Windows Client Certification

Why get certified?

Earning a Microsoft Certification validates your proven experience and knowledge in using Microsoft products and solutions. Designed to be relevant in today’s rapidly changing IT marketplace, Microsoft Certifications help you utilize evolving technologies, fine-tune your troubleshooting skills, and improve your job satisfaction.

Whether you are new to technology, changing jobs, or a seasoned IT professional, becoming certified demonstrates to customers, peers, and employers that you are committed to advancing your skills and taking on greater challenges. In addition, certification provides you with access to exclusive Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) resources and benefits, including opportunities to connect with a vast, global network of MCPs.

Use the following table to identify the certification that best fits your current role and career goals.

The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) credential is for professionals who want to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and expertise in their specialized technologies. Earn multiple MCTS certifications to show your breadth of expertise across different products, or pursue just one certification. As the foundation of Windows certification, the MCTS certification (abbreviated as TS in exam titles) is a prerequisite for earning the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification.

Windows 7

Be among the first to prove your proficiency in the latest Microsoft operating system. Project leads and hiring managers will recognize your commitment to stay current on client technologies and your ability to optimize the performance improvements and rich feature set of Windows 7.

Windows Vista

Become an expert on Windows Vista and realize unprecedented opportunities for you and your organization by helping deliver new and compelling value to your customers.

Windows Vista certifications for office workers are also available.

Note Certifications will be retired when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technologies.

The Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) credential is for experienced IT professionals who focus on a broad range of issues on the client operating system, desktop applications, mobile devices, networking, and hardware support. Earning this credential is the ideal way to demonstrate your ability to use Windows to excel in a job role relevant in today's market.

The MCTS certification (abbreviated as TS in exam titles) is a prerequisite for earning the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification.

Windows 7

Windows Vista

Note Certifications will be retired when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technologies.

A Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) works in the complex computing environments of small, medium-sized, and large organizations. Candidates should have six to twelve months of experience in supporting end users of a client operating system.

By earning the MCDST credential, you can validate a unique set of skills required to succeed in a variety of job roles, such as Help desk technician, customer support representative, computer support specialist, technical support representative, and technical support specialist.

Windows XP

To earn the MCDST credential, you must pass both of the following exams, in any order.

Upgrade your MCDST certification to MCTS and MCITP on Windows Vista certifications

As a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST), you can upgrade your credential to include a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification on Windows Vista, by passing just one exam.

These added credentials validate your comprehension of Windows Vista, your ability to deploy and support this operating system, and your skills in troubleshooting network connectivity and application issues.

Upgrade to MCITP: Consumer Support Technician

After you pass Exam 70-621, you have completed the prerequisite for the MCITP: Consumer Support Technician credential. This credential highlights your expertise in supporting a broad range of issues related to Windows Vista, including client operating systems, desktop applications, mobile devices, networking, and hardware support. It is the right option if you want to build expertise in home user support or consumer retail support.