70-697 Configuring Windows Devices

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this course, participants will have developed the skills and knowledge required to effectively deploy, configure, and manage Windows 10 devices in enterprise environments. Key learning outcomes include:

• Installing and customizing Windows 10 desktops and devices for enterprise deployment
  
  

• Configuring local and remote network connectivity, including VPNs and wired/wireless setups
  
  

• Managing storage solutions efficiently, including drives, partitions, and cloud storage integration
  
  

• Implementing security measures for devices, data, and networks, including encryption and firewall management
  
  

• Configuring Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to enforce organizational policies
  
  

• Troubleshooting hardware, software, and network issues effectively
  
  

• Deploying and managing applications, including compatibility, virtualization, and cloud-based tools
  
  

• Performing remote device administration and hybrid workforce support
  
  

• Monitoring compliance, reporting system status, and implementing enterprise deployment strategies
  
  

• Maintaining and updating devices to ensure optimal performance, security, and reliability

By mastering these topics, students will be fully prepared to support users, optimize IT operations, and confidently manage Windows 10 devices in medium-to-large organizational settings.

Requirements

This course is designed for IT professionals with at least two years of experience working in IT environments. Students should have practical knowledge of networking concepts, including Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and Domain Name System (DNS). These foundational networking skills are necessary to understand network connectivity and configuration in Windows 10 environments.

Participants should also have experience with Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). A working knowledge of AD DS fundamentals, including user and group management, organizational units, and domain controller operations, will help learners navigate the course material efficiently. Prior exposure to these concepts ensures that students can apply advanced Windows 10 deployment and management strategies effectively.

Course Description

The 70-697: Configuring Windows Devices training course provides IT professionals with the skills required to install, configure, and manage Windows 10 desktops and devices in enterprise environments. The course emphasizes practical, hands-on experience for deploying and maintaining Windows 10 systems in organizations that utilize Windows Server domains.

Students will learn to perform clean installations, upgrades, and deployment across multiple systems. The course covers system personalization, accessibility options, user profile configuration, and desktop environment customization. These skills are critical for creating a consistent, user-friendly environment in corporate networks.

In addition to installation, participants will explore the configuration of local and remote network connectivity. This includes connecting devices to wired and wireless networks, setting up virtual private networks (VPNs) for remote access, and troubleshooting network connectivity issues. Storage management is also covered, including disk partitioning, implementing storage spaces, and managing cloud-based and network-attached storage solutions.

Installing and Configuring Windows 10

Students will learn the step-by-step process for installing Windows 10 on individual devices or multiple systems in an enterprise environment. Topics include planning for deployment, selecting installation options, and configuring post-installation settings. Participants will gain experience creating custom images for deployment, ensuring that all devices are consistent and compliant with organizational standards.

The course emphasizes the importance of device drivers and compatibility with enterprise hardware. Students will learn to update drivers, manage device settings, and troubleshoot installation issues. Configuration of user profiles and permissions is also explored to ensure that each user has appropriate access to system resources.

Managing User Accounts and Profiles

Effective management of user accounts and profiles is critical in enterprise environments. The course covers creating and managing local and domain accounts, configuring permissions, and managing group memberships. Students will learn how to enforce password policies, account lockout settings, and security baselines to maintain a secure computing environment.

Profiles can be customized to provide a consistent user experience across multiple devices. Participants will learn to configure roaming profiles, folder redirection, and user environment settings. These skills ensure that users have access to their data and applications regardless of the device they use.

Network Connectivity

Network configuration is a core component of Windows 10 administration. The course covers connecting devices to wired and wireless networks, configuring network adapters, and troubleshooting common connectivity issues. Students will explore IP addressing, subnetting, and DNS configuration to ensure devices can communicate effectively within corporate networks.

Remote access configuration is also covered, including VPN setup and troubleshooting. Participants will gain experience managing network profiles, configuring firewall rules, and ensuring secure communication between devices and enterprise servers.

Storage Management

Students will learn to configure and manage storage on Windows 10 devices. This includes local drives, external storage, network-attached storage, and cloud integration. The course covers disk partitioning, formatting, and configuring storage spaces to optimize performance and reliability.

Backup and recovery strategies are explored to protect organizational data. Students will learn to implement automated backup policies, configure File History, and use system imaging tools to recover data in case of failure. Cloud-based storage integration is also discussed, enabling devices to synchronize with enterprise cloud services.

Security Configuration

Security is a major focus of the course. Students will learn to configure data, device, and network security in Windows 10 environments. Topics include BitLocker encryption, Windows Defender Antivirus, firewall configuration, and access control policies.

Participants will explore security baselines and compliance requirements to ensure devices meet organizational standards. Group Policy Objects (GPOs) are introduced as a tool for enforcing security settings across multiple devices. Students will learn to configure policies for password complexity, account lockout, and auditing to maintain a secure enterprise environment.

Device Maintenance and Updates

Maintaining Windows 10 devices is essential for security and performance. The course covers Windows Update management, software installation, and patch management. Students will learn to configure update policies, schedule updates, and monitor update compliance across multiple devices.

Troubleshooting and recovery techniques are also explored. Participants will gain experience with system restore, recovery environments, and deploying images to restore devices to operational status. Emphasis is placed on proactive maintenance to prevent system failures and minimize downtime.

Preparing for Enterprise Deployment

Deploying Windows 10 across multiple devices in an enterprise requires planning and strategy. Students will learn to create deployment images, automate installation processes, and configure devices consistently. Tools such as Windows Deployment Services (WDS) and Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) are discussed for enterprise-scale deployment.

Participants will explore strategies for reducing administrative overhead, including automating device enrollment, configuring default settings, and managing drivers and updates. By the end of this section, students will understand how to deploy Windows 10 efficiently and reliably in a corporate environment.

Troubleshooting and Diagnostic Techniques

Troubleshooting is an essential skill for IT professionals managing Windows 10 devices. The course covers techniques for diagnosing and resolving hardware, software, and network issues. Students will learn to use tools such as Event Viewer, Performance Monitor, and Windows logs to identify problems.

Participants will also explore automated troubleshooting tools and scripts that streamline problem resolution. Emphasis is placed on systematic problem-solving, enabling IT professionals to address issues quickly and maintain device uptime.

Advanced Device Management

Students will learn to monitor, maintain, and manage Windows 10 devices at scale using enterprise tools such as Microsoft Intune and System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM).

Participants will explore device enrollment processes, including bulk enrollment for multiple systems and management of device groups based on user roles or department. The course covers configuration profiles, compliance policies, and reporting tools to ensure devices meet organizational standards. By mastering these techniques, IT professionals can maintain a secure, consistent, and manageable device ecosystem.

Advanced device management also includes remote administration. Students will learn to configure remote desktop services, manage devices through remote PowerShell commands, and troubleshoot issues without requiring physical access. This skill is essential for IT teams supporting large, geographically dispersed organizations.

Enterprise Deployment Strategies

Enterprise deployment strategies are essential for efficient management of Windows 10 devices. Participants will learn methods for standardizing device configurations across departments, creating and deploying custom images, and automating installations using tools such as Windows Deployment Services (WDS) and Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT).

The course covers the creation of reference images, capturing system states, and testing images before deployment to prevent errors. Students will learn to configure unattended installations, manage drivers, and implement post-deployment configuration tasks to ensure devices are fully operational upon deployment.

Strategies for scaling deployments across hundreds or thousands of devices are also explored. Topics include network optimization during deployment, using multicast for image distribution, and minimizing downtime during upgrades or updates. Participants will gain practical skills to plan, execute, and maintain large-scale Windows 10 deployments.

Application Management

Effective management of applications is critical for enterprise IT operations. The course covers installation, configuration, updating, and removal of applications in both local and remote environments. Participants will learn to deploy applications using Group Policy, Intune, and SCCM, ensuring that users have access to the software they need while maintaining system security.

Application compatibility and virtualization are also addressed. Students will explore Microsoft App-V for virtualization of legacy applications, ensuring that older software runs reliably on Windows 10 systems. Best practices for application packaging and deployment are provided, emphasizing efficiency and minimal disruption to end users.

Security Management in Enterprise Environments

Participants will learn to implement advanced security features such as Windows Information Protection, BitLocker policies, and device encryption management across multiple systems.

The course covers configuring firewall rules, implementing advanced threat protection, and monitoring for potential vulnerabilities. Students will also learn to configure auditing and logging, enabling proactive detection of security incidents and compliance with corporate and regulatory policies.

Endpoint protection strategies are discussed, including integration with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and centralized monitoring of security events. By mastering these techniques, IT professionals can safeguard devices, networks, and sensitive organizational data.

Troubleshooting and Recovery

Advanced troubleshooting is crucial for maintaining enterprise device reliability. Students will explore techniques for diagnosing and resolving complex hardware, software, and network issues. Tools such as Event Viewer, Performance Monitor, and Device Manager are discussed in detail, along with automated troubleshooting scripts.

Recovery planning is also emphasized. Students will learn to create and manage recovery images, configure system restore points, and implement backup strategies across multiple devices. Disaster recovery scenarios, including recovering from hardware failure or corrupted system images, are explored to ensure minimal downtime and business continuity.

Remote Device Management

Remote device management is a critical component of modern IT operations. Participants will learn to configure Windows 10 devices for remote administration, including setting up remote desktop access, VPN connectivity, and remote management policies through Intune and SCCM.

The course covers troubleshooting remote connectivity issues, monitoring remote systems, and applying updates or configuration changes without requiring physical access. This skill is essential for IT teams supporting mobile users, branch offices, and remote workers, ensuring consistent device performance and security.

Cloud Integration

As enterprises increasingly rely on cloud services, the course explores integration of Windows 10 devices with Microsoft 365 and Azure environments. Participants will learn to configure devices for cloud authentication, synchronize user profiles, and manage devices using cloud-based policies.

Cloud storage and collaboration tools are also covered. Students will explore OneDrive for Business, SharePoint integration, and Microsoft Teams deployment, ensuring that users have secure and seamless access to resources across devices. These skills are critical for organizations adopting hybrid or fully cloud-based infrastructures.

Monitoring and Reporting

Monitoring and reporting are essential for maintaining enterprise device health. Participants will learn to configure monitoring tools, generate reports, and track compliance with policies across multiple devices. Tools such as SCCM and Intune provide dashboards for device health, update status, and security compliance.

Students will explore event logging, performance metrics, and alert configuration to proactively identify issues. By mastering monitoring and reporting, IT professionals can make data-driven decisions to optimize device management and maintain enterprise-wide consistency.

Compliance and Policy Management

Managing compliance and policies is critical in regulated industries. Participants will learn to implement Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to enforce security, configuration, and application settings across multiple devices.

The course covers policy creation, deployment, and troubleshooting, ensuring that devices comply with organizational and regulatory standards. Students will also explore auditing techniques to verify compliance, track changes, and maintain detailed records for reporting purposes.

Preparing for Microsoft Certification

The course provides exam-focused exercises, including scenario-based labs and troubleshooting challenges. Students will develop the skills necessary to configure devices, implement security measures, manage applications, and deploy updates efficiently, preparing them for both the certification exam and real-world enterprise roles.

Course Alignment with 70-697 Exam

The course aligns with the objectives of the 70-697 exam, preparing students for Microsoft certification. Participants will gain both foundational and advanced knowledge of Windows 10 in enterprise environments. By mastering installation, configuration, security, maintenance, and troubleshooting, students will be equipped to manage Windows 10 devices effectively.

Who This Course Is For

This course is specifically designed for IT professionals who are responsible for the deployment, administration, and support of Windows 10 desktops, devices, and related network and security components in enterprise environments. It is intended for individuals who have foundational IT experience and are seeking to expand their knowledge to include advanced Windows 10 configuration, management, and troubleshooting techniques within a Windows Server domain.

Participants who will benefit most include enterprise desktop and device support technicians (EDSTs) who provide Tier 2 support to end users. These professionals often encounter complex issues that require a deeper understanding of Windows 10 architecture, networking protocols, device security, and application management. By attending this course, EDSTs will gain practical, hands-on experience, enabling them to troubleshoot and resolve user issues efficiently while maintaining system stability.

IT administrators who are preparing for certification exams, particularly the Microsoft 70-697 certification, will find this course highly valuable. The curriculum aligns with the official exam objectives, ensuring that students gain the knowledge and skills required not only to pass the exam but also to perform effectively in real-world scenarios.

Additionally, this course is suitable for IT professionals working in medium-to-large organizations where multiple Windows 10 devices must be deployed, configured, and maintained. It provides insight into managing devices at scale, including the implementation of group policies, automated deployment strategies, and centralized update and security management.

Students who are responsible for user account management, network connectivity, and enterprise storage solutions will find this course invaluable. The course covers advanced concepts in securing data, devices, and network communication, ensuring that IT professionals can maintain compliance with corporate security policies and regulatory standards.

Key participants who will benefit include:

• IT professionals responsible for Windows 10 device deployment and management
  
  

• Enterprise desktop/device support technicians providing Tier 2 support
  
  

• System administrators managing user accounts, permissions, and group policies
  
  

• Network administrators handling connectivity, VPN configuration, and firewall policies
  
  

• IT professionals preparing for Microsoft 70-697 certification
  
  

• Technical staff supporting remote or hybrid workforce environments
  
  

• IT teams managing cloud integration and enterprise storage solutions

By the end of the course, participants will gain confidence in handling a broad range of Windows 10 management tasks. They will be capable of deploying devices, managing applications, ensuring security compliance, troubleshooting complex issues, and maintaining enterprise environments efficiently. The combination of practical exercises, scenario-based learning, and exam-aligned content equips students with the ability to succeed both professionally and academically.

Course Benefits

Enrolling in the 70-697: Configuring Windows Devices course provides numerous benefits that extend beyond exam preparation. Students gain practical skills and knowledge that are directly applicable to real-world IT operations, making them more effective in their roles and enhancing their career prospects.

One of the primary benefits is the mastery of Windows 10 deployment strategies. Participants will learn to create, configure, and deploy Windows 10 images across multiple devices in enterprise environments. This includes knowledge of automation tools such as Windows Deployment Services (WDS) and Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT), which streamline installation processes and reduce administrative workload.

Security is another critical area of benefit. The course equips IT professionals with the ability to implement comprehensive security measures, including device encryption, firewall configuration, and endpoint protection. Participants will learn to manage Group Policy Objects (GPOs) for consistent security enforcement, audit user activity, and protect sensitive organizational data. These skills ensure that IT professionals can maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Participants also benefit from advanced network management knowledge. The course covers configuration of wired and wireless connections, VPN setup, IP addressing, and DNS troubleshooting. These skills are essential for ensuring seamless connectivity for end users and maintaining reliable enterprise networks.

Additional benefits include:

• Hands-on experience with troubleshooting and resolving hardware, software, and network issues
  
  

• Expertise in application deployment and management, including compatibility and virtualization
  
  

• Proficiency in remote device management for mobile and hybrid workforces
  
  

• Ability to implement cloud integration, including OneDrive, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams
  
  

• Skills for monitoring, reporting, and ensuring compliance across multiple devices
  
  

• Preparation for Microsoft 70-697 certification exam and other professional credentials

This course also improves operational efficiency for IT departments. By learning standardized deployment and management practices, IT professionals can reduce errors, minimize downtime, and provide consistent user experiences across the organization. It enhances the ability to plan and execute large-scale deployments while ensuring devices remain secure, updated, and fully functional.

Another benefit is career advancement. Mastery of Windows 10 configuration and enterprise device management is a highly sought-after skill in IT. Completing this course demonstrates both technical proficiency and commitment to professional development, increasing opportunities for promotions, specialized roles, and higher-level responsibilities within IT teams.

Participants also gain confidence in handling complex scenarios through scenario-based labs and practical exercises. This hands-on approach ensures that IT professionals can apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations, troubleshoot issues effectively, and implement best practices with minimal supervision.

Finally, this course prepares IT professionals to maintain long-term organizational stability. By implementing proper security measures, managing updates, and performing preventive maintenance, participants help prevent system failures, reduce operational risks, and contribute to a secure and efficient enterprise environment.

The 70-697 course provides a comprehensive set of skills that empower IT professionals to:

• Deploy and manage Windows 10 devices efficiently
  
  

• Maintain device, network, and data security
  
  

• Troubleshoot and resolve complex IT issues
  
  

• Implement remote and cloud-based management solutions
  
  

• Achieve certification and advance professional growth
  
  

• Contribute to organizational stability and operational efficiency

Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on troubleshooting, remote device management, and enterprise deployment strategies, equipping IT professionals with the tools to resolve complex issues quickly and effectively. Participants also learn to implement best practices for compliance, monitoring, and cloud integration, ensuring devices meet organizational standards and remain secure in evolving technology environments.