Exam 70-688:

Managing and Maintaining Windows 8

Published:	January 18, 2013
Language(s):	English, Japanese
Audience(s):	IT Professionals
Technology:	Windows 8
Type:	Proctored Exam

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Overview

Preparing for an Exam

The Microsoft Certification website and this preparation guide contain a variety of resources to help you prepare for an exam. Preparing for and Taking an Exam — FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions about exam registration, preparation, scoring, and policies, including:

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Exam question types and formats.
Exam time limits and number of questions asked.

We recommend that you review this preparation guide in its entirety and familiarize yourself with the FAQs and resources on the Microsoft Certification website before you schedule your exam.

Audience Profile

Candidates for this exam are IT professionals who configure or support Windows 8 computers, devices, users and associated network and security resources. The networks with which these professionals typically work are configured as a domain-based or peer-to-peer environment with access to the Internet and cloud services. The IT professional could be a consultant, full-time desktop support technician, or an IT generalist who administers Windows 8-based computers and devices as a portion of their broader technical responsibilities.

Credit Toward CertificationWhen you pass Exam 70-688: Managing and Maintaining Windows 8, you complete the requirements for the following certification(s):

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows 8

Note This preparation guide is subject to change at any time without prior notice and at the sole discretion of Microsoft. Microsoft exams might include adaptive testing technology and simulation items. Microsoft does not identify the format in which exams are presented. Please use this preparation guide to prepare for the exam, regardless of its format.

Skills Measured

Skills Being MeasuredThis exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed below.The percentages indicate the relative weight of each major topic area on the exam.The higher the percentage, the more questions you are likely to see on that content area on the exam.

The information after “This objective may include but is not limited to” is intended to further define or scope the objective by describing the types of skills and topics that may be tested for the objective. However, it is not an exhaustive list of skills and topics that could be included on the exam for a given skill area. You may be tested on other skills and topics related to the objective that are not explicitly listed here.

Design an Installation and Application Strategy (25-30%)

Design an operating system installation strategy.

This objective may include but is not limited to the following design considerations: Windows To Go; Operating system virtualization; Native VHD boot; Multi boot; Upgrade vs. migration

Design an application strategy for desktop applications.

This objective may include but is not limited to the following design considerations: Application compatibility using Client Hyper-V; Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP); Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT); and App-V; Application updates; Application co-existence; Application reputation; Internet Explorer 10 management

Design an application strategy for cloud applications.

This objective may include but is not limited to the following design considerations: Microsoft Office 365; Windows Store applications; Restricting Windows Store content; AppLocker; Internal content

Design a solution for user settings.

This objective may include but is not limited to the following design considerations: User profiles; USMT 5.0/WET; Windows Live integration; Folder redirection; User experience virtualization (UE-V)

Maintain Resource Access (25-30%)

Design for network connectivity.

This objective may include but is not limited to the following design considerations: IPv4 and IPv6; Name resolution; Wireless; Network security; Network settings

Design for remote access.

This objective may include but is not limited to the following design considerations: Off-network use and management; Metered networks; VPN; RDP; DirectAccess; Remote administration

Design for authentication and authorization.

This objective may include but is not limited to the following design considerations: Two-factor authentication including certificates, smart cards, picture passwords, and biometrics; Workgroup vs. domain; Trust relationships; Local account vs. Microsoft account

Manage data storage.

This objective may include but is not limited to: Resolve data storage issues; Manage pools; Manage data availability using BranchCache

Manage data security.

This objective may include but is not limited to: Manage share/NTFS permissions for storage spaces; Configure EFS; Configure security for removable media; Manage BitLocker and BitLocker To Go

Maintain Windows Clients and Devices (25-30%)

Manage hardware and printers.

This objective may include but is not limited to: Resolve hardware and device issues; Sync devices and resolve sync issues; Monitor and manage print servers

Manage mobile devices.

This objective may include but is not limited to: Resolve mobility issues; Manage mobile device policies including security policies, NFC, secure SIM, and remote access; Manage mobile access; Manage Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync in mobile devices

Design a recovery solution.

This objective may include but is not limited to the following design considerations: PC refresh/reset; Windows 7 file recovery; Recovery drive; System restore; User files including local files, SkyDrive, and file history; User profile settings; Application settings

Manage endpoint security.

This objective may include but is not limited to: Resolve endpoint security issues; Manage updates using Windows Update; Manage client security using Windows Defender; Manage client security using the Microsoft System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection client; Configure application reputation

Manage Windows 8 Using Cloud Services and Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (20-25%)

Manage clients by using Windows Intune.

This objective may include but is not limited to: Manage updates and update groups; Configure the company portal; Monitor on-network and off-network machines; Manage asset inventory

Manage public cloud services.

This objective may include but is not limited to: Manage Windows Live services including Trusted PC, storage, SkyDrive/Live Mesh apps, and groups; Implement Office 365 using the Office 365 Desktop Setup; Manage Office 365

Monitor and maintain clients by using MDOP.

This objective may include but is not limited to: Remediate startup issues using the Diagnostics and Recovery Toolkit (DaRT); Monitor clients using System Center Desktop Error Monitoring; Manage the App-V client; Manage BitLocker and BitLocker To Go using Microsoft BitLocker Administration and Monitoring (MBAM)

Preparation Materials

Preparation Tools and ResourcesTo help you prepare for this exam, Microsoft Learning recommends that you have hands-on experience with the product and that you use the following training resources. These training resources do not necessarily cover all of the topics listed in the "Skills Measured" tab.

Learning Plans and Classroom Training

20688A: Managing and Maintaining Windows 8 (5 Days)

Microsoft E-Learning There is no Microsoft E-Learning training currently available.

Microsoft Press Books

Exam Ref 70-688: Managing and Maintaining Windows 8

Practice Tests There are no practice tests currently available.

Microsoft Online Resources

Learning Plan: Get started with a step-by-step study guide that is based on recommended resources for this exam.
TechNet: Designed for IT professionals, this site includes how-to instructions, best practices, downloads, technical resources, newsgroups, and chats.
MSDN: Designed for developers, the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) features code samples, technical articles, downloads, newsgroups, and chats.
Microsoft Learning Community: Join newsgroups and visit community forums to connect with your peers for suggestions on training resources and advice on your certification path and studies.

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