Pass Your Microsoft MCSA 70-698 Exam Easy!

Microsoft 70-698 (Installing and Configuring Windows 10) exam dumps vce, practice test questions, study guide & video training course to study and pass quickly and easily. Microsoft 70-698 Installing and Configuring Windows 10 exam dumps & practice test questions and answers. You need avanset vce exam simulator in order to study the Microsoft MCSA 70-698 certification exam dumps & Microsoft MCSA 70-698 practice test questions in vce format.

Introduction to Windows 10 Administration and the Retired 70-698 Exam

The Microsoft 70-698 Exam, "Installing and Configuring Windows 10," was a cornerstone certification for IT professionals specializing in the Windows desktop environment. It is crucial to note that this exam was officially retired by Microsoft on January 31, 2021, as part of a broader shift towards role-based certifications. Therefore, this series is not a direct study guide for an active exam but a deep exploration of the foundational Windows 10 administration skills that the 70-698 Exam once validated. These skills remain highly relevant for managing modern desktop environments.

This exam was designed to certify an administrator's core ability to install, configure, manage, and maintain a Windows 10 environment in a corporate setting. It was one of two exams required to earn the MCSA: Windows 10 certification. The 70-698 Exam focused on the foundational tasks, ensuring that a certified professional could handle everything from initial deployment and hardware configuration to networking, security, and data management on the Windows 10 operating system.

While the exam itself is a part of history, the technologies and principles it covered are not. Windows 10 is still one of the most widely used operating systems in the world, and the skills required to manage it effectively are in high demand. This series will use the official syllabus of the 70-698 Exam as a framework to teach these essential, enduring skills, providing a solid knowledge base for any aspiring desktop administrator.

By studying the topics of the 70-698 Exam, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of Windows 10 administration that will serve as a powerful foundation for your career. This knowledge is directly transferable to managing Windows 11 and provides the necessary context for learning the modern, cloud-based management tools covered in current Microsoft certifications.

The Evolution of the Windows Desktop OS

To fully appreciate the scope of the 70-698 Exam, it is important to understand the significant shift in philosophy that came with Windows 10. Previous versions of Windows were released as monolithic products every few years. Windows 10 introduced the concept of "Windows as a Service." This was a fundamental change in how the operating system was developed, delivered, and maintained, and it had a major impact on the role of the desktop administrator.

Under the "Windows as a Service" model, instead of large, infrequent releases, Microsoft began to deliver new features and improvements through smaller, more frequent feature updates, typically on a semi-annual basis. This meant that the operating system was constantly evolving. An administrator's job shifted from planning for a major migration every three to five years to managing a continuous cycle of updates.

The 70-698 Exam was designed to ensure that administrators had the skills to manage this new, faster cadence. This included understanding the different servicing channels (like the Semi-Annual Channel) that controlled the release of these feature updates, and knowing how to use tools like Windows Update for Business and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) to manage their deployment in an enterprise environment.

This service-based model required a more agile and proactive approach to desktop management. The skills covered in the 70-698 Exam, such as managing updates, monitoring system health, and ensuring application compatibility, became more critical than ever in this new, constantly evolving ecosystem.

Key Objectives of the 70-698 Exam

The 70-698 Exam was structured around three main objective domains, which together covered the complete lifecycle of a Windows 10 client machine. A successful candidate was required to demonstrate proficiency in each of these areas, proving they had the well-rounded skills needed for enterprise desktop administration.

The first major domain was "Implement Windows." This section focused on all the tasks related to getting the Windows 10 operating system onto a computer. It covered preparing for a deployment, understanding the different editions of Windows 10, performing clean installations and in-place upgrades from previous versions, and using various tools like the Windows ADK and answer files to automate and customize the installation process. This was the foundation upon which all other skills were built.

The second domain was "Configure and Support Core Services." This extensive section covered the post-installation configuration of the operating system. It included a wide range of topics, such as configuring networking and storage, managing apps, configuring remote management, and securing the system with tools like BitLocker and EFS. It also covered the critical area of user authentication and authorization, including managing user accounts and User Account Control (UAC).

The final domain was "Manage and Maintain Windows." This section focused on the ongoing operational tasks of a desktop administrator. It included monitoring the system's performance and health, configuring backup and recovery options, and, most importantly, managing the update process within the "Windows as a Service" model. The 70-698 Exam was a comprehensive test of all these practical, hands-on skills.

Windows 10 Editions and Features

A fundamental piece of knowledge for any administrator, and a key topic for the 70-698 Exam, is understanding the different editions of Windows 10. Not all versions of the operating system are the same; they are designed and licensed for different use cases and contain different feature sets. Choosing the correct edition during the planning phase is a critical first step in any deployment.

The most common editions an administrator would encounter are Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise. Windows 10 Pro is designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It includes all the core features of the operating system, as well as essential business features like the ability to join an Active Directory domain, BitLocker drive encryption, and Remote Desktop Host capabilities.

Windows 10 Enterprise is designed for large organizations and includes all the features of Pro, plus a suite of advanced security and management features. These enterprise-grade features, which were a focus of the 70-698 Exam, include DirectAccess for seamless remote connectivity, AppLocker for controlling which applications can run, and advanced features for virtualization and security.

Other editions include Windows 10 Home, which is intended for consumers and lacks many of the business management features, and Windows 10 Education, which is based on the Enterprise edition and is available through academic volume licensing. A certified professional was expected to be able to articulate the key differences between these editions and recommend the appropriate one for a given business scenario.

Installation and Deployment Methods Overview

The 70-698 Exam required a deep, practical knowledge of the various methods for deploying the Windows 10 operating system. The choice of deployment method depends on the scale of the deployment and the level of customization required. An administrator needs to be able to select and execute the appropriate method for different scenarios.

The simplest methods are the clean install and the in-place upgrade. A clean install involves booting a computer from the Windows 10 installation media and installing a fresh copy of the operating system, which erases all previous data. An in-place upgrade is the process of upgrading an existing, compatible operating system (like Windows 7 or 8.1) to Windows 10, which preserves the user's data, settings, and applications.

For larger environments, performing manual installations on every machine is not feasible. This is where image-based deployment comes in. This method involves creating a standardized "golden image" of the Windows 10 installation, complete with all the necessary applications, drivers, and configurations. This image can then be deployed to multiple computers in a rapid and consistent manner.

The 70-698 Exam covered the tools used for image-based deployment, such as the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) and Windows Deployment Services (WDS). These tools provide a framework for automating the entire deployment process, from booting the client machine on the network to applying the image and performing post-installation tasks.

The Shift to Modern Management

While the 70-698 Exam was heavily focused on the traditional methods of managing Windows clients, it is important to understand the context of the shift towards "modern management." Traditional management has, for decades, been centered around on-premises tools like Active Directory, Group Policy, and System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM). In this model, the devices must be on the corporate network or connected via a VPN to be fully managed.

Modern management represents a paradigm shift to a cloud-based management model. This model is designed for a world where users and devices are increasingly mobile and may rarely connect to the traditional corporate network. The core components of modern management are cloud-based services like Azure Active Directory (now Microsoft Entra ID) for identity and Microsoft Intune for device and application management.

In a modern management scenario, a Windows 10 device can be joined directly to Azure Active Directory. An administrator can then use Microsoft Intune to deploy configuration policies, manage security settings, and distribute applications to the device over the internet, regardless of its location. This provides a much more flexible and scalable management approach for a mobile workforce.

The 70-698 Exam provided the foundational knowledge of the traditional management world. This knowledge is still essential, as most large organizations operate in a hybrid model today. However, the clear direction of the industry is towards this modern, cloud-based management paradigm.

The Modern Learning Path: From MCSA to Modern Desktop Administrator

Given that the MCSA: Windows 10 certification and the 70-698 Exam are retired, it is crucial for aspiring professionals to focus on the current, role-based certifications offered by Microsoft. The direct successor to the MCSA: Windows 10 is the "Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate" certification. This is the premier credential for professionals who deploy, manage, and secure modern desktop environments.

This certification was originally earned by passing two exams: MD-100 (Windows 10) and MD-101 (Managing Modern Desktops). The MD-100 exam covered many of the same core Windows 10 skills as the 70-698 Exam. The MD-101 exam focused on the modern management aspect, covering the deployment and management of devices and applications using cloud-based tools like Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopilot. Recently, these two exams have been consolidated into a single new exam, the MD-102: Endpoint Administrator.

The learning path for a modern desktop administrator is clear. You should start by building a solid foundation in the core Windows client operating system, covering the topics that were central to the 70-698 Exam, such as installation, configuration, and security. This will prepare you for a significant portion of the modern curriculum.

Once you have this foundation, you should then focus your studies on the official Microsoft Learn materials for the MD-102 exam. This will teach you how to apply your core Windows skills in a modern, cloud-managed environment using Azure Active Directory, Microsoft Intune, and Windows Autopilot. This is the path that leads to a current and highly in-demand certification.

Preparing for a Windows 10 Deployment

A successful Windows 10 deployment starts with thorough preparation, a key topic in the "Implement Windows" domain of the 70-698 Exam. Before beginning an installation or creating a deployment image, an administrator must perform several crucial pre-flight checks to ensure the process goes smoothly and the resulting system is stable and secure.

The first step is to verify that the target hardware meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 10. This includes checking the processor speed, the amount of RAM, and the available disk space. More importantly for modern hardware, an administrator needed to be familiar with requirements like UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) firmware and support for features like Secure Boot and TPM (Trusted Platform Module), which are foundational for many of Windows 10's advanced security features.

Sourcing and organizing device drivers is another critical preparation task. While Windows 10 has a vast library of built-in drivers, you will often need to obtain specific drivers from the hardware manufacturer for components like network cards, storage controllers, or graphics adapters, especially for enterprise-grade hardware. These drivers are essential for creating a stable and fully functional deployment image.

Finally, preparation involves choosing the correct Windows 10 edition (Pro or Enterprise) and the correct architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) for the target systems. You also need to obtain the installation media and any necessary volume license keys. The 70-698 Exam expected a candidate to be able to perform all of these preparatory steps methodically.

Performing Clean Installs and In-Place Upgrades

The 70-698 Exam required a deep, practical knowledge of the two most fundamental methods for installing Windows 10: the clean install and the in-place upgrade. A clean install is the process of installing a fresh copy of Windows 10 onto a computer's hard drive. This method erases all existing data, settings, and applications, resulting in a pristine and optimal operating system environment. It is the recommended method for new computers or for systems that are being repurposed.

The clean install process is typically initiated by booting the computer from the Windows 10 installation media, such as a USB drive or DVD created with the Media Creation Tool. The setup wizard then guides the user through the process of selecting the language, accepting the license terms, and choosing the disk partition where Windows will be installed.

An in-place upgrade, on the other hand, is the process of upgrading an existing and eligible version of Windows (like Windows 7 or 8.1) to Windows 10. The key benefit of an in-place upgrade is that it is designed to preserve the user's personal files, settings, and most of their installed applications. This makes it a popular choice for upgrading existing corporate devices, as it minimizes user disruption.

The upgrade process is typically started by running the setup program from within the existing operating system. The setup wizard performs a series of compatibility checks and then proceeds with the upgrade. The 70-698 Exam expected a candidate to know the prerequisites and the steps for both of these core installation methods.

Introduction to Image-Based Deployment

For deploying Windows 10 at scale in an enterprise, manual installations are not a viable option. The 70-698 Exam therefore placed a strong emphasis on image-based deployment. This is the process of creating a single, standardized image of a perfectly configured Windows 10 installation and then deploying that image to multiple computers. This method ensures consistency, saves a tremendous amount of time, and reduces the chance of human error.

The core of this process is the creation of a "golden" or "master" reference image. An administrator starts by performing a clean install of Windows 10 on a reference computer (physical or virtual). They then boot this installation into a special "audit mode" to perform customizations. In audit mode, they can install common line-of-business applications, apply the latest Windows updates, install necessary drivers, and configure corporate policy settings.

Once the reference computer is configured exactly as desired, it is prepared for imaging using a tool called Sysprep (System Preparation Tool). Sysprep removes all the unique, machine-specific information from the installation, such as the computer name and security identifiers (SIDs), making the image suitable for deployment to other computers.

After running Sysprep, the administrator captures an image of the hard drive using a tool like DISM. This captured image file (typically a .wim file) can then be deployed to hundreds or thousands of new computers using deployment solutions like Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) or Windows Deployment Services (WDS). The 70-698 Exam required a deep understanding of this entire imaging workflow.

Using the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK)

The primary toolkit for performing enterprise-level deployments of Windows 10, and a central topic for the 70-698 Exam, is the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit, or ADK. The ADK is a collection of powerful tools and technologies that allow administrators to customize, assess, and deploy the Windows operating system at scale. A certified professional was expected to be familiar with the key components of this essential toolkit.

One of the most important components is Windows PE (Preinstallation Environment). Windows PE is a lightweight, minimal version of Windows that can be booted from a USB drive, a CD, or over the network. It provides the environment from which all image-based deployment and recovery tasks are performed.

Another key tool is the User State Migration Tool (USMT). USMT is used to capture a user's files and settings from their old computer and migrate them to their new Windows 10 computer. This is essential for providing a seamless transition experience for users during a hardware refresh cycle.

The ADK also includes the Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer (WICD), which is used to create provisioning packages to easily configure new devices, and the Windows System Image Manager (SIM), which is used to create the answer files that automate the installation process. A thorough knowledge of the ADK and its core tools was a requirement for the 70-698 Exam.

Creating and Managing Images with DISM

The command-line tool at the heart of Windows imaging technology is the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool, or DISM. A deep, practical knowledge of DISM was a critical skill for the 70-698 Exam. DISM is the primary tool used to capture, service, and deploy Windows image files (.wim files).

After an administrator has prepared a reference computer with Sysprep, they would typically boot the computer into Windows PE. From the Windows PE command prompt, they would use DISM to capture an image of the configured Windows partition. The DISM /capture-image command creates a .wim file that contains a complete, compressed copy of the operating system installation. This captured image is the asset that will be used for mass deployment.

One of the most powerful features of DISM is its ability to perform "offline servicing." This means you can modify a Windows image file without ever having to boot it. You can mount the .wim file to a folder on your technician computer. Once mounted, you can use other DISM commands to add or remove components, inject the latest Windows updates, or add device drivers directly into the image file.

This offline servicing capability is extremely efficient. It allows an administrator to keep their "golden image" up-to-date with the latest patches and drivers without having to go through the time-consuming process of rebuilding the reference machine from scratch every month. The 70-698 Exam expected a candidate to be proficient in using these core DISM commands.

Automating Deployments with Answer Files (unattend.xml)

To achieve a fully automated, "zero-touch" installation of Windows 10, you need to provide answers to all the questions that the setup wizard would normally ask, such as the product key, the computer name, and the time zone. The 70-698 Exam required knowledge of how to create and use an answer file, typically named unattend.xml, to automate this process.

The tool used to create this answer file is the Windows System Image Manager (SIM), which is part of the Windows ADK. An administrator uses SIM to open a Windows image (.wim) file. SIM then displays all the possible settings that can be configured during the installation, organized into different configuration passes (like windowsPE, specialize, and oobeSystem).

The administrator then creates a new answer file and adds the desired settings to it, providing the values they want to be used during the installation. For example, they can specify the disk partitioning scheme, provide the volume license product key, set the local administrator password, and configure the network settings.

Once the unattend.xml file is created, it can be used during the installation process. If the file is placed in the correct location on the installation media, the Windows setup engine will automatically find and use it, running through the entire installation process without requiring any user interaction. This is the key to achieving a truly automated deployment, a core concept for the 70-698 Exam.

Modern Deployment: Windows Autopilot

The traditional imaging-based deployment methods, which were the focus of the 70-698 Exam, are powerful but can be time-consuming for IT departments to manage. The modern, cloud-based equivalent of this process is Windows Autopilot. Understanding the concept of Autopilot is key to bridging your foundational knowledge to the current world of desktop management.

Windows Autopilot is a cloud-driven deployment technology that allows you to provision new Windows devices directly from the factory and have them become business-ready with minimal IT intervention. The process starts with the hardware vendor, who uploads the unique hardware identity of the new devices to the customer's Autopilot service in the cloud.

The IT administrator then creates a deployment profile in Microsoft Intune and assigns it to these new devices. This profile contains all the necessary configuration settings. When the end-user receives the brand-new device and turns it on for the first time, it connects to the internet, contacts the Autopilot service, and automatically applies the assigned profile.

The device can be automatically joined to Azure Active Directory, enrolled in Intune for management, and have all its policies and applications pushed down from the cloud. This transforms the deployment process from a hands-on, IT-intensive task to a simple, user-driven experience. This "zero-touch" provisioning model is the modern successor to the deployment skills tested in the 70-698 Exam.

Managing Devices and Drivers

After Windows 10 is installed, a core task for an administrator is to ensure that all the computer's hardware is working correctly. The 70-698 Exam required a thorough understanding of how to manage devices and their associated drivers. The primary tool for this is the Device Manager, a graphical utility that provides a centralized view of all the hardware installed in the computer.

Device Manager allows an administrator to view the status of each device. If a device is not working correctly, it will be flagged with a yellow exclamation mark, indicating a problem, which is often related to a missing or corrupt driver. From Device Manager, you can update a driver, roll back to a previously installed driver if an update causes issues, or disable a piece of hardware.

A key concept for the 70-698 Exam was driver signing. Windows uses driver signing to verify the integrity and authenticity of device drivers. By default, it will warn a user if they try to install an unsigned driver, as this can be a security risk. An administrator needed to understand the importance of using only signed, trusted drivers in a corporate environment.

For large-scale deployments, you can "stage" drivers by adding them to the Windows driver store before the hardware is even present. This can be done using command-line tools like PnPUtil. This ensures that when a new device is plugged in, Windows can automatically find and install the correct, corporate-approved driver.

Configuring Networking

A standalone computer has limited utility; its power comes from being connected to a network. The 70-698 Exam required a deep, practical knowledge of how to configure and troubleshoot network connectivity in Windows 10. This begins with the fundamentals of configuring the Internet Protocol (IP), which is the core protocol of the internet and most local networks.

An administrator must be proficient in configuring both IPv4 and IPv6 settings. This includes knowing how to manually assign a static IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses. It also includes understanding how a client obtains this information automatically from a DHCP server, which is the standard method in most corporate networks.

The exam also covered the configuration of network security through the Windows Firewall (now Windows Defender Firewall). A candidate needed to know how to configure the firewall's different profiles (Domain, Private, and Public) and how to create custom inbound and outbound rules to allow or block specific applications and ports.

Finally, a key skill is troubleshooting. The 70-698 Exam expected a candidate to be proficient in using standard command-line tools to diagnose network problems. This includes using ipconfig to view the current IP configuration, ping to test basic connectivity to another host, and tracert to trace the network path to a destination.

Configuring Storage and File Systems

Managing local storage is another fundamental administrative task covered by the 70-698 Exam. An administrator must know how to prepare, format, and secure the hard drives and solid-state drives in a Windows 10 computer. The primary graphical tool for these tasks is the Disk Management console.

Disk Management provides a visual representation of all the physical disks installed in the system. From here, you can initialize new disks, create partitions, and format those partitions with a file system. The standard file system for Windows is NTFS (New Technology File System), and the exam required a deep understanding of its features, particularly its security model.

NTFS permissions allow an administrator to set granular access controls on files and folders. You can define which specific users or groups are allowed to read, write, execute, or take full control of a resource. Understanding how to apply these permissions and how they are inherited is a critical security skill.

The 70-698 Exam also covered a feature called Storage Spaces. This technology allows you to group multiple physical disks together into a storage pool. You can then create virtual disks, called spaces, from this pool. Storage Spaces can provide data resiliency by mirroring or using parity, similar to a traditional RAID array, but with much greater flexibility. This is a powerful feature for protecting data on workstations with multiple drives.

Managing Apps in Windows 10

A Windows 10 machine is only useful because of the applications it can run. The 70-698 Exam required a candidate to understand the different types of applications that can run on Windows 10 and the methods for deploying and managing them. Windows 10 supports both traditional desktop applications and a newer type of application called Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps.

Traditional desktop applications (often called Win32 apps) are the standard programs that have been running on Windows for decades, such as Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop. These are typically installed using an .exe or .msi installer package. An administrator can deploy these applications manually or, in an enterprise, using a software distribution system like SCCM or Group Policy.

Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps are a newer type of application, typically distributed through the Microsoft Store. They are designed to be more secure and to run on a wide variety of Windows devices, from desktops to tablets. In a corporate environment, an administrator can use the Microsoft Store for Business to create a private, curated portal of approved apps. They can then deploy these UWP apps to their users' devices.

The 70-698 Exam also covered technologies for controlling which applications are allowed to run. This includes AppLocker, an enterprise feature that allows an administrator to create strict rules that define which executable files, scripts, and installers users are permitted to run, providing a powerful layer of security.

Configuring Remote Management

The ability to manage computers remotely is essential for any IT administrator, as it is not feasible to physically visit every machine to perform administrative tasks. The 70-698 Exam required a solid understanding of the various remote management tools and technologies built into Windows 10. These tools allow an administrator to troubleshoot issues, configure settings, and run commands on a client machine from their own desk.

The most well-known remote management tool is Remote Desktop. When enabled on a client machine, it allows an administrator to establish a full, interactive graphical session with that computer, giving them complete control as if they were sitting in front of it. For user support scenarios, a similar technology called Remote Assistance allows an administrator to view or take control of a user's active session to help them with a problem.

For automation and command-line management, the most powerful tool is PowerShell Remoting. When enabled, it allows an administrator to execute PowerShell commands and scripts on a remote machine over the network. This is incredibly powerful for managing multiple machines at once. For example, you could use a single script to query the event logs or restart a service on a hundred different computers simultaneously.

The 70-698 Exam expected a candidate to know how to enable and use these different remote management technologies and to understand the security considerations for each, such as configuring the firewall to allow the necessary traffic.

Modern Configuration: Intune Configuration Profiles

The traditional methods of configuring Windows 10, such as using the local Group Policy editor or running scripts, which were a focus of the 70-698 Exam, are still relevant but are being superseded by modern, cloud-based management. The modern equivalent of this configuration process is the use of Configuration Profiles in Microsoft Intune.

A configuration profile in Intune is a collection of settings that you want to apply to a group of devices or users. An administrator creates these profiles in the web-based Intune console. These profiles can be used to configure a vast range of settings on a Windows device, covering areas like security, networking, device features, and application settings.

For example, you could create a configuration profile to enforce BitLocker encryption on all corporate laptops. You could create another profile to configure the Wi-Fi settings for the corporate network, and another to set a standard desktop wallpaper. These profiles are then assigned to groups of devices or users in Azure Active Directory.

Once assigned, the Intune service will push these settings down to the managed devices over the internet. The device will apply the settings and report its compliance status back to Intune. This modern, policy-based configuration model provides a much more scalable and flexible way to manage a fleet of devices, especially for a mobile and remote workforce. This is a core topic in the modern MD-102 certification.

Managing Updates and Windows as a Service

A central theme of the 70-698 Exam, and a critical ongoing task for any Windows administrator, is the management of software updates. With the "Windows as a Service" model introduced in Windows 10, this became a more dynamic and continuous process. An administrator must have a robust strategy for testing and deploying both the monthly quality updates and the less frequent, but more significant, semi-annual feature updates.

Windows 10 provides several tools for managing this update process in a corporate environment. For smaller businesses, Windows Update for Business allows administrators to use simple Group Policy settings to control the update experience. You can create different deployment rings by deferring the installation of feature updates for different groups of computers. This allows you to pilot new updates on a small group of test machines before rolling them out to the entire organization.

For larger enterprises with more granular control requirements, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) is the traditional on-premises solution. A WSUS server downloads all updates from Microsoft and allows an administrator to approve or decline each update. Client computers are then configured to get their updates from the local WSUS server. System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) provides even more advanced capabilities for managing the update and feature upgrade process.

The 70-698 Exam required a candidate to be proficient in designing and implementing an update strategy using these tools. This included understanding the different servicing channels, configuring update policies, and monitoring the compliance of the client machines.

Monitoring and Performance Tuning

Ensuring that Windows 10 clients are running smoothly and efficiently is a key responsibility for a desktop support professional. The 70-698 Exam required a solid understanding of the built-in tools available in Windows 10 for monitoring system health and troubleshooting performance issues. A methodical approach to performance analysis is a critical skill.

The first tool most administrators turn to is the Task Manager. It provides a real-time overview of the system's key performance metrics, including CPU, memory, disk, and network utilization. It also shows a list of all the running processes and applications, allowing you to quickly identify any that are consuming an excessive amount of resources.

For more in-depth, historical analysis, the Performance Monitor is the tool of choice. It allows you to select from hundreds of different performance counters and track their values over time. You can use it to identify long-term trends or to diagnose intermittent performance problems. The Resource Monitor provides a more detailed real-time view, showing which specific processes are using which resources, such as which files are being accessed on disk.

Finally, the Windows Event Viewer is an essential tool for troubleshooting. It contains a set of logs that record informational, warning, and error events from the operating system and applications. When a problem occurs, the event logs are often the first place to look for clues about the root cause. The 70-698 Exam expected proficiency with all of these core monitoring tools.

Implementing Data Backup and Recovery

Protecting user and system data from loss due to hardware failure, corruption, or accidental deletion is a fundamental IT function. The 70-698 Exam required candidates to be proficient in using the data protection and recovery tools that are built into the Windows 10 operating system. These tools provide a multi-layered approach to data backup and system recovery.

For protecting user data, the primary tool is File History. When enabled, File History automatically creates periodic backup copies of all the files in the user's libraries (Documents, Pictures, etc.) to an external drive or a network location. If a user accidentally deletes or modifies a file, they can easily browse through the history and restore a previous version.

For recovering the operating system from a major failure, Windows 10 provides several options. System Restore allows you to roll back the system's configuration files and registry to a previous point in time, which can be useful for undoing a problematic driver or software installation. For more catastrophic failures, the "Reset this PC" option allows you to reinstall Windows while keeping the user's personal files.

An administrator can also create a full system image backup, which is a complete, block-level copy of the entire operating system drive. This image can be used to perform a bare-metal recovery in the event of a total hard drive failure. The 70-698 Exam expected a candidate to know how to configure and use all of these built-in backup and recovery solutions.

Configuring Authentication and Authorization

Controlling who can access a computer and what they are allowed to do is the foundation of system security. The 70-698 Exam required a deep understanding of the authentication and authorization mechanisms in Windows 10. Authentication is the process of verifying a user's identity, while authorization is the process of granting them the appropriate level of access.

Windows 10 supports several different types of user accounts. Local user accounts are created and stored on the individual computer and are used for standalone machines. Microsoft accounts are cloud-based accounts that allow a user's settings and files to be synchronized across all their Windows devices. In a corporate environment, the most common type is the domain account, where the user's identity is managed centrally in Active Directory.

Once a user is authenticated, their access is controlled by their group memberships and the permissions assigned to files, folders, and other resources. A key security feature that governs authorization is User Account Control, or UAC. UAC helps to prevent unauthorized changes to the system by requiring administrative privileges to perform certain tasks. Even when a user is logged in as an administrator, they run with standard user privileges by default, and UAC prompts them for confirmation before elevating their privileges.

An administrator taking the 70-698 Exam needed to be proficient in managing these user accounts, understanding the principle of least privilege, and configuring UAC to provide a balance between security and user convenience.

Securing Data with BitLocker and EFS

In addition to controlling access to the system, it is also critical to protect the data that is stored on the computer's hard drive, especially for mobile devices like laptops that are at a high risk of being lost or stolen. The 70-698 Exam required a solid understanding of the two main data encryption technologies built into Windows 10: BitLocker and EFS.

BitLocker Drive Encryption is a full volume encryption feature. When BitLocker is enabled on a drive, all the data on that drive is encrypted. The data is automatically decrypted for the user when they log on and encrypted again when it is written to the disk. If the computer is lost or stolen, the data on the drive will be unreadable without the recovery key. BitLocker is most secure when used with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip on the motherboard.

Encrypting File System, or EFS, is a different type of encryption that operates at the file system level. While BitLocker encrypts an entire drive, EFS allows a user to encrypt individual files and folders. An encrypted file is tied to the user's certificate. Only the user who encrypted the file can open it. Even if another user logs on to the same computer as an administrator, they will not be able to access the EFS-encrypted file.

The 70-698 Exam expected a candidate to understand the difference between these two technologies and their appropriate use cases. BitLocker is used for protecting the entire system from offline attacks, while EFS is used for protecting specific files from other users on the same system.

Modern Security: Azure AD Join and Conditional Access

The traditional model of authentication and security, which was a focus of the 70-698 Exam, was centered on the on-premises Active Directory domain. The modern approach, designed for a cloud-first and mobile-first world, is centered on Azure Active Directory (now Microsoft Entra ID). This shift is fundamental to modern desktop management and security.

Instead of joining a device to a local Active Directory domain, a modern Windows 10 or 11 device can be joined directly to Azure AD. This allows users to log in to their device using their cloud-based Microsoft 365 or Azure credentials. This enables single sign-on to both cloud applications and, with the right configuration, on-premises resources.

This cloud-based identity unlocks powerful, modern security capabilities. The most important of these is Conditional Access. Conditional Access is a policy engine in Azure AD that acts as a modern security gateway. An administrator can create policies that define the conditions under which a user is granted access to corporate resources.

For example, a Conditional Access policy could state that to access a sensitive application, the user must be signing in from a trusted location, on a compliant device, and must complete a multi-factor authentication (MFA) prompt. This "zero trust" approach, where access is granted based on real-time risk assessment, provides a much higher level of security than the traditional domain-based model and is a core topic in the modern MD-102 certification.

Configuring Mobile Computing and Remote Access

The 70-698 Exam recognized the increasing importance of mobile computing and required administrators to be proficient in configuring the Windows 10 features that support users on the go. This included managing power settings to extend battery life, ensuring data is available offline, and providing secure remote access to the corporate network.

For mobile devices like laptops, power management is crucial. An administrator needed to know how to create and customize Power Plans to control settings like display brightness and when the device goes to sleep. These plans can be deployed via Group Policy to ensure a consistent and optimized configuration across all corporate laptops.

To ensure productivity when users are disconnected from the network, Windows 10 includes features like Sync Center and Offline Files. When configured, this allows a user to work with copies of files from a network share that are cached locally on their laptop. When the user reconnects to the corporate network, Sync Center automatically synchronizes any changes they made back to the server.

For remote access, the 70-698 Exam covered the configuration of traditional Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections. It also touched upon DirectAccess, an advanced enterprise feature that provides a seamless and automatic remote connection experience for domain-joined machines, without requiring the user to manually start a VPN client.

Managing Access in a Domain Environment

While the industry is shifting towards modern management, the vast majority of enterprise environments today still rely on the traditional on-premises Active Directory domain. The 70-698 Exam required a solid understanding of how a Windows 10 client operates within this domain environment. This is a foundational skill for any administrator working in a medium to large organization.

The first step is joining the computer to the domain. An administrator must know the process of configuring the computer's properties to join it to an Active Directory domain, which requires credentials for an account that has permission to do so. Once a computer is domain-joined, it is subject to the centralized management and security policies of the domain.

The primary tool for this centralized management is Group Policy. Group Policy allows an administrator to configure thousands of settings for both users and computers. These policies are created on a domain controller and are automatically applied to the client machines when they start up and when users log on. This is how organizations enforce security settings, deploy software, and configure the user environment in a consistent and scalable way.

A candidate for the 70-698 Exam was expected to understand this relationship between the client and the domain and to know how Group Policy is used to manage the client machine's configuration and security posture.

Introduction to PowerShell for Windows 10 Administration

While the Windows 10 graphical user interface provides access to most administrative tasks, a truly efficient administrator must be proficient in using the command line for automation and advanced management. The 70-698 Exam emphasized the importance of Windows PowerShell, which is the modern, powerful command-line shell and scripting language for all Microsoft products.

PowerShell provides a set of commands, called cmdlets, that allow you to perform almost any administrative task that is possible in the GUI, and many that are not. The cmdlets follow a consistent "Verb-Noun" naming convention, such as Get-Process or Stop-Service, which makes them easy to discover and learn.

The true power of PowerShell comes from its scripting capabilities. An administrator can combine a series of cmdlets into a script to automate complex or repetitive tasks. For example, you could write a script to check the BitLocker encryption status on a list of a hundred computers and generate a report. This level of automation can save a tremendous amount of time and reduce the chance of human error.

The 70-698 Exam expected a candidate to have a foundational knowledge of PowerShell. This included the ability to execute basic cmdlets to perform common configuration tasks and an understanding of the role of PowerShell in automating Windows administration. This skill is even more critical today for managing both on-premises and cloud environments.

A Strategic Review of 70-698 Exam Concepts

As we conclude our deep dive into the technologies of the retired 70-698 Exam, it is beneficial to conduct a strategic review of the core principles we have covered. The exam was built on three pillars that represent the complete lifecycle of enterprise desktop management: implementing, configuring, and maintaining the Windows operating system. These principles remain the foundation of the modern desktop administrator's role.

The "Implement Windows" domain taught us the importance of a structured and automated approach to deployment. The principles of creating a standardized "golden image" and using answer files for zero-touch installation are directly applicable to modern deployment techniques, even though the specific tools have evolved to be more cloud-centric with Windows Autopilot.

The "Configure and Support Core Services" domain covered the vast landscape of post-deployment configuration, from networking and storage to security and applications. This remains the core of an administrator's daily work. The knowledge of how to configure the firewall, manage drivers, and secure data with encryption are timeless and essential skills.

Finally, the "Manage and Maintain Windows" domain emphasized the ongoing, operational aspects of the job. The principles of proactive monitoring, regular updates, and robust backup and recovery strategies are as critical today as they were then. These foundational concepts from the 70-698 Exam provide a solid and enduring base of knowledge.

The Modern Desktop Administrator Associate (MD-102)

With your foundational knowledge established, the clear path forward for certification is the "Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate." This is the current, role-based certification that has replaced the MCSA: Windows 10. This certification is now earned by passing a single, consolidated exam: the MD-102: Endpoint Administrator.

The MD-102 exam is a comprehensive test of all the skills required to deploy, configure, secure, manage, and monitor devices and client applications in a Microsoft 365 environment. It combines the core Windows client skills that were covered in the 70-698 Exam (and its successor, the MD-100) with the modern, cloud-based management skills that were covered in the MD-101 exam.

The curriculum for the MD-102 exam covers a broad range of topics. It includes deploying Windows clients using modern methods like Windows Autopilot. It has a heavy focus on managing identity and compliance using Azure Active Directory and Microsoft Intune. It also covers managing endpoints and applications using Intune, and deploying and managing updates in a modern, cloud-managed environment.

This single-exam certification provides a complete validation of the skills needed for the modern desktop administrator role. It is the credential that organizations are looking for today, and your foundational knowledge gives you a great starting point for preparing for it.

Key Differences: Traditional vs. Modern Management

To successfully transition from the world of the 70-698 Exam to the world of the MD-102 exam, it is crucial to understand the key differences between traditional and modern management. This is a shift in both technology and philosophy.

Traditional management is domain-centric. The primary tools are on-premises: Active Directory for identity, Group Policy for configuration, and SCCM or WSUS for application and update deployment. Devices must be on the corporate network or connected via VPN to be fully managed. The focus is on controlling the corporate-owned device itself.

Modern management is cloud-centric and internet-first. The primary tools are in the cloud: Azure Active Directory for identity and Microsoft Intune for configuration, application, and update management. Devices can be managed anywhere they have an internet connection. The focus is on securing the corporate data, regardless of whether the device is corporate-owned or personal (BYOD).

This shift is profound. For example, instead of using Group Policy Objects to configure settings, a modern administrator uses Configuration Profiles in Intune. Instead of using imaging to deploy devices, they use Windows Autopilot. Understanding these direct parallels will make your transition to modern management much smoother.

Conclusion

You have built a solid foundation by exploring the technologies of the 70-698 Exam. Your final step is to turn that knowledge into a current and valuable certification. The definitive resource for this is the Microsoft Learn platform. Microsoft provides a complete, free, and self-paced learning path that is specifically designed to prepare you for the MD-102: Endpoint Administrator exam.

This learning path is composed of a series of modules that cover every objective of the exam. The modules include detailed explanations, practical examples, and short knowledge checks to test your understanding. They will guide you through all the modern management concepts, from deploying devices with Autopilot and enrolling them in Intune, to creating compliance and configuration profiles, deploying applications, and managing updates from the cloud.

The best way to study is to follow this learning path while simultaneously practicing in a real environment. You can sign up for a free Microsoft 365 developer or trial tenant, which will give you access to Azure Active Directory and Microsoft Intune. By applying what you learn in a hands-on lab, you will build the practical skills needed to pass the exam. Your journey through the concepts of the 70-698 Exam has given you the perfect launchpad for this final, rewarding step.

Go to testing centre with ease on our mind when you use Microsoft MCSA 70-698 vce exam dumps, practice test questions and answers. Microsoft 70-698 Installing and Configuring Windows 10 certification practice test questions and answers, study guide, exam dumps and video training course in vce format to help you study with ease. Prepare with confidence and study using Microsoft MCSA 70-698 exam dumps & practice test questions and answers vce from ExamCollection.