Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)


The entry level Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) certification will get your IT career off to a great start. In our training program, you will learn the skills you need to provide desktop support to Microsoft Windows users and to troubleshoot problems they may be having with their operating system. This track is a good one for people just staring off in the field and pursuing jobs like Help Desk Support or Desktop Support Technicians.

Our MCDST training is the first step to reaching your career goals. The Windows system operates over 90% of the world's personal and business computers, so you can be sure that your skills will always be in high demand.

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If you have questions about this or any of our certifications, feel free to call us at (952) 230-3090.

What You Will Learn in Your MCDST Certification Training

When you have successfully completed the MCDST certification program, you will have gained the following skills:

  • Installing, Upgrade, Troubleshoot a Windows XP Operating System
  • Configure and Troubleshoot Hardware Devices and Drivers
  • Configure and Troubleshoot the Desktop and User Environments
  • Troubleshoot Network Protocols and Services
  • Configure and Troubleshoot Applications
  • Resolve Issues related to Application Customization
  • Configure and Troubleshoot Connectivity for Applications
  • Configure Application Security

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Who’s Right for the MCDST Certification?
  • Those who are new to the IT industry
  • Customer or technical support staff
  • PC support specialists
  • Helpdesk staff
  • Admin staff using Windows XP

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MCDST Job Titles

Our MCDST program provides the training to prepare you for numerous careers in the IT industry, including:

  • Internet Security Specialist
  • Systems Administrator
  • Network Administrator
  • Network Operations Analyst
  • Network Technician
  • Technical Support Specialist

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Prerequisites to the MCDST Certification

In addition to having a high school diploma (or the equivalent), as an MCDST candidate you should have a basic working knowledge of PCs. If you are a beginner, don’t worry. Our entire system is set up to support you.

Certifications such as A+ and Network+ are helpful courses to complete before the MCDST, but not required.

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Our Certification Exam Guarantee

Take your Certification tests with us. We are an authorized Pearson VUE and Thomson Prometric test center!

Some schools offer you only one chance to pass your Certification exams – not us! We include up to three re-takes for all of our Certifications in the cost of your classes! This means no more additional cost to you. Contact us to find out more.

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MCDST Exams

Your Learning Manager is there to help you sort out the different exam options and help you stay on track to reach your goals.

As an MCDST candidate, you are required to pass two core exams. Elective exams are not required.

  • 70-271: Maintaining and Troubleshooting Microsoft Windows XP for Desktop Support Technicians
  • 70-272: Maintaining and Troubleshooting Applications on a Microsoft Windows XP Platform for Desktop Support Technicians

These certification exams measure your ability to resolve end-user incident requests by configuring and troubleshooting the Microsoft Windows XP operating system. When combined, exam 70-271 and exam 70-272 should validate that you can successfully answer, or escalate, all calls from end users.

As a candidate for these exams, you should possess the skills to support end users who run Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition. You should also have experience using applications that are included with the operating system, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer and Microsoft Outlook Express, as well as the productivity applications used in a corporate environment, such as Microsoft Office applications.
You will be able to resolve operating system issues by telephone, by connecting to an end user's system remotely, or by visiting an end user's desktop.

You will also have a working knowledge of operating in a workgroup or Active Directory domain environment. In addition, you will also understand how end users are affected by each environment.

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From an MCDST Certification to an IT Degree

Did you know that earning your MCDST certification replaces some of the classes you need to earn a full Associate’s degree inNetwork Admin/CIT ? It does! Contact us for more information. One of our Admission Representatives will be happy to answer all of your questions.

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Get Started in a Great Career in IT Today!

Call us today at (952) 230-3090 to get started on your MCDST certification track and begin the future you’ve been wanting.

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