- Exam Details / Trouble Spots
- Preparation Hints / Recommended Study Resources
- Exam Objectives / Where to Go from Here
Exam Objectives
The exam objectives are broken up into more than twenty-five objectives grouped into six different categories. The objectives for Exam 98-349 as stated by Microsoft include:
Understanding Operating System Configurations
- Configure Control Panel options.
- Configure desktop settings.
- Understand native applications and tools.
- Understand mobility.
- Understand remote management and assistance.
This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring administrative tools, configuring accessibility options
This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring gadgets, profiles, display settings, shortcuts, and Aero configurations and capabilities
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding Windows Internet Explorer, the snipping tool, Windows Media Player, Windows Media Center, and MSCONFIG
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding Sync Center, Windows Mobility Center, and Remote Desktop
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding MMC, and Windows PowerShell
Installing and Upgrading Client Systems
- Identify Windows operating system editions.
- Identify upgrade paths.
- Understand installation types.
- Understand virtualized clients.
This objective may include but is not limited to: identifying system requirements, using PC Upgrade Advisor
This objective may include but is not limited to: identifying ugrade paths from Windows XP, Windows Vista, and other operating systems; identifying application compatibility
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding removable media installations (DVD, ZTI, LTI, and USB), cloud and network installations, and product identification keys
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding Windows XP Mode, Remote Desktop, and Remote Desktop Services
Managing Applications
- Understand application installations.
- Understand user account control (UAC).
- Remove malicious software.
- Understand services.
- Understand application virtualization.
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding local vs. network applications, Group Policy, and application removal
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding standard user vs. administrative user, understanding types of UAC prompts and levels
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding Windows Defender, Action Center, the Malicious Software Removal tool, Windows Registry, and Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding service start-up types, service accounts, and service dependencies
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding Med-V and VDI
Managing Files and Folders
- Understand file systems.
- Understand file and print sharing.
- Understand encryption.
- Understand libraries.
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding FAT, FAT32, NTFS, and 32 bit vs. 64 bit
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding NTFS and share permissions, HomeGroup, print drivers, and effective permissions; creating public, basic, and advanced shares; mapping drives
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding BitLocker, encrypting file systems (EFS), and compression
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding offline files, adding multiple local locations to a library, adding networked locations
Managing Devices
- Connect devices.
- Understand storage.
- Understand printing devices.
- Understand system devices.
This objective may include but is not limited to: connecting plug-and-play devices, connecting and disconnecting printers, installing third-party software for devices
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding disk types (NTFS, FAT, etc.), security (encryption), storage device types (eSATA, USB, USB 2.0, IEEE 1394, iSCSI), storage drive types (basic, primary, extended, logical, dynamic disk, VHDs), and cloud storage (Windows Live SkyDrive, OneNote to SkyDrive, Live mesh)
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding local printers, network printers, print queues, print-to-file, and Internet printing
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding video, audio, and infrared input devices, understanding Device Manager
Understanding Operating System Maintenance
- Understand backup and recovery methods.
- Understand maintenance tools.
- Understand updates.
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding local, online, and automated backup methods; understanding backup options; understanding System Restore, recovery boot options such as Last Known Good, and various Safe Mode options
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding Disk Defragmenter, Disk Cleanup, Task Scheduler, Action Center, and System Information
This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding Windows updates, Microsoft updates, and Hot fixes
Where to Go from Here
After you pass the Windows Operating System Fundamentals exam, you are a certified MTA in the IT Professional category. Some other exams you may want to consider taking are:
- Networking Fundamentals Exam 98-366
- Security Fundamentals Exam 98-367
- Windows Server Administration Fundamentals Exam 98-365
All available MTA exams can be found at: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mta.aspx#certification