CompTIA A+ (220-1202): Operating Systems
Table of Contents
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Operating Systems is 28% of the CompTIA A+ 220-1202 Core 2 exam, the largest Core 2 domain. This module covers OS types, installations, Windows editions, tools, the command line, settings, and macOS and Linux. Core 2 is software-focused, and this domain rewards hands-on practice in real systems.
The operating system is where users and hardware meet. You install it, configure it, fix it, and secure it. This module covers the three desktop platforms and the Windows tools and commands you will use every shift.
OS Types and Filesystems
You match the OS and filesystem to the device.
| OS | Common filesystem |
|---|---|
| Windows | NTFS, ReFS, FAT32, exFAT |
| macOS | APFS, HFS+ |
| Linux | ext4, XFS, Btrfs |
| Chrome OS | Cloud-centric, ext4 underneath |
| Mobile (Android/iOS) | Sandboxed app storage |
NTFS supports permissions, encryption, and large files. FAT32 is universal but caps files at 4 GB. exFAT removes that cap for large external drives.
Installations and Upgrades
You deploy Windows the right way for the situation.
| Method | Use |
|---|---|
| Clean install | Fresh OS, wipes the disk |
| In-place upgrade | Keeps apps and files |
| Image deployment | Mass rollout from one image |
| Repair install | Fixes a broken OS, keeps data |
Partition styles matter at install: GPT supports drives larger than 2 TB and many partitions, while MBR is the legacy limit of four primary partitions and 2 TB.
Windows Editions
You pick the edition by required features.
| Edition | Key features |
|---|---|
| Home | Basic, no domain join |
| Pro | Domain join, BitLocker, Group Policy, RDP host |
| Enterprise | Volume licensing, advanced management |
Only Pro and higher can join a domain and host Remote Desktop.
Windows Tools
You manage the system with built-in utilities.
- Task Manager shows processes, performance, startup apps, and services.
- Event Viewer logs system, application, and security events.
- Disk Management creates, formats, and resizes partitions.
- Registry Editor (regedit) edits the Windows configuration database. Back up the registry before edits.
- MMC snap-ins host tools like Device Manager and Local Users and Groups.
Command-Line Tools
You troubleshoot fast from the command line.
ipconfig /all # View full IP configuration
ping 8.8.8.8 # Test connectivity
nslookup example.com # Query DNS
netstat -ano # List connections and owning PIDs
sfc /scannow # Repair protected system files
chkdsk /f # Check and fix the filesystem
robocopy C:\src D:\dst /E # Mirror folders, including subdirs
For a deeper reference, read the Windows command line guide and the Windows directory structure guide .
Windows Settings and Networking
You configure how Windows joins and protects the network.
- Workgroup vs domain: a workgroup is peer-to-peer, a domain is centrally managed by Active Directory.
- Windows Defender Firewall filters inbound and outbound traffic.
- VPN connections tunnel traffic securely to a remote network.
- Proxy settings route web traffic through a filtering server.
macOS and Linux
You support the other two desktop platforms.
- macOS uses System Settings, Terminal, FileVault disk encryption, Time Machine backups, and Spotlight search.
- Linux runs core commands you must know:
ls -l # List files with permissions
chmod 755 file # Set permissions
sudo apt update # Update packages (Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo dnf install # Install packages (Fedora/RHEL)
New to Linux? Start with the best Linux distros for beginners .
Next Steps
Continue Core 2 with Security and Software Troubleshooting . Close out the exam with Operational Procedures . Return to the CompTIA A+ Course and review tips for passing CompTIA exams .
