporary files from the user profile
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best first step is to review and disable nonessential startup applications using Task Manager. On modern Windows systems, many applications add themselves to startup during installation, which can significantly delay post-logon usability and increase CPU or disk activity. CompTIA A+ Core 2 expects technicians to recognize common startup-performance symptoms and use built-in administrative tools appropriately before moving to more invasive troubleshooting methods. Microsoft documents startup app management through Task Manager and Windows Settings as a supported way to improve boot and sign-in performance. More disruptive actions such as System Restore, Safe Mode troubleshooting, or disk repair should generally be reserved for cases where startup app management does not resolve the problem or when evidence points to corruption, malware, or driver failure.
- A. Correct.
Correct. When a system is slow specifically after sign-in and the issue began after installing several applications, one of the most likely causes is too many startup applications launching at logon. In Windows 10 and Windows 11, Task Manager's Startup tab is a standard first step for identifying and disabling nonessential startup items. This directly addresses startup performance without uninstalling applications or affecting user data.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. chkdsk /f is appropriate when there are signs of file system corruption, disk errors, or problems such as failed reads/writes, blue screens tied to storage, or improper shutdowns. In this scenario, the symptoms point more clearly to excessive startup applications after software installation, not drive corruption. Running chkdsk is also more intrusive and not the best first action.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. System Restore could potentially reverse changes made by recent software installations, but it is not the best first step because it is more disruptive and may remove application installs, drivers, or settings changes. The scenario specifically asks for improving startup performance without uninstalling software or changing user data, so managing startup items is the more appropriate initial response.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Safe Mode is useful for isolating startup and driver issues, and deleting temporary files may help with storage-related problems, but neither directly targets the most likely cause here: too many applications configured to run at logon. This option is less efficient and does not align as well with the requirement to improve startup performance first.