The Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate is a mid-to-advanced level certification that falls under the “Modern Workplace” category of Microsoft certifications.

This certification tests and validates skills related to deployment, configuration, security management, and monitoring of devices and client applications in an enterprise environment.

Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate leads to desktop administrator job roles, which involve tasks related to operating systems, device security, policies, profiles, apps, and data with a special focus on Windows operating systems and platforms.

Microsoft offers three types of certifications: Fundamental, Role-Based, and Specialty. Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate belongs to the second category.

This certification is ideal for people who want to develop their IT career, as Microsoft 365 is an integrated platform of apps and services that allow organizations to perform key productivity tasks. These apps and services include Microsoft Office, email solutions, Intelligent Cloud, data security, marketing, and communication tools.

Microsoft 365 and desktop tools are the most popular enterprise tools worldwide, with millions of users .

As companies adopt Microsoft tools in-house, they need desktop administrators skillful in Microsoft technologies.

The Modern Desktop Administrator certification, therefore, would help you start and advance your IT career.

Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator could help you land jobs in the areas of system administration, desktop administration, help desk & support.

According to Robert Half’s 2020 IT salary report, desktop support professionals and system administrators are two of the hottest job titles of 2020 and beyond.

To earn the certification, you have to pass two exams: MS-100 and MS-101.

Total marks of each exam is 1000, and you have to score at least 700 to pass.

You can expect between 40 to 60 questions in the exam.

The certification costs around $165 US dollars for each exam.

Most of the questions in this certification exam are Multiple Choice Questions. Some questions use diagrams and architecture, and ask you to solve a specific problem based on a given scenario.

Ok, let’s look at the…

Skills Measured by the Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate Certification

This certification measures and validates your skills related to Microsoft Windows tools, systems and apps, deployment of Windows, device security, Windows maintenance, policies, implementation of policies, event logs, file systems, AZURE AD, internet explorer, and installation.

The certification will enable you to have a practical understanding of how Microsoft’s tools and technologies work in an Enterprise environment, with a special focus on the end user.

Specific tools and services that you will learn in this certification include OneDrive, the Command Line Interface, Office Suite, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange.

Specifically, you will learn the following skills.

Deployment of Windows

• Installation
• Migration of user data
• In-place upgrade
• Post-installation configuration
• Edge and Internet Explorer, and
• Mobility settings

Management of devices and data

• Manage local users, local groups, and devices
• Configure users and permissions
• Configure local registry
• Manage Windows security
• User account control, and
• Configure Windows Defender Firewall

Configure connectivity

• Configure networking
• Configure IP settings
• Configure mobile networking
• Configure VPN client
• Configure remote connectivity, and
• Configure remote desktop access

Maintenance of Windows

• Configure system and data recovery
• Perform file recovery (including OneDrive)
• Recover Windows 10
• Check for updates
• Configure Windows update options
• Monitor and manage Windows
• Manage performance, and
• Manage a Windows 10 environment

Deploy and update operating systems

• Select appropriate deployment options
• Plan and implement Windows 10 by using Windows Autopilot
• Upgrade devices to Windows 10
• Manage updates, and
• Manage device authentication

Manage policies and profiles

• Plan and implement co-management
• Configure device profiles
• Manage user profiles, and
• Implement Folder Redirection, including OneDrive

Manage and protect devices

• Manage Windows Defender
• Manage Intune device enrollment and inventory, and
• Monitor devices

Manage apps and data

• Deploy and update applications
• Implement Mobile Application Management
• Configure Windows Information Protection, and
• Implement Azure Information Protection templates

For a more complete curriculum, download the latest Microsoft 365 Certified Modern Desktop Administrator Associate objectives .

Now, let’s look at the…

Pre-requisites for Microsoft 365 Certified Modern Desktop Administrator Associate

There are no pre-requisites for this certification, but having a basic understanding of IT concepts, Windows, and Microsoft tools will be helpful.

How to Prepare for the Microsoft 365 Certified Modern Desktop Administrator Associate Exam

There are several options to prepare for this certification, such as:

Self-Study Resources

Self-study resources are a useful way to prepare for this exam.

Self-study resources include many options. Let’s look at their pros and cons.

Books

If you an want in-depth understanding of the syllabus topics, you can prepare using books.

Two books that will help you to prepare for this certification are Exam Ref MD-100 Windows 10 by Andrew Bettany and Exam Ref MD-101 Managing Modern Desktops by Andrew Bettany.

Books are in-depth but sometimes take a lot of time.  If you’re short on time and need to prepare for the exam you can try the…

Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate Learning Path by Microsoft

Microsoft has developed three learning paths that you can use to prepare for both Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate certification exams.

The first two learning paths have nine modules each, while the third learning path has six modules.

These learning paths are free, and you can learn at your own pace.

The learning paths are:

• Modernize your workplace with Microsoft 365 and Surface for Business (9 Modules)
• Microsoft 365 – Modernize your enterprise deployment with Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 Apps (9 Modules), and
• Manage your enterprise deployment with Microsoft 365 (6 Modules)

The next self-study resource that we’ll discuss is…

Video Training

You can use video training to prepare for the MD-100 and MD-101 exams.

Videos help you retain complex information fast. Videos are usually more engaging than books and can help you recall important concepts.

Most of the topics covered in this certification can be found on YouTube.  A free training method would be to print out the Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate exam objectives and start searching for videos that cover those topics.

This video tutorial  can help you prepare for the exams.

Instructor-Led Training

Global Knowledge has an instructor-led training option for this certification. This training is paid.

If you think you need the expertise of an expert to whom you could ask questions, to help you to understand concepts clearly, this option could be useful.

Practice Tests

You can increase your chances of passing the exam by using practice tests.

Solving practice questions will help you manage time, spot your weaknesses and identify your strengths.  It will also help you to become more proficient at answering scenario-based questions.

Here are two practice tests that you would be helpful in preparing for your exams.

MD-100

MD-101

Practice Labs

The Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator certification exam has some practical questions based on real world scenarios.

You can expect questions on configuration, deployment, and troubleshooting.

Most of the lab questions are in the MD-101 exam, and include Azure AD and Intune.

You can prepare for these labs by using Microsoft’s labs resources for MD-100 and MD-101.

Lab questions are relatively easy, but they can take a lot of time if you don’t practice beforehand.

Answering real world lab based questions in a limited amount time is not easy. So it’s a good idea to use practice tests before attempting the actual exams.

Now, let’s look at…

What Jobs you can get with the Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate certification?

As companies race to adopt technology and automate manual systems, the demand for Desktop Administrators and System Administrators will increase.

According to the U.S. labor statistics department, jobs for Computer Systems Administrators are projected to grow 5% through 2028.

Microsoft’s enterprise footprint is enormous. According Palmetto Technology Group, Office 365 users make up almost half of the 81% of total organizations who have made the shift to cloud services.

Microsoft services in the SaaS market also beat all other companies, with a 34% market share.

Having the Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate certification will make you eligible for Desktop and System Administration jobs in companies that are looking for experts to run their IT operations smoothly.

The following are some of the jobs you could apply for after getting the Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate certification.

• Service Desk Analyst
• Systems Administrator
• Windows Administrator
• Active Directory Administrator
• Enterprise Administrator, and
• Teams Administrator

However, just having the certification won’t guarantee you a job. You will also need experience and sound technical expertise.

You can complement your certification with other related certifications like Microsoft 365 Security Administrator Associate and Microsoft 365 Teams Administrator Associate.  You can also go for the more advanced Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator Expert.

Click here to find various career paths that Microsoft has developed for their certifications.

Let’s talk about how much money you can make with the…

Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate Certification

According to the Global Knowledge annual IT skills salary report, the average salary for MCSA Office 365, the previous name for the Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate certification, is $99,064 US dollars.

According to PayScale, a system administrator with MCSA certification on average makes $66,000, while Senior System Administrator roles have an average salary of $85,000.

Let’s see what other people think about this certification.  Here are a few…

Observations from Successful Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate Certification Holders in the Industry

We have compiled some of the most useful comments by actual people who have passed this certification. The common theme revolves around the importance of practice, using multiple resources for preparation, and being prepared for practical scenario based questions.

Here is a comment from Reddit User “explodinghat”

“I would definitely recommend looking for practice questions and practicing as much as possible, also try to keep a log of questions you’ve gotten wrong so you know where to focus your studying when it comes to the last few days/ hours/ minutes before the exam..”

https://www.reddit.com/r/mcsa/comments/8lms1z/got_my_mcsa_in_office_365_today/

This comment by Musao shows that you should use multiple resources when preparing for this certification instead of relying on a single resource.

“I will say that there are elements in the exam that aren’t really covered in depth by the CBTNuggets videos. DEFINITELY utilize the labs and Microsoft resources as well, because even taking copious notes on the Nuggets videos, there were still questions on the exam that had me going “Excuse me what?” Lol”.

https://www.reddit.com/r/mcsa/comments/d9vzd9/worried_about_taking_the_md101/

Here’s a comment from DaveC2020.

“Taken the MD-100 exam earlier this month and passed. I had a mixture of questions on the exam (hot spots, multiple choice) and a virtual lab with a number of tasks to do on it..”

https://www.reddit.com/r/mcsa/comments/esnhk9/how_are_the_md100_and_md101_exams/

The Truth About Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate

Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate validates your skills in Microsoft’s tools and technologies including Windows, Azure AD, and device security and storage.

However, if you want to advance in your career, you should research the industry thoroughly and get hands-on experience.

You should also complement this certification with more advanced Microsoft certifications.

Is the Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate Certification for You?

If you have an interest in solving technical problems, then this certification is a good choice.

It can pave your way towards Desktop Administrator or System Administrator jobs.

If you are interested in taking your IT career to the next level, with a special focus on Microsoft 365 tools and technologies, then this certification is for you.

So, is the Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate Certification worth it?

If you are now stepping onto the IT career ladder and looking for a certification to help you get your first well-paying IT job, then this certification is definitely worth it.