Windows 7 certifications to retire July 2018

June 22, 2018 at 2:10 pm | Posted in Kaplan IT Training news, Vendor news | Leave a comment
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As we announced nine months ago, Microsoft is retiring the Windows 7 client certifications. The last date to take any of these exams is July 31, 2018:

These exams were originally released in 2009, which makes them about 89 years old in certification years. Still, passing any one of them earns you an MCP certification, which is a baseline certification that grants you access to the MCP community and various member benefits from Microsoft. If you’ve been using Windows 7 for years but putting off taking the exam, you’ll still earn a valuable credential from it, especially if it’s your first Microsoft test.

There is still time to purchase Kaplan IT Training practice tests for Windows 7 exams, as well as e-learning, a practice lab, and an exam voucher. Don’t overlook our 180-day product; it has almost three times as many practice test questions as the 30-day product, so you’ll be buying extra study content.

Or, with Windows 7 certifications on their way out the door, you may want to turn your attention toward earning a MCSA in Windows 10 instead — because once you’ve passed the two exams required for that certification, you only need to pass one additional test to tuck the MCSE: Mobility into your virtual wallet.

Happy certifying,

Team Kaplan IT Training

Death cometh for Windows XP?

March 21, 2014 at 7:58 am | Posted in Microsoft, Technical Tips, Vendor news | Leave a comment
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Microsoft has announced that as of April 8, 2014 there will no longer be any technical assistance for Windows XP. There will be no more automatic updates for Windows XP. You will be able to receive anti-malware signature updates if you have installed Microsoft Security Essentials for a limited time after 4/8/2014.  With no security patches to protect it, is this the death of Windows XP?

DeathComesForWindowsXP

I am not sure how to react to the death of Windows XP. Do I put on a coat and tie, invite some other XP users over, and say some nice words about the operating system? Do I sing “Dust in the Wind” like Will Ferrell did in  the movie “Old School”at the funeral for the beloved character “Blue”?

WillFarrelOldSchool

What I do know is that my Windows XP computer will not drop dead on 4/8/2014, but the risk of a Windows XP computer getting hacked increases significantly.

Who cares, you say? No one runs Windows XP anymore, you say? That is not quite true. As of December 2013, Windows XP computers represented  30%  market share according to netmarketshare.com.  According to the NCR corporation, 95% of the ATMs worldwide run Windows XP.  Not to mention the number of medical devices using Windows XP.  My coworker Ann snapped this photo during an unscheduled visit to the emergency room at a major metropolitan hospital on 3/14/14:

IMG_20140313_171543669_HDR

The end of support for Windows XP will require many companies to make decisions on the future of their products.  Product manufacturers will need to upgrade to stay ahead of any compliance issues caused by a lack of security updates.

Companies have been lukewarm to Windows 8, so I do not expect them to jump on the Windows 8 bandwagon. However, Windows 7 has been  up and running for several years and has a solid install base of about 47%, according to netmarketshare.com.  Granted, hardware will need to be upgraded or replaced to support the upgrade, but there are many other choices besides Windows 7.  Linux and Android have a chance to take advantage of this change.  Could the death of Windows XP mean Microsoft no longer dominates the operating system market?

In the past, companies continued to offer applications to customers who ran on outdated operating systems especially in the medical industry. I expect that companies will still support applications that run on Windows XP long after the end of the support date. People will still use old operating systems and drive old cars.  For example, I drive a car that is more than 41 years old, and I clock more than 8,500 miles a year on that car:

73VwSuperBeetle

My 1973 Volkswagon Beetle is not as safe as a car manufactured after 2010.  I drive it because it’s fun to drive, but I take precautions.  I will not drive the car for more than 100 miles at a time. I always make sure that I have an auto club subscription like AAA.  If you drive an old car, you know you’ll need to upgrade the brakes, upgrade the head lights, and upgrade the safety belts. I replaced the ignition in 2014. Similarly, if you decide to keep Windows XP on your home machine or have your company’s applications continue to run on Windows XP, you will need to keep a few things in mind:

  • Older Internet browsers are lightning rods for security hacks. Upgrade those browsers to the latest version that will run on Windows XP.
  • Keep up-to-date anti-virus and anti-malware software.  Microsoft will support anti-malware signatures for some time after the end of support date. Look for third-party companies that may continue to provide anti-virus and anti-malware support for Windows XP.
  • Scale back privileges on the computer.  Restrict administrator privileges anywhere possible to minimize risks.
  • Have a plan to move data to a new operating system.

Microsoft offers a free program to migrate your data from Windows XP to Windows 8.1 called LapLink. The program will transfer your data, but will NOT migrate your applications.  There are several third party applications that will transfer data and applications that you can purchase such as PCmover.

Although we do not like to think about it, death comes for us all.  Like my father, the insurance salesman, would say, “You always need to provide for the inevitability of death”.  If you have Windows XP, death is knocking on the door. Make sure that you insure yourself against the security risks of running Windows XP and have a plan for moving data to a new operating system.

HomerTheEndIsNear

Good Luck!

MCTS, MCITP, MCPD: What is dead may never die, but rises again, more certified than before

August 14, 2013 at 8:15 am | Posted in Certification Paths, Microsoft, Vendor news | Leave a comment
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Just over a year ago, George posted a comprehensive list of the exams scheduled to retire on July 31, 2013, which can be summed up as “looks like practically everything.” For a while, it also appeared that all Visual Studio 2010 exams would expire last month.

However, Microsoft listened to customer feedback and extended, or suspended entirely, retirement of some of the more sought-after tests. Next, it turned out that the demise of the MCTS and MCITP was greatly exaggerated as well. While many of the exams for those technologies did expire, Microsoft softened the rollover by shifting many existing 2008 exams to the resurrected MCSE and MCSA certifications, and extended deadlines for certifying in key technologies into 2014.

These zombie tests have escaped the headsman’s axe… FOR NOW. We suggest you not delay your study plans, because by 2014 they may be going back into the grave, never to rise again.

What is dead may never die, but rises again, stronger than before....

What is dead may never die, but rises again, stronger than before….

When you play the game of certs, you upgrade….or you die

While most Visual Studio 2010 exams are gone, if you currently hold an MCPD certification on Visual Studio 2008, you can still upgrade your certifications to Visual Studio 2010.

  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0: Upgrade Paths
    • 70-521: Upgrade: Transition your MCPD .NET Framework 3.5 Windows Developer Skills to MCPD .NET 4.0 Windows Applications Developer. Exam retires July 31, 2014.
    • 70-523: Upgrade: Transition Your MCPD .NET Framework 3.5 Web Developer Skills to MCPD .NET Framework 4 Web Developer. Exam retires July 31, 2014.

And although the component exams are retired, those who hold an MCSE on Windows Server 2003 can still take the three-in-one 70-649 to earn the triple home run of three MCTS (Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration, Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration, and Windows Server 2008 Application Platform Configuration ).

  •  Windows Server 2003 MSCE to Windows Server 2008 MCTS: Upgrade Path
    • 70-649: TS: Upgrading Your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist (hurry; retires January 2014)

I Want My MTV..C…ITP…TS

If you are still seeking the elusive one-test certification, the MCTS, these options are still alive and kicking. Expiration dates vary between January and July 2014, and in some cases are still listed as July 2013 on the individual exam pages, so please confirm availability with Microsoft or Prometric:

  • 70-177: Earns the MCTS: Microsoft Project Server 2010, Configuration
  • 70-433: Earns the MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Database Development
  • 70-506: Earns the MCTS: Silverlight 4, Development
  • 70-643: Earns the MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration (note: as of this writing, this exam is listed as expiring in the overview, but is shown as live until January 2014 on the Microsoft master list)
  • 70-659: Earns the Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization
  • 70-662: Earns the MCTS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, Configuration
  • 70-667: Earns the MCTS: SharePoint 2010, Configuration
  • 70-669: Earns the MCTS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Virtualization
  • 70-681: Earns the MCTS: Windows 7 and Office 2010, Deployment

If you are still working toward an MCITP, these component exams have been extended until January 2014:

  • 70-450: PRO: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Designing, Optimizing, and Maintaining a Database Administrative Solution
  • 70-647: Pro: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator
  • 70-663: Pro: Designing and Deploying Messaging Solutions with Microsoft Exchange Server 2010
  • 70-668: PRO: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Administrator
  • 70-682: Pro: Upgrading to Windows 7 MCITP Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
  • 70-693: Pro: Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator

Finally, although the component exams may have been salvaged and reassigned to different certifications, you only have until January 2014 to earn the MCITP or MCTS credential itself. After that date, even if the same exam is still active, it will count toward a different certification.

They’re Dead, Jim

These exams ARE RETIRED as of July 31, 2013. Requiescat in pace.

Windows Client:

70-270 – Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
70-620 – TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client
70-622 – Pro: Microsoft Desktop Support – ENTERPRISE
70-623 – Pro: Microsoft Desktop Support – CONSUMER
70-635 – TS: Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2008, Desktop Deployment
70-660 – TS: Windows Internals
70-683 – TS: Windows 7, Preinstalling for OEMs

Windows Server:

70-169 – TS: Windows Small Business Server 7, Configuring
70-290 – Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
70-291 – Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
70-293 – Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
70-294 – Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
70-297 – Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
70-298 – Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network
70-299 – Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network
70-648 – Upgrading your MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist
70-656 – TS: Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, Configuring
74-679 – Windows Server 2008 Hosted Environments, Configuring and Managing
70-690 – Windows Server 2008 HPC Environments, Configuring and Managing
70-691 – Windows Server 2008 HPC Environments, Developing
70-699 – Windows Server 2003, MCSA Security Specialization Skills Update

Visual Studio:

70-502 – TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Presentation Foundation
70-503 – TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Communication Foundation
70-504 – TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Workflow
70-505 – TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Forms Application Development
70-536 – TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation
70-561 – TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ADO.NET Application Development
70-562 – TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Application Development
70-563 – Pro: Designing and Developing Windows Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
70-564 – PRO: Designing and Developing ASP.NET Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
70-565 – PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5

SQL Server, Lync, and Office Communications Server:

70-451 – PRO: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Designing and Optimizing Database Solutions
70-452 – PRO: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Designing a Business Intelligence Solution
70-664 – TS: Microsoft Lync Server 2010, Configuring
70-665 – PRO: Microsoft Lync Server 2010, Administrator

The official list of retired Microsoft certification exams is here.

Microsoft Learning YouTube Channel

March 23, 2011 at 3:49 pm | Posted in Certification Paths, Microsoft, Study hints, Technical Tips | Leave a comment
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A few weeks ago, I saw an announcement of  Microsoft Learning’s YouTube channel.  It contains videos on troubleshooting server products, tutorials on technologies and certifications and related career profiles. Recently, they added some playlists on the Microsoft Master program, managing SharePoint 2010, and the desktop experience in Windows 7.

I think these are well worth the time to watch (and the price is certainly right). For example, if you’re new to Microsoft certifications, you might want to learn about specialty items like case studies/testlets and active screen. You certainly don’t want the first time you see these things to be when you are taking the exam!  The YouTube videos provide a good introduction to these item types:

 

So check out the Microsoft Learning YouTube Channel and let us know what you think!

And just to show that I’m not all-Microsoft-all-the-time, if you’re a CompTIA certified professional, a fan of our Transcender Trainers, or just can’t get enough of YouTube videos – we have some great information on our very own Transcender Trainers Channel as well, so be sure to check us out!

A+ Windows 7 Video Series – Part III

March 3, 2011 at 10:57 am | Posted in CompTIA, Kaplan IT Training news | Leave a comment
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The third part of our video series with Mike Meyers is available here. In this video, we discuss the changes to the 220-701 and 220-702 Exam Guides from CompTIA and tell you just what we expect to see on the exams for Windows 7 and IPv6. We hope you’re enjoying watching these as much as we enjoyed making them!

Parts 1 & 2 of our video series are still available; check them out here.

~ Robin

A+ Windows 7 Video Series – Part II

February 24, 2011 at 9:40 am | Posted in CompTIA, Kaplan IT Training news | Leave a comment
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The second part of our video series with Mike Meyers can be accessed by clicking here. This is where we get into the real meat of the A+ changes. You don’t want to miss it!

We touch on the historical trends for CompTIA certification updates and spell out the steps to access the new exam objectives and how to identify the new content. For our friends who have expressed frustration regarding tested topics not currently in your practice test products or study guides, Mike offers his experience about unscored items.

Also, in case you’re just joining us and you missed the first part of our video series, catch up here!

-Robin

A+ Windows 7 Video Series with Mike Meyers

February 15, 2011 at 8:36 am | Posted in CompTIA, Kaplan IT Training news | 1 Comment
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My video sessions with Mike Meyers are finally ready for release! There are four video sessions, and we will be releasing one video each week for next four weeks. I hope that these videos give you some insight into just what the Windows 7 refresh of the A+ exams means to you. 

To watch the first video in the series, please click here. This one is just a quick intro, but if you don’t have the time to watch it now, visit our Transcender home page anytime this week to check it out.

I am eagerly awaiting your comments on this. (No making fun of the accent!)

And would someone please contact Mother Nature for me to request an end to the snow? She and I are no longer on speaking terms. This Alabama girl is getting tired of the wintry weather. 

Roll Tide! Yes, we do say that all the time here…
~Robin

P.S. If you haven’t seen the Roll Tide commercials on ESPN, you won’t get my joke! So you may want to watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nvyknw4VClE.

What We’re Working On – February Edition

February 7, 2011 at 5:29 pm | Posted in Kaplan IT Training news | 10 Comments
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We had so much news to share in January that it’s hard to believe it’s time to recap what we’re working on in FEBRUARY.

From looking at our 2011 Development Calendar, I think it’s safe to say we have a jam-packed year ahead. But as always, things change so quickly in this business that I’ll limit the news in this post to the line-up we currently have in development. I’ll start with the most requested products: Windows Server 2008 R2 updates and Visual Studio 2010.

George called in some favors and has Troy helping him with the last few R2 updates for the Cert-70-646 and Cert-70-647 exams. Both of these updates are scheduled to release at the end of February. As George discussed in his previous post, if you already purchased these products, you can log into your Club Account at the end of the month to look for updates. If you’re waiting for the updates to roll out before buying a practice test, you can find out when the new version is released by checking the product description on our Web site. We’ve kept the Marketing team busy, and they’ve updated all product descriptions to include R2 as the new versions become available for sale.

Josh will finish up the VS 2010 practice tests. The 70-513 C# and 70-513 VB are available now, and the 70-516 will be released next month. The order of attack for the remaining practice test products in this track will be as follows:

  1. 70-518
  2. 70-521
  3. 70-519
  4. 70-523

I’m hoping Josh doesn’t check out this blog post because he’s focusing on one project schedule at a time, and I’m afraid seeing this list in writing may cause some anxiety.

You’ve probably read Robin’s posts about the A+ refresh, so it should come as no surprise that her first priority this year is to ensure that our practice tests adequately cover any new content being tested on the exams. As is usual practice here, we will wait to confirm that changes in the CompTIA exam are available nationwide and/or globally before releasing any new content in our practice tests, but since Robin’s made a lot of progress already, those A+ revisions to our products should release within days of the new exam content hitting test centers! Keep checking back with us, or ask Robin directly, and we’ll let you know as soon as we know regarding a release date.

Finally, our Oracle 11g practice tests products are getting a facelift. Most of this product line has been on the shelf for a while and it didn’t take us long to get Bob his very own project blueprint and schedule. He’ll be identifying the Release 2 version changes in the Oracle exams against our practice test content and closing any content gaps in our products. We should release the first revision, Cert-1Z0-051, by mid-March.

That covers the most recent projects & customer requests I’ve received, but if there’s a specific exam you’re studying for or a track you’re looking to explore this year, feel free to email us through the Transcender site or drop a comment at the end of this post. Either way, your emails always make their way to someone on this team and we’ll give you the most updated information we have regarding practice test products.

Thanks for reading & stay warm!
~ Aima

A+ Windows 7 refresh: A few thoughts

January 31, 2011 at 5:21 pm | Posted in CompTIA, Kaplan IT Training news | 1 Comment
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Well, here it is January 31, 2011, and I am diligently working on A+ once again. CompTIA announced last year that it would be  updating the A+ exams this month to include questions about Windows 7 and IPv6. So far, we haven’t heard anything more. While customers have been asking us about our A+ practice test updates,  no one has reported actually seeing the new content in a certification exam. Just like you, folks, we are waiting to see the new content hit test centers. But while we’re waiting, I can give you a few insights from my past years of A+ experience, and tell you where I would focus my attention if I were studying for the test today.

As always, start by taking a look at the Exam Guide from CompTIA located at http://www.comptia.org/certifications/testprep/examobjectives.aspx. (You will need to provide some information to download the objectives.) While the objective’s titles still include 2009, the relevant objectives have already been updated.

When it comes to Windows 7, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the different editions that are available. You need to understand all the hardware requirements for installation, the installation methods, and the upgrade paths from other operating systems. You will also need to know how to navigate to the common tools that are used.

As for IPv6, you need to understand how it compares to IPv4. Here’s some quick bullet points:

  • 128-bit addresses, versus 32-bit with IPv4
  • Larger packet size accommodation
  • More secure (IPSec enabled)
  • Allows 340 undecillion addresses, versus 4 billion with IPv4
  • Allows double-colon zero suppression – FF02:30:0:0:0:0:0:5 can be rewritten FF02:30::5

If you’ve read my previous posts, you may remember me mentioning that I had the rare (and as it turns out very rewarding!) opportunity to meet Mike Meyers near the end of last year. We recorded some chat sessions about the A+ exam refresh and the new expiration policy for the A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications. And I CANNOT wait to share everything we talked about with y’all! The wait is almost over…we have four sessions we think you’d like to see, and starting February 14th, we’ll release one of those sessions each week!

So you should hear from me again in a couple weeks. Until then, let us know if you see any Windows 7 or IPv6 content on those exams – without violating the NDA or posting actual questions, of course! Let me reiterate, PLEASE do not include actual exam questions in your comments, many thanks. Just share your general observations of any changes to the exam. Or ask any questions about the expected changes, and we’ll be happy to answer as many as we can.

-Robin

Upgrade 70-682: An objective look at the exam objectives

June 24, 2010 at 4:02 pm | Posted in Microsoft, Study hints | 6 Comments
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I recently took the new 70-682 exam, Pro: Upgrading to Windows 7 MCITP Enterprise Desktop Support Technician.  The exam combines objectives of the 70-680 exam with objectives of the 70-685 exam.  Passing this exam will upgrade your XP Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) or Vista Enterprise Desktop Support Technician (EDST) certifications to the EDST Windows 7 certification.

Exam objectives

The 70-682 prep guide specifies what’s on the exam, but I strongly recommend that you look at the more detailed list of objectives from 70-680 and 70-685.  For example, here is the description of the Identifying Cause of and Resolving Desktop Application Issues objective from the 70-682 guide:

  • Solve software installation escalations.
  • Solve software configuration escalations.

Here is the description of the same objective from the 70-685 exam guide:

  • Identify and resolve new software installation issues.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: installation permissions; local administrator requirement; licensing restrictions; digital signing
  • Identify and resolve software configuration issues.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: enabling and disabling features; advanced settings; pointing to a network resource; changing the default settings on the image
  • Identify cause of and resolve software failure issues.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: checking the logs; checking whether the application runs in Safe mode; running the application in a previous version of Windows; repairing the installation; checking recently added programs; restoring or reimaging the system

Although I was told by my teachers and have, in turn, preached to my students that if you know what’s on the prep guide, you will pass the test, I suggest you don’t practice what I preach when it comes to 70-682. Instead, you should know all the details of the corresponding objectives from 70-680 and 70-685.  I will add the updated objective list at the end of this blog post.

Exam format

The 70-682 test is presented in two sections; one for the 70-680 and one for the 70-685. Each part is timed separately. Once you finish the first section and move on to the next section, you cannot go back to the first section.  You cannot carry over any remaining time from one section to the other section if you complete the first section before time expires. The clock resets when you go to the next section. Your score report will display a bar graph for the 70-680 section and the 70-685 section.

Are the questions on the 70-682 exam the same as the ones you have seen on the 70-680 and the 70-685?  No, of course not.  As with other upgrade exams, the topics are the same, but the questions themselves are not recycled. In fact, with a few modifications to their traditional multiple choice exams, Microsoft has put together an upgrade exam that tests your Windows 7 knowledge on multiple levels.

Compiled objectives list

The 70-682 is not a difficult exam, but it is important that you know what’s expected of you. Failing an exam is not fun. Failing an exam when you thought you were prepared for it, is even worse! So because I wish for all of you to leave the Prometric test center with a smile on your face, here is my compiled version of the objectives that you should know to be successful on the 70-682 upgrade exam:

Identifying Cause of and Resolving Desktop Application Issues

  • Identify and resolve new software installation issues.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: installation permissions; local administrator requirement; licensing restrictions; digital signing
  • Identify and resolve software configuration issues.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: enabling and disabling features; advanced settings; pointing to a network resource; changing the default settings on the image
  • Identify cause of and resolve software failure issues.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: checking the logs; checking whether the application runs in Safe mode; running the application in a previous version of Windows; repairing the installation; checking recently added programs; restoring or reimaging the system

Identifying Cause of and Resolving Networking Issues

  • Identify and resolve logon issues.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: hardware vs. network; password expiration; trust relationships with machine accounts; determining logon context; logon hours compliance
  • Identify and resolve network connectivity issues.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: determining scope of issue; determining whether it’s a PC or a network connectivity issue; TCP/IP; hardware and cabling; proxies; default gateway
  • Identify and resolve names resolution issues.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: checking which DNS is assigned; flushing the DNS cache; nslookup to DNS server; checking the DHCP scopes
  • Identify and resolve network printer issues.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: hardware failure; server issues; printer failure; network issues; driver issues

Managing and Maintaining Systems That Run Windows 7 Client

  • Identify and resolve performance issues.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: analyzing system and application logs; analyzing started services; setting power management; checking hard drive space; optimizing virtual memory
  • Identify and resolve hardware failure issues.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: identifying bad sectors; diagnosing memory issues; recommending replacement hardware; updating the BIOS; determining which component is broken

Supporting Mobile Users

  • Identify and resolve wireless connectivity issues.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: signal strength; encryption types; encryption keys; wireless profiles; mobile devices
  • Identify and resolve remote access issues.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: VPN client not connecting; IPv6 support; access and authentication to network resources

Deploying Windows 7

  • Capture a system image.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: preparing system for capture; creating a WIM file; automated capture; manual capture
  • Prepare a system image for deployment.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: inserting an application into a system image; inserting a driver into a system image; inserting an update into a system image; configuring tasks to run after deployment
  • Deploy a system image.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: automated deployment methods; manually deploying a customized image
  • Configure a VHD.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: creating, deploying, booting, mounting, and updating VHDs; offline updates; offline servicing

Configuring Hardware and Applications

  • Configure devices.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: updating, disabling, and uninstalling drivers; signed drivers; conflicts between drivers; configuring driver settings; resolving problem device driver
  • Configure application compatibility.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: setting compatibility mode; implementing shims; compatibility issues with Internet Explorer
  • Configure application restrictions.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: setting software restriction policies; setting application control policies; setting through group policy or local security policy
  • Configure Internet Explorer.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring compatibility view; configuring security settings; configuring providers; managing add-ons; controlling InPrivate mode; certificates for secure Web sites

Configuring Network Connectivity

  • Configure IPv4 network settings.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: connecting to a network; configuring name resolution; setting up a connection for a network; network locations; resolving connectivity issues; APIPA
  • Configure IPv6 network settings.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring name resolution; connecting to a network; setting up a connection for a network; network locations; resolving connectivity issues; link local multicast name resolution
  • Configure networking settings.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: adding a physically connected (wired) or wireless device; connecting to a wireless network; configuring security settings on the client; set preferred wireless networks; configuring network adapters; configuring location-aware printing
  • Configure Windows Firewall.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring rules for multiple profiles; allowing or denying an application; network-profile-specific rules; configuring notifications; configuring authenticated exceptions
  • Configure remote management.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: remote management methods; configuring remote management tools; executing PowerShell commands

Configuring Access to Resources

  • Configure shared resources.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: folder virtualization; shared folder permissions; printers and queues; configuring HomeGroup settings
  • Configure file and folder access.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: encrypting files and folders by using EFS; configuring NTFS permissions; resolving effective permissions issues; copying files vs. moving files
  • Configure user account control (UAC).
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring local security policy; configuring admin vs. standard UAC prompt behaviors; configuring Secure Desktop
  • Configure authentication and authorization.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: resolving authentication issues; configuring rights; managing credentials; managing certificates; smart cards with PIV; elevating user privileges; multifactor authentication
  • Configure BranchCache.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: distributed cache mode vs. hosted mode; network infrastructure requirements; configuring settings; certificate management

Configuring Mobile Computing

  • Configure BitLocker and BitLocker To Go.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring BitLocker and BitLocker To Go policies; managing Trusted Platform Module (TPM) PINs; configuring startup key storage; data recovery agent support
  • Configure DirectAccess.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring client side; configuring authentication; network infrastructure requirements
  • Configure mobility options.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring offline file policies; transparent caching; creating and migrating power policy
  • Configure remote connections.
    • This objective may include but is not limited to: establishing VPN connections and authentication; enabling a VPN reconnect; advanced security auditing; NAP quarantine remediation; dial-up connections; remote desktop; published apps

Happy testing,
–George Monsalvatge

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