Getting certified on the Windows operating system can help you reach your goals. In today’s increasingly complex IT environment, a certification on Windows helps prove to customers and employers that you have the technical skills necessary to do the job.
In July 2010, just nine months after Windows 7 operating system was released, it surpassed the global usage of the Windows Vista operating system. Do not get left behind; validate your skills by earning a Microsoft Certification on Windows 7.
Read about how Windows 7 usage surpasses Windows Vista usage (netmarketshare.com)
Announcement
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) certification exams on Windows XP retire on June 30, 2011.
Learn more about the MCDST certification
Identify your journey
Not sure where to start? View the following certification paths to help you get started:
View the certification path: Windows 7
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Use the following table to identify the certification that best fits your current role and career goals.
Your profile
Recommendations
Currently working with Windows 7 or planning to be working with Windows 7
Earn a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification on Windows 7 and start preparing for a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification.
Working with Windows Vista
Earn MCTS and MCTIP certifications on Windows Vista.
Certified as a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) on Windows XP
Consider upgrading your certification to Windows Vista.
Working with Windows XP
Earn a certification on Windows XP.
Still not sure where to start?
Windows 7 is Microsoft’s current version of the world’s most popular operating system. Available in six editions to support the full spectrum of users, from home users with basic needs to advanced, mobile users in the enterprise, Windows 7 has more ways for users and IT professionals to get more things done — more securely and in more locations. For IT professionals, Windows 7 delivers increased flexibility for helping secure PCs and data while streamlining PC management.
There are four certifications available on Windows 7: two Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and two Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certifications.
The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification is a prerequisite for the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certifications and validates your troubleshooting and deployment skills. The MCTS certifications are for IT professionals with one or more years of experience. As an MCTS, you help validate your skills on implementing and troubleshooting a particular Microsoft technology.
The MCITP certifications are for IT professionals with two or more years of experience. As an MCITP, you help validate your skills in deploying, designing, and maintaining Microsoft technology.
MCITP certification
Prerequisites
Required exams
MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7
Helps validate your ability to deploy operating systems and desktop applications, and to manage the client life cycle.
Exam 70-6801: TS: Windows 7, Configuring
Exam 70-686: PRO: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator
MCITP: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
Helps validate your ability to identify the cause and resolution of desktop application, network, and security issues. Also helps validate your ability to support and maintain systems and mobile devices that run Windows 7.
Exam 70-685: PRO: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
1The MCTS certification (abbreviated as TS in exam titles) is a prerequisite for earning the MCITP certification.
MCTS certification
MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration
Helps validate your ability to understand the functions and features of Windows 7 and to troubleshoot network connectivity and application issues.
Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring
MCTS: Windows 7, Deployment
Helps validate your ability to deploy, maintain, and upgrade to Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010.
Exam 70-681: TS: Windows 7 and Office 2010, Deploying
Upgrade paths
Current certification
Certification goals
Required exam
MCDST (Windows XP)orMCITP: Enterprise Support
MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician Windows 7andMCTS: Windows 7, Configuration
Exam 70-682: PRO: Upgrading to Windows 7 MCITP Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
Exam
Classroom training
Microsoft E-Learning
Microsoft Press books
Exam 70-680:TS: Windows 7, Configuring
Course 6292A: Installing and Configuring Windows 7 Client
Collection 6292: Installing and Configuring Windows 7 Client
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-680): Configuring Windows 7
Exam 70-681:TS: Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010, Deploying
View all Windows client training
Exam 70-682:PRO: Upgrading to Windows 7 MCITP Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
Course 50331C: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
Exam 70-685:PRO: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-685): Windows 7 Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
Exam 70-686:PRO: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator
Course 6294A: Planning and Managing Windows 7 Desktop Deployments and Environments
Collection 6294: Planning and Managing Windows 7 Desktop Deployments and Environments
MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-686): Windows 7 Enterprise Desktop Administrator (oreilly.com)
After you determine which exam you need to achieve your Microsoft Certification, register for and schedule your exam. All exams for Microsoft Technology Specialist and Professional Series certifications are administered by Prometric, an independent testing organization with more than 3,000 locations worldwide.
Help validate your skills on Windows Vista and experience new opportunities for you and your organization by helping deliver new and compelling value to your customers.
Microsoft offers four certifications on Windows Vista: two Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certifications and two Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications.
The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification is a prerequisite for the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certifications and helps validate your troubleshooting and deployment skills. The MCTS certifications are for IT professionals with one or more years of experience. As an MCTS, you help validate your skills on implementing and troubleshooting a particular Microsoft technology.
MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician
Helps validate your ability to deploy Windows Vista, manage security, and troubleshoot network issues.
Exam 70-6201: TS: Configuring Windows Vista Client
Exam 70-622: PRO: Microsoft Desktop Support, Enterprise
MCITP: Consumer Support Technician
Helps validate your expertise and skill set in a job role that supports a broad range of issues on client operating systems, desktop applications, mobile devices, networking, and hardware support. This certification is right for you if your interest lies in home user or consumer retail support.
Exam 70-6201: TS: Windows Vista, Configuring
Exam 70-623: PRO: Microsoft Desktop Support, Consumer
1The MCTS certification (abbreviated as TS in exam titles) is a prerequisite for earning the MCITP certification.Note Certifications will be retired when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technologies.
MCTS: Windows Vista, Configuration
Helps validate your ability to understand the functions and features of Windows Vista and to troubleshoot network-connectivity and application issues.
Exam 70-620: TS: Configuring Windows Vista Client
MCTS: Business Desktop Deployment (retired)
Helps validate your ability to successfully deploy and maintain client desktops, using Microsoft tools during the various deployment stages.
Exam 70–6241: TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops
1This exam retired on October 31, 2010.Note Certifications will be retired when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technologies.
MCITP: Enterprise Support TechnicianorMCDST (Windows XP)
Exam 70-620:TS: Configuring Windows Vista Client
Course 5117A: Installing, Configuring, Troubleshooting, and Maintaining Windows Vista (three days)
Collection 10327: MCTS (Exam 70-620): Configuring Windows Vista Client (28 hours)
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-620): Configuring Windows Vista Client
Exam 70-622:PRO: Microsoft Desktop Support, Enterprise
Collection 10328: MCTS (Exam 70-622): Deploying Windows Vista (20 hours)
Exam 70-623:PRO: Microsoft Desktop Support, Consumer
Collection 5379: Supporting Windows Vista for the Consumer Support Technician (10 hours)
MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-623): Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications on a Windows Vista Client for Consumer Support Technicians
Microsoft offers one certification on Windows XP: Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST).
The MCDST certification is for IT professionals with six to twelve months of experience. As an MCDST, you prove your ability to successfully troubleshoot desktop environments that run on the Windows operating system.
Exam retirement coming soon
Time is running out! You only have until June 30, 2011, to achieve the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) certification. You must pass both of the required exams by June 30, 2011. After you achieve the MCDST certification, it will not expire.
Windows 7 and Windows Vista
There are multiple certification options available to support Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Obtain a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification.
Windows XP
To earn the MCDST certification, you should have six to twelve months of experience in supporting end users of a client operating system, and you must pass both of the following exams, in any order.
Exam 70-2711: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Windows XP Operating System
Exam 70-2721: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Windows XP Operating System
1This exam retires on June 30, 2011.
Upgrade options
If you have already achieved your MCDST, you can upgrade your certification to the latest Windows client technology by passing as few as one exam.
MCDST (Windows XP)MCITP: Enterprise Support
MCDST (Windows XP)
MCTS: Windows Vista, ConfigurationandMCITP: Enterprise Support Technician (Windows Vista)
Exam 70-6211: PRO: Upgrading Your MCDST Certification to MCITP Enterprise Support
MCDST (Windows XP)MCTS: Windows Vista, ConfigurationMCITP: Enterprise Support Technician
1This exam retired on March 31, 2011.
Exam 70-271:Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Windows XP Operating System
Course 2262B: Supporting Users Running Applications on a Windows XP Operating System (two days)Course 2261C: Supporting Users Running the Windows XP Operating System (three days)
Course 2262: Supporting Users Running Applications on a Windows XP Operating System (12 hours)
Exam 70-272:Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Windows XP Operating System
Exam 70-621:PRO: Upgrading Your MCDST Certification to MCITP Enterprise Support
Collection 5103: Upgrade Skills to Configure Windows Vista (16 hours)
Find out more about the exam registration process
