70-680 or 70-685 first?

I've been doing IT for oh I'd say close to 15 years. Just started rolling out win7 desktops but since it's been awhile since my last cert I figured I'd study for one. I already have the 70-680 Microsoft book along with the corrections but I wanted to get some input. I have no problem purchasing the 70-685 books if you guys think it's the one to start with. Just not sure.
Thanks for your input!

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Comments

Psoasman

You can start with either cert. They do focus on different areas, but there is overlap. I used material from the 680,685, and 686 to study for the 680 and 685 exams. I would definitely use more than 1 source, though.

pzero

If your doing more on deployment then concider sitting the 70-686 as well as there is a heavy focus on deployment in that exam.

factory81

battlese wrote: »

I've been doing IT for oh I'd say close to 15 years. Just started rolling out win7 desktops but since it's been awhile since my last cert I figured I'd study for one. I already have the 70-680 Microsoft book along with the corrections but I wanted to get some input. I have no problem purchasing the 70-685 books if you guys think it's the one to start with. Just not sure.
Thanks for your input!

70-685 is all about real world scenarios asking why this won't work, or implement this.

70-680, being Windows 7, Configuring. Is just that. Configuring Windows 7. Knowing how to configure Win 7 is important. Biggest suggestion I can give you is to be aware of basically every utility in Windows

cipher.exe
dism.exe
imagex.exe

Be aware of Brandcache, DirectAccess, and Bitlocker.

If you have spent sometime being an enterprise desktop support tech, e.g. not fixing home p.c.'s, but computers on domains. I would do 70-685 first myself.....

mkenney

I appreciate all the information and all the links to the additional training material!!

antielvis

685 --> Exam geared toward troubleshooting Windows 7 in the realm of "desktop support". Little focus on deployment, more focus on technical support.

680 --> Configuring & a great deal about deployment. This is an exam suited for someone looking to deploy Windows 7 & understand it's facets at the "Enterprise Desktop level"

686 --> This exam is entirely about deployment & gets deep into the MDT, WAIK, autounattend files, Group Policy, etc.

Given your experience I'd recommend the 680 and 686.