IT Certification Study Guides
Free, comprehensive study guides for the most popular CompTIA and Microsoft IT certifications. Each guide includes in-depth explanations, real-world examples, enterprise use cases, and ASCII diagrams — organized by official exam domains.
About These Study Guides
These guides provide the complete written content behind every concept in the Tech Cert Prep study app — presented in a readable, searchable format. Each concept entry includes:
For the full interactive experience — practice quizzes, bookmarking, progress tracking, and study timer — use the Tech Cert Prep study app.
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
AZ-900100+ concepts3 domainsThe entry-level Microsoft Azure certification. This guide covers cloud computing concepts (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), core Azure services including virtual machines, storage, and networking, Azure pricing and SLAs, and governance tools like Azure Policy and resource locks.
Key topics covered
- ✓Cloud computing models (public, private, hybrid)
- ✓Shared responsibility model
- ✓Azure regions and availability zones
- ✓Virtual machines, App Service, and containers
- ✓Azure storage and databases
- ✓Microsoft Entra ID and zero trust
- ✓Cost management and Azure pricing calculator
- ✓Azure Policy, Blueprints, and resource locks
CompTIA Security+
SY0-701776+ concepts5 domainsThe leading entry-level cybersecurity certification. This guide covers general security concepts, threats and vulnerability management, cryptography and PKI, identity and access management, security operations, and program management and oversight.
Key topics covered
- ✓Threat actors and attack vectors
- ✓Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing
- ✓Cryptography, certificates, and PKI
- ✓Identity and access management (IAM)
- ✓Network security controls and firewalls
- ✓Incident response and digital forensics
- ✓Security operations and monitoring (SIEM, SOAR)
- ✓Risk management and compliance frameworks
CompTIA Network+
N10-009650+ concepts5 domainsThe foundational networking certification. This guide covers networking fundamentals, OSI model, TCP/IP, switching and routing, wireless networking, network security, and network troubleshooting methodologies.
Key topics covered
- ✓OSI model and TCP/IP stack
- ✓IP addressing and subnetting (IPv4/IPv6)
- ✓Switching, VLANs, and spanning tree
- ✓Routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP)
- ✓Wireless networking standards and security
- ✓Network security (firewalls, IDS/IPS, ACLs)
- ✓Cloud networking and virtualization
- ✓Network troubleshooting methodology
Microsoft Azure Administrator
AZ-104240+ concepts5 domainsAn intermediate Azure certification for administrators. This guide covers managing Azure identities and governance, implementing and managing storage, deploying and managing compute resources, and configuring virtual networking.
Key topics covered
- ✓Microsoft Entra ID and role-based access control
- ✓Azure subscriptions and management groups
- ✓Azure storage accounts and blob storage
- ✓Virtual machines and scale sets
- ✓Virtual networking and VPN gateways
- ✓Azure Monitor and Log Analytics
- ✓Azure Backup and disaster recovery
- ✓App Service and container solutions
Microsoft Security, Compliance & Identity Fundamentals
SC-900150+ concepts4 domainsA foundational security and compliance certification. This guide covers security, compliance, and identity concepts across Microsoft cloud services including Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Purview, and Microsoft Sentinel.
Key topics covered
- ✓Zero trust security model
- ✓Authentication and authorization concepts
- ✓Microsoft Entra ID fundamentals
- ✓Conditional Access policies
- ✓Microsoft Defender security solutions
- ✓Microsoft Purview compliance tools
- ✓Microsoft Sentinel (cloud-native SIEM)
- ✓Data classification and retention
Microsoft Identity & Access Administrator
SC-300200+ concepts4 domainsAn advanced Microsoft certification for identity administrators. This guide covers implementing identity management using Microsoft Entra ID, managing enterprise access, implementing access management for applications, and planning and implementing identity governance.
Key topics covered
- ✓Microsoft Entra ID tenant configuration
- ✓Hybrid identity and Azure AD Connect
- ✓Conditional Access and MFA
- ✓Privileged Identity Management (PIM)
- ✓Enterprise app registration and SSO
- ✓Entitlement management and access reviews
- ✓Identity governance and lifecycle
- ✓External identities and B2B collaboration
Microsoft Endpoint Administrator
MD-102120+ concepts4 domainsA certification for endpoint management professionals. This guide covers planning and managing the deployment and protection of Windows devices using Microsoft Intune, Windows Autopilot, device compliance policies, and application deployment strategies.
Key topics covered
- ✓Windows Autopilot deployment
- ✓Microsoft Intune device enrollment
- ✓Device compliance and conditional access
- ✓Configuration profiles and policies
- ✓Application deployment and management
- ✓Endpoint security and Microsoft Defender
- ✓Windows update management
- ✓Co-management with Configuration Manager
Microsoft 365 Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals
AB-900100+ concepts3 domainsThe foundational certification for Microsoft 365 Copilot administration. This guide covers M365 core features, data protection and governance for AI workloads, Copilot administration, and Microsoft Copilot Studio for building custom agents.
Key topics covered
- ✓Microsoft Entra ID tenants and identities
- ✓Microsoft 365 license types (E3, E5, Copilot)
- ✓Data governance and Microsoft Purview
- ✓Conditional Access policies for AI
- ✓Microsoft 365 Copilot configuration
- ✓Copilot Studio and custom agents
- ✓Sensitivity labels and retention policies
- ✓Communication compliance and insider risk