220-1202 Operating Systems Study Guide for the CompTIA A+ Core Series Exam

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General Information

If every business used either a Mac or Windows, your job in IT support would be a lot less complicated. But they don’t, so it’s not. To support all clients, you need to be conversant in all types of systems, including system configuration and troubleshooting for Mac and Linux operating systems. You’ll also need to be able to install and support Windows systems. This all-encompassing content is why 28% of the CompTIA A+ 1202 questions are devoted to operating systems. Over half (64%) of the questions about operating systems begin with a scenario. Use this study guide to help you know what to study.

Operating System (OS) Types

An OS is software that acts as an intermediary between the user and the underlying hardware and resources of a computing device. Common OSs include Windows, Linux, macOS, ChromeOS, and mobile OSs (e.g., Android, iOS). You must be able to identify and explain common OS types and their primary purposes.

Workstation Systems

Workstation operating systems are designed for use on a desktop or laptop computer by a single user at a time. These OSs provide a convenient graphical user interface (GUI) and access to files and applications on the computer.

Windows

Microsoft Windows is the most widely used workstation operating system. It can be installed on a wide variety of compatible hardware from various manufacturers and is commonly used in homes, schools, and offices.

Linux

Linux is a kernel, the core of an OS. Interfaces and applications can be added to the kernel. These pre-configured combinations are known as distributions. This flexibility enables users to create multiple versions of systems tailored to different scenarios. A distribution can have an extensive GUI, such as Ubuntu, or be better suited for high-performance server tasks, like Red Hat.

macOS

Apple’s macOS is the operating system designed to run on Apple workstations. It is included with every Macintosh computer and is the second most widely used workstation OS.

Chrome OS

Chrome OS is an operating system designed around the Chrome web browser and released by Google. The Chrome OS is a cloud-based OS with all of its data stored in Google Drive, and you will find it installed on Google-based devices like the Chromebook.

Mobile OSs

A mobile OS is an operating system that is designed to function on smaller computing devices such as cellular phones and tablets. Mobile OSs are commonly scaled-down versions of full OSs that provide functionality in a limited computing environment. These are the most common mobile OSs:

  • Android is an operating system developed by Google specifically for mobile devices. It is based on the Linux kernel and is free and open source. Many devices from various manufacturers worldwide are designed to run the Android OS, including phones and tablets. It is the most used mobile OS.

  • iOS is the operating system on Apple iPhones and older iPads. It cannot be installed on devices not manufactured by Apple.

  • iPadOS is an iPad-specific operating system released by Apple that provides better multitasking functionality to the iPad, allowing it to perform more like a small laptop than a tablet.

File System Types

The file system enables the storage, management, and access of files on a partition. A partition is a segment of a hard disk that functions as a separate entity. An OS typically supports multiple file systems, and a partition must be formatted with a specific file system before it can be used.

File Allocation Table 32 (FAT32)

Providing very basic features, FAT32 is a file system that is supported by many OSs and supports partitions up to two terabytes (2 TB) in size.

New Technology File System (NTFS)

NTFS is a file system that allows users to set and manage permissions for files and folders for specific users and groups, making it particularly useful for secure network file sharing. Additionally, it provides indexing (for faster file search), compression, and encryption on the file-system level. NTFS is significantly more advanced than FAT32 and is supported by all modern Windows versions.

Resilient File System (ReFS)

ReFS is a Microsoft file system designed for Windows OSs that provides larger storage capacities and higher resilience than traditional NTFS systems. ReFS, while available on some client versions, is primarily utilized in large-scale virtualization architectures and large-scale storage infrastructures.

Fourth Extended File System (ext4)

ext4 is an updated version of ext3, the journaling file system primarily used by Linux OSs, that supports larger partitions and a larger number of files and improves performance. Journaling is the process through which changes are recorded in a dedicated storage space, the journal, prior to being written to the primary file system, increasing consistency and ease of recovery.

Extended File System (XFS)

XFS is an advanced version of the journaling system primarily used by Linux, which is compatible with 64-bit high-performance systems, providing increased operation speed and data integrity. XFS systems are commonly used on high-traffic servers and scientific computing systems.

Apple File System (APFS)

APFS is proprietary to Apple and replaces the HFS and HFS+ file systems on Apple OSs. It is the default file system on macOS Sierra 10.12.4 and iOS 10.3 and later.

Extensible File Allocation Table (exFAT)

exFAT is designed for small flash drives and solid-state drives (SSDs) and is optimized for performance and media file storage.

Vendor Life-Cycle Limitations

Once an operating system is installed, it can continue running even when updates, patches, and support are no longer available. The vendor life cycle refers to the interaction between the user and vendor, from initial contact to the end of the contract. There are some vendor life-cycle limitations that you should consider before updating.

End-of-Life (EOL)

When an OS reaches the end-of-life phase with its developer, there will be no more updates, patches, or technical support. There will probably be no more applications developed or supported for this OS version.

Update Limitations

When the OS developer stops supporting a specific version, no more security patches will be released for that OS version. As new vulnerabilities are discovered, this may leave the computer with an outdated OS, exposing it to security risks.

Compatibility Concerns

Applications that are available for one OS may not be available for others. The developer of the application may limit its efforts to only one OS. There are some applications that are available for macOS and Windows (e.g., Microsoft Office), and some applications that are available for macOS, Windows, and Linux (e.g., Google Chrome). In these cases, there will be different installation files for the similar software.

Another compatibility concern may arise when updating an OS to a newer version. New versions of OSs can cause issues with previously installed hardware and applications. Many large organizations choose not to update their OSs without thorough testing of the new version with the existing hardware and business-critical software.

Installations and Upgrades

To use an operating system, it needs to be installed on the computer. To start the installation process, the computer must be booted with the installation media. You must be able to install and perform upgrades in various OS environments. Questions about these concepts will be scenario-based.

Boot Methods

A boot method allows the user to select how to boot a computer and the type of media to use. There are multiple ways to boot a computer.

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

An external device may be connected to a computer from which to boot. There are many types of external devices, which include optical drives, hard disks, and flash drives. Common interfaces used to connect the external drives are USB and external Serial AT Attachment (eSATA), with a USB flash drive being a common way to install an OS.

Network

A network-based installation is the most effective way to install and upgrade when dealing with a large network. The installation media is uploaded onto a file share with read-only access for the installer.

Solid-State/Flash Drives

An internally connected hard disk, such as SSDs and flash drives, can be used for booting. The disk can include the OS installation image or have the OS installed. This is the most common way to boot a computer after the OS has been installed.

Internet-Based

With an internet-based boot, the information needed to boot is stored and retrieved from the internet via an internet connection.

External/Hot-Swappable Drive

A hot-swappable drive is an externally mounted storage device that allows for removal, addition, or replacement of the drive without interruption to the attached device, eliminating downtime. An external or hot-swappable drive can be connected to a device with a specialized tray or housing that can be used for boot functions. The boot information is stored on the external drive, not locally stored.

Internal Hard Drive and Partition

It’s important to distinguish between a hard disk and a partition. In many simple configurations, there is one bootable partition on a disk. But one disk can have more than one partition, as it may be useful to have different OSs on the same computer (known as multibooting). Also, one logical partition can span multiple physical hard disks.

Multiboot

Multiboot refers to the installation of more than two OSs (which would be dual-boot) on a computing device, each housed in a separate partition or hard drive. When the device is powered up, a bootloader presents a choice of available OSs to load.

Installation Types

Depending on the current state of the computer, available hardware, environment, and desired setup, there are multiple ways to install an OS.

Clean Install

This installation disregards previous data in the destination. It can be used if the computer doesn’t have any OS installed or if the intent is to completely delete the previous OS, files, applications, and settings.

Upgrade

This is an installation method that replaces an older OS with a newer one. Depending on the OS and versions, it may preserve the settings, files, and applications.

Image Deployment

If many computers have identical hardware and require identical OSs, settings, and applications, image deployment can accomplish this. There are different software tools for this task, but usually the process involves the following steps:

  1. Select one computer.

  2. Perform a clean installation of the desired OS, configure it, and install applications.

  3. Create the image from this computer.

  4. Make this image available on the network or portable media.

  5. Copy the image to other computers.

Remote Network Installation

The Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE) network boot can use a remote server with the OS’s installation files to install the OS on the computer. Depending on the server’s configuration, the installation process may require selecting installation options, similar to booting from a CD, or it can be an unattended installation.

Zero-Touch Deployment

Zero-touch deployment is an installation method that automates the installation process for configuring and setting up computing devices, such as laptops and cellular devices. Zero-touch deployments use a device management system to automate the process. Upon device integration, most commonly during the initial purchase, the device is registered with the management system, which deploys the predefined configurations upon activation, allowing for remote installation without IT intervention.

Recovery Partition

A recovery partition is a partition dedicated to storing the original manufacturer’s OS, software, and settings. The recovery partition is most commonly used to reset a device to the manufacturer’s settings or initial state without requiring separate OS installation media.

Repair Installation

Some OSs provide this option. It is usually initiated by booting with the installation media of the same version of the OS that was previously installed, then selecting the repair option from the menu. It rewrites system files and settings while keeping the user files. This mode may be useful for repair purposes if the installed OS is not bootable or shows serious issues that can’t be fixed otherwise.

Third-Party Drivers

A third-party driver is software used to provide communication between an OS and outside software or hardware, which is acquired through a source other than the primary vendor or manufacturer. Third-party drivers must be compatible with the installed OS for proper functionality.

Partitioning

Partitioning creates one or more logical drives on a physical disk. Each partition can be formatted separately and has its own file system. In Windows, each partition can have a separate drive letter.

Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) Partition Table

A GUID partition table (GPT) contains information on how the disk is partitioned and is primarily used with UEFI. Compared to the MBR, it supports larger drives and more partitions per drive with up to 128 primary partitions.

Master Boot Record (MBR)

The MBR is primarily used with traditional BIOS and is the standard partition table. MBR can have a maximum of four primary partitions or three primary partitions and one extended partition.

Drive Format

Drive formatting is included in the Windows installation when partitioning is selected. Drives can be formatted with a quick format or a full format.

Upgrade Considerations

Here are some other considerations to keep in mind when upgrading and configuring the OS.

Backup Files and User Preferences

When upgrading to a newer version of the Windows OS, a backup of all files should be made to ensure recoverability if the installation goes wrong. The Windows upgrade process is designed, however, to retain files and most user preferences.

Application and Driver Support/Backward Compatibility

Windows upgrades are typically designed to be backward compatible with older versions. The extent to which compatibility reaches back depends on the upgrade version. This applies to applications and driver support as well.

Hardware Compatibility

Ensure that the system’s hardware is compatible with the installation and configuration of the desired OS. The essential BIOS, CPU, and RAM need to support the installation. The hardware must have supported drivers for it to be used optimally by the OS.

Feature Updates/Product Life Cycle

Feature updates are available for older OS versions and will remain available until the end-of-life (EOL) date for the version. Technicians must be aware of EOL as it relates to feature updates for their OS version(s).

The product life cycle begins when a product is released and ends when the product is no longer supported, its EOL.

Microsoft Windows Editions

Microsoft Windows is the most widely used operating system for workstations. It can be installed on a wide variety of compatible hardware from various manufacturers and is commonly used in homes, schools, and offices. For the CompTIA A+ 1102 exam, you must be able to identify the basic features of common editions.

Windows 10

Windows 10 has had numerous editions released, with multiple editions still in use today. The latest version of Windows 10, version 22H2, is reportedly scheduled to reach end-of-life in October 2025. For the purposes of the exam, you only need to focus on the Windows Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, and Enterprise editions.

Home

Windows 10 comes preinstalled on vendor hardware and is referred to as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) OS. Windows 10 is also available as a retail product but lacks the ability to join a domain, which other Windows editions offer.

Pro

Windows Pro allows users to join corporate domains, making it the most common OEM OS and the premier Windows retail edition offering.

Pro for Workstations

Windows Pro for Workstations supports up to four CPUs and 6 TB of memory as well as remote directory memory access (RDMA) and non-volatile dual inline memory modules (NVDIMMs), which makes it ideal for high-end workstations that require more than two CPUs and over 2 TB of memory.

Enterprise

Windows 10 Enterprise offers all the same functionality as Windows Pro for Workstations and can be volume licensed for larger enterprises.

Windows 11

Windows 11 is the latest version of the Windows OS. Windows 11 provides an enhanced user interface, faster processing speeds and boot times, and built-in integration of Microsoft Teams. Windows 11 does, however, require increased security capabilities, including mandatory Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and secure boot, as well as increased minimum hardware specifications, including at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage.

Home

Windows 11 Home edition provides similar functionality as the Windows 10 Home edition, but with increased performance and an updated user interface. Windows 11 Home is also unable to join a domain.

Pro

The Windows 11 Pro Edition enhances multitasking capabilities by integrating Snap Layouts and Snap Groups, improves performance and battery life, and integrates Microsoft Teams and a Widget panel.

Enterprise

Windows 11 Enterprise offers the same upgrades as Windows 11 Pro while also including advanced management tools for higher organizational complexity requirements. Windows 11 Enterprise does require a volume licensing agreement with Microsoft for use.

N Versions

The Windows N version is the European version of Windows, which provides the full functionality of the US Windows version without Windows Media Player and its associated technologies preinstalled. The Windows KN version is the Korean version with the same media exceptions.

Feature Differences

The features offered by the Windows OS depend on the edition of Windows that was purchased or preinstalled.

Domain vs. Workgroup

Domain access refers to the ability of the OS to connect to a domain-joined network of computers, which provides centralized authentication, administration, and auditing. It is often found in large corporate networks. Domain access is supported in the Windows Pro, Pro for Workstations, and Enterprise editions. A workgroup is the default mode for the Windows OS and is a decentralized collection of computers or workstations. Windows Home only has the workgroup capability and not domain access.

Desktop Styles/User Interface

The modern Windows desktop and user interface are very similar to previous editions of Windows, going back to Windows 95. Users can, however, easily customize and personalize the desktop and user interface through the Settings menu. Standard items found on the Windows desktop include the Start menu, the taskbar, and various icons or shortcuts.

Availability of Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

RDP is a Windows proprietary protocol used for remote connection. RDP is not supported on Windows Home, but it is supported on Windows Pro, Pro for Workstations, and Enterprise.

Random-Access Memory (RAM) Support Limitations

Windows Home supports 128 GB of RAM and two CPUs. Windows Pro supports 2 TB of RAM and two CPUs. Windows Pro for Workstations supports 6 TB of RAM and four CPUs. Windows Enterprise supports 6 TB of RAM and two CPUs.

BitLocker

BitLocker is an encryption program that allows for drive encryption to protect files. BitLocker is not available with Windows Home edition but is available with Windows Pro, Windows Pro for Workstations, and Windows Enterprise.

gpedit.msc

The group policy feature is available on all of the discussed editions except Windows Home. Group policy allows for all domain-connected computers to have group policies and permissions applied through the domain. Group policies may also be applied locally by using the gpedit.msc command.

Upgrade Paths

Upgrade paths vary depending on the edition of Windows. It is recommended that the OS is upgraded with like-to-like editions. Upgrading to an elevated edition requires the use of an activation key. Also, it is recommended that you upgrade to newer versions of the current version before upgrading to Windows 10. For example, before upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 8, it is recommended that the OS be first upgraded to Windows 8.1.

In-Place Upgrade

An in-place upgrade is a straight upgrade from the current edition to the latest edition as long as system requirements are met.

Clean Install

A clean install upgrade is one that completely wipes a hard drive prior to installation of the upgrade. Unlike the in-place upgrade, which installs on top of the existing OS, a clean install upgrade begins with a clean slate.

Hardware Requirements

Hardware requirements for the installation of Windows upgrades refer to the minimum required specifications for the underlying hardware of a computing device, which is needed for upgrade compatibility. Windows 11 requires enhanced security and secure boot capabilities for installation.

Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Windows 11 is only available on devices that have the TPM 2.0 chipset, which enhances hardware security. TPM 2.0 provides secure cryptographic key storage, hard drive encryption using BitLocker, and increased biometric authentication capabilities using Windows Hello. TPM 2.0 is also designed to anticipate increased security requirements with later Windows version releases.

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)

Windows 11 requires the UEFI for booting and replaces the traditional BIOS boot systems. Windows 11 is designed to enhance device security by using UEFI with the Secure Boot feature to prevent unauthorized access to the device.

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