This section of the Cyber Ninja Training Plan is a course that explains the material for the second half of the CompTIA A+ certification exam.

There is plenty of good material available for the exam, but Professor Messer offers high-quality training for free.

Check the CompTIA A+ page to make sure the newest version of the A+ exam matches with the videos by Professor Messer. CompTIA exams are usually every three years, and the most recent A+ exam came out in April 2022.

It took me about two weeks to get through the videos, then I took another week to do practice tests. I found a study bundle published by Sybex for about $90 CAD, which includes a bunch of practice tests. Moving forward, I’ll take a day to test myself after I complete each study section.

My Notes

Section 0: How to Pass the A+ Exams

  • Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
  • Vendor-neutral
  • Core 1
    • Mobile Devices
    • Networking
    • Hardware
    • Virtualization and Cloud Computing
    • Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
  • Core 2
    • OS
    • Security
    • Software Troubleshooting
    • Operating Procedures
  • 3.5 years, roughly, so check the CompTIA website
  • Multiple choice and performance-based
  • Follow the exam objectives
  • Watch the videos
  • Get a good book
  • Get as much hands-on as possible
  • Test yourself often
  • Exam objectives. Seriously

Section 1.0: Operating Systems

1.1 - Microsoft Windows

  • Windows 10 and Windows 11
    • Very similar
  • Windows 10
    • 2015
      • We skipped Windows 9
    • A single platform
      • Desktops, laptops, phones, etc.
    • Ongoing updates
      • More than 12 different versions
  • Windows 10 Home
    • Home user
    • Integration with Microsoft account
    • Windows Defender
    • Cortana
  • Windows 10 Pro
    • Business version
    • Remote Desktop host
    • BitLocker
      • Full disk encryption
    • Join a Windows domain
      • Group Policy management
  • Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
    • High-end desktops
    • More physical CPUs
    • High maximum RAM
    • Support for ReFS
      • Resilient File System
  • Windows 10 Enterprise
    • Large implementations
    • AppLocker
      • Control what apps can run
    • BranchCache
      • Remote site file caching
    • Granular User Experience control
      • Useful for kiosk and workstation customization
  • Windows 10 hardware reqs
    • Need at least 32 GB free disk space

1.1 - Windows Features

Windows at work - Large-scale support - Thousands of devices - Security concerns - Working on a spreadsheet - Geographic sprawl

  • Domain Services
    • Active Directory Domain Services
      • Large database of your network
    • Everything documented in one place
    • Distributed architecture
      • Not suitable for home use
    • Many different uses
  • Organizing network devices
    • Windows Workgroups
      • Logical groups of network devices
      • Each device is a standalone system
    • Windows Domain
      • Business network
      • Centralized authentications
      • Supports thousands of devices across many networks
  • Desktop styles
    • Your computer has many different uses
    • Work
      • Standard desktop
      • Common user interface
    • Home
      • Complete flex
  • Availability of RDP
    • Remote Desktop Protocol

1.1 - Windows Upgrades