1.9 - Boot methods and disk partitioning
CompTIA A+ Core 2 objective 1.9 covers boot methods and disk partitioning for installing an OS. GPT partitioning is required to boot Windows from a drive larger than 2 TB, and to install Windows 11 the firmware must boot in UEFI mode (with Secure Boot and GPT). PXE performs a network boot that installs an OS over the network with no local media. A Windows recovery USB drive lets you boot and repair Windows when it fails to start. For a removable drive shared between Windows and macOS, exFAT is the right file system. You should match the described drive size, firmware or media need to the correct method. Expect scenario questions about booting large drives, network installs or repair media.
Boot a drive over 2 TB = GPT. Windows 11 firmware = UEFI + Secure Boot + GPT. Install over the network, no media = PXE. Repair a non-booting PC = recovery USB. Share a USB Windows+macOS = exFAT.
Practice questions
1. Which partition style is required to boot Windows from a drive larger than 2 TB with UEFI?
- MBR
- GPT (correct answer)
- FAT
- EFS
GPT supports >2 TB and many partitions and is required for UEFI boot. MBR is legacy (2 TB / 4-primary limit).
2. Which boot method installs an OS over the network with no local media?
- USB boot
- PXE (network boot) (correct answer)
- Optical disc
- Recovery partition
PXE boots from a network server to deploy/image an OS without local media — common for mass deployment.
3. What is the purpose of a Windows recovery USB drive?
- To store music and media files
- To boot and repair Windows when it fails (correct answer)
- To add more system memory (RAM)
- To send documents to the printer
A recovery USB boots into WinRE/installation to run Startup Repair, restore, or reinstall when Windows won't boot.
4. To install Windows 11 from a USB, what must the firmware be set to boot in?
- Legacy BIOS/CSM boot mode
- UEFI (with Secure Boot and GPT) (correct answer)
- Network PXE boot only
- Windows diagnostic Safe Mode
Windows 11 requires UEFI boot with Secure Boot and a GPT disk; legacy/CSM won't meet the requirements.
5. Which file system should you use to share a USB drive between Windows and macOS for large (>4 GB) files?
- NTFS
- FAT32
- exFAT (correct answer)
- ext4
exFAT is read/write on both Windows and macOS and has no 4 GB per-file limit (unlike FAT32). NTFS is read-only on macOS by default; ext4 is Linux.
6. You want to keep all user files, apps, and settings while moving to a newer Windows version. Which install type?
- Clean install (wipe)
- In-place upgrade (correct answer)
- Bare-metal reimage
- Factory reset
An in-place upgrade keeps files, apps and settings while updating the OS. A clean install wipes and gives the freshest state but requires reinstalling apps.