1.5 - Windows Settings and Control Panel
CompTIA A+ Core 2 objective 1.5 covers where common configuration options live in Windows Settings and Control Panel. To change which program opens a file type such as .pdf, go to Settings then Apps then Default apps. To uninstall or repair desktop applications, use the Programs and Features applet. Windows updates are found under Settings then Windows Update. The Time & Language category sets the time zone and adds a keyboard language, while Privacy & security controls app permissions such as camera, microphone and location. You should know the right location for each task rather than the exact click path. Expect scenario questions that name a change - default app, uninstall, update, time zone, app permission - and ask where in Windows you make it.
Change default app for .pdf = Settings > Apps > Default apps. Uninstall/repair = Programs and Features. Updates = Windows Update. Time zone + keyboard = Time & Language. Camera/mic/location = Privacy & security.
Practice questions
1. Which Control Panel applet uninstalls or repairs installed desktop applications?
- The Sound applet
- Programs and Features (correct answer)
- The Mouse applet
- The Fonts applet
Programs and Features (appwiz.cpl) lists installed apps to uninstall/change/repair them.
2. Where in Windows 11 do you check for and install OS updates?
- The Device Manager
- Settings → Windows Update (correct answer)
- The Disk Cleanup tool
- The Notepad editor
Windows Update (Settings → Windows Update) downloads security and feature updates; keep it enabled.
3. In which Settings category do you change the system time zone and add a keyboard language?
- Gaming
- Time & Language (correct answer)
- Personalization
- Accounts
Time & Language manages date/time, time zone, and language/keyboard layouts in Windows Settings.
4. Which Settings category controls app permissions like camera, microphone and location?
- The Gaming category
- Privacy & security (correct answer)
- The Personalization category
- The Sound category
Privacy & security controls which apps may access the camera, microphone, location, contacts, etc.
5. Which Windows applet stores saved credentials for websites, apps and network shares?
- The Sound applet
- Credential Manager (correct answer)
- The Fonts applet
- The Mouse applet
Credential Manager stores Windows and web credentials; useful when an app keeps failing auth with a stale saved password.
6. Which Control Panel area configures sleep, hibernate and what the power button does?
- The Sound applet
- Power Options (correct answer)
- The Fonts applet
- The Mouse applet
Power Options sets power plans, sleep/hibernate and power-button behavior (important for laptops/battery life).