MCA Microsoft 365 Certified Associate Modern Desktop Administrator Complete Study Guide with 900 Practice Questions: Exam MD-100 and Exam MD-101 2e

Complete, UPDATED study guide for MCA Modern Desktop Administrator certification exams, MD-100 and MD-101. Covers new Windows 11, services, technologies, and more!

MCA Microsoft 365 Certified Associate Modern Desktop Administrator Complete Study Guide, Second Edition, is your all-in-one guide to preparing for the exams that will earn you the MCA Modern Desktop Administrator certification! In this book, well-known Windows guru and five-time Microsoft MVP, William Panek, guides you through the latest versions of the Windows Client exam (MD-100) and the Managing Modern Desktops exam (MD-101).

This one-stop resource covers 100% of the objectives for both exams, providing real world scenarios, hands-on exercises, and challenging review questions. You’ll also dive deeper into some of the more complex topics and technologies, including deploying, maintaining, and upgrading Windows; managing devices and data; configuring storage and connectivity; managing apps and data; and more.

• Learn everything you need to know to pass the MD-100 and MD-101 exams
• Earn your MCA Modern Desktop Administrator certification to launch or advance your career
• Access exercises, review questions, flashcards, and practice exams, in the book and online
• Master all of the test objectives for the latest exam versions—updated for Windows 11

With this study guide, you also get access to Sybex’s superior online learning environment, including an assessment test, hundreds of practice exams, flashcards, searchable glossary, and videos for many of the chapter exercises. This is the perfect test prep resource for admins preparing for certification and anyone looking to upgrade their existing skills to Microsoft’s latest desktop client.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

WILLIAM PANEK is a Five-Time Microsoft MVP Winner. He has taught at Boston University, Clark University, and the University of Maryland, and presently conducts live online classes for StormWind Studios (www.stormwindstudios.com). Will has been a consultant and trainer for the United States Secret Service, Cisco, the United States Air Force, and the United States Army. He also creates training videos to help students prepare for various Microsoft exams.

Introduction xxix

Assessment Test – MD- 100 xliii

Assessment Test – MD- 101 xlix

Answers to Assessment Test – MD- 100 lv

Answers to Assessment Test – MD- 101 lviii

Part I Exam MD-100 1

Chapter 1 Windows Client Installation 3

Understanding the Basics 4

Windows 10/11 Features 9

Windows 10 vs. Windows 11 11

What Has Been Changed in Windows 11? 12

Windows 10 and 11 Architecture 13

Preparing to Install Windows 14

Windows Home 15

Windows Pro 15

Windows Enterprise 16

Windows 10 Enterprise E3 and E 5 17

Windows Client Requirements 18

New Installation or Upgrade? 20

Disk Partitioning 24

Language and Region Pack 25

Installing Windows 10 25

Performing a Clean Installation of Windows 10 26

Performing an Upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1 36

Installing Windows 11 41

Performing a Clean Installation of Windows 11 42

Performing an Upgrade to Windows 11

from Windows 10 43

Troubleshooting Installation Problems 43

Supporting Multiple- Boot Options 45

Using Windows Activation 47

Understanding Automated Deployment Options 48

An Overview of the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 48

An Overview of Unattended Installation 54

An Overview of Windows Deployment Services 56

An Overview of the System Preparation Tool and Disk Imaging 59

Overview of the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit 63

Windows Configuration Designer 64

Summary of Windows Client Deployment Options 64

Deploying Unattended Installations 66

Using the System Preparation Tool to Prepare an Installation for Imaging 67

Using Windows Configuration Designer to Create a Disk Image 69

Using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management Tool 71

Using Windows System Image Manager to Create Answer Files 73

Windows Update 74

The Update Process 75

Using Windows Update 76

Using Windows Update for Business 78

Delivery Optimization 81

Using Command- Line Options 83

Installing Microsoft Store Updates 83

Summary 85

Exam Essentials 86

Video Resources 87

Review Questions 88

Chapter 2 Configuring Users 93

Understanding User Accounts 94

Account Types 95

Built- In Accounts 96

Local and Domain User Accounts 97

Working with User Accounts 98

Using the Local Users and Groups Utility 98

Using the User Accounts Option in Control Panel 101

Creating New Users 102

Disabling User Accounts 107

Deleting User Accounts 108

Renaming User Accounts 109

Changing a User’s Password 110

Using Windows Hello, Pictures, and Biometrics 111

Using Device Guard 112

Understanding Windows Defender Credential Guard 114

Configuring Device Health Attestation 116

Managing User Properties 117

Managing User Group Membership 117

Setting Up User Profiles, Logon Scripts, and Home Folders 119

Troubleshooting User Account Authentication 126

Managing and Creating Groups 127

Using Built- In Groups 127

Creating Groups 131

Managing Group Membership 133

Deleting Groups 135

Managing Security Using GPOs and LGPOs 135

Understanding the GPO and LGPO Basics 135

Using the Group Policy Result Tool 137

Managing and Applying LGPOs 138

Configuring Local Security Policies 140

Using Account Policies 141

Using Local Policies 147

Configuring User Account Control 155

Privilege Elevation 156

Managing Credentials by Using Credential Manager 157

Local Administrator Password Solutions (LAPS) 159

Registry and File Virtualization 165

Understanding Smart Cards 165

Configuring Remote Management 167

Remote Assistance 168

Easy Connect 168

Remote Desktop 173

Quick Assist 176

Windows Admin Center 180

Enabling PowerShell Remoting 182

Configuring a VPN Connection 182

Transparent Caching 185

Broadband Tethering 185

Using PowerShell 186

Summary 189

Exam Essentials 189

Video Resources 190

Review Questions 191

Chapter 3 Managing Data 197

Managing File and Folder Security 198

Folder Options/File Explorer Options 199

Understanding Dynamic Access Control 203

Securing Access to Files and Folders 204

Determining and Viewing Effective Permissions for NTFS 208

Determining NTFS Permissions for Copied or Moved Files 211

Managing Network Access 211

Creating and Managing Shared Folders 211

Configuring Share Permissions 213

Cloud- Based Storage 214

Configuring OneDrive 215

Understanding Hardware Security 220

Using BitLocker Drive Encryption 221

Features of BitLocker 222

Windows 7 vs. Windows 10/11 224

Using the BitLocker Administration and Monitoring Utility 227

Use Configuration Manager to Manage BitLocker Drive Encryption (BDE) 228

Understanding Smart Cards 229

Summary 230

Exam Essentials 231

Video Resources 231

Review Questions 232

Chapter 4 Managing the Windows Client Environment 239

Managing Windows 240

Manipulating the Desktop Environment 241

Configuring Personalization 251

Using Control Panel 259

Using the Microsoft Management Console 270

Using the System Settings 272

Understanding the Settings Window 273

Using PowerShell 277

Configuring Mobility Options 279

Configuring Offline Files and Synchronization 279

Configuring Power Policies 281

Managing Windows 10/11 Services 288

Configuring Internet Browsers 291

Cortana 291

Browser Controls 293

Pinning Sites to the Taskbar 293

Searchable Address Bar 293

Security and Privacy Enhancements 293

Using the Browser’s Compatibility Mode 294

Using Enhanced Security Mode in Edge 295

Using InPrivate Browsing 297

Configuring Internet Options 297

Manage and Use Hyper- V on Windows Client 303

Hyper- V System Requirements 304

Enabling the Hyper- V Role 304

Opening the Hyper- V Manager 305

Changing Configuration on an Existing Virtual Machine 311

Deleting Virtual Machines 313

Manage Virtual Switches 314

Managing Virtual Hard Disks 316

PowerShell Commands 322

Windows Sandbox 325

Summary 328

Exam Essentials 329

Video Resources 329

Review Questions 330

Chapter 5 Configuring Security and Devices 335

Configuring Disk Storage 336

Basic Storage 337

Dynamic Storage 337

GUID Partition Table 339

Using the Disk Management Utility 340

Understanding the Disk Management Utility 340

Managing Storage 355

Managing Dynamic Storage 355

Understanding Filesystems 358

Filesystem Selection 358

Filesystem Conversion 361

Configuring NTFS 361

Configuring Hardware 365

Understanding Devices 365

Using Device Manager 366

Installing and Updating Device Drivers 370

Driver Signing 379

Managing I/O Devices 381

Configuring Removable Storage Devices 381

Managing Printers 385

Configuring Windows Defender Firewall 401

Understanding the Windows Defender Firewall Basics 401

Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security 403

Managing Windows Security 408

Windows Security Center 408

Summary 411

Exam Essentials 412

Video Resources 412

Review Questions 413

Chapter 6 Configuring Network Connectivity 419

Understanding the Basics 420

Peer- to- Peer Networks 420

On- Site Active Directory Networks 422

Cloud- Based Azure Active Directory 424

Other Microsoft Networking Terms and Roles 424

Configuring NIC Devices 427

Configuring a Network Adapter 428

Troubleshooting a Network Adapter 434

Configuring Wireless NIC Devices 434

Configuring Wi- Fi Direct 442

Understanding TCP/IP 445

Benefits and Features of TCP/IP 446

Basics of IP Addressing and Configuration 448

Using IPv6 Addresses 452

Configuring TCP/IP on Windows 10 463

Testing Your IP Configuration 467

Configuring Windows Client on a Network 468

Configure VPN Clients 470

Create a VPN Profile 471

Configure and Manage Certificates on Client Devices 475

Summary 478

Exam Essentials 479

Video Resources 479

Review Questions 480

Chapter 7 Configuring Recovery 485

Understanding Recovery 487

Knowing the Startup/Boot Options 488

Starting in Safe Mode 489

Enabling Boot Logging 492

Using Other Startup Setting Options 494

Understanding System Restore 495

Using the System Image Recovery 497

Using the Startup Repair Tool 498

Maintaining Windows 10/11 with Backup and Restore 498

Creating a Backup 499

Restoring Files from a Backup 500

Recovering Files from OneDrive 501

Using the WBAdmin Command Utility 502

Using Advanced Backup Options 503

Using System Protection 505

Creating Restore Points 506

Restoring Restore Points 507

Cleaning Up Old Restore Points 507

Storage Sense 508

Using the Recycle Bin 510

Monitoring Windows 511

Introducing Performance Monitor 511

Using Other Performance- Monitoring Tools 521

Manage the Registry 531

Summary 532

Exam Essentials 533

Video Resources 533

Review Questions 534

Part II Exam MD- 101 539

Chapter 8 Deploy Windows Client 541

Plan a Windows Client Deployment 542

Microsoft Endpoint Manager (MEM) Overview 542

Endpoint Analytics 544

Deploying with Windows Autopilot 551

Windows Autopilot Requirements 552

Configure Device Registration for Autopilot 557

Windows Autopilot Profiles 559

Provision Windows Devices by Using Autopilot 563

Troubleshoot an Autopilot Deployment 564

Using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 567

Planning MDT Deployments 567

MDT Configuration Options 568

Plan and Implement PXE Boot by Using Windows Deployment Services (WDS) 569

Summary 576

Exam Essentials 576

Video Resources 577

Review Questions 578

Chapter 9 Managing Identity and Access 585

Active Directory vs. Azure Active Directory 586

Understanding Active Directory 586

Understanding Azure Active Directory 597

Managing Hybrid Networks 625

Password Hash Synchronization with Azure AD 625

Azure Active Directory Pass-Through Authentication 626

Federation with Azure AD 627

Common Identity Scenarios 630

Azure AD Connect 631

Configure Enterprise State Roaming in Azure AD 638

Requirements of Enterprise State Roaming 638

Enable Enterprise State Roaming 639

Plan and Implement Conditional Access Policies 639

Create a Conditional Access Policy 642

Troubleshooting Conditional Access 643

Using PowerShell Commands 645

Summary 647

Exam Essentials 648

Video Resources 649

Review Questions 650

Chapter 10 Planning and Managing Microsoft Intune 655

Managing Devices with Microsoft Intune 656

Understanding Microsoft Intune Benefits 658

Configuring Intune Subscriptions 658

Provisioning User Accounts 665

Setting Administrator Accounts 665

Supporting Applications 687

Deploying Applications Using Intune 687

Supporting Broadband Connectivity 694

Understanding Data Synchronization 695

Using Mobile Application Management 697

Understanding Updates 699

Deploying Software Updates Using Intune 699

Using Intune Compliance Reports 705

Using Intune Reports 705

Implement App Protection and App Configuration Policies 706

PowerShell Commands 710

Summary 711

Exam Essentials 711

Video Resources 712

Review Questions 713

Chapter 11 Managing Devices 719

Compliance Policies 721

Conditional Access 721

Plan Device Compliance Policies 723

Device Configuration Profiles 728

Summary 740

Exam Essentials 741

Video Resources 741

Review Questions 742

Chapter 12 Managing Security 747

Windows Security 748

Planning and Implementing Endpoint Protection 749

Endpoint Security 751

Managing Endpoint Security in Microsoft Intune 752

Implementing Microsoft Defender for Endpoint 759

Understanding Microsoft Defender Application Guard 771

Understanding Microsoft Defender Credential Guard 780

Implementing and Managing Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard 783

Using Windows Defender Application Control 787

Summary 788

Exam Essentials 789

Video Resources 790

Review Questions 791

Chapter 13 Monitoring Devices 797

Monitoring Windows 799

Monitor Cloud- Based Tools 799

Monitor Azure Device Security 809

Monitor Devices by Using Endpoint Manager Admin Center 813

Monitoring Devices by Using Endpoint Analytics 818

Summary 820

Exam Essentials 820

Video Resources 820

Review Questions 821

Appendix Answers to Review Questions 827

Chapter 1: Windows Client Installation 828

Chapter 2: Configuring Users 830

Chapter 3: Managing Data 833

Chapter 4: Managing the Windows Client Environment 836

Chapter 5: Configuring Security and Devices 840

Chapter 6: Configuring Network Connectivity 843

Chapter 7: Configuring Recovery 846

Chapter 8: Deploy Windows Client 850

Chapter 9: Managing Identity and Access 855

Chapter 10: Planning and Managing Microsoft Intune 858

Chapter 11: Managing Devices 862

Chapter 12: Managing Security 865

Chapter 13: Monitoring Devices 869

Index 873

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