Question

An analyst is booting a desktop that has Windows 7 installed with 4 GB RAM. The boot process is currently working on the following step: Winload uses the path specified in BOOTMGR to find the boot partition. What is the next step that will happen in the boot process?

Answer 1

Following Winload's identification of the boot partition, system and boot-start drivers are loaded into memory. Then control is handed to the Windows kernel, leading up to the Windows logon screen.

Step-by-step explanation:

After Winload uses the path specified in BOOTMGR to find the boot partition, the next step in the Windows 7 boot process is the loading of essential drivers necessary to get the Windows kernel started. This includes system drivers and boot-start drivers that are critical for the operating system to function. Once these drivers are loaded into the memory, Winload transfers control to the Windows kernel, and the system continues with the boot process which ultimately leads to the Windows logon screen.