Course Description
Get expert instruction and hands-on practice administering and
configuring Windows 8.1 in this 5-day Microsoft Official Course. This
course is designed for experienced IT professionals who have knowledge
and experience administering Windows PCs and devices in a domain
environment with managed access to the Internet. You will learn the
skills you need to administer Windows 8.1 in a Windows Server domain
environment and also provide secure, managed access to users from their
non-domain joined Windows devices. You will learn how to install and
customize Windows 8.1 operating systems and apps, integrate and control
access to domains and cloud services, and migrate and synchronize
settings across multiple devices. In addition, you will learn how to
implement mobile security and customize configurations using Windows
management tools including Group Policy and Windows PowerShell cmdlets.
You will also learn how to configure user settings and profiles, local
and remote network connectivity, Client Hyper-V, virtual apps, and
Internet Explorer 11. Finally, you will learn how to optimize security
and provide controlled access from Windows 8.1 PCs and devices to
specified resources through Workplace Join services and Work Folders.
This course is also designed to prepare certification candidates for
Exam 70-687, Configuring Windows 8.1. As part of the learning
experience, you will perform hands-on exercises in a virtual lab
environment. NOTE: This course is based on Windows 8.1 Enterprise
Edition with domain services provided by Windows Server 2012 R2.
Audience Profile
This course is intended for IT professionals who administer and
support Windows 8.1 PCs, devices, users, and associated network and
security resources. The networks with which these professionals
typically work are configured as Windows Server domain-based
environments with managed access to the Internet and cloud services.
This course is also intended to provide foundation configuration skills
for Enterprise Desktop/Device Support Technicians (EDSTs) who provide
Tier 2 support to users who run Windows desktops and devices within a
Windows domain environment in medium to large enterprise organizations.
Students who seek certification in the 70-687 Windows 8.1 Configuring
exam will also benefit from this course.
At Course Completion
After completing this course, students will be able to:
- Describe solutions and features related to managing Windows 8.1 in an enterprise network environment.
- Determine requirements and perform the tasks for installing and deploying Windows 8.1.
- Manage profiles and user state between Windows devices.
- Determine the most appropriate management tools to configure Windows 8.1 settings.
- Configure disks, partitions, volumes, and device drivers in a Windows 8.1 system.
- Configure network connectivity.
- Configure resource connectivity for both domain-joined and non-domain joined PCs and devices.
- Implement Windows 8.1 technologies to secure network connections.
- Configure file, folder, and printer access.
- Implement tools and technologies that can help secure Windows 8.1 PCs and devices.
- Configure and control desktop apps, Windows Store apps, and virtual apps.
- Optimize and maintain Windows 8.1 PCs and devices.
- Configure mobile computer settings and to enable remote access.
- Determine how to recover Windows 8.1 from various failures.
- Describe and configure Client Hyper-V.
Prerequisites
Before attending this course, students should have:
- At least two years of experience in the IT field
- Knowledge of networking fundamentals, including Transmission Control
Protocol /Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and
Domain Name System (DNS)
- Knowledge of Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) principles and fundamentals of AD DS management
- Understanding of the certificate security and working knowledge of
the fundamentals of Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS)
- Understanding of Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows Server 2012 fundamentals
- Understanding of Microsoft Windows Client essentials; for example,
working knowledge of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and/or Windows
8
- Basic understanding of Windows PowerShell syntax
- Basic awareness of Windows deployment tools (Windows ADK components:
Windows PE, Windows SIM, VAMT, ImageX, USMT, and DISM concepts and
fundamentals) but no actual prerequisite skills with the specific tools
are assumed
Course Outline
Module 1: Windows 8.1 in an Enterprise Environment
Windows client operating systems are essential to the functionality
of almost every enterprise environment. Most users perform the bulk of
their computing tasks in the Windows client interface, including editing
documents, sending email, interacting with applications, and numerous
other tasks. Managing these clients, then, is an important task for
enterprise information technology (IT) administrators. You must manage
Windows clients to ensure that operating systems and any applications
are operating properly. Providing adequate security measures, deploying
new clients when required, maintaining an inventory, and monitoring
Windows clients in your environment are all essential tasks for IT
administrators. This module introduces you to Windows 8.1 and provides
an overview of how you can manage Windows 8.1 computers in your
environment to meet common enterprise IT challenges.
Lessons
- Managing Windows 8.1 in an Enterprise Environment
- Overview of Windows 8.1
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Explain the different options for managing Windows 8.1 in an enterprise environment.
- Describe Windows 8.1 and its UI.
Module 2: Installing and Deploying Windows 8.1
The Windows 8.1 operating system builds on the core functionality of
Windows 8 and Windows 7 to provide a stable client experience across
many device form factors and processor architectures. In this module,
you will learn about the features that are available in different
Windows 8.1 editions. This module introduces planning considerations and
hardware requirements for a Windows 8.1 installation. You also will
learn about the importance of device driver compatibility and
application compatibility during installation. This module describes how
you can perform a clean installation of Windows 8.1. It also describes
how you can upgrade or migrate to Windows 8.1 and the upgrade paths that
are supported. You will learn about the tools and technologies that you
can use to customize an installation. You also will learn about Windows
8.1 activation and the different activation options.
Lessons
- Preparing to Install and Deploy Windows 8.1
- Installing Windows 8.1
- Customizing and Preparing a Windows 8.1 Image for Deployment
- Volume Activation for Windows 8.1
Lab : Installing Windows 8.1
- Planning to install Windows 8.1
- Performing a Clean Installation of Windows 8.1
Lab : Customizing and Capturing a Windows 8.1 Image
- Creating an Answer File and Performing an Unattended Windows 8.1 Installation
- Viewing Install.wim Information and Capturing a Windows 8.1 Image
Lab : Deploying a Windows 8.1 Image
- Performing Offline Servicing and Deploying a Windows 8.1 Image
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Prepare to install and deploy Windows 8.1.
- Install Windows 8.1.
- Customize and prepare a Windows 8.1 image for deployment.
- Describe volume activation for Windows 8.1.
Module 3: Tools Used for Configuring and Managing Windows 8.1
The Windows 8.1 operating system provides several methods to
configure operating system components while signed in locally or
connected remotely. This module describes the primary management tools
in Windows 8.1 and the scenarios for using them.
Lessons
-
Tools Used to Perform Local and Remote Management of Windows 8.1
-
Using Windows PowerShell to Configure and Manage Windows 8.1
-
Using Group Policy to Manage Windows 8.1
Lab : Using Management Tools to Configure Windows 8.1 Settings
-
Planning Management of Windows 8.1 Computers
-
Managing Windows 8.1 by Using Group Policy
-
Implementing Windows PowerShell Remoting
After completing this module, you will be able to:
-
Identify the tools used to perform local and remote management of Windows 8.1.
-
Use Windows PowerShell to configure and manage Windows 8.1.
-
Use Group Policy to manage Windows 8.1.
Module 4: Managing Profiles and User State in Windows 8.1
User profiles store user settings and data. For users working on a
single computer, profiles can be stored locally. However, for users who
roam between multiple computers, the user profile, or at least some
parts of it, should be available on the network. This module describes
the different user profile types. It also describes Microsoft User
Experience Virtualization (UE-V), which you can use to synchronize
settings between computers without using roaming user profiles. The
operating system itself provides user profiles, whereas UE-V is a
separate product that is part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization
Pack. In this module, you will learn about UE-V features and how to
deploy and configure it on your network. You also will learn how to
migrate user state and settings to computers that run Windows 8.1
operating systems.
Lessons
-
Managing User Profiles
-
Configuring User State Virtualization
-
Migrating User State and Settings
Lab : Configuring Profiles and User State Virtualization
-
Configuring Roaming User Profiles and Folder Redirection
-
Implementing and Configuring UE-V
Lab : Migrating User State by Using USMT
-
Creating and Customizing USMT XML Files
-
Capturing and Restoring User State to a Target Computer
After completing this module, you will be able to:
Module 5: Managing Disks and Device Drivers
Although most computers that run Windows 8.1 have a single physical
disk that is configured as a single volume, this is not always the case.
For example, there might be times when you want to have multiple
operating systems on a single computer, or you might want to have
virtual memory on a different volume. Therefore, it is important that
you understand how to create and manage simple, spanned, and striped
volumes. You also might be interested in implementing the Storage Spaces
feature. In addition to traditional storage, you can use Windows 8.1 to
create and access virtual hard disks from within the operating system
installed on a physical computer. To help maintain and optimize file
system performance, you must be familiar with file system fragmentation
and the tools that you can use to defragment a volume. Additionally, a
good understanding of disk quotas is helpful if you are managing
available disk space on installed volumes.
Lessons
-
Managing Disks, Partitions, and Volumes
-
Maintaining Disks, Partitions, and Volumes
-
Working with Virtual Hard Disks
-
Installing and Configuring Device Drivers
Lab : Managing Disks
-
Creating Volumes
-
Configuring Disk Quotas
-
Managing Virtual Hard Disks
Lab : Configuring Device Drivers
-
Installing Device Drivers
-
Managing Device Drivers
After completing this module, you will be able to:
-
Manage disks, partitions, and volumes.
-
Maintain disks, partitions, and volumes.
-
Explain how to use virtual hard disks.
-
Install and configure device drivers.
Module 6: Configuring Network Connectivity
Network connectivity is essential in today’s business environment. An
increasing number of computer users want to connect their computers to a
network. These users might be part of a business network
infrastructure, a home office, or they might need to share files and
access the Internet. The Windows 8.1 operating system provides enhanced
networking functionality compared with earlier Windows client operating
systems, and it provides support for newer technologies. By default,
Windows 8.1 implements both TCP/Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and
TCP/Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). Understanding IPv4, IPv6, and
the operating system’s access capabilities will help you configure and
troubleshoot Windows 8.1 networking features.
Lessons
-
Configuring IPv4 Network Connectivity
-
Configuring IPv6 Network Connectivity
-
Implementing Automatic IP Address Allocation
-
Implementing Name Resolution
-
Implementing Wireless Network Connectivity
Lab : Configuring a Network Connection
-
Enabling Automatic IPv4 Configuration
-
Configuring IPv4 Manually
Lab : Resolving Network Connectivity Issues
-
Creating a Simulated Network Connectivity Problem
-
Resolving a Network Connectivity Problem
After completing this module, you will be able to:
-
Describe how to configure IPv4 network connectivity.
-
Describe how to configure IPv6 network connectivity.
-
Implement automatic IP address allocation.
-
Implement name resolution.
-
Implement wireless network connectivity.
Module 7: Configuring File Access and Printers on Windows 8.1 Clients
This module provides the information and tools that you need to
manage access to shared folders and printers on a computer that is
running the Windows 8.1 operating system. Specifically, the module
describes how to share and protect folders, configure folder
compression, and how to install, configure, and manage printers.
Additionally, this module introduces Microsoft OneDrive (formerly known
as SkyDrive) functionality. To maintain network or local file and
printer systems, it is essential to understand how to safeguard these
systems and make them operate as efficiently and effectively as
possible. This includes setting up File permissions (previously known as
NTFS permissions), compressing and managing shared folders and files,
and configuring printers.
Lessons
-
Managing File Access
-
Managing Shared Folders
-
Configuring File Compression
-
Configuring File Access
-
Managing Printers
Lab : Configuring File Access
-
Creating a Shared Folder for the Marketing Group
-
Configuring File and Folder Compression
Lab : Configuring Printers
-
Creating and Sharing a Local Printer
After completing this module, you will be able to:
-
Implement file access management in Windows 8.1.
-
Configure and manage shared folders.
-
Configure file compression in Windows 8.1.
-
Describe the purpose and functionality of OneDrive.
-
Configure and manage printers.
Module 8: Implementing Network Security
When computers are connected to a network, they are exposed to
potential security threats. You need to formulate a strategy to protect
your computers. User policies, antivirus software, encrypted network
traffic, and other protective measures work together to help shield your
Windows 8.1 computers from security threats. It also is important to
identify possible threats and to optimize appropriate Windows-based
network security features, such as Windows Firewall and Windows
Defender.
Lessons
-
Overview of Threats to Network Security
-
Configuring Windows Firewall
-
Securing Network Traffic by Using IPsec
-
Guarding Windows 8.1 Against Malware
Lab : Configuring Inbound and Outbound Firewall Rules
-
Creating an Inbound Windows Firewall Rule
-
Creating an Outbound Firewall Rule
Lab : Configuring IPsec Rules
-
Creating and Configuring IPsec Rules
Lab : Configuring Malware Protection
-
Configuring Windows Defender
After completing this module, you will be able to:
-
Describe the threats to network security.
-
Configure Windows Firewall.
-
Secure network traffic by using Internet Protocol security (IPsec).
-
Guard Windows 8.1 against malware.
Module 9: Configuring Resource Access for Domain-Joined Devices and Devices That Are Not Domain Members
Before you can start working on a computer that is running the
Windows 8.1 operating system, you must sign in. Signing in to a computer
is a mandatory step, and based on your computer membership, you can
sign in with a local account, a domain account, or a Microsoft account.
In an Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) environment, you
typically would use a domain account exclusively because it has many
benefits. However, in today’s world, users are not restricted to using
company-owned computers only. They commonly use their own devices for
accessing company data. Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 have
several new features such as Workplace Join, Work Folders, and Remote
Business Data Removal that are useful in such Bring Your Own Device
(BYOD) scenarios. In this module, you will learn about the benefits of
domain accounts and Windows 8.1 features that are useful when
administrators need to control resource access for devices that are not
domain members. You also will learn how to configure and use Workplace
Join and Work Folders.
Lessons
-
Configuring Domain Access for Windows 8.1 Devices
-
Configuring Resource Access for Devices That Are Not Domain Members
-
Configuring Workplace Join
-
Configuring Work Folders
Lab : Configuring Resource Access for Devices That Are Not Domain Members
-
Implementing Workplace Join
-
Configuring Work Folders
After completing this module, you will be able to:
-
Configure domain access for Windows 8.1 devices.
-
Configure resource access for devices that are not domain members.
-
Configure the Workplace Join feature in Windows 8.1.
-
Configure the Work Folders feature in Windows 8.1.
Module 10: Securing Windows 8.1 Devices
Users are becoming increasingly computer literate, and they expect
more from the technology that they use at work. They expect to be able
to work from home, from branch offices, and on the road without a
decrease in their productivity or a loss of access to the programs and
applications that they need most. As the needs of users have changed,
the demands on information technology (IT) support professionals have
increased. Today, support professionals need to provide more
capabilities and to support greater flexibility while continuing to
minimize security risks. In this module, you will explore features of
the Windows 8.1 operating system that you can use to maintain a secure
computer environment for your users, such as Encrypting File System
(EFS), BitLocker Drive Encryption, and User Account Control (UAC).
Lessons
-
Authentication and Authorization in Windows 8.1
-
Applying Security Settings by Using Group Policy
-
Securing Data with EFS and BitLocker
-
Configuring and Testing UAC
Lab : Implementing Local GPOs
-
Restricting the Use of Registry Editing Tools
Lab : Securing Data by Using BitLocker
-
Protecting Files with BitLocker
Lab : Configuring and Testing UAC
After completing this module, you will be able to:
-
Implement authentication and authorization features in Windows 8.1.
-
Use Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to apply security settings.
-
Describe how to secure data with EFS and BitLocker.
-
Describe how to configure UAC.
Module 11: Configuring Applications for Windows 8.1
Computer users require applications for every task they perform, such
as editing documents, querying databases, and generating reports. As
part of administering the Windows 8.1 operating system, you need a
strategy for deploying and managing the applications that users in your
organization will run on their new Windows 8.1 computers and devices.
Based on the specific needs of your organization, you can choose from a
variety of methods to deploy and manage applications—from manual
deployment methods to fully automated management technologies. You also
need a strategy to handle the application compatibility issues that
might arise when you try to run applications that were designed for
older versions of Windows operating systems.
Lessons
-
Application Deployment Options in Windows 8.1
-
Managing Windows Store Apps
-
Configuring Internet Explorer Settings
-
Configuring Application Restrictions
Lab : Configuring Internet Explorer Security
-
Configuring Internet Explorer
Lab : Configuring AppLocker
-
Configuring AppLocker Rules
-
Testing the AppLocker Rules
After completing this module, you will be able to:
-
Describe application deployment options in Windows 8.1.
-
Install and manage Windows Store apps.
-
Configure and secure Internet Explorer.
-
Configure application restrictions.
Module 12: Optimizing and Maintaining Windows 8.1 Computers
Users have high expectations of technology. Therefore, performance is
a key issue in today’s business environment, and it is important to
consistently optimize and manage your systems’ performance. The Windows
8.1 operating system includes several monitoring and configuration tools
that you can use to obtain information about computer performance, to
maintain reliability, and to configure operating system and app updates.
Lessons
-
Optimizing Performance in Windows 8.1
-
Managing the Reliability of Windows 8.1
-
Managing Software Updates in Windows 8.1
Lab : Optimizing Windows 8.1 Performance
-
Creating a Performance Baseline
-
Introducing Additional Workload
-
Measuring System Responsiveness Under Load
Lab : Maintaining Windows Updates
-
Configuring Windows Update
After completing this module, you will be able to:
-
Optimize performance in Windows 8.1.
-
Manage the reliability of Windows 8.1.
-
Manage software updates in Windows 8.1.
Module 13: Configuring Mobile Computing and Remote Access
Mobile computers are available in many types and configurations. This
module includes descriptions of various available mobile devices and
describes how you can synchronize them with a computer that is running
the Windows 8.1 operating system. Additionally, this module describes
various power options that you can configure in Windows 8.1.Windows 8.1
helps end users become more productive, regardless of their location or
that of the data they need. For users who want to use virtual private
networks (VPNs) to connect to enterprise resources, new features in
Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 create a seamless experience. You
can use DirectAccess, VPN, and Remote Desktop functionality to enable
users to access their work environments from anywhere they are
connected.
Lessons
-
Configuring Mobile Computers and Device Settings
-
Overview of DirectAccess
-
Configuring VPN Access
-
Configuring Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance
Lab : Configuring a Power Plan
-
Creating and Configuring a New Power Plan
Lab : Implementing DirectAccess by Using the Getting Started Wizard
-
Configuring DirectAccess
-
Validating the DirectAccess Deployment
Lab : Implementing Remote Desktop
-
Configuring a Remote Desktop Connection
After completing this module, you will be able to:
Module 14: Recovering Windows 8.1
It is important to protect data on your computer from accidental loss
or corruption. To recover from a problem, typically it is easier to
restore system settings than to reinstall an operating system and apps.
The Windows 8.1 operating system provides a number of features that you
can use to protect important data files, in addition to tools that you
can use to recover a computer that will not start or that starts with
errors. You can use features such as File History, System Protection,
and synchronization with Microsoft OneDrive (formerly known as SkyDrive)
to protect your data. To support your users, it is important that you
understand how to use these features and tools.
Lessons
-
Backing Up and Restoring Files in Windows 8.1
-
Recovery Options in Windows 8.1
Lab : Recovering Windows 8.1
-
Configuring and Using File History
-
Exploring Windows 8.1 Recovery Options
-
Introducing a Simulated Problem
-
Resolving a Problem
After completing this module, you will be able to:
Module 15: Configuring Client Hyper-V
Hyper-V is the primary platform for infrastructure virtualization.
Hyper V enables multiple operating systems to run in individual virtual
machines that share the same physical platform. Virtual machines can be
isolated or connected to a network. This module will introduce you to
Client Hyper V in Windows 8.1 and explain the fundamentals of working
with virtual machines in a Client Hyper V environment.
Lessons
-
Overview of Client Hyper-V
-
Creating Virtual Machines
-
Managing Virtual Hard Disks
-
Managing Checkpoints
Lab : Configuring Client Hyper-V
-
Installing Client Hyper-V
-
Creating a Virtual Switch, a Virtual Hard Disk, and a Virtual Machine
After completing this module, you will be able to:
