Binding: Hardcover
Isbn: 9780735623903
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Publication Date: 2007-05-09

MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-620): Configuring Windows Vista(TM) Client (Self Paced Training Kit 70-620) ( Digital )

Product Description
Book Description

Announcing an all-new Self-Paced Training Kit designed to help maximize your performance on 70-620, the required exam for the new Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows Vista Client certification. This 2-in-1 kit includes the official Microsoft® study guide, plus practice tests on CD to help you assess your skills. It comes packed with the tools and features that exam candidates want most--including in-depth, self-paced training based on final exam content; rigorous, objective-by-objective review; exam tips from expert, exam-certified authors; and customizable testing options. It also provides real-world scenarios, case study examples, and troubleshooting labs for skills and expertise that you can apply to the job.

Work at your own pace through the lessons and lab exercises. Focusing on configuring a Windows Vista client, this official study guide covers topics such as installing the client software, migrating from previous versions of the Microsoft Windows® client, and configuring systems settings, security features, network connectivity, communications and media applications, and mobile devices.

Then assess yourself by using 425 practice and review questions on the CD, which features multiple customizable testing options designed to meet your specific needs. Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests, or focus on discrete objectives or chapters. You get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers--including pointers back to the book for further study.

Great Study Guide!
I am an MCSE on NT 4.0, was an early adopter on Windows 2000 Pro, XP Pro and Vista. Of all the Microsoft client operating systems I've used, Vista is by far the most confusing. I decided to study for the 70-620 test to get a better understanding of Vista and learn some of the new features without going through the trial and error process.

So far this is a really easy to read book with good examples and labs. This is a great book for people that want to get their hands wet with Vista and / or take the 70-620 test. It is apparent that Vista is much more complex than previous Microsoft client operating Systems, and this book more than does the job of showing you the new features, how to use them and some nice real life examples. I would say it is Part 1 of the Vista learning experience.

If you want to learn about how the new security features work, how user account control works, how to configure parental controls, power schemes and the like, this book is for you. If you want to learn how to debug the BSOD, how to roll out images or how the OS interacts on the Domain level this isn't the book for you, but I bet you could pick up a couple of good nuggets anyway. At the very least this is a great foundational book.

There are a couple of typos / mistakes. It is pretty early in the product lifecycle. Not as bad as my second edition "Cisco Secure PIX Firewalls" book with incorrect configs.

Good Book for passing the MCTS 70-620 Exam
I used this book and only this book to pass the 620 Exam. First off, it's a first edition book and there are some errors in the book (words ran together, capital letters in the middle of words) and using the measureUP! software I found at least 5 questions that marked me as wrong but they were correct.

However, this should NOT stop you from passing the 620 Exam, this book goes into enough detail so you can pass the exam.

Another reviewer wrote that it's not for the I.T. Pro....and it's NOT. This is for the test, the test is titled "Configuring Windows Vista Client."

If you want to learn the kernel debugger, use Group Policies, learn how to setup an image of Vista, this is NOT the book for you and the title CLEARLY states that.

However, this book is good for passing 70-620 and I passed it in two weeks with an 815. I would have given the book five stars but being a first edition and having some errors, it will need to be fixed.

Overall: Buy this book if you want to become MCTS certified, or you are looking to get your MCSE before the tracks expire (for 2003). This test counts towards the client portion of the MCSE.

Straight forward for the 70-620 test
If you've read other MS Press books, then this is no different. The book is very straight forward on the features of Vista and what is required for you to know on the Microsoft test. The included practice test on the CD-ROM is HIGHLY recommended. All I can say is that the practice test is very close to the actual test and covers the book really well. If you can nail the practice test, then you should have no problems passing the actual test.
I did pass the 70-620 exam because of this book.

70-620 Vista Client - Great Starting Point
I found this book to be a great starting point for those IT professionals looking to become familiar with Microsoft's latest operating system - Vista.

This book was *not* written for the end user community. It strictly focuses on exam material and supporting Vista as an IT professional. It does an excellent job on introducing all the different flavors of Vista. In addition I feel it did a good job explaining all of the new features.

Prior to reading this book I felt lost when working on Vista; since I have completed the book and lessons, I feel totally comfortable working in the Vista environment.

Not too many cons here: I did feel the book at certain points failed to fully distinguish between what features where in each edition. For example, Chapter 12 discusses creating a Complete PC Restore and leaves the reader with the opinion that all editions of Vista supports it when only Business and Ultimate do. The other big con was the book did not come with an evaluation copy of Vista like previous MS Press training kits.

Overall, if you support Vista and want to get to know it better and/or you are planning on taking the 70-620 exam, then get this book!

Good book, covers all topics well
I used this book to pass my Vista 70-620 exam yesterday - good book that was clear, well-written, and well-organized. Although there were a lot of typos. There are corrections/an errata list on the Microsoft Press site for some but not all the mistakes.

Each chapter is broken up into lessons covering objective sub-topics. To really get the full benefit from this book, be sure to actually DO and following along with the practices offered in each lesson and do the chapter end reviews, and it will really help the info sink in.