Microsoft 70-688: Managing and Maintaining Windows 8

Microsoft 70-688: Managing and Maintaining Windows 8 is an online course for desktop support staff who troubleshoot, maintain and recover Windows 8 and 8.1 PCs in a business network. It follows the Microsoft 70-688 exam, part of the MCSA: Windows 8 certification. The course runs for 19 hours 46 minutes over 54 videos, with 39 test questions.

The 13 modules are built around real support work. You start by learning a clear troubleshooting method, then use it on startup faults, drivers, network links, Group Policy and user settings. Later modules cover remote access, shared resources and apps, then keeping Windows 8.1 healthy and recovering it when things go wrong. Many modules include demos so you can see each fix in action.

What you will learn

• Follow a clear method for troubleshooting
• Fix startup problems
• Manage drivers and hardware
• Troubleshoot remote computers
• Solve network connection problems
• Troubleshoot Group Policy and user settings
• Set up and fix remote connections
• Fix access to shared resources for domain and non-domain users
• Troubleshoot apps, and maintain and recover Windows 8.1
• Manage Windows 8 computers, devices and users on a network and keep them secure

Course outline

1. Introduction: the exam and a troubleshooting method
2. Troubleshooting startup issues: getting PCs to boot
3. Managing drivers and hardware: device faults
4. Troubleshooting remote computers: fixing PCs from afar
5. Network connectivity: solving connection problems
6. Troubleshooting Group Policy: policy faults
7. Troubleshooting user settings: profile and setting issues
8. Remote connectivity: setting up and fixing remote access
9. Resource access in a domain: shared files and printers
10. Resource access for non-domain members: access outside the domain
11. Troubleshooting applications: app faults
12. Maintaining Windows 8.1: keeping PCs healthy
13. Recovering Windows 8.1: bringing systems back

Who this course is for

• Desktop support technicians
• IT generalists who look after Windows PCs
• IT consultants who support client desktops
• IT staff managing Windows 8 in domain or peer-to-peer networks

Before you start

No formal prerequisites are listed. You should be at ease using Windows and know basic networking ideas. Microsoft 70-687: Configuring Windows 8 is the natural first course, as 70-688 builds on it. Access to a Windows 8.1 test machine or virtual machine will help you practise the fixes.

About the 70-688 exam

Microsoft 70-688 checked your ability to support Windows 8.1 in a business, covering startup faults, hardware and drivers, networking, Group Policy, remote access, resource access, apps and recovery. Microsoft issued it, and it was paired with 70-687 for the MCSA: Windows 8 certification.

Microsoft has retired 70-688, and Windows 8.1 is no longer supported. The troubleshooting method taught here still transfers well to later versions of Windows.

Jobs this course supports

• Desktop Support Technician
• IT Consultant
• IT Generalist