Windows Client Certification
Getting certified on the Windows operating system can help you reach your goals.
In today’s increasingly complex IT environment, a certification on Windows
proves to customers and employers that you have the technical skills necessary
to do the job.
Why get certified?
Earning a Microsoft Certification validates your proven experience and knowledge
in using Microsoft products and solutions. Designed to be relevant in today’s
rapidly changing IT marketplace, Microsoft Certifications help you utilize
evolving technologies, fine-tune your troubleshooting skills, and improve your
job satisfaction.
Whether you are new to technology, changing jobs, or a seasoned IT professional,
becoming certified demonstrates to customers, peers, and employers that you are
committed to advancing your skills and taking on greater challenges. In
addition, certification provides you with access to exclusive Microsoft
Certified Professional (MCP) resources and benefits, including opportunities to
connect with a vast, global network of MCPs.
Use the following table to identify the certification that best fits your
current role and career goals.
Your profile
Currently working with Windows 7 or planning to be working with Windows 7 in the
future
Recommendations
Earn a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification on
Windows 7 and start preparing for a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
certification.
* Learn about MCTS on Windows 7
certification
* Learn about MCITP on Windows 7
certification
Your profile
Working with Windows Vista
Recommendations
Earn MCTS and MCTIP certifications on Windows Vista.
* Learn about MCTS on Windows Vista
certification
* Learn about MCITP on Windows Vista
certification
Your profile
Certified as an Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) on
Windows XP
Recommendations
Consider upgrading your certification to Windows Vista.
* Learn about upgrading
Your profile
Working with Windows XP
Recommendations
Earn a certification on Windows XP.
* Learn about Windows XP certification
The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) credential is for
professionals who want to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and expertise in their
specialized technologies. Earn multiple MCTS certifications to show your breadth
of expertise across different products, or pursue just one certification. As the
foundation of Windows certification, the MCTS certification (abbreviated as TS
in exam titles) is a prerequisite for earning the Microsoft Certified IT
Professional (MCITP) certification.
Windows 7
Be among the first to prove your proficiency in the latest Microsoft operating
system. Project leads and hiring managers will recognize your commitment to stay
current on client technologies and your ability to optimize the performance
improvements and rich feature set of Windows 7.
MCTS certification
Required exams
MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration
Validates your ability to understand the functions and features of Windows 7 and
to troubleshoot network-connectivity and applications issues.
Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring
Windows Vista
Become an expert on Windows Vista and realize unprecedented opportunities for
you and your organization by helping deliver new and compelling value to your
customers.
Windows Vista certifications for office workers are also available.
* Learn about certifications for office
workers
MCTS certification
Required exams
MCTS: Windows Vista, Configuration
Validates your ability to understand the functions and features of Windows Vista
and to troubleshoot network-connectivity and applications issues.
Note This one-exam certification is an excellent introduction to the Microsoft
Certified Professional (MCP) community. It adds a certification to your resumé
and fulfills a requirement or elective for several other certifications.
Exam 70-620: TS: Windows Vista,
Configuring
MCTS: Business Desktop Deployment
Validates your ability to successfully deploy and maintain client desktops,
using Microsoft tools during the various deployment stages.
Exam 70–624: TS: Deploying and
Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops
Note Certifications will be retired when Microsoft discontinues mainstream
support for the related technologies.
* Learn about Microsoft Certification
lifecycle policies
The Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) credential is for experienced IT
professionals who focus on a broad range of issues on the client operating
system, desktop applications, mobile devices, networking, and hardware support.
Earning this credential is the ideal way to demonstrate your ability to use
Windows to excel in a job role relevant in today's market.
The MCTS certification (abbreviated as
TS in exam titles) is a prerequisite for earning the Microsoft Certified IT
Professional (MCITP) certification.
Windows 7
MCITP certification
Required exams
MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7
Microsoft is partnering with HDI to offer a certification that validates both
your technical skills and your ability to operate effectively in a support
center.
Learn more about HDI
Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring
Plus one of the following:
HDI: Support Center Analyst
or
HDI: Desktop Support Technician
Exam 70-685: PRO: Windows 7, Enterprise
Desktop Support Technician (available late 2009)
MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7
Validates your ability to deploy operating systems and desktop applications, and
to manage the client life cycle.
Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring
Exam 70-686: PRO: Windows 7, Desktop Administration (available late 2009)
Windows Vista
MCITP certification
Required exams
MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician
Validates your ability to deploy Windows Vista, manage security, and
troubleshoot network issues.
Exam 70-620: TS: Windows Vista, Configuring
Exam 70-622: PRO: Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications on a Windows Vista
Client for Enterprise Support Technicians
MCITP: Consumer Support Technician
Validates your expertise and skill set in a job role that supports a broad range
of issues on client operating systems, desktop applications, mobile devices,
networking, and hardware support. This certification is right for you if your
interest lies in home user or consumer retail support.
Exam 70-620: TS: Windows Vista, Configuring
Exam 70-623: PRO: Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications on a Windows Vista
Client for Consumer Support Technicians
Note Certifications will be retired when Microsoft discontinues mainstream
support for the related technologies.
* Learn about Microsoft Certification lifecycle policies
A Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) works in the complex
computing environments of small, medium-sized, and large organizations.
Candidates should have six to twelve months of experience in supporting end
users of a client operating system.
By earning the MCDST credential, you can validate a unique set of skills
required to succeed in a variety of job roles, such as Help desk technician,
customer support representative, computer support specialist, technical support
representative, and technical support specialist.
Windows XP
To earn the MCDST credential, you must pass both of the following exams, in any
order.
Required exams
Exam 70-271: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Windows XP Operating System
Exam 70-272: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a
Windows XP Operating System
Upgrade your MCDST certification to MCTS and MCITP on Windows 7 certifications
As a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST), you can upgrade
your credential to include a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
certification and a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification on
Windows 7, by passing just one exam and one of the required HDI credentials.
These added credentials validate your comprehension of the functions and
features of Windows 7, your ability to deploy and support it, and your skills
related to troubleshooting network connectivity and applications issues in
Windows 7.
HDI: Desktop Support Technician
Or
HDI: Support Center Analyst
Upgrade your MCDST certification to MCTS and MCITP on Windows Vista
certifications
As a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST), you can upgrade
your credential to include a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
certification and a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification on
Windows Vista, by passing just one exam.
These added credentials validate your comprehension of Windows Vista, your
ability to deploy and support this operating system, and your skills in
troubleshooting network connectivity and application issues.
Exam 70-621: PRO: Upgrading Your MCDST Certification to MCITP Enterprise Support
Note If you have an MCDST, you can use Exam 70-621 toward certifications that
list Exam 70-620 as a requirement (for example, MCTS: Windows Vista,
Configuration).
Upgrade to MCITP: Consumer Support Technician
After you pass Exam 70-621, you have completed the prerequisite for the MCITP:
Consumer Support Technician credential. This credential highlights your
expertise in supporting a broad range of issues related to Windows Vista,
including client operating systems, desktop applications, mobile devices,
networking, and hardware support. It is the right option if you want to build
expertise in home user support or consumer retail support.
