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Domain one of the NET Plus Core Two certification focuses entirely on operating systems. This domain includes the operating systems you are most likely to support in a help desk, desktop technician, or junior systems administrator role. The exam emphasizes Windows, Linux, mac O S, and mobile operating systems like i O S and Android. You are expected to understand installation processes, system features, configuration tools, basic command line utilities, and how each operating system behaves in different support scenarios. Because this domain has the highest exam weight, mastering its content will strongly influence your overall score on the certification.
Windows operating systems are given the most attention in this domain. You are expected to be familiar with supported versions including Windows ten, Windows eleven, and still-used versions like Windows eight point one. Each version comes in different editions such as Home, Professional, Enterprise, and Education. These editions are not interchangeable, and each supports a different set of features. For example, group policy and domain join are available only in Professional or higher editions. On the exam, you will be asked to choose which edition is appropriate based on use case, such as for business or education environments.
Installing Windows can be done in several ways, and the exam covers all common methods. A clean install is used when replacing an existing operating system, while an in-place upgrade keeps files and settings. Image deployment, often used in enterprise settings, lets technicians install pre-configured systems quickly. Installations can be done from a U S B drive, an I S O file, or over the network using a P X E boot process. Licensing keys are often required, and product activation is mandatory after installation. The exam will test whether you understand which method is best for each situation.
Before installing an operating system, technicians must verify system compatibility. This includes checking the minimum requirements for processor speed, available memory, and free disk space. For Windows eleven, specific hardware features like T P M version two point zero and Secure Boot are mandatory. The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, also called U E F I, replaces the legacy BIOS and supports newer installation methods. Microsoft provides tools like the PC Health Check utility and the Windows Setup wizard to assist with these checks. These tools help prevent installation errors and reduce configuration problems.
The exam also expects you to understand core features of mac O S. You are not expected to configure or manage mac O S in depth, but you must recognize its major tools and utilities. Spotlight is used for quick searching, Finder is the file browser, and System Preferences is where most settings are changed. Terminal provides command-line access, and Software Update handles system updates. You should be familiar with how to start the mac O S recovery process and understand where basic system management tasks are performed. Visual recognition of menus and terms is usually enough for exam success.
For Linux, the focus is on recognizing basic tools, commands, and system behaviors. You are not expected to be an expert in scripting or advanced Linux administration. Instead, the exam covers common command-line tools like L S, which lists files, C D, which changes directories, C H M O D, which changes file permissions, and A P T, which installs and manages packages. Understanding the structure of Linux file paths, recognizing file permissions, and interpreting simple output from the terminal are all part of the exam. This knowledge helps with basic troubleshooting and system identification in cross-platform environments.
Mobile operating systems like i O S and Android are also included in this domain. You must know how these systems manage applications, apply updates, and enforce security settings. Common configuration topics include passcode policies, biometrics like fingerprint or facial recognition, and how to enable or disable location services. You may be asked about app store usage, sideloading apps, or configuring Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings on a mobile device. These operating systems are often used in bring your own device environments, making basic configuration knowledge essential for modern support roles.
The exam covers various operating system tools found in Windows. These include Control Panel, the Settings app, and Device Manager. Each of these tools is used for a specific type of task. Control Panel includes legacy configuration items, while the Settings app handles newer interface features. Device Manager is used to view and manage installed hardware and their drivers. These tools may appear in performance-based questions, where you are asked to adjust system settings or resolve problems. Knowing the differences between tools helps reduce confusion during the exam.
Command-line utilities are often tested in Domain one. You are expected to recognize and interpret tools like I P config, ping, system file checker, check disk, and disk partition. These appear on the exam as either multiple-choice questions or as performance-based tasks. For example, you may be shown the output of a command and asked what step to take next. You should understand what each command does, when it is used, and what a successful or failed result looks like. Familiarity with both syntax and function is required to perform well.
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User accounts and permission settings are essential concepts in operating system management. You must understand the difference between standard users and administrative accounts. Administrative privileges allow changes that affect the entire system, while standard users are limited to personal settings. The exam also covers the User Account Control feature, known as U A C, which prompts users before actions that require elevated rights. You may also be asked about domain-based environments, where authentication is managed centrally, versus workgroup settings, which are used in standalone or peer-to-peer setups.
The exam includes several system utilities used for diagnostics and performance tuning. These include tools like Task Manager, Disk Cleanup, and System Configuration, which is also known as M S Config. Task Manager helps identify applications that consume too many resources or respond slowly. Disk Cleanup removes temporary files to free up space. System Configuration is used to manage startup items, boot options, and services. Each of these tools is commonly associated with troubleshooting questions, where you must identify the correct tool for a given system issue.
Windows includes multiple options for recovery and system reset. You must understand the purpose and behavior of each. System Restore allows you to roll the system back to an earlier state, preserving files but removing recent system changes. The Reset This PC feature reinstalls Windows and offers options to keep or remove user files. The Windows Recovery Environment, often called Win R E, is a bootable recovery partition with tools like Startup Repair and Command Prompt access. You must know which recovery option fits which situation based on user needs and system status.
Keeping systems updated is another critical operating system responsibility. Windows Update delivers both feature enhancements and security patches. The exam may ask about different update types and how they are managed. In enterprise settings, tools like W S U S, which stands for Windows Server Update Services, control when and how updates are deployed. On Linux systems, updates are handled through package managers like A P T or Y U M. Understanding how to initiate updates and interpret update results is required for success on the certification.
System misconfigurations are common problems on the exam and in real support environments. These include incorrect screen resolution, missing hardware drivers, disabled services, or improper regional settings. You will be expected to identify both the symptom and the appropriate tool to resolve it. For example, Device Manager is used to reinstall or roll back drivers, while the Settings app adjusts display and language preferences. These types of questions are often delivered as performance-based scenarios that mimic real-world troubleshooting situations.
Virtualization is another topic included in Domain one. Technicians must understand the concept of running multiple operating systems on a single machine using a hypervisor. Type one hypervisors run directly on hardware, while Type two hypervisors run on top of an existing operating system. These tools are commonly used in lab environments, testing, or to isolate risky software. Although you are not expected to install or configure hypervisors in detail, you must recognize their function and basic role in system deployment and support.
You are also expected to recognize the function of key system files and logs used during startup or troubleshooting. These include items like boot dot i n i, B C D Edit, and the Event Viewer utility. Event Viewer provides logs for system events, errors, warnings, and informational messages that help track down failures. Startup issues may involve boot configuration files or corrupted registry entries. The exam includes questions that ask you to identify which file or log to check based on a reported symptom or error.
File system structure and permission models are core parts of operating system functionality. You must understand the differences between N T F S, F A T thirty-two, and ex F A T file systems. N T F S is used on most modern Windows systems and supports advanced features like file permissions, encryption, and compression. Permission attributes include read, write, and execute access. In Linux, permissions are handled with numeric values and letter codes, using commands like C H M O D to apply them. Identifying the correct permission setting for a file or folder is an essential exam skill.
Managing applications is another area within Domain one. In Windows, you are expected to know how to install and uninstall programs using the Control Panel or the Settings app. You must also know how to check for installed updates and repair broken applications. In mobile operating systems like Android and i O S, app management is handled through app stores, although sideloading is sometimes used in specific environments. If an application fails, the issue may be linked to compatibility, permissions, or a missing dependency in the operating system.
Domain one represents the foundation of Core Two and is critical to passing the exam. It emphasizes operating system features, installation methods, configuration tools, command-line utilities, and troubleshooting behavior. Windows is the primary focus, but you must also recognize mac O S, Linux, and mobile systems. Understanding these environments prepares you to resolve issues, maintain performance, and guide users through system tasks. Mastery of this domain is essential for any technician supporting software environments in a professional setting.