Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure (AZ-800) Practice

Which tool allows the creation of a new file of an arbitrary size?

1. fsutil

2. File Explorer

3. PowerShell

4. Command Prompt

The correct answer is: fsutil

fsutil is a command-line utility that provides a range of functionalities for managing and manipulating file systems and volumes in Windows. One of its capabilities is creating a new file of an arbitrary size. This is especially useful for testing, as it allows users to create a file filled with zeroes or another specific pattern, facilitating interoperability tests and performance assessments without using the actual data. The other tools listed have different purposes and functionalities. File Explorer is primarily a graphical interface for managing files and folders, allowing basic file operations such as copying, moving, and deleting, but it does not provide an option to create files of specific sizes directly. PowerShell, while a powerful scripting language capable of a wide range of file manipulations—including creating files—doesn't provide a straightforward command for creating files of arbitrary sizes specifically, which makes the command-line strength of fsutil more direct and purposeful in this context. The Command Prompt can be used to create files as well, but it lacks the specific features that fsutil provides for size manipulation. Thus, fsutil is the most appropriate tool for the task described.