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.