Microsoft 70-686 Pro: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator

Microsoft 70-686 Pro: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator is an advanced course on planning and rolling out Windows 7 desktops across a large organisation. It is for desktop administrators and infrastructure staff who handle imaging, application testing, user data migration and client management. The course runs for 20 hours 34 minutes across 37 videos, with 33 practice questions, and follows Microsoft’s 70-686 exam objectives.

What you will learn

• Build a deployment plan for Windows 7 business desktops
• Test application compatibility and fix problems before a rollout
• Compare deployment methods and choose the right one
• Design standard Windows 7 images
• Deploy Windows 7 with the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK)
• Use Windows Deployment Services (WDS) to install across a network
• Run Lite Touch and Zero Touch installations
• Move user data and settings with USMT 4.0 and Windows Easy Transfer
• Plan, configure and manage the client environment
• Deliver applications and updates to Windows 7 clients

Course outline

1. Developing a Strategy for Windows 7 Business Desktops Deployment: planning a rollout, with demos
2. Evaluating Application Compatibility in Windows 7: finding and fixing apps that may break
3. Assessing Deployment Methods for Windows 7: weighing up the options for each situation
4. Designing Standard Images for Windows 7: building images you can reuse
5. Deploying Windows 7 with Windows AIK: using the Automated Installation Kit
6. Using Windows Deployment Services to Deploy Windows 7: installing over the network
7. Deploying Windows 7 Using Lite Touch Installation: rollouts with a small amount of hands-on work
8. Deploying Windows 7 Using Zero Touch Installation: fully automated rollouts
9. Migrating User State Using USMT 4.0 and WET: keeping user files and settings during a move
10. Planning, Configuring, and Managing the Client Environment: settings and control after deployment
11. Planning and Deploying Applications and Updates to Windows 7 Clients: keeping desktops up to date

Who this course is for

• Desktop administrators in medium and large organisations
• IT staff who run imaging and desktop rollout projects
• Support technicians ready to move into enterprise desktop work
• Teams that still look after Windows 7 machines

Before you start

There are no formal entry requirements. The course assumes you can already install and support Windows 7 on a single PC, so the 70-680 Configuring Windows 7 course is a sensible first step.

It also helps to know the basics of Active Directory and Group Policy, since enterprise rollouts depend on them. Use the 33 practice questions to check your understanding as you go.

About the 70-686 exam

Exam 70-686 was Microsoft’s professional-level test for enterprise desktop administrators. It checked whether you could plan and manage Windows 7 deployments, application compatibility and client settings across a large business.

Microsoft has retired the 70-686 exam, so it can no longer be booked. The planning, imaging and migration steps you learn here still help on desktop rollout projects. For current Windows desktops, look at Microsoft’s MD-102 Endpoint Administrator training.

Jobs this course supports

• Enterprise desktop administrator
• Enterprise support specialist
• IT infrastructure administrator
• IT consultant