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Windows is still an integral part and, as a matter of fact, the most preferred operating system in many enterprise organizations. No doubt, Windows 10 has the highest popularity in the world when it comes to operating systems. According to a report, it has about 40% of the desktop OS market share across the world. Earlier in the year, Microsoft retired its MCSA: Windows 10 credential despite its wide acceptance and global recognition.
According to Exam-labs.com, one of the reasons for its retirement is the evolution of Cloud, which has become a major change driver in the Information Technology industry. However, the major reason for the retirement of the MCSA: Windows 10 certificate, its exams, as well as a good number of other Microsoft credentials is the change in focus of the certification vendor. Microsoft has decided to address the wide gap that exists between the required knowledge for earning the IT credentials and the required skills for functioning optimally at a job role. For this core reason, the company has introduced the role-based certificate that covers the skills required to be successful as a desktop administrator.
Overview of New Windows Certification
Microsoft has replaced the MCSA: Windows 10 certificate with Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate. This credential validates the skills and knowledge of desktop administrators, which include deploying and maintaining Windows as well as managing data and devices. Suffice to mention that Microsoft 365 covers access to Enterprise Mobility, Security, Windows 10, and Office 365. Due to the fact that the role-based certificate evaluates the ability of IT professionals to perform specific job tasks and roles, better than the earlier certification paths, it will not take too long for the recruiters and the organizations to see the immense value of these credentials.
Despite your level of experience, earning the new Desktop Administrator Associate credential has the potential to increase the demand for your knowledge and skills. To earn this certification, you have to pass the relevant exams. Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate requires that the candidates pass two different tests: Microsoft MD-100 (Windows 10) and Microsoft MD-101 (Managing Modern Desktops). For the purpose of this article, we will be focused on the MD-100 certification exam.
Overview of New Windows 10 Exam
The Microsoft MD-100 certification exam is the first of the two tests that the students should pursue to attain the Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate credential. Like any other Microsoft tests, MD-100 follows certain policies that the company created to protect the information about its certification program. There are nine known types of questions that you can come across during your exam: multiple-choice, best answer, active screen, hot area, drag and drop, build list, case studies, repeated answer choices, and short answer. All of the types have their peculiar features that you can explore in more details in the video tutorials, which you can find on the official Microsoft website. Please note that Microsoft always improves its testing system and creates new types. So, if you are interested, please check the Microsoft platform.
As for the time that you will have for the exam, it depends on its type. For the Microsoft MD-100 test, you will be given 150 minutes to obtain 700 points out of 1000. The score that will be less than 700 will be considered as failure. 100 points is the least possible score you can get. The price of the exam fee ranges from$80 to $165. The exact amount is based on your country.
Overview of Exam Objectives
The Microsoft MD-100 test evaluates the candidates’ ability to perform certain administrative tasks, which are covered in the exam topics. Let’s look at them closely.
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Windows Deployment
This subject focuses on the deployment of Windows 10 as well as performing post-installation configuration. The candidates must have competence in configuring language packs, performing clean installation, migrating user data, selecting appropriate Windows edition, troubleshooting activation problems, and performing in-place upgrade. They should also be able to configure Internet Explorer and Edge, configure the mobility settings, sign-in options, and customize Windows desktop.
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Data & Devices Management
This exam topic covers managing local users and groups; configuring data access & protection; configuring devices using local policies; managing Windows security. The students must be able to manage devices in directories; configure NTFS and shared permissions; configure the local registry; troubleshoot the group policies on different devices; implement the local policy. Additionally, the test takers need to have the capability to configure the user account control (UAC), Windows Defender Firewall, and implement encryption.
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Configuring Connectivity
The applicants have to demonstrate competence in configuring networking and remote connectivity. Here, they will be required to answer questions on configuring client IP settings, mobile networking, VPN client, and Wi-Fi profiles, as well as troubleshooting networking. They will also be tested on their ability to configure remote management, remote desktop access, and enabling PowerShell Remoting.
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Maintaining Windows
This exam object requires you to have knowledge and skills in configuring data recovery and system features, manage updates, and monitor & manage Windows. You will be evaluated on your ability to carry out file recovery (also OneDrive), recovering of Windows 10, and troubleshooting boot/startup process. Additionally, you have to display your competence in troubleshooting and checking for updates, validating and testing them, configuring Windows update alternatives, and selecting appropriate servicing channels. Finally, you will be measured in configuring and analyzing event log, managing performance and Windows 10 environment.
Overview of Preparation Options
There are many topics to cover under the Microsoft MD-100 certification exam but you do not have to worry. There are many resources available to equip you with the required knowledge and skills. For example, you can check the official Microsoft website for the available training courses, prep materials, and study guides. And, of course, you can find a lot of free files and premium bundles for reasonable prices on the Exam-Labs platform. There are the training courses each with up to 100 lectures, questions and answers with the recent updates, and study guides with useful information for different certification tests.
Conclusion
If you want to be a certified professional with all the required skills for working with Windows 10 OS, the Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate certificate is ideal for you. Pass the necessary exams with the help of reliable prep materials and be a specialist in high demand.