Practice quiz

Windows Command Line Basics Quiz

Scenario-based original review questions about selecting and interpreting common Windows troubleshooting commands.

Original review questions for learning and self-checking. These are not real exam questions.

Easy

1. A user says internet is down. You need IP address, gateway, DNS servers, and whether DHCP is enabled. Which command is best?

A. ipconfig /all

B. ping 8.8.8.8

C. sfc /scannow

D. shutdown /r /t 0

Show answer

Correct answer: A. ipconfig /all.

Explanation: ipconfig /all gives detailed adapter settings. Ping tests reachability only, while SFC and shutdown do not show network configuration.

Easy

2. A PC has a valid IP address. You want to test whether it can reach the local router. Which command is most useful?

A. ping the default gateway

B. chkdsk /r

C. nslookup printer queue

D. shutdown /a

Show answer

Correct answer: A. ping the default gateway.

Explanation: Pinging the gateway tests local network reachability. Disk repair, DNS lookup, and shutdown cancellation do not test that path.

Medium

3. A user can ping 8.8.8.8 but cannot open websites by name. Which command should you use next?

A. nslookup a website name

B. chkdsk /f

C. shutdown /s /t 0

D. dir C:\\Users

Show answer

Correct answer: A. nslookup a website name.

Explanation: This pattern suggests DNS. chkdsk checks disk issues, shutdown powers off, and dir lists files.

Medium

4. A remote office can reach the gateway but not a server in another site. You want to see where traffic stops. Which command helps most?

A. tracert server address

B. sfc /scannow

C. ipconfig /displaydns only

D. color 0a

Show answer

Correct answer: A. tracert server address.

Explanation: tracert shows hops toward the destination. SFC and color are unrelated; DNS cache alone does not show the route.

Medium

5. A Windows feature is acting strangely after updates, but the disk appears healthy and the network is fine. Which command may be appropriate from an elevated prompt?

A. sfc /scannow

B. ping localhost forever

C. format C:

D. shutdown /s /t 0

Show answer

Correct answer: A. sfc /scannow.

Explanation: SFC can scan protected system files. Formatting is destructive, ping does not repair system files, and shutdown does not diagnose the issue.

Medium

6. A user reports file corruption and unusual drive errors. Before running repair options with chkdsk, what should you consider first?

A. Backup status, drive health, and support policy

B. Changing the desktop theme

C. Clearing browser history only

D. Installing a new printer

Show answer

Correct answer: A. Backup status, drive health, and support policy.

Explanation: chkdsk repair can modify disk data, so backups and policy matter. The other options do not address data risk.

Hard

7. A user says a command "proved the server is down" because ping failed. What is the best response?

A. Ping can be blocked; verify with other tests before concluding the server is down

B. Ping failure always proves hardware failure

C. Run chkdsk on the server from the user PC

D. Close the ticket without more checks

Show answer

Correct answer: A. Ping can be blocked; verify with other tests before concluding the server is down.

Explanation: Firewalls can block ICMP. Other options overstate ping results or skip proper troubleshooting.

Hard

8. You need to restart a remote Windows workstation for a fix, but the user has unsaved work. What is the best support action?

A. Warn the user and schedule/confirm the restart before using shutdown commands

B. Run shutdown /r /t 0 without warning

C. Run format C:

D. Disable DHCP

Show answer

Correct answer: A. Warn the user and schedule/confirm the restart before using shutdown commands.

Explanation: Restart commands can cause data loss if used without communication. Formatting or DHCP changes are unrelated and risky.

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