CompTIA A+ CORE 2 220-1102 Notes

• Professor Messer's CompTIA A+ CORE 2 220-1102 Course Notes by James "Professor" Messer, copyright © 2022.
• Covers a wide range of technology topics and is considered the starting point for IT professionals.
• Requires completion of two exams: 220-1101 and 220-1102.
• The 220-1102 exam focuses on operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures.
• Exam Domains:
  • Domain 1.0 - Operating Systems - 31%
  • Domain 2.0 - Security - 25%
  • Domain 3.0 - Software Troubleshooting - 22%
  • Domain 4.0 - Operational Procedures - 22%

Windows

• The exam covers Windows 10 and Windows 11. Mainstream support is 5 years after release.
• Editions:
  • Home: For home users, integrates with Microsoft account, includes Windows Defender and Cortana.
  • Pro: Business version with additional management features like Remote Desktop host, BitLocker, and domain joining.
  • Pro for Workstations: For high-end desktops, enhanced performance, supports more CPUs and RAM, uses ReFS.
  • Enterprise: For large implementations with volume licensing, AppLocker, BranchCache, and granular UX control.

Windows Features at Work

• Large-scale support, security concerns, file sharing, and geographical distribution considerations.
• Domain Services: Active Directory for centralized network management.

Organizing Network Devices

• Windows Workgroups: Logical groups of standalone devices.
• Windows Domain: Business network with centralized authentication.

Desktop Styles

• Work: Standard, limited customization. Home: Flexible, full customization.

Availability of RDP

• Remote Desktop Protocol for remote device control, available in Pro and Enterprise, not Home.

RAM Support Limitations

• Varies between editions, advanced editions allow more RAM.

BitLocker and EFS

• Encrypting File System (EFS) for individual files/folders, BitLocker for full disk encryption (FDE).

Group Policy Editor

• Centrally manage users/systems via Active Directory or local system.
• Local Group Policy: gpedit.msc. Group Policy Management Console: gpmc.msc.

Windows Upgrades

• In-place upgrades keep files; clean installs wipe everything.

Upgrade Methods

• Use Windows installation media. Cannot upgrade x86 to x64 or vice versa; migration is needed.

Upgrade Paths

• In-place upgrades to Windows 10 from Windows 7 and 8.1, and to Windows 11 from Windows 10.

Post-Installation

• Test functionality, install service packs, security patches, drivers, and application updates.

Windows Command Line Tools

• Use "help" for command assistance (e.g., help dir, help chkdsk). Use [command] /? for options.

File Management

• dir: List files/directories. cd: Change directory. md: Make directory. rd: Remove directory.

Drive Letters

• Each partition gets a letter (usually C:). Combine with folders using backslashes (e.g., C:\Users\professor).

Hostname

• View device name via hostname.

Format

• Formats a disk (format c:). Use carefully to avoid data loss.

Copy

• Copies files (copy /v /y). /v verifies writes, /y suppresses overwrite prompts.

Xcopy

• Copies files and directory trees (xcopy /s Documents m:\backups).

Robocopy

• Robust copy utility, included with Windows 10/11.

Managing Group Policy

• gpupdate: Force Group Policy update (gpupdate /target:{computer|user} /force).
• gpresult: Verify policy settings (gpresult /r, gpresult /user sgc/professor /v).

Windows Network Command Line

• ipconfig: Determine TCP/IP and network adapter information.
• ping: Test reachability using ICMP.
• netstat: Show network statistics (netstat -a, netstat -b, netstat -n).
• nslookup: Lookup DNS information.
• net: View network resources (net view \\<servername>, net view /workgroup:<workgroupname>). Map network share (net use h: \\<servername>\<sharename>). Manage user accounts (net user <username>).
• tracert: Determine route a packet takes, using ICMP Time to Live Exceeded.
• shutdown: Shutdown/restart computer (shutdown /s /t nn, shutdown /r /t nn, shutdown /a).
• sfc: System File Checker (sfc /scannow).
• chkdsk: Check Disk (chkdsk /f, chkdsk /r).
• DiskPart: Manage disk configurations.
• winver: View About Windows dialog.

Pathping

• Combines ping and traceroute.

Task Manager

• Real-time system statistics (CPU, memory, disk).

Starting Task Manager

• Ctrl-Alt-Del, right-click taskbar, or Ctrl-Shift-Esc.

Services

• Manage background processes.

Startup

• Manage programs starting with Windows login.

Processes

• View all running processes.

Performance

• Statistical views of CPU, memory, disk, etc.

Networking

• Network performance metrics.

Users

• View connected users.

Microsoft Management Console

• Build custom consoles (mmc.exe).
• Event Viewer, Local Users and Groups, Disk Management, Task Scheduler.

Event Viewer

• Central event consolidation (eventvwr.msc).

Disk Management

• Manage disk operations (diskmgmt.msc).

Task Scheduler

• Schedule applications or scripts (taskschd.msc).

Device Manager

• Manage hardware devices (devmgmt.msc).

Certificate Manager

• View user and trusted certificates (certmgr.msc).

Local Users and Groups

• Manage users and groups (lusrmgr.msc).

Performance Monitor

• Gather long-term statistics (perfmon.msc).

Group Policy Editor

• Manage local device policies (gpedit.msc).

Additional Windows Tools

• System Information (msinfo32.exe): Hardware resources, components, software environment.
• Resource Monitor (resmon.exe): Detailed real-time performance view.
• System Configuration (msconfig.exe): Manage boot processes, startup, services.
• Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe): Free up disk space.
• Defrag (defrag <volume>): Disk defragmentation (not needed for SSDs).
• Registry Editor (regedit.exe): Master database; backup is recommended.

Windows Control Panel

• Internet Options: General, Security, Privacy, Content, Connections, Programs, Advanced.
• Devices and Printers: Network devices access.
• Programs and Features: Installed applications, Windows features.
• Network and Sharing Center: Network configurations.
• System: Computer information, performance settings, remote settings.
• Windows Defender Firewall: Protect from attacks.
• Mail: Access local mail configuration (if mail client installed).
• Sound: Output options, levels.
• User Accounts: Local user accounts management.
• Device Manager: Manage hardware.
• Indexing Options: Speed up the search process.
• File Explorer Options: Manage File Explorer.
• Administrative Tools: System administration utilities.
• Power Options: Power plans, lid behavior, USB suspend, fast startup.
• Ease of Access Center: Usability enhancements.

Windows Settings

• Updated interface for configurations. Search for "Settings".

Time and Language

• Automatic time setting, language options.

Update and Security

• OS updates and security patches.

Personalization

• Windows appearance customization.

Apps

• Manage installed applications.

Privacy

• Share app activity settings.

System

• Display and audio settings.

Devices

• Manage devices (Bluetooth, printers).

Network and Internet

• Network status, IP settings.

Gaming

• Xbox Game Bar.

Accounts

• Login account information, email configuration.

Windows Network Technologies

• Shared Resources: Folders/printers available on the network.
• Mapping Drives: Access share via drive letter.
• Sharing Printers: Share a printer on the network.
• Proxy Settings: Change traffic flow.
• Network Locations: Private (sharing), Public (no sharing).
• Network Paths: View in File Explorer, map drives.
• Metered Connections: Reduce data usage.

Configuring Windows Firewall

• Enable always, temporary disable for troubleshooting, different settings for network types.

Creating a Firewall Exception

• Allow app/feature through firewall, configure port number, predefined exceptions, custom rules.

Windows IP Address Configuration

• DHCP: Automatic IP addressing.
• APIPA: Automatic Private IP Addressing (169.254.x.x), local communication.
• Static: Manual IP configuration.