220-1102 Question 95
Single answerSystem Configuration (msconfig.exe)A Windows 10 user reports that the PC has become very slow immediately after sign-in. The issue started after several third-party utilities were installed for printer management and file syncing. The system works normally in Safe Mode. You want to use System Configuration (msconfig.exe) to determine whether a non-Microsoft service is causing the problem while minimizing the risk of disabling critical Windows components. Which action should you take first?
- A
Open msconfig, go to the Services tab, select Hide all Microsoft services, and then disable the remaining services for testing
- B
Open msconfig, go to the Boot tab, and enable Safe boot so the user can continue working while you troubleshoot
- C
Open msconfig, go to the General tab, choose Diagnostic startup, and reboot to identify the exact third-party service
- D
Open msconfig, go to the Tools tab, launch Device Manager, and uninstall all recently added devices
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This scenario points to a clean-boot troubleshooting process. In Windows System Configuration (msconfig.exe), the recommended practical approach is to open the Services tab, select Hide all Microsoft services, and then disable the remaining third-party services to test whether one of them is causing the slowdown. This reduces the risk of disabling essential Windows services. If performance improves, services can then be re-enabled in groups or individually to identify the exact cause. Microsoft support guidance for clean boot troubleshooting also emphasizes hiding Microsoft services before disabling non-Microsoft services. The Boot tab is mainly used for startup boot options such as Safe boot, while the Tools tab only provides shortcuts to other utilities rather than directly isolating startup service problems.
- A. Correct.
Correct. In msconfig, the Services tab includes the important option to hide Microsoft services before disabling others. This is a standard troubleshooting step for performing a clean-boot style test because it helps isolate third-party services without turning off core Windows services that the operating system needs. Since the issue does not occur in Safe Mode and started after additional software was installed, selectively disabling non-Microsoft services is the safest and most targeted first step.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Safe boot on the Boot tab forces the system to continue starting in Safe Mode, which can help confirm that the issue is related to nonessential startup items or services, but it is not the best first action when the goal is to isolate a problematic third-party service using msconfig. It also does not minimize disruption for normal testing because the machine will no longer boot normally until the setting is removed.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Diagnostic startup can reduce loaded drivers and services, but it is broader and less precise than hiding Microsoft services and disabling only third-party services. It may help confirm that the problem is caused by something outside normal Windows startup, but it does not identify the exact service and can disable more components than necessary. A clean-boot approach is typically preferred first.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. The Tools tab in msconfig does provide shortcuts to administrative utilities such as Device Manager, but uninstalling devices is not an appropriate first response here. The symptoms began after software installation, the system runs normally in Safe Mode, and the question specifically asks how to use System Configuration to test for a non-Microsoft service issue.